What are the Model United Nations and Model Organization of American States? These are simulations that have students take on the responsibilities of representing a particular state (or non-governmental organization) in a committee of the UN or OAS to gain an experiential education on about international politics.

How do Model UN and Model OAS work? Each conference assigns us a country with a certain number of committee assignments, each assignment having one or two topic areas for delegates to address. Students will research the policies of the assigned country, and use that information to develop strategies on how to implement those ideas. Before the conference, delegates will write and edit a ‘position paper’ on their committee topics that will become part of the team’s official white paper. At the conference, students will negotiate with other delegates to design and write solutions for their topic areas. They will publicly speaking in front of crowds ranging from ten delegates to upwards of four hundred to gain and build support among the other states for their ideas.

To assist students, we hold regular training sessions throughout the fall and spring semester. These sessions will address the various skills students will need for their preparation and participation in the conference, such as researching, technical writing, public speaking, and negotiating. In the 2010 winter term, we will offer GVPT 388S for students to earh upper division credit for their participation on either the Model UN or Model OAS Team.

Over the last three years, the IS Model UN Team has represented the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Slovenia, and the State of Eritrea. Students have served on committees such as the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the World Health Organization, the Development and Cooperation Forum, and the UN Security Council. These committees have addressed a variety of issues, including the Provision of Pharmaceutical Drugs, Children Soldiers, Organ Trafficking, Health Care as a Human Right, Environmental Sustainability, and Reforming International Aid and Relief to Africa. In spring 2010, we will represent the Slovak Republic in Boston, and our Model OAS team will make their first appearance at the Washington conference representing Bolivia.

Model UN and Model OAS also provide an opportunity to build social and professional networks with individuals from across the world as over 30 countries have college and universities participating in the Harvard Conference.

The two trips will require co-pay, although the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the Department of Government and Politics will provide some financial support for those students who choose to attend. If these two programs interest you, please let your discussion leader know as soon as possible in the fall semester. The IS Model UN Team will be for the freshman students, while sophomores may participate on the Model OAS Team.

For more information concerning the IS Model United Nations and the Model Organization of American States Teams, please contact Tony Marcum and Javiera Alarcon.