JCCC Model UN Recieves Awards at National Model United Nations
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.”
|
Committee and Issues |
We can only send 12 Delegates: |
|
| General Assembly First Committee (GA1) (Disarmament and International Security) | James Khalif | |
| General Assembly Second Committee (GA2) (Economic and Financial) |
Elvira Babaeva |
Meredith Barlett |
| General Assembly Third Committee (GA3) (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) | Samantha Poetter |
Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio + 20 Benjamin Tomlin
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Executive Board (UNESCO)
Gaelyn McGhee and Mararita Zuniga
African Union (AU) Ben Brown
International Criminal Court (ICC) *writes judgment* Joe Siebert
Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) *writes treaty* Megan Willard & Joe Gideon
JCCC Model United Nations team Receives awards at Mid-West Model United Nations conference
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 Tomin (Lawrence, KS ) Matt Lantz (Overland Park, KS), Merrideth Barlett (Olathe, KS), Kim Luhr (Olathe, KS), Elvira Babaeva (Novoaltaysk, Russia) Gaelyn McGhree (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.
Fall 2012 JCCC Model UN team to Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian China
http://blogs.jccc.edu/mun/the-model-un-conferences/nmun-xian-china/