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Villanovans Attend Model United Nations Conference
in Cairo
Elizabeth Solly ’0
5
 From
March 6- 15, 20 Villanova students and their faculty advisors attended
an annual worldwide Model United Nations conference held at American University
in Cairo (AUC). The Villanovans joined approximately 200 other students,
some from Yale University, Williams College, the Netherlands, Iceland,
and the majority from AUC. While there, they experienced ten days as part
of an international peacekeeping organization. They separated into committees
matching those of the real United Nations, including Security Council,
General Assembly, Development, and Human Rights. In these groups, the
students assumed the identities of various member nations and debated
selected topics from the perspective of these nations.
The Villanova team, under the direction of political science professors
Dr. Lowell Gustafson and Dr. Ann Lesch, represented Canada and Russia.
Senior Dom Belfiglio led the students who represented Canada and junior
Daniel Valles led the students who represented Russia. Dr. Adele Lindenmeyr,
history department chair also assisted, providing information on Russia,
her area of expertise. The students, mainly political science majors interested
in international relations, prepared intensely in the weeks preceding
the competition. They received notification of the topics to be discussed
at the conference, and researched online to become comfortable with their
nations’ viewpoints on these matters. They drafted opening statements
on these issues to present at the committee meetings, and also studied
opposing nations’ viewpoints for the informal debate portion. Throughout
the process, the student leaders arranged meetings, explained Model United
Nations procedures and handled complaints.
While in Cairo, the students attended daily meetings in which they debated
with the other participants, each maintaining the identity of their assigned
nations. For six hours, they listened to other countries’ ideas
and expressed agreements or arguments of their own. The ultimate goal
was to reach a resolution. For example, in the General Assembly committee,
the primary topic analyzed was the transfer of weapons between non-state
actors. Each country had the opportunity to present its opening statement,
and then the informal debate began. The debate was so contentious that
it precluded the other assigned topic from being discussed at all, but
ultimately a resolution was reached. The resolution laid out precise definitions
for each term (for example, what constitutes a non-state actor), and placed
a ban on the transfer of weapons in this matter.
Participating in the Model United Nations conference afforded the students
much valuable insight. They had the opportunity to listen to an opening
speech given by the Egyptian Foreign Minister, who expressed excitement
over the fact that so many students were interested in preserving the
work of the United Nations, especially in these troubled times. In their
committee meetings, they gained knowledge of divergent international views
on pressing current issues. They also learned firsthand just how difficult
it is to reach a compromise with so many varying and impassioned viewpoints.
According to Belfiglio, he learned the value of being very specific when
expressing an opinion and of anticipating every objection.
Of course, the learning experiences extended well beyond the walls of
their American University headquarters. The students had one of the most
ancient and influential cities at their fingertips. They rode camels through
the Sahara Desert at sunset. They posed for pictures in front of pyramids.
They visited the Sakara, a famous ancient city and burial ground that
is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. They toured the ancient
ruins of the world-famous Alexandria library. They also soaked up the
Egyptian culture. Students were surprised by some of the cities’
Islamic culture government-mandated regulations, such as the curfews and
the prohibition of alcohol. However, they found their hosts generally
friendly and particularly enjoyed sharqi dancing.
The University is currently exploring the possibility of sending another
team to another conference in the upcoming academic year, either in Cairo
or some other location. Model United Nations is popular throughout the
nation and the world, as well as on the high school level. Many conferences
like this are held all over the world, although the last time Villanova
participated was in Cairo in 2001. Participation on Villanova’s
team is non-competitive, although students must finance a portion of the
trip themselves. Students interested in participating in next year’s
possible trip should email Dr. Gustafson or Dr. Lesch; no experience is
required.
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