Model U.N. prepares for annual conference

Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) is preparing for their 42nd annual conference in Brewer-Hegeman Hall on the University of Central Arkansas' campus Saturday and Sunday.

The AMUN is an Arkansas body of the group, Model United Nations, an international simulation of the United Nations whose goal is to enhance high school and college students' communication skills, improve their critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of diplomacy and international politics.

Their annual conference, during which high school and college students simulate the legislative session at the UN, has been held at UCA for years.

The conference involves UCA, Hendrix College, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and 20-25 high schools from Arkansas and neighboring states. In the last conference, more than 350 high school students and 50-60 college staff members participated.

"We are looking forward to this year's AMUN conference and hoping that all of the hard work and planning will pay off," Mark Mullenbach, AMUN Coordinator and also assistant professor at UCA, said.

Each high school will have their representing countries. In the conference, they will be divided into different model committees, such as Security Council, Special Political Committee, Legal Committee, Economic and Social Council and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

In each committee, students will discuss international issues and questions as model UN delegates. For instance, one question can be: What, if anything, should UNICEF do to address the spread of HIV/AIDS among children and the impact of HIV/AIDS on children throughout the world?" for the model UNICEF.

In the legislative session, model delegates must propose and pass resolutions through debates and votes. And model secretariat staffs and general assembly officers played by college students will preside over each committee.

Issues and detailed information regarding the issues are posted online in the AMUN website.

Conway High School Model United Nations has met twice a week since August for research and discussion training.

Faculty advisor William Richardson has trained his students and participated in this conference since 2003.

"It's a great program to let (students) see what's going on in the world today. There are a lot of issues they don't get to in the class," Richardson said.

Conway High School Model United Nations has 25 delegates, 12 of who are returning students. They will represent Iran, Israel, Canada and Yemen.

Conway High School student Nicholas Rogers will participate in the conference for fourth time.

"It's a great opportunity to get to debate, learn and meet new people as well as expand on the world issues that most teenagers don't discuss at our age," Rogers said.

Rogers has awarded for several titles including outstanding delegates awards and a best resolution paper.

On Oct. 24, students from UCA and Hendrix College met at Hendrix College for the details regarding the conference.

UCA student Paola Hernandez will serve as registration coordinator.

"(The conference) is fun and students will learn what's going on in the world at the same time," Hernandez said.

At the opening session of the conference, UCA President Lu Hardin, Consul General at Consulate of Mexico at Little Rock Andres Chao, Mullenbach and 2007 AMUN Secretary-General Timothy Hurley will have speeches.

Award presentation to outstanding delegates and the announcement of 2008 secretary-general will take place at the closing session Nov. 17.