April 22,1986
the lance
Page 9
Saint Andrews Students
Represent Ethiopia at Model U.N.
Ten St. Andrews students got a
taste of international diplomacy at
the National Model United Nations
Conference held in New York City
the first week in April. They were
among almost two thousand par
ticipating in this annual event.
"The experience takes you
beyond the perspective of a U.S.
citizen to encounter the views and
values of other countries," said Paul
Gilbert, a junior politics major.
Karen Cole, a senior who has a
thematic major in poltics,
psychology, and communications,
also noted that "the conference
provides one with a deeper un
derstanding of the complexities in
attempting to achieve consensus at
the international level."
Each year St. Andrews compete
wich schools such as West Point,
Princeton, harvard, and the Univer
sity of Pennsylvania, and schools
from Canada, Puerto Rico, and
Japan in the world's largest
simulation of the United Nations.
According to Gilbert, "One of the
best parts of the conference is the
interaction with students from over
the country and the world."
Each school represents a country
in its diplomatic positions on various
issues which are debated in the
United Nations. In past years, St.
Andrews student delegations have
represented Burma, Thailand,
Sqaziland, Portugal, the Philippines,
and Guatemala. This year, St. An
drews represented Ethiopia.
The ten students who composed
the St. Andrews delegation were
Reeta Roy, Craig Piccola, Eric
English, Karen Cole, Paul Gilbert,
Phyllis Helms, Dave Arnold, Paul
Gilbert, Amy Heavner, Steve
Maclin, and Dave Snyder. All of
them belong to the St. Andrews
Model United Nations club.
The club is open campus wide to
students from a wide range of
disciplines, who are interested in in
ternational affairs, and the work of
the United Nationsl. This year's
majors that were represented in
cluded politics, business, chemistry,
and communications.
The club's faculty advisor. Dr.
Larry Schulz, Associate Professor of
Politics commented, "In order to be
selected, students must have
demonstrated strong records of
academic achievement, and possess
sound research skills."
"They must also have the ability
to interact effectively in debating
and negotiating sessions. They
must be conversant with a wide
range of international issues, and
know the politics of many
nations."
The St. Andrews delegation
prepared extensively by researching
the issues and Ethiopia's position on
them. Several trips were also made
to Chapel Hill's Davis Library which
Photos by Dr. Larry Schulz
is a United Nations depository.
Each student represents
Ethiopia's view on a committee
which debates certain issues per
taining to the nature of the com
mittee and the interests of Ethiopia.
Topics were discussed included
disarmament, chemical weapons,
economic development in Africa,
refugees, population, apartheid in
South Africa, and peace prospects
in Central America, the Middle East,
and Afghanistan.
Eric English, a senior and
chemistry major worked on the
Population Conference. He said that
"Ethiopia is interested in controlling
its population growth mainly to
weaken the economic and food
base of its rebel held territory. The
socialist government is also fearful
of outside intereference in its
population programs."
His committee had to produce a
report of recommendations on a
consensus basis. "If one country
voted no, the entire recom
mendation failed. It was a great lear
ning experience in group dyanmics.
I learned that people working
toward a common goal caught up in
political realities," he added.
Steve Maclin, a sophomore and
politics major was in the Non-
Aligned Movement. "I was exposed
to the bond between developing
countries as they struggle for self-
sufficiency. These countries are
committed to protecting their
sovereignty and security," he said.
Another sophomore and politics
major, Dave Synder represented
Ethiopia on the General Assembly.
His agenda, concerning peace
prospects in Central America and
Afhanistan, was highly con
troversial between the Eastern and
Western blocks.
"I learned that diplomats of
developing nations are very con
scious of their country's image. A
diplomat's reluctance to be
associated with one of the world s
antagonistic blocks seems to be as
important as his or her country s
position on an issue," he explained.
Having participated in the Con
ference on Disarmament, Dave Ar
nold, a sophomore and politics
major mentioned that he has come
to have a greater sympathy for
world diplomats. The ability to
produce a document on a con
sensus basis is a testimony to
cooperation and the spirit of com
promise."
The highlights of the conference
and the trip to New York included
listening to a speaker from the
United Nations, working sessions at
the United Nations, simulating the
various committee sessions, and
visits to various attractions in New
York city. The St. Andrews
delegation also dined at an
Ethiopian restaurant.