Model UN to travel to New York

The Ohio University Model United Nations club was selected in October to attend a weeklong national conference in New York City in April.

Katherine Simpson, president of Model UN, said more than 3,000 Model UN delegates from more than 150 colleges and universities around the world will attend the event.

At the conference, students will learn about and discuss international issues from the perspectives of various U.N. member states.

“We divide into committees, and each group represents a different country,” Simpson said. “We’ll represent Iraq, for instance, and learn all of Iraq’s positions. Then we go into the committee representing that view, discuss problems with other countries, and come up with a solution.”

Simpson finds the experience to be beneficial for the club’s members.

“It’s a diverse club. Everyone gets to improve their public speaking skills, learn how to give speeches and problem solve with all types of people,” she said.

The Model UN has 22 members and is funded with money from the Political Science department, Honors Tutorial College, fundraisers and dues paid by members.

The OU Model UN was selected after Simpson submitted an application essay listing which countries the club wished to represent. Simpson said between eight and 16 members will travel to the national conference.

Joe Rominiecki