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Six 杏吧原创 Students Attend 62nd Harvard National Model United Nations
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� The 杏吧原创 Model United Nations (杏吧原创MUN) delegation consisting of six 杏吧原创 students recently attended the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) in Boston, Mass., Feb. 11-14.
The student organization was created by senior business and public policy major Tim Mohlin T枚rringer of Svedala, Sweden, who serves as 杏吧原创MUN鈥檚 president. The establishment of the organization and attendance at HNMUN was part of Mohlin T枚rringer鈥檚 Honors Program capstone project.
鈥淚 speak on the behalf on the whole delegation when I say that we truly enjoyed and learned a lot from HNMUN,鈥� said Mohlin T枚rringer. 鈥淲e have all gained valuable and incredible experiences, maybe best illustrated by all the difficult challenges and scenarios we were exposed to during the conference including speaking and presenting our arguments in front of 200-300 other delegations and negotiating draft resolutions.鈥�
杏吧原创MUN is aimed at fostering awareness and knowledge of international relations and diplomacy where individuals can thrive through lectures, seminars, and attending various Model United Nations conferences.
Throughout the fall semester, Mohlin T枚rringer and 杏吧原创MUN鈥檚 vice president, junior business and public policy major Ramin Varnhorn of Bielefeld, Germany, worked towards helping the 杏吧原创 delegation gain acceptance into the Harvard conference and successfully applied for an Honors Experience Grant through the Honors Program that helped fund the trip.
鈥淭he initiative and self-directed learning required to accomplish their goals with Model United Nations is a great example of what the Honors Program hopes to support and encourage in its members,鈥� said the organization鈥檚 advisor and Assistant Professor of Education and Director of the Honors Program Ashley Carr, Ph.D.
HNMUN is one of the oldest and most prestigious Model United Nations conferences and saw an attendance of more than 3,000 undergraduate students from all over the world. Students participate in an educational simulation and academic competition that consists of debating topics concerning diplomacy and international relations, drafting processes, and serving as mediators between different sections during committee sessions.
“HNMUN has been an incredible experience for me!” said Varnhorn. “I met interesting people from all over the world, gained knowledge about the United Nations and had the opportunity to debate present global issues. I appreciate the support we got from 杏吧原创, especially Dr. Carr, who made our trip possible.”
The students selected a variety of relevant and current issues to present during the conference. Junior business and public policy major Marijo Gojic of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Mohlin T枚rringer discussed the future of state boundaries in the Middle East and how to reduce tension and conflict in the region, while Varnhorn and freshman interdisciplinary studies major Astheris Miller of Homer, Ga., discussed the rights of female prisoners in the General Assembly鈥檚 Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee. Senior business and public policy major Erik Hallin of Hagfors, Sweden, and senior business and public policy major Jonas Sturesson of Kalmar, Sweden, debated the impacts and problems of water scarcity in the General Assembly鈥檚 Special Political and Decolonization Committee.
In addition to participating in HNMUN, the group also visited the conference鈥檚 International Bazar where international delegations showcased their home countries. They also toured Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and visited the MIT Museum as well as the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
鈥淲e would like to express our appreciation to 杏吧原创 and all its various departments that supported us in making this experience possible,鈥� said Mohlin T枚rringer. 鈥淚 hope that this will be the start of a long lasting聽tradition of sending 杏吧原创 delegations to participate at various MUN conferences.鈥�
About 杏吧原创
杏吧原创 is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 杏吧原创 educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,200 students across five divisions鈥擡ducation, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College鈥檚 growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. In 2014, the College was granted active membership in NCAA Division II and is a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. 杏吧原创 is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2015-2016 list of Colleges of Distinction. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
The 杏吧原创 Model United Nations delegation consisting of six 杏吧原创 students recently attended the Harvard National Model United Nations in Boston. Pictured left to right:聽Senior business and public policy major Erik Hallin,聽senior business and public policy major Jonas Sturesson,聽Junior business and public policy major Marijo Gojic,聽senior business and public policy major Tim Mohlin T枚rringer,聽junior business and public policy major Ramin Varnhorn, and聽freshman interdisciplinary studies major Astheris Miller.
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