The NDSU Model United Nations Club took part in the first Upper Midwest Model Arab League conference Oct. 23-25 at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Model Arab League is similar to Model United Nations, where students role play as delegates from Middle Eastern and African countries, in councils that attempt to solve problems facing the region. Students from NDSU, UND, Minnesota State University Moorhead, St. Cloud State University and Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, participated in the conference.
Eight NDSU students participated, including Megan Gilbertson, a junior majoring in political science from Breckenridge, Minnesota; Josh Francis, a senior majoring in history from Costa Mesa, California; Laura Manstrom, a junior family and consumer sciences education major from Wyndmere, North Dakota; Gerard Arnold, a junior civil engineering major from Rochester, Minnesota; Nick Feikema, a junior majoring in computer science from Maple Lake, Minnesota; Mikaela Sevilla, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Manila, Philippines; junior Joseph Ravits from Hopkins, Minnesota; and Aimee Christopherson, a freshman in university studies from Perham, Minnesota.
“The conference was a way for us to take part in simulated international diplomacy and problem solving,” said Gilbertson, the NDSU club’s president. “The conference was fun because we had to play a character that doesn’t necessarily share the same views as our own, and debate from that perspective.”
Participants dealt with several real-world issues, such as the refugee crisis in the region, the Israel-Palestine conflict, strengthening border security and terrorism. The NDSU delegation represented the countries of Egypt and Oman.
Gilbertson and Christopherson, won an honorable mention for their representation of Egypt in the Joint Defense Council, and Francis received a commendation for his role as the chair in the Palestinian Affairs Council. Chairs run the councils, ensuring delegates follow parliamentary procedure, and they moderate the debate.
The NDSU Model UN club is scheduled to attend a Model United Nations conference in Chicago Nov. 21-24 and will represent the country of Jordan. The trips are made possible through funding from Student Government.
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