| Hartwick U.N. experience
'incredible'
(Note: This should make EVERYONE see Red Flags! Role-playing is a big part of this experience. "Students learn to compromise and work toward a common goal..." "Official U.N. procedures must be followed at all times" is indicative of the obedience that university students are taught to UN doctrine.) February 21, 2002 By Laura Alys Ward, Staff Writer The Daily Star 102 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY 13820 607-432-1000 or 800-721-1000 Fax: 607-432-5847 To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@thedailystar.com (300-word limit) Oneonta, New York - Sharpened public speaking, analytical and interpersonal skills were a few of the benefits Hartwick College students said they gained from participation in last week's Harvard National Model United Nations gathering in Boston. "It was one of the best experiences I've had since I've been at Hartwick," said sophomore Nancy Wheeler, a political science major. The delegation of 16 Hartwick students role-played the southern African country of Angola at the 49th annual event, a mock U.N. conference that ran Thursday to Sunday. "They make it a very realistic simulation," said freshman Tiffany Scott, 19, a political science major. "Everyone very much takes on the role of the country they're assigned." Students from Hartwick participated in committees individually or in pairs. Lively debates often ensued, students said. Senior Katsiaryna "Katya" Salavei won one of two "Best Delegate" awards for her performance in the U.N. children's committee. Salavei, of one Hartwick's two head delegates, argued the cause of children who lost parents to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa from the Angolan perspective. "I was very pleased," said Salavei, whose committee comprised 60 delegates. "It was really a great achievement for me because the people I was working with were really amazing [in terms of] knowledge of world issues and articulation skills," said Salavei, who also participated in the event last year. Salavei, originally from Belarus, speaks four languages and won a scholarship to continue studying at Hartwick after enrolling as a visiting student last year. Salavei, 21, a management major, said the conference allowed students of various backgrounds to compare their skills and knowledge. Salavei's performance was "stellar," said group adviser Troy McGrath, an assistant professor of political science at Hartwick. "Katya Salavei's achievements have set a high standard, but the work of the remainder of the delegation leads one to believe that Hartwick will be returning with more awards in future years," he said in an e-mail. Hartwick's performance enhanced the college's growing reputation at the conference, McGrath said. About 150 delegations went to Boston from colleges in the United States, Canada, Venezuela and other countries, students said. Scott's committee on world health care included about 110 delegates representing small countries. "It was incredible," she said of the experience. Official U.N. procedures must be followed at all times, Scott said. "It's very formal," she said. Scott, new to Harvard U.N., said Hartwick's group included several first-timers. "This was the year to observe. Next year, we're all going to go get the awards," she said. Senior Kevin Donovan, Hartwick's co-head delegate, served on the 24-person international monetary fund committee. Donovan, 21, an economics and management dual major, was participating for the second time. "It's a very unique experience," he said. "There's nothing else like it." Students learn to compromise and work toward a common goal in the committees, he said. As well as improving relations with others, "You get to know yourself and how you work," Donovan said. "Above all, everyone's there just to have a good time," he said. Wheeler said the conference helps student understand the role the United Nations plays in political world events. "I'll definitely go back," she said. Other students who pushed Angola's interests at the conference include Lenox Proctor, Veronique Princy, Olena Myronova, Eka Aobia, Alain Harelimana, Giorgi Chikhladze, Sandra Rosario, Ilham Ahmadov, Andreas Tsolakis, Eric Stowe, Ildar Yussupov and Krystal Elliott. Copyright 1998-2003 The Daily Star. If you have some good news you'd like to share, please call Managing Editor Cary Brunswick at 432-1000 or 800-721-1000; e-mail him at cary@thedailystar.com; fax him at 432-5707; or write to him at P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820. http://www.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2002/02/21/brite.html |