ODU Model U.N. Student Delegation Visits United Nations Headquarters, Attends Briefings
Members of Old Dominion University's Model United Nations Society recently returned from a tour of U.N. headquarters in New York City, as part of a four-day learning visit to the city.
The 26-student delegation, accompanied by three faculty members, received briefings from two U.N. secretariat members and visited with both the United States and French Missions.
"This is truly a unique event, one that annually showcases ODU to high-level officials," said Alan Rogers, assistant director of ODU's Model United Nations program. "It's an exciting opportunity for our students to get an up-close look at the diplomatic workings of the U.N.
The Oct. 2-6 trip included the first-ever visit by an ODU delegation to the United States Mission of the United Nations.
During the visit to the U.N., the ODU delegation heard a speech from Geoffrey Shaw, the representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General to the United Nations.
Following its visit to the United States Mission, the group traveled to the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations. There the delegation met Brieuc Pont, the Mission press counselor.
After the French Mission, the students visited the International Peace Institute, meeting with Francesco Mancini and Adam Smith, both experts regarding all things United Nations.
The Old Dominion University Model United Nations Society is ODU's window on the United Nations and international activism. Its mission is to promote global, multicultural education and leadership experience through experiential learning, stressing student participation in simulation conferences and academic courses.
The group represents the university at model U.N., European Union, NATO and crisis simulation conferences around the country, and organizes major simulations of its own, including an annual Model U.N. conference that attracts more than 1,000 local high school students.
The Model United Nations Society was established in 1977 by a group of ODU students who were interested in International Affairs. Membership is open to students from all colleges and disciplines at the university.