Model United Nations Team Shines at National Conference

Randolph College’s Model United Nations team continued its winning tradition at the annual National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference, April 17-21 in New York City. Randolph took home an Honorable Mention for Delegation Performance, the fifth year in a row the college delegation was among the award winners.

The conference brought together more than 5,000 students from more than 300 colleges and universities from around the world to find common solutions to the world’s global problems. Randolph’s delegation represented Senegal at the 2011 conference.

While in New York, the students met with Randolph-Macon Woman’s College alumnae at the home of Katherine Brown ’76.

2011 Student Delegates

• Co-Head Delegate: Jaskirat (Kira) Chhatwal ’12
• Co-Head Delegate: Stephanie Defilló ’12
• Chiamaka Asinugo ’14
• Luisa Bautista ’13
• Lis Chacón ’13
• Zoubir Chenini ’13
• Ja’el Daniely ’12
• Kim Do ’13
• Youssef Elkei ’13
• Caitlin Field ’11
• Edwina Gyamfi ’14
• Lien Pham ’13
• Sergio Rodriguez ’14
• Samantha Romero ’11
• Tamara Trombetta ’14
• Aisha West ’12
• Ryan Woloshin ’13
• Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Abbassi, professor of political science

About the National Model United Nations (NMUN)

The NMUN conference originated in 1923 as a simulation of the League of Nations. The NMUN adopted its present form in 1946 after the creation of the United Nations. The conference is the largest and one of the most prestigious collegiate Model United Nations programs in the world. It is the world’s largest, university-level UN simulation.

The experience offers a unique opportunity for students to better understand the inner workings of the United Nations while building skills in diplomacy and compromise. College students from all over the world work to propose and pass resolutions addressing regional conflicts, peacekeeping, human rights, women and children, economic and social development, and the environment. NMUN is a forum in which to discuss global concerns in a context that closely parallels the real world.

The NMUN is sponsored by the National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA), a 501(c)3 non-profit, educational corporation, and is also a non-governmental organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.

2011 Committee Assignments Representing the Republic of Senegal

Head delegates: Jaskirat (Kira) Chhatwal and Stephanie Defilló

General Assembly

First Committee (GA1): Ryan Woloshin and Chiamaka Asinugo

1. Conventional ammunitions surplus stockpiles
2. The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament
3. Disarmament, demobilization, and demining: prerequisites for peace in Africa

Second Committee (GA2): Edwina Gyamfi and Luisa Bautista

1. Assuring developing countries’ sovereignty over their natural resources
2. External debt and development: Towards a durable solution to the debt problems of developing countries
3. Promoting sustainable development practices in transnational corporations

Third Committee (GA3): Caitlin Field and Tamara Trombetta

1. Human rights, cultural integrity, and diversity
2. Promoting alternative development strategies to combat the world drug trade
3. Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

Human Rights Council (HRC): Lis Chacón and Zoubir Chenini

1. Climate change as a human rights issue
2. The human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
3. Food security and the right to food

ECOSOC Department Commission on the Status of Women (CSW): Ja’el Daniely and Jaskirat Chhatwal

1. Improving access to health services for women in conflict and post-conflict situations
2. Elimination of barriers to justice for women
3. Women, the girl child, and HIV/AIDS

Department of Specialized Agencies, Programs and Funds World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Youssef Elkei and Kim Do

1. Pharmaceutical patents and the fight against HIV/AIDS in developing nations
2. Differentiated intellectual property rights for environmental and climate technologies
3. Patenting life: Intellectual property and complex structures

Department of Intergovernmental Organizations African Development Bank (AfDB): Samantha Romero and Lien Pham

1. Fostering clean water supply and sanitation
2. Promoting gender equality by increasing women entrepreneurs’ participation in business
3. Increasing Access to Healthcare in the Region

Peace and Security Department Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference (NPT): Sergio Rodriguez and Aisha West

1. Practical measures to implement Article VI
2. Nuclear security as the “Fourth Pillar” of the NPT
3. Article X and deterring withdrawal from the NPT