Cal State L.A. delegation receives national distinction
Political Science class represents Cuba
at the National Model United Nations
Los Angeles, CA – With a 19-member delegation representing the Republic of Cuba, Cal State L.A.’s Model United Nations (MUN) recently garnered top awards in all three categories at the annual National Model United Nations conference in New York.
For the first time, Cal State L.A. received both “Outstanding Delegation” and “Outstanding Position Papers”—which are the highest honors a delegation can receive.
Presented to only 16 colleges and universities out of more than 300 colleges and universities, the outstanding delegation awards are determined based on the collective performance of all delegates in three areas—remaining in character, participating in committee, and proper use of the rules of procedure.
Additionally, two CSULA students—Carlos Hollopeter and Juan Huezo—were recognized for their roles as delegates of Cuba in the Organization of American States (OAS) and received “Outstanding Delegation in Committee.” (For a list of awardees, go to www.nmun.org/09%20downloads/2009%20NMUN%20Awards%20_Sheraton_.pdf).
Other CSULA MUN students who participated in the conference through the POLS 454 course this past winter quarter included: Quetzalcoatl Aduna, Marcel Anaya, Carlos Carrillo (head delegate), Denise Coca, Jaemy Garcia (head delegate), Carrie Marina Grice, Jillian Kwong, Juan Ligutom, Liliana Lugo, Michael Medina, Megan Mullins, Mario Palencia, Saul Porras, Angelica Robles, Maria Samaniego, Fermin Vasquez, and Karam Yoo.
Grice said, “I felt extremely proud of our entire delegation, including myself, because we were recognized by not only our peers, but the MUN organization—for all of our diligence and teamwork demonstrated on paper and on the committee floors.”
Yoo also echoed the same sentiment. She said, “I felt proud to be representing CSULA and felt very proud of the team. Despite the limitations and obstacles we faced, we still took on the difficult tasks and made a name for ourselves.”
Emily Acevedo, professor of the course and faculty advisor for the CSULA MUN, explained, “In the classroom, students learn about the United Nations and the country that they will represent as delegates. In addition to learning about the United Nations and their country, students develop precise writing skills and learn to correctly utilize the rules and procedures through mock sessions.”
In 2006, the Cal State L.A. team was awarded “Distinguished Delegate” and, in 2000, earned “Honorable Mention” distinction.
The National MUN is an annual conference that provides students with the opportunity to engage in a simulation with other colleges and universities as a delegate of a nation. The conference is sponsored by the National Collegiate Conference Association. For more details, go to http://www.nmun.org/.
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