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                         May 3, 2002

USMA Model UN team takes 3rd at World Conference

By Cadet 3rd Class Seth Johnston
Model UN Club Cadet in Charge

The West Point Model United Nations team earned third place at the 2002 World Model United Nations Conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil over spring break.

Nine of the eleven cadets earned an individual award for performance at the conference.

WorldMUN is the largest and most diverse international Model United Nations conference. The 2002 WorldMUN conference was organized by Harvard University in cooperation with Pontificia Universidade de Minas Gerais of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

More than 600 students from 86 universities in 35 countries attended the conference. American colleges represented less than 20 percent of the schools in attendance. Student delegates came from places as diverse as Lebanon, Greece, Portugal, Taiwan, Belgium, Bermuda, Kenya, Guyana and Egypt.

Four cadets earned the World Model United Nations Award for Diplomacy, the most prestigious honor:

Senior Scott Stine represented the Russian Federation on the UN Commission on Human Rights. Stine, Model UN Executive Officer, has competed with the club longer than any other cadet, and earned the most 1st place awards.

Junior Seth Johnston commanded the European Union Rapid Reaction Force on the Political and Security Committee of the European Union. Johnston, Model UN CIC, wrote a policy proposal on the EU Rapid Reaction Force for his Truman Scholarship application.

Junior Adam MacAllister represented the Russian Federation on a diverse and well-represented Middle Eastern Summit. MacAllister was instrumental in writing a 32-clause resolution that epitomized attention to diplomatic detail.

Sophomore Margaret Nencheck represented the Russian Federation on the Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the UN General Assembly. Nencheck told reporters during an interview for the WorldMUN newsletter that the club helps cadets learn about current situations.

"WorldMUN is a valuable opportunity for people from my generation to interact -- not only to learn about different cultures and beliefs, but also to discuss topics that affect all of us world citizens."

Senior Joe Da Silva earned the title "Honorable Delegate," the second highest honor represented given out. He represented the Russian Federation on the UN High Commission on Refugees. Da Silva, who is the President of the Class of 2002, was the only member of the team who speaks the native language of Portuguese in a country where few people speak English.

Four cadets earned commendations for their diplomatic performance.

Seniors Lukasz Slominski and Sandy Bucher represented the Russian Federation on the UN Development Program.

Sophomore Joe Wells represented the Russian Federation on the World Health Organization and Sophomore Chris Atkins represented the Russian Federation on the Disarmament and International Security Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Junior Phil Woods and freshman Cecil Wolberton also served with distinction on the UN Security Council and Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, respectively.

Victory at the World Model United Nations Conference concludes the most successful year of West Point Model UN in history. The team took 65 individual awards this year compared to 33 individual awards last year and is the current holder of the Benjamin Franklin Cup awarded by the University of Pennsylvania.

Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations organization and system, where each university represents a different set of countries.

Students act as ambassadors and political leaders, working to debate and propose solutions to pressing international issues. Success depends on critical thinking skills and knowledge of world politics, and also on the ability to negotiate, speak before large audiences, form coalitions and understand diverse people and opinions.