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ONEONTA, N.Y. -- A delegation of students from the SUNY College at
Oneonta, representing Botswana at the 2009 National Model United Nations
Conference in New York City last week, was the only delegation of the 153
participating institutions to win four awards at the highest level. The
Oneonta group was led by
Dr. Robert W. Compton, Jr., of the College's
Political Science
Department, who teaches the Model U.N. course at SUNY Oneonta.
The entire SUNY Oneonta delegation was one of 16 schools awarded the
"Outstanding Delegation Award" and one of 33 awarded the "Outstanding
Position Paper Award." The SUNY Oneonta delegates to the Commission on
Narcotic Drugs were awarded the "Outstanding Delegates in Committee Award,"
and the SUNY Oneonta delegates to the World Trade Organization were awarded
the "Outstanding Delegates in Committee Award." The award criteria for
delegation awards are an equal weighting of remaining in character of the
country or non-governmental organization represented; participating in
committee; and the proper use of the rules of procedures.
In addition, Professor Compton awarded students Edward Clarke, Amrit
Mukherjee, and Heather Bailey with SUNY Oneonta's Model U.N. Excellence
Award. Edward Clarke and Amrit Mukherjee were selected chair of the General
Assembly Plenary and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia,
respectively, after a series of rigorous interviews. Heather Bailey's
knowledge of issues and procedures facilitated the success of the classroom
simulation in preparation for the National Model United Nations Conference.
The SUNY Oneonta Botswana delegation was advised by Dr. Robert Compton
and consisted of the following students: Cynthia Marino, Sergei Dolukhanov,
Jessica Lamendola, Cameron Drezelo, Jillian Sakovits, Chelsey Rohde, Willis
Patenaude, Stephen Pallas, Amrit Mukherjee, Heather Bailey, Lewis Rivera,
Jacklyn Fitzgerald, Igor Tanuzhnyanskiy, Matthew Annis, and Edward Clarke.
The Model U.N. is a credit-bearing experiential course at SUNY Oneonta
which culminates in attendance at the National Model United Nations
Conference. The conference attracts more than 2,500 delegates from 153
schools, including 29 foreign countries. The delegates represent member
states and organizations in an intensive five-day simulation. The opening
and closing ceremonies are held at the "Great Hall" of United Nations
General Assembly building.
SUNY Oneonta students prepared for this year's conference by learning the
U.N. system and processes; drafting and researching of position papers based
on assigned committee issues; learning negotiation and coalition-building
skills and resolution writing; and studying the domestic and international
politics of Botswana. Delegates also attended a mission briefing seminar
conducted by a Botswana diplomat.
More information about the Model U.N. Conference is available from Dr.
Compton at (607) 436-3048.
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