For Immediate Release
March 21, 2005
UCCS Model United Nations Program
By Cris Stoddard
University of Colorado Students Tackle Challenges of the United Nations
Model United Nations Club at UCCS hosts a dinner lecture and silent auction to raise funds for attending conferences in Denver and Ottawa.
Colorado Springs-March 21, 2005
It was a cold week in Ottawa, Canada, but eight students from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, journeyed north to role play United Nations delegates from the countries of Argentina and Uruguay. They, along with their faculty advisor, Dr. Patricia Keilbach, just returned from The Canadian International Model United Nations (CANIMUN) Conference, held March 9-12. According to Professor Keilbach, "We earned a fine reputation at the conference as a result of the diplomatic success of our team members. The UCCS students were major contributors in their committees and many other delegates turned to our students throughout the conference for information, ideas and advice."
Serving on committees ranging from the UN General Assembly to the UN High Commission for Refugees, the students had a rare opportunity to participate an international bi-lingual conference and to negotiate resolutions with students around the world on issues of global importance. Heather McAfee, a junior at UCCS, received an Honorable Mention award for playing the Uruguayan delegate to the UN Environment Programme, the first international award received by any UCCS Model United Nations student.
Model UN Club President and UCCS junior Jessica Lundie glowed, "The opportunity to attend a conference of this magnitude coming from a smaller state university made us all feel very fortunate." Ms. Lundie played the Argentine delegate to the Summit on HIV/AIDs committee and was instrumental in getting the club to participate in the Ottawa conference. "It was exciting and stimulating, and we all learned a ton!"
To help support their trip to Canada as well as attendance at the upcoming Rocky Mountain Model United Nations (RMMUN) in Denver, the club is holding a fundraiser at a local Colorado Springs restaurant. The cuisine will be an International feast of German, Italian, Australian, and French foods, and wine pairings are available. A guest lecturer and an expert on the United Nations system, Dr. Frances Pilch, of the United States Air Force Academy, will discuss the role of the United Nations in today's changing world. The club will also hold a silent auction that night, with the chance for attendees to bid on timeless Van Briggle pottery, a hot air balloon ride, and more.
This event will take place at The Warehouse restaurant, 25 W. Cimarron, Colorado Springs, on Monday, March 28, at 6 pm. The cost of the evening will be $40 and includes dinner, lecture, and the opportunity to bid at a silent auction. A cash bar is available. There is limited seating, so an RSVP is important. Please contact modelun@uccs.edu or Dr. Patricia Keilbach at 719-255-4043 for tickets and information.
The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Model United Nations program was founded in October of 2002 by Dr. Patricia Keilbach and a group of very committed students. Students are participating in two Model United Nations Conferences this year: the Canadian International Model United Nations Conference, March 9-12 in Ottawa, Canada, and the Rocky Mountain Model United Nations Conference in Denver, April 7-9. These are excellent opportunities for students to apply their knowledge of international relations and diplomacy through representation of a country on one of several committees. Delegations from UCCS have shown their merit; on last years team of 14, two were chosen "Best Delegate" and 2 received "Honorable Mention" for their participation at the Rocky Mountain Conference. Please support these hard working students by attending this event.
UCCS, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in northeast Colorado Springs, is the fastest growing university in Colorado and one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The university offers 25 bachelors degrees, 17 masters and two doctoral degrees. The campus enrolls about 7,800 students annually.
Contact:
Professor Keilbach
(719) 255-4043
Model United Nations at UCCS
Dr. Patricia Keilbach, UCCS MUN Campus Director
Jess Lundie, UCCS MUN Head Delegate and Club President (2004-2005)