Franklin Model UN Delegates Compete in International Conference
02/10/2012
On January 27, 2012, eight Franklin College delegates set off to compete with 15 other colleges and universities at the second annual Model United Nations (Model UN) conference at University College London.
Model UN is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to teach students about current events, topics in international relations and diplomacy. Dr. Melvin Schlein, Professor Emeritus and Franklin Model UN advisor, explained that the fundamental goal of Model UN is to give students the opportunity to learn how the United Nations works. “Through simulation and role play, our students can get a sense of what real governments do and how they find solutions to problems,” said Schlein.
From Lugano to London: Model UN Debuts, Debates and Key Decisions
The conference brought a broad range of committees and delegates from around the world to London, one of Europe’s most multicultural cities. The Franklin Model UN team represented China, Iraq, Iran, the Republic of Seychelles and the United Kingdom, debating in several councils and committees:
Jude Al Marar, Class of 2015, Hometown: Dubai, UAE
Represented Iraq in the Human Rights Council
Massiel Brito, Class of 2014, Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Represented the United Kingdom in the Security Council
Tera Coffey, Class of 2014, Hometown: Houston, Texas, USA
Represented the United Kingdom in the United Nations Disarmament and International Security Committee
Gloria Dumas, Class of 2015, Hometown: Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA
Represented the United Kingdom in Special Political & Disconsolation Committee
Kasimir von Koblinski, Class of 2015, Hometown: Starnberg, Germany
Represented the Vice President of China in the Joint Cabinet Crisis China
Monica Mencer, Class of 2015, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA
Represented Seychelles in the United Nations Disarmament and International Security Committee
Arthur Ries, Class of 2015, Brussels, Belgium
Represented Iraq in the Special Political & Disconsolation Committee
Arianna Trozze, Class of 2014, Saverna Park, Maryland, USA
Represented Iran in the United Nations Environmental Programme
For some delegates, like Arthur Ries ‘15, the London conference marked his Model UN debut. Representing Iraq, Ries debated on topics including Palestinian refugees. “The debate was intense and we were quite deep in the subject. I was quite stressed at times and it was very formal, but it was a lot of fun.”
Kasimir von Koblinski ‘15 was chosen to participate in a special session called “Joint Cabinet Crisis”, a deliberation between two cabinets, the United States and China, on the subject of weapons in North Korea. von Koblinski played the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China. “We had to figure out how to act as a country on key decisions, particularly understanding the important characters on each side,” said von Koblinski. “It was fairly complicated and complex...we even had a “mole” in the group that we had to try to identify and assassinate.”
In addition to committee sessions, delegates were greeted by Ambassador Johan Verbeke, current Belgian Ambassador to the UK as well as David Russell, Director of Survivors Fund (SURF), a UK-based international organization which represents and supports survivors of the Rwandan genocide to rebuild their lives in Rwanda and the UK also spoke to the delegates. Delegates enjoyed interacting with both speakers, and particularly enjoyed Verbeke’s list of top 10 skills for debating and general life, of which included to always smile, never show emotion and always be on time.
Model UN at Franklin
The Franklin College Model UN was founded in the fall of 2010. The team is comprised of 16 members, spans across all classes and represents different majors including: international relations, environmental studies and international economics. To date, the Franklin Model UN team has competed in three international conferences: Barcelona, Prague, and most recently, London. In just one year’s time, the team has taken home awards for Best Committee and Best Delegation. Their growing success is due to the students’ dedicating many hours researching several countries’ histories and current stances, reviewing UN resolutions and drafting papers. “It’s always important to keep up with recent news and world events,” said von Koblinski. “Delegations often use this to their advantage.”
“You can never know too much,” said sophomore Massiel Brito, Model UN student organizer. “I feel that Model UN is Franklin…we’re gaining knowledge of what’s going on around the world in a fun way. You debate, you get emotional, and you really get into it.”
Model UN delegates unanimously feel the organization has allowed them to learn an array of professional and personal skills such as formal debate, self-confidence, effective communication, negotiation and bargaining strategies. Additionally, with role-play, the students are learning to see the world through different perspectives. “They’re a very autonomous group,” said Schlein. “We’re very happy that they take this initiative. It’s a pleasure to sponsor and help these students.”
The Franklin College Model UN team aims to keep active and continue competing in future conferences throughout the semester. For more information about the Franklin Model UN team, please contact Massiel Brito at massiel.brito@student.fc.edu.
