04/10/12

Story by Anne Christiansen-Bullers, 913-469-8500, ext. 4184

Model UN receives awards at National Model UN in NY

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Model United Nations team from Johnson County Community College received a Distinguished Delegation Award and an Outstanding Position Paper Award at the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) March 31-April 5 in New York City. 

The team was awarded the Distinguished Delegation Award for its portrayal of Kenya during the NMUN conference where colleges and universities from around the world gathered to discuss and debate global concerns. 

The Distinguished Delegation Award is based upon team members’ ability to stay in character (such as advocating for the assigned country’s position), to participate in committee in both formal and informal caucusing sessions and to follow proper NMUN procedures. 

The Outstanding Position Paper Award recognizes pre-conference preparation. JCCC received the award for the topics of Combating Human Trafficking; Development and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and Transnational Organized Crime. 

Position Paper Awards are judged on the overall quality of writing, mechanics, citations of relevant sources, analysis of issues and the general consistency with bloc/geopolitical constraints.

Additionally, three JCCC students were chosen to be rapporteurs. (Rapporteurs assist with the organization of their conference committee.) 

They include:

• James Khalif, Overland Park, General Assembly First Committee: Disarmament.
• Margarita Zunig, Lawrence, Kan., Food and Agricultural Organization 
• Joseph Gideon, Overland Park, International Criminal Court  

In addition to the above, the JCCC team’s success is attributed to Megan Willard, Olathe; Benjamin Tomin, Lawrence, Kan.; Benjamin Brown, Overland Park; Aaron Haffey, Overland Park; Merrideth Barlett, Olathe;, Elvira Babaeva, Novoaltaysk, Russia; Gaelyn McGree, Shawnee; Samantha Poetter, Paola, Kan.; and Joe Siebert, Shawnee. Brian Wright, associate professor, political science, is the team’s adviser. 

“It is a very impressive achievement for JCCC students,” Wright said. “The National Model United Nations conference in New York City is the world's largest and most prestigious Model United Nations conference. Participants include major universities from throughout the world, each of which sets the main focus of their program on award recognition at New York.” 

Despite its large size, the number of awards given at the conference is quite small, Wright said. 

“Receiving these awards are great experiences for our students that will stay with them throughout their lives,” he said. 

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