The JCCC Model United Nations team received four awards for their Policy Positions Papers of Tanzania and Zambia at the 2013 American Model United Nations Conference Chicago IL. November 23-26, 2013.

The Position Paper Awards are presented in recognition of Johnson County’s pre-conference preparation. The position paper serves as a blueprint for building consensus and formulating and negotiating workable draft resolutions to resolve issues. In the last eight years the JCCC Model United Nations has received awards at all twenty-three consecutive conferences they have attended. Most notable are the awards received at the National Model United Nations Conference held at the United Nations in New York City. This past spring the team received an honorable mention award at the National Model United Nations and has received outstanding position paper awards in 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, & 2006. Preparations for these conferences are an exceptional educational opportunity for JCCC students and a chance to highlight the school’s academic excellence.

Twelve papers were submitted for the 2013 American Model United Nations conference with six for each Tanzania and Zambia.
The team captain was Kaitlyn Sylva (Gardner, KS) and Co-captain Ian Sneid (Leawood, KS). Elizabeth Schmidtberger was chosen to be a report for the conference and work on the AMUN Chronicle as part of the International Press Delegation.

Papers submitted for the Disarmament and International Security committee are by Aaron Banes (Kansas City, MO) representing Tanzania, Aaron Swift (Olathe, KS) representing Zambia on the “Establishment of a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East” and “Problems Arising from the Accumulation of Conventional Ammunition Stockpiles.”

Papers submitted for the Economic and Financial committee are by Kaitlyn Sylva representing Tanzania and Elysia Chao (Overland Park, KS) representing Zambia on the issues of “Science and Technology for Development” and “Follow-up to the Conference on world Financial and Economic crisis.”

Papers submitted for the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural committee are by Rebecca Carr (Overland Park, KS) representing Tanzania and Grace Kamotho (Overland Park, KS) representing Zambia on the issues of “Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment” and “the Rights of the Child.”

Papers submitted for the committee Special Political and Decolonization are by Donald Roth (Prairie Village, KS) representing Tanzania and Katlyn Pratt (Baldwin, KS) representing Zambia on the following issues: “International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” and “the Effects of Atomic Radiation.”

Papers submitted for Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations are by Ian Sneid (Leawood, KS) on the issues of “the Conduct and Discipline of Peacekeeping” and “the Protection of Civilians.”

JCCC Model United Nations has been transformed into one of the nation’s top ranked programs. One main reason is the leadership of Dr. Brian Wright (team advisor) who developed the course POLS 200 Model United Nations. Dr. Wright is also the treasurer for the board of directors UNA USA Kansas City organization and the Secretary for the board of directors Mid-West Model United Nations in St. Louis. Dr. Wright received the 2007 JCCC International Education Award and JCCC Distinguished Service Awards in spring 2008, 2010, 2012.