Westminster College United Nations Team Attend Conference

Five members of the Westminster College United Nations team recently attended a conference at the University of Pittsburgh. 

"Other schools participating included Mercyhurst College, Slippery Rock University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Seton Hill University, Duquesne University, and the University of Pittsburgh," said Dr. Andrea Grove, assistant professor of political science at Westminster College.  "We participated in three different forums, so the students worked independently."

Jessica Altman represented Demark in the Security Council working on the Darfur crisis in Sudan and the Chechnya conflict in Russia.  Altman, a senior elementary education major, is a daughter of John and Joan Altman, New Wilmington, and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.

Kylie Gallagher represented South Korea and Colby King represented Brazil on the United Nations Reform committee.  This group simulated the San Francisco rounds that created the actual United Nations.  They were asked to create a new body like the UN that reflects the global situation in 2005.  Gallagher, a sophomore intercultural studies and international politics major, is a daughter of Patrick and Sharlene Gallagher, Gibsonia, and a graduate of Mars Area High School.  King, a junior political science and individual interdisciplinary major, is a son of William and Belinda King, Slippery Rock, and a graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

Heather Kydd represented Syria and Nawal Rajeh represented Lebanon on the Extraordinary Council on the Middle East Peace Process.  This group dealt with Syrian-Lebanese relations and its implications on the region, and the new direction for Israel and Palestine.  Kydd, a junior political science major, is a daughter of Greg and Tammy Wyatt, Las Vegas, Nev., and a graduate of Silverado High School.   Rajeh, a junior political science major, is a daughter of Ghassan and Soumaya Rejeh, Youngstown, Ohio, and a graduate of Austintown-Fitch High School.

"A model UN is a way for students to learn about the United Nations, contemporary international issues, multilateral diplomacy, how to see problems from various perspectives, and how to engage in role playing," Grove said

Contact Grove at (724) 946-7254 or e-mail groveak@westminster.edu for more information.

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