Model U.N. breaks the Wash. U. bubble

Shweta Murthi

A new group formed in Student Union about a month ago to bring crisis handling and globalization into the student arena-but it isn’t your high school’s Model United Nations.

“U.N. committees at the college level are more dynamic and crisis-oriented,” said junior Roman Solowski, president of Model United Nations (U.N.) at Washington University. “The caliber of skill and difference of knowledge between participants makes it stand out from smaller high school contests.”

He explained that Model U.N. includes as its goals the promotion of international relations, diplomacy and parliamentary procedure. The Category I group is being advised by Tracy Pascua, associate director of admissions at the School of Law.

“We were so excited to get Category 1 status,” said Secretary Harry Kang, a freshman. “Our group really gelled together throughout the formation of the club and we’re just happy to finally get recognized.”

Freshman Rashid Amini, the group’s treasurer, credits the passion of those involved with their success.

“There was such an emotion that we all had about [Model U.N.],” he said. “Student Union was so supportive of us.”

The club is planning their first Midwest Model U.N. conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Union Station in late February. Preparations have already started. Students are still needed for the Midwest Model U.N. Conference, and refresher courses are available in January to those who might be first-timers. The intensity of the simulations are intended to help students become better debaters and develop global insight on issues that they would not have previously been aware of.

“It’s not too late to join for students to get involved. If students are interested, they should be on the lookout for flyers on campus or posts on thefacebook.com,” said Solowski.

Amini noted that about half of the group’s members have participated in Model U.N. at the high school level.

As for the future, Model U.N. plans to organize debates and conferences for high school students. As the first organization of its kind at the University, they want to take the initiative to bring it to local students as well.

“We wanted to organize debates on campus with local high school students so that they could not only get the Model U.N. experience, but also see the campus,” said Kang. “It’s a promotional activity for the school, as well.”

Others plans include participating in a University of Chicago conference, and getting political and international studies widespread on campus.

“Ideally, we would also like to see International Relations offered as a major, but none of us has talked to the administration about that yet,” said Solowski.

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