NCC Students Participate in Model U.N.
By Myra Saturen
November 19, 2009
Four Northampton Community College (NCC) students participated in the Model United Nations Conference in Philadelphia, from November 12 through November 15. The conference, which included 1,600 students from 67 countries, was organized for Ivy League colleges; NCC was the only community college to send delegates.
NCC biological science major Carlos Crespo-Gonzalez coordinated the NCC group, which also consisted of electromechanical technology major Ahmed Awadallah, business administration major Darrell Pacheco and general studies major Adrienne Nenow. Associate Professor of Political Science and 2009's Pennsylvania Professor of the Year Vasiliki Anastasakos served as faculty advisor.
A simulation of the United Nations, the conference gives students the opportunity to create and present resolutions to global problems. Working in committees, the students write their resolutions and present them for voting. The issues examined by NCC students included universal health, the spread of drug-resistant diseases across the world, disarmament and small arms trade, the international water crisis, and 21st century decolonization.
In the process, participants had the experience of thinking on their feet, practicing public speaking and finding potential answers to world dilemmas. They also got to hear the myriad resolutions of other students. Adrienne Nenow's resolution won the vote on the water crisis.
"I am very proud of the NCC students," says Crespo-Gonzalez. "They came through with flying colors."
Crespo-Gonzalez is an enthusiastic advocate of the Model United Nations. He says that the experience broadens participants' horizons, raises awareness of international problems and strengthens adaptive skills.
The group is looking forward to attending another Model United Nations conference in the spring.