First Ever Macedonian Model United Nations Success!
by Sarah Goldberg
On May 7th, 2011, approximately 150 students from around Macedonia headed to South Eastern
European University (SEEU) in Tetovo to participate in the first annual Macedonian Model United
Nations Conference. Groups of between six and ten students had been preparing since the fall to
debate issues of international diplomacy. Each group was assigned a country, given general
information, and then asked to research and prepare their country's positions on any of the
following topics: Human Rights, Environmental Action, Economic Policies, World Hunger, and
Education. There was also a Security Council for the top ten teams at the competition, determined
during our December Winter Invitational Interviews that were held around the country at different
participating American Corners.
The conference was a culmination of a
lot of hard work from both Peace Corps
and the Macedonian American Alumni
Association (MAAA) Staff. Teams
were recruited in October and
November, invited to interview for a
Security Council country in December,
asked to submit detailed Topic Papers
on their issues in March, and prepped
for final debate in April. Half of the
thirty teams came from high schools,
while
the
other
half
hailed
from different universities
in
the
country. The conference was held
entirely in English, and as with all of
the activities I have ever played a part
in in Macedonia, the students did a MUN competitors work to form a resolution
phenomenal job.
This year’s Model UN would not have been possible without the outstanding support of many our
own Peace Corps Volunteers. Thank you to all of the PCVs that aided with groups: Dan Pickel
(Japan), Kerry Plath (Sierra Leone), Natty Hussey (Australia), Kaylee Poleshook & Lync Price &
Phebe Philips (all the Prilep teams), Cara Bradbury (Tetovo groups) and Laura Pontecore (all the
Kocani groups). A special thanks also, to all of the Volunteers who made the project possible: John
Bannon (Substance Coordinator and General Man o' Action), next year’s Substantive Coordinators,
Phil Guthrie & Christine Meissner, next year’s Logistics Coordinators, Jason Kingsley & Adam
Bradbury, and this year's substantive committee: Kate Van Haren, Ellen Rhudy, Zach Koslap, Ashley
Dowd, Meredith Brandstetter and all of the amazing PCVs who helped in between and also came
out to the conference.
Next year’s Model UN will be getting underway this fall, as our new coordinators begin recruiting
students and group leaders. If you are interested in putting together a team, please contact Adam
Bradbury.
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