A delegation of 20 Lynchburg College students won the Distinguished Award for Position Papers and an Honorable Mention Award for the Delegation at the National Model United Nations simulation in New York City April 4-9.
The LC delegation, which is enrolled in a UN politics course at LC taught by Dr. Sabita Manian, represented Bangladesh in a simulation that attempts to model the real work of the UN. Students do massive amounts of research to faithfully role play the country they are representing.
"I was really impressed by how we came together," said Amanda d'Arcy, a junior and one of two head delegates for LC. Senior Billy Green, the other head delegate, noted, "A lot of our freshmen could compete at an international level."
Nearly 4,000 students from colleges and universities around the world attended the Model UN from such countries as Mexico, Iraq, Japan, Italy, and Germany. Prior to arriving in New York, each team is given a country to represent.
"This experience drew my attention to the wide variety of cultures, ideas, and opinions that exist in the world while also providing me with a unique reassurance that this diversity can be maintained while still working toward compromise and diplomacy," said junior Fallon Page.
The simulation involves both written and face-to-face debates with other countries to discuss global issues. The simulation also gives students the opportunity to develop skills in negotiation, deliberation, and bargaining. The students are engaged in diplomacy and persuasion, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
"I addressed 200 people," said freshman Alyssa Roehr. "Now a class of 20 is not that bad."
Students discussed topics including global food security, nuclear proliferation, improving emergency response through humanitarian reform, preventing sexual violence, and international trade.
The students came back brimming with enthusiasm from the experience. "We loved it and we love Dr. Manian," said junior Dan Rezai.
Other students who participated were: Kristen Bell '10, Crystal Carter '09, Joseph Dicerbo '10, Matthew Dotten '12, Frank Fash '11, Thomas Key '10, Angela Massino '11, Conor McFarland '10, Chelsea Parker '09, Jennifer Pernisi '10, Bridget Rachwal '10, Charles Rayome '10, April Savage '09, Amber Santoyo '10, and Edgar Wharton '12.
Another highlight for Lynchburg College was the announcement that an LC alumna, Emefa Gbedemah, a 2005 graduate, was chosen as the secretary general for next year's Model UN.
"LC has much to celebrate," said Dr. Manian, associate professor of international relations.