Old Dominion to Host Model UN High School Conference Feb. 17-19

Close to 900 high students, from 48 high schools across the region, will be in Norfolk to represent 160 member states in simulations at the 34th Old Dominion University Model United Nations High School Conference, Feb. 17-19 at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel.

The university's largest student-run event, the conference involves the direct participation of more than 1,000 people, including high school teachers and the ODU students who run the conference. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, with an introduction from ODU President John R. Broderick and Simon Serfaty, professor of international studies.

The conference provides a way for students to learn about international affairs. Following U.N. procedures, the delegates will break into committees to debate action ranging from "Evaluation of Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Nuclear Disarmament Process" at the Security Council session to "Pandemic Disease Preparedness in Developing Nations" at the Economic and Social Council.
For C. Adam Bullock, an ODU senior international studies major and conference secretary-general, the conference allows the region's best and brightest to shine. "The staff has worked tirelessly to ensure the event is a spectacular success," he said.

A parallel event is the annual Faculty Forum, featuring presentations on domestic and international political issues. The speakers include ODU faculty members David Earnest, associate professor of political science and geography, "Working Harder for Less? Foreign Policy in a Globalized World"; Avi Santo, assistant professor of communication and theatre arts, "Anti-cosmopolitanism, YouTube and the Cultural Economy of Bollywood"; and Jeffrey Jones, associate professor, Institute of Humanities, "Satire's Educational Function: Media Literacy from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert."

For more information about the conference, contact Alan Rogers, assistant director of ODU's Model U.N. Society, at 683-5933 or ajrogers@odu.edu, or visit http://al.odu.edu/mun/conference.