Eight members of the JCCC Model United Nations will be traveled to Beijing and Xian China November 14 to 24th 2012. In Xian JCCC Model was hosted by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU). JCCC signed an agreement with NPU in 2000 that sets up a cultural student exchange and in particular with the Model UN program. This program is unique. NPU will be sending students to JCCC this coming spring as they have done each year since 2002. The NPU students come to JCCC to train with the Model UN team before attending the New York conference at the United Nations. JCCC has previously sent students to Xian in 2004 and 2008.

 For more information see JCCC Model UN Xian China

The Johnson County Community College (JCCC) Model United Nations team is pleased to announce that it received an Distinguished Delegation Award for the portrayal Kenya at the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) in New York City, March 31 to April, 2012. In addition, JCCC received an Outstanding Position Paper award for the General Assembly Third Committee on the topics of Combating Human Trafficking, Development and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Transnational Organized Crime.

JCCC students competed against other Universities and Colleges from around the world (i.e., University of Montreal, University of Rome, University of Sharjah, University of Lyon, Renmin University of China).

JCCC was evaluated by the conference on the following criteria for the Distinguished Award: Remaining in Character – defined as advocating your assigned country’s position in a manner consistent with economic, social and geopolitical constraints, Participating in committee – evaluated both during formal and informal (caucusing) sessions, Proper use of the rules of procedure – NMUN uses the rules of procedure to facilitate effective workings of committee and debate.

Additionally, Position Paper Awards in recognition of outstanding pre-conference preparation. The following criteria are used by the conference staff to evaluate Position Papers:  Overall quality of writing, proper style, grammar, etc., Citation of relevant resolutions/documents, General consistency with bloc/geopolitical constraints, Consistency with the constraints of the United Nations, and Analysis of issues, rather than reiteration of the Committee Background Guide.

Three JCCC Students were chosen by the conference to be rapporteur’s who assist with the organization of their conference committee.
James Khalif (Overland Park, KS) the General Assembly First Committee: Disarmament “Disarmament is interesting because it depends on the progress made on security which also contributes to the maintenance of peace in the world.”

Margarita Zunig, (Lawrence, KS) Food and Agricultural Organization “This experience at NMUN has been an educational and eye-opening experience, allowing the JCCC team to bond together and cooperate to achieve the highest accolades possible.”

Joseph Gideon (Overland Park, KS) International Criminal Court (ICC) “The ICC offers real insight into global perspectives on law and justice.”

In addition to the above, the JCCC teams success is attributed to Megan Willard (Olathe, KS),  Benjamin Tomlin (Lawrence, KS ), Benjamin Brown, (Overland Park, KS) Aaron Haffey (Overland Park, KS) Merrideth  Barlett (Olathe, KS),  Elvira Babaeva (Novoaltaysk, Russia) Gaelyn McGhee (Shawnee, KS) , Samantha Poetter (Paola, KS), Joe Siebert (Shawnee, KS), and Dr. Brian Wright (team advisor)

“It is a very impressive achievement for JCCC students,” JCCC Model UN faculty advisor and Associate Professor Brian Wright adds that “Please understand how much of an achievement this is for JCCC. The National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference New York City is the world’s largest and most prestigious Model United Nations conference. Participants include major universities from throughout the world, each of which sets the main focus of their program on award recognition at New York. Although the NMUN conference is very large, it has kept its number of awards small and to receive one clearly says to the rest of the Model UN community that JCCC has one of the strongest programs in the world. Receiving these awards are a great experience for our students that will stay with them throughout their lives.”

This NMUN award caps seven years of success for JCCC, during which the team has received awards at the last 23 consecutive conferences they have attended. It also completes a sweep for the school year with this JCCC team having received outstanding awards at the American Model United Nations in Chicago Il and Mid-West Model UN in St. Louis. These conferences are an exceptional educational opportunity for JCCC students and a chance to highlight the school’s academic excellence. JCCC students prepared for the conference through research for position papers, class assignments, and participation at their own MUN simulation. A wide variety of majors are represented on this team, such as Political Science, Business, History, Nursing, Education, English, and Science.

“The NMUN conference was an unforgettable experience because of meeting students from fifty six different countries. I am proud to be a part of such a successful team” said Margarita Zunig (Lawrence, KS). “This conference was an experience I will always value; having had the opportunity to work with great students from around the world. Model United Nations allows students to understand the international issues at the United Nations while building skills in public speaking and diplomacy. More than 3000 students participated in the conference by proposing resolutions and writing reports dealing with world issues. The conference helps students to further understand global issues and international relations in a forum that allows them to discuss global concerns in an atmosphere that is similar to that of the United Nations.

“These awards it would not have been possible without the hard work and collaboration between of every member of this team,” said JCCC student” said Gaelyn McGhee.

Ben Brown “When you enter the United Nations General Assembly Hall and witness so many students from around the world working on international issues. Nothing compares to the feeling of everything coming together which spending time at the United Nations. Just imagine what we can accomplish in the future.”

Ben Tomlin “Learning the international perspective from those who actually hold it was very rewarding.”

Aaron Haffey “the conference is an opportunity to interact with students from around the world and solve issues in a learning environment.”

Samantha Poetter “The conference shows how students are working diplomatically to fine solutions to issues of human trafficking by consensus. The hope is that the United Nations can do the same.”

Meredith Barlett “I am glad to have the opportunity to network with future leaders from around the world. This is a wonderful learning opportunity that I will not soon forget. I am particularly proud of the contributions made by my fellow JCCC students.”

Joe Siebert “ I am collaborating with a panel of eight student justices of the international criminal court to assess the evidence presented and judge the merits of the case.”

Ben Brown “At the NMUN conference we collaborate to find feasible solutions for solving the world’s most critical issues such as responding to famine in Africa.”

Megan Willard “the hard work by all students at the conference is an accurate representation of diplomacy in action.”

Gaelyn McGhree “The conference is exciting experience. I am enjoying the conference and all of the opportunities that comes from the experience. We get to see New York City and the United Nations and to work with an international body of students to reach many goals.

The JCCC Model United Nations team received three awards for its portrayal of Canada at the 2012 Mid-West Model United Nations Conference St. Louis February 15-18, 2012. The Outstanding Delegate Choice Award plus Outstanding Position Paper Award went to Ben Brown (Mission, KS) for his work on the Commission of Sustainable development regarding the issues of “Environmental, Social and Economic impacts of the Mining Industry and Prevention of International traffic in Toxic and Dangerous Products.” The Position Paper Award is 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.

Honorable Mention Award went to Aaron Haffey(Prairie Village, KS) for his portrayal of Canada’s position on the Commission on Science and Technology committee regarding the issues of “Intellectual Property Rights in Encouraging Technology transfer,” and “the role of science and technology for development.” 

JCCC students competed against other Universities and Colleges from across North America. In addition to the above, the JCCC teams success is attributed to Megan Willard (Olathe, KS), Aizhan Tazhigulova (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Jason Sandoy (Lenexa, KS), Benjamin Tomlin (Lawrence, KS ) Matt Lantz (Overland Park, KS), Merrideth Barlett (Olathe, KS), Kim Luhr (Olathe, KS), Elvira Babaeva (Novoaltaysk, Russia) Gaelyn McGhee (Shawnee, KS) , James Khalif (Overland Park, KS), Joe Gideon (Overland Park, KS), Xian Jin (Kansas City, MO), Joe Siebert (Shawnee, KS) ( and Dr. Brian Wright (team advisor) Dr. Wright Secretary by Board of Directors of the Midwest Model United Nations. 

Additionally, former JCCC student and team member Brandon Bezner (Overland Park, KS) was the 2012 Mid-West Model United Nations Conference Secretary General and Samantha Poetter (Paola, KS) was the 2012 Under-Secretary General of Administration. Samatha Poetter was selected to be the 2012 Under Secretary General of the Mid-West Model United Nations Conference. The Secretary General, Under-Secretary General, and Under-Secretary General for Administration are responsible for organizing and managing the Mid-West Model United Nations Conference.

Kim Luhr “This was my first Model UN conference; it was an incredible experience particularly the opportunities to develop my people and diplomacy skills.”
Merrideth Bartlett “undoubtedly this conference was an incredibly enriching learning experience and I met wonderful people.”

Jason Sandoy “this experience lets you see that there are others who think about politics as much as I do.”

Matt Lantz “This conference reminded me of the diverse applications learned that can be important in my life, such as engaging others, compromising to reach a common goal, and practicing awareness to global issues.”

Joe Gideon “This is an experience gained skill that transfers well. A good Model UN’er is a hard worker, a good student and friend.”

Aaron Haffey:  “Learning about the complexity of the United Nations was a challenging yet intellectually awarding experience.”

Gaelyn McGhee “The in-depth conversations among students made this event a life learning experience.”

Elvira Babaeva “After look discussion the committee came to a mutual agreement. I learn about diplomatic strategies including giving good speeches, actively participating in discussions, and writing resolutions. It was fun to see the resolution was passed by consensus.”

Megan Willard “This was a fantastic learning experience. I had never been so intellectually challenged to do my best. I look forward to taking the necessary steps to improve and prepare for future conferences.” 

Ben Brown “As delegate we took a diplomatic approach to build consensus on resolutions. In the process we learned the challenges of international diplomacy.”

Model United Nations allows students to understand the international issues at the United Nations and at the same time build skills in public speaking and diplomacy. More than 600 students participated in this conference, proposing resolutions dealing with world issues. The issues discussed range from peace-keeping and human rights to economic development, and the plight of children. The conference is helping students to further understand global issues and international relations. This forum allows students to discuss global concerns in an atmosphere that is similar to that of the United Nations.

The JCCC Model UN team will next attend the National Model United Nations Conference in New York held at the United Nations March 30 to April 6, 2012 where they will represent the country of Kenya. This conference is an exceptional educational opportunity for JCCC students and a chance to highlight the school’s academic excellence.

  NEWS – THE CAMPUS LEDGER – FEB 2, 2011 – VOLUME 34 – ISSUE 9

International perspectives

Model United Nations team does well, aspires for more

By Rachel Luchmun

The college’s Model United Nations (MUN) team is preparing for a conference in St. Louis after a successful confer­ence in Chicago during the fall semester.

The team was awarded Overall Best Delegation given for best representing the policies of Cuba, as well as an Outstanding Delegation award representing the economic and financial poli­cies of Cuba. Brian Wright, adviser to MUN since 2003, said MUN is a roleplaying simu­lation where students assume the roles of diplomats, much like the actual United Nations. Participants represent a specific country at the confer­ence. “Issues that are cov­ered include human rights, disarmament and financial issues such as microcredit,” Wright said. Wright said he was proud of the college’s good performance, on par with four-year col­leges such as Austin College and McKendree University. “People tend to have a bias against community colleges and are shocked with the good results,” Wright said. Partici­pants are expected to extensively research the country they are representing, especially what has been done regarding the issue under discussion. “Quite a bit of research is needed,” Wright said. “Different countries might advocate differ­ent things. Cuba, for example, would refuse any capitalist ap­proach to solve a problem.” Wright said being a success­ful MUN participant may have an initial steep learning curve, including learning the language of diplomacy. Participants must also realize they are advocating the country’s point of view and not their own. “There is an emphasis on diplo­matic skills,” Wright said.

The college’s team typically attends three conferences, two of them local and one of them international, involving colleges and universities from around the world.

Student Megan Willard has been part of MUN for one semester. She said the concept was easy to understand once she got into it.

“One thing I’ve learned is to accept a foreign view point other than the American or western one,” Willard said.

Student Sean Jin said being a member of the MUN team has brought personal awareness to him.

“College students can make a difference, even if it is not much,” Jin said.

Exchange student Aizhan Tazhigulova has been on the team for one semester. She said she saw the MUN experience as a personal challenge.

“I gained a lot of confidence from speaking in public,” Tazhigulova said.

MUN highlights writing-based academic excellence and promotes international learning.

“In MUN, students are able to interact with people from different cultures,” Wright said.

The next conference is scheduled on Feb. 14-18 in St. Louis, Mo. Sixteen students from the college will be attending. In the first week of April, 12 students will make the trip to New York, where an international confer­ence will be held at the UN headquarters. Recruitment for the college’s MUN team is generally conducted in the fall semester. How­ever, students interest­ed to join now should contact Brian Wright at bwright1@jccc.edu.

More information is also available at the Model United Nations blog, https://blogs.jccc.edu/mun/.

Contact Rachel Luchmun, news editor, at rluchmun@jccc.edu.

Former JCCC Model United Nations student Maxwell Matite is accepted into  Princeton University’s

Public Policy and International Affairs(PPIA) fellowship program. http://www.jccc.edu/photo_stories/2012/0319-matite-maxwell.html