VSU Model UN Named Distinguished Delegation at Nationals

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University's Model United Nations team was named a Distinguished Delegation at the National Model UN competition in New York for the third consecutive year.

Partnered with students from Palacky University in the Czech Republic to represent the country of Venezuela, VSU earned the second highest designation, placing the team in the top 10 percent of more than 4,500 students. VSU also took home an award for Best Position Paper. Entries were submitted prior to the event and assessed by the conference collectively based on the quality of student research and preparation, according to VSU Model UN faculty sponsor Dr. Carol Glen.

Venezuelan UN Ambassador Jorge Valero Briceno spent more than two hours answering the VSU/Palacky team's questions, clarifying his country's policy on nuclear weapon proliferation, migration, regional trade agreements, UN reform, the Geneva Conventions and micro-financing for development. Students used his knowledge to compete against the best and brightest student UN delegations and were successful in their representations of Venezuelan foreign policy at mock UN sessions.

"Our ability to bring home two awards from this competition shows that VSU's MUN team will continue to expand and bring positive influence to our campus," said Brandon White, president of VSU's Model UN Club. "This semester, I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing, dedicated group of individuals, as well as several individuals from the Czech Republic. Model UN has made a positive impact on my life here at VSU and I recommend it to any student interested in making a difference."

Valdosta State’s model UN team has been existence for decades. With Glen as the sponsor for the past 14 years, the team typically attends two competitions per year and hosts one for high school students on campus in February.

In addition to its two previous Distinguished Delegation awards, the team has also received honorable mentions and best paper awards and nationals. VSU's Model UN members were also invited to compete against 300 students from eight other countries in the first international model UN conference held in Xi'an China during November 2008. Students' accurate representations of Venezuela and Syria place gave VSU top ranking as the only team to receive two Outstanding Delegation awards - the highest honor bestowed.

Call Dr. Carol Glen, political science professor and Model UN faculty sponsor, at (229) 245-4383 for more information about Model UN at VSU or for opportunities to give to the team.