February 21, 2008
Clark delegation succeeds at annual Harvard Model U.N. conference
A delegation of 36 members of Clark University's Model U.N. Team attended the 54th session of the prestigious Harvard National Model U.N. Conference (HNMUN 2008), which took place Feb. 14 to 17 in Boston.
"The participation was highly successful this year," said Model U.N. faculty adviser Srini Sitaraman, professor of government and international relations (pictured above, left). "I was thrilled with the performance of the Clark University team. Our students reacted with elation when the awards were announced during the closing ceremonies."
Two Clark delegates won awards in highly competitive committees at the HNMUN Conference: Ben Terrett '09 achieved an honorable mention representing the Netherlands in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization); and Abhishek Raman '09 (pictured above, center, with Terrett on his right) took the honorable mention award representing Turkey in OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Terrett also serves as the co-head delegate of the Clark's Model U.N. team.
Each year the HNMUN conference welcomes more than 3,000 student delegates from all over the world, with representation from 30 countries.
The Clark Model U.N. Program is a realistic simulation of the activities of ambassadors and representatives of different member nations who serve in the different agencies of the United Nations. Students assume the role of ambassadors or special U.N. representatives of the various member nations. They participate in live simulations of the U.N. Security Council, Economic Social and Cultural Council, and Special Middle East Summit. The Clark Model U.N. Program is sponsored by the Government and International Relations Department, the International Studies Stream, and Dean of the College. This year, the Student Council also supported the program. Sitaraman has been the faculty adviser since Fall 2003.
The highlight of the year for Clark Model U.N. students is always their participation in HNMUN. This year, Clark represented in the Disarmament and International Security; Special Committee on Decolonization; Social, Cultural, Humanitarian Council; Economic and Financial Affairs Council; World Summit on Children; International Monetary Fund; Organization of American States; Legal Committee; UN Human Rights Council; Executive Committee on High Commissioner for Refugees; Conference of Westphalia; Joint Cabinet Crisis-England; Joint Cabinet Crisis-Russia; United Nations Development Program; and World Health Organization on a wide range of issues, including terrorism, national security, international intervention, multinational corporations, hedge funds, refugees, trade and tariffs, maritime security and reparations.
The following students participated in the Harvard Model U.N:
Head Delegates: Ben Raynak and Ben Terrett '09.
Delegates: Abir Joshi '11, Ashley Emerson-Gilbert '08, Anna Moran '10, Abhishek Raman '09, Brooke Badon '11, Brad Bell '09, Bethany Williard '07, Celina Grisi '10, Carl Ten Horn '09, Diana Dunlap '10, Nicky Looho '11, Eileen Sullivan '08, Himal Jayasekara '11, Katerina Antoniou '10, Kat Flynn '08, Krittika Govil '10, Ky Hanson, Morgan Courtney '10, Minh Mai '11, Mike Pochettino '10, Oana Chimina '11, Ryan Forman '09, Sarah Richard '11, Sarkis Balkhian '09, Steven Brouillard '07, Soeren Hilck '10, Sameed Quasem '09, Tara Lewis '10, Tanya D'Lima '11, Toan Dinh, Avril Perez '10, Dan William, Zach Altman '11, and Zaeem Siddiqui '09.