War with Iraq. Financial assistance to Kenya. Trade relations with Cuba. Nuclear proliferation in Asia. Cooperation in the war on terrorism. Human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
The United Nations deals with these issues and many more on a daily basis with the mission to save succeeding generations from war, encourage human rights across the world and promote social progress and better standards of living.
The Model United Nations organization is an international community providing members with the opportunity to experience foreign diplomacy and work through international conflicts with other students interested in the international community, said LSU Model U.N. President Rebekah Bowlin.
Members attend conferences once a semester and participate in U.N. simulations which consist of debate, Bowlin said.
“We learn about foreign policy and how the world works,” she said. “We learn how to address issues and solve problems of how to live.”
Benjamin Wood, a French senior, said an important fact is that American students do not represent the United States at the conferences, but other countries.
The Model U.N. members from LSU, for example, represented China at the Pan-American South Model U.N. conference in New Orleans in February.
“You get to see things from their point of view,” Wood said. “We had to use China’s rhetoric against the United States. It was neat to see my country through the eyes of another.”
Ralph Johnson, a political science freshman, said it is difficult to represent another country as an American.
“You have to be a good actor,” Johnson said.
At the 2003 conference in New Orleans last February, the LSU Model U.N. chapter received the “Distinguished Delegation” award, the equivalent of second place out of 150 countries represented.
Wood, who also received the “Distinguished Delegate” award, said the conferences allow students to focus on multifaceted, valuable skills like public speaking, debating, parliamentary procedure and writing and research abilities.
As representatives of China, the organization members had to research the foreign policy in order to know where China’s alliances lay, Wood said.
Johnson said the conferences are team-oriented as well. The whole team has to work together and be consistent.
LSU Model U.N. Vice President Sarah Welch said although the LSU chapter is young, the members feel they are able to do a good job.
“We want to win an award, but first we represent LSU,” Welch said.
Many chapters of Model U.N. at other universities serve as collegiate-level classes, Wood said. The LSU chapter’s accomplishments are a result of the members’ dedication during their own free time, he said.
Bowlin said the competition at the conferences is fierce, but it offers chances to make friends and establish connections with people who have similar interests.
Although the members work hard, the organization offers memorable opportunities.
“It’s truly intellectually stimulating,” Bowlin said.