When India decided it wanted to form its own Model United Nations conference – just like the one in New York – the U.S. State Department wanted to help.
But the department required a little help too and called upon Alma College for assistance.
The choice of Alma College was something of a no brainer.
‘(The school) has won top honors at the U.S. national competition in New York City for 17 consecutive years,’ Alma College spokesman Mike Silverthorn said. ‘(It’s) the longest winning streak of any college or university in the nation. Alma College’s all time 32 ‘outstanding delegation’ awards are the most of any college or university in the 90 year history of the conference.’
Professor Derick Hulme who has overseen the program noted that the State Department had learned about Alma’s success and extended the invitation.
He and seven students will leave for New Delhi on Oct. 2.
‘The State Department designed this as a public diplomacy initiative to try to strengthen the younger generation’s appreciation of the importance of international organizations and multilateral diplomacy,’ Hulme said in a written statement. ‘India is becoming more economically capable and is one of the most populous countries in the world. It is in the interest of the United States to engage young people in countries like India and show them the importance of working collaboratively with people around the world.’
The best way to do that, Hulme said, is through a Model U.N conference.
Alma students won’t compete – they will serve as advisors or mentors to the students from about 80 schools.
Just like the U.N., there are committees – seven for this conference – and the students will help the students with each committee.
The Alma students, all of whom are women, have each participated in the New York conference at least twice.
‘That was a requirement,’ Hulme said
And they’ve all had experience travelling throughout the world and not just Europe or South America, but in places like Nepal, as well .
One of the students, Kara Nic, a junior from Vicksburg, either landed in a pot of jam or perhaps a bit closer to the fire with her committee topic: Syria.
As it happens, Nic is something of an old hand at Syria.
‘I’ve had simulated crises (with Syria) three times before,’ she said.
What makes it challenging now as she prepares for the trip is that the situation has been changing every day,she said.
Like college students everywhere they will have access to the Internet before, during and after the conference. One of Nic’s jobs will be to help students find the resource materials they need. The Internet helps, she said.
‘But you have to have history,’ she said, adding that related topics, and nearby countries – Libya for one – and their problems and history come into play.
The goal for these students will indeed be to try to find a solution.
And, that’s one of the best and interesting things about the U.N. program. Students’ suggestions and ideas from these conferences are in fact, passed on to whatever organization or governing body that is involved.
The World Health Organization adopted some of the ideas from a previous U.N. conference, said Maggie Peacock, a senior from Chicago.
‘(The students) get to influence what goes on in the world,’ Hulme said. ‘They’re smart, committed and come with fresh eyes. This is not a sterile exercise.’
A lot of work is needed in preparing for the conference but for the Alma students, documents for the post conference have to be prepared for the State Department, as well.
Most of the students said that they are likely to go into some kind of international relations after graduation, which may include just about any career or occupation.
Peacock for one, said that after law school, she’d like to find something in international law. Politics is also a possibility.
Emily Johnson, a junior from Commerce Township, said she plans to attend medical school and the World Health Organization isn’t a far-fetched idea.
And this is exactly what Hulme tells his students.
‘The world is out there and it’s coming at us, no matter what,’ he said. ‘If you’re in education, you have to compete with Singapore. Every career is, in a sense, international. And they take (the U. N.) experience with them.’
Johnson agreed. After her experiences, ‘You begin to feel like a citizen of the world,’ she said. ‘(The Model Un) is life class. You go to the U.N. and you learn things in life.’
Peacock told how she met a student from Egypt who had participated in the Arab Spring. One thing to see it on the news, she said, another to talk with one who lived through it.
She also recalled the time she helped prepare a report on human trafficking for a group that had received a $10,000 grant to fight it. The group was not well versed in English and Peacock was able to assist with the multiple-page document, allowing her to feel that she had made a worthwhile contribution.
The students, Hulme said, can begin to figure out how to solve problems.
‘They can begin to make a difference.’
Alma College received a $20,000 grant from the State Department to help pay for the expenses.
Linda Gittleman may be reached at 989-463-6071, lgittleman@michigannewspapers.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lgittleman.
