The Howard Payne University Model United Nations team recently participated in the National Model United Nations conference held in Washington, D.C.
The ten student delegates, representing the countries of Bosnia and Chile, participated in the conference which was a three-day simulation of an actual meeting of the United Nations.
Senior Dane Ritcheson served as the HPU delegation’s Permanent Representative. “It was a great learning experience for each of us, as the committees discussed topics ranging from “The Role of Nuclear Technology in a Peaceful World” to “The Impact of Climate Change on Humanitarian Efforts,” he said.
Students participating in the trip included Ritcheson, Matt Kresge, Brittany Lunsford, Britt Sherman, Josh Rice, Josh Muse, Scott Perkins, Callie Ellis, Hunter Cox and Jessica Zaldivar.
They served on three different committees, addressing issues including Disarmament and International Security; Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural topics and the United Nations Environmental Program. Several of the HPU delegates had resolutions passed within their respective committees.
Schools from across the United States participated in the conference, as well as some international students from countries including Canada and Italy. “This allowed us to learn from other people with differing views on real-world topics,” said Ritcheson. “It was a great learning experience for the team and we hope to keep growing the program.”
While visiting the nation’s capital, the HPU students were able to take a guided tour of the Capitol building, and visit the national monuments as well as several museums within the Smithsonian.
Dr. Joe Weatherby, Sandefer Scholar-in-Residence prepared the students for the conference. Dr. Justin Murphy, acting dean of the school of humanities, professor of history and director of the Doulgas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, and Kalie Lowrie, alumni and media relations assistant, served as sponsors on the trip.
The HPU Model United Nations team was implemented in the fall of 2007. Previously, the students have attended conferences in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Funding for the trip was made possible by contributions from the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom Board of Directors.
Photo information:
(left to right): Pictured outside of Congressman Mike Conaway’s office, Kalie Lowrie, Josh Muse, Jonathan Murphy, Brittany Lunsford, Scott Perkins, Dr. Justin Murphy, Jessica Zaldivar, Callie Ellis, Josh Rice, Britt Sherman, Matt Kresge, Dane Ritcheson and Hunter Cox
