2008 Woodie Awards
Students act as delegates
Francis Marion represents Sierra Leone at international political conference
John Sweeney
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
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The conference was held March 17-23 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in Times Square.
"I think the team did well, especially since we had so many new members this year." Dr. Alissa Warters, assistant professor of political science, said.
The team consisted of eight students and two faculty advisers.
Three veterans of the group included senior Geremy Condra, sophomore Emily Brandenburg and junior John Sweeney. Newcomers included junior Jessica Wall, sophomore Antwan Jacobs, junior Erica Bennett, senior Patrick Laban and junior Hope Wofford. Advisers were Warters and Dr. Scott Kaufman, associate professor of history.
The NMUN program is an international project that simulates the committees and organizations that make up the actual United Nations. Students from colleges and universities worldwide participated in parliamentary-style sessions, public speaking, writing, negotiating, and developing resolutions and reports with other conference participants.
Students also participated in sessions concerning the International Atomic Energy Agency, the African Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
"It teaches you diplomacy," Warters said. "It exposes you to culture, public speaking skills - and not only public speaking skills but interpersonal communication skills. In order to be successful, you've got to know how to get along in small groups."
FMU represented the war-torn African nation of Sierra Leone.
Warters said Sierra Leone was a good choice because there were so many issues students could speak about.
"Sierra Leone was an interesting country to have," she said. "It can speak to the issues of many African countries. Also, you've got issues such as small-arms trade, diamond smuggling. They're topics that the world is interested in."
In addition to their other roles at the conference, Condra served as a judge on the Special Court for Sierra Leone, an international tribunal established to hear cases resulting from a seven-year civil war, and Brandenburg served as an assistant to the chair on the African Union committee.
Warters is hopeful that more students will have the opportunity to participate next year.
"Dr. Kaufman and I are dedicated to making it continue," Warters said. "And I'm almost positive that (President) Dr. (Fred) Carter and the administration want it to continue.
I think it's an important program for a number of reasons, primarily because it's a nontraditional learning experience that you really can't get here in the Pee Dee."
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