JCU's future ambassadors make a statement in U.S.

By Astrid Allard

ROME, March 20 - Last month, a delegation of six students from John Cabot University flew to Boston to enter the Harvard National Model United Nations, pitting JCU against over 2500 students from 200 universities around the world.

The Model UN’s purpose is to educate college students about how the United Nations functions. The Model UN organizers provide student ambassadors with a country and ask them how they would sort through the nation's current challenges.

This year, JCU students (pictured here) - Adea Kryeziu, Tim Loveland, Giorgio Orlandi, Elena Ravano, Sophia Wiik and Nermina Sljivo - were representing Croatia in this UN simulation contest.

Once in Boston, the team split up with each student choosing a special area of focusing on cultural and humanitarian needs, healthcare, political, economic and financial stability, international law and disarmament. The next step was to lobby the other conference attendees to pass resolutions beneficial to their causes. 

After three days of lobbying, John Cabot University managed to pass one resolution.

The winners of this year Model UN were from the Netherlands, a group of 30 students representing China.

Before being sent to Boston, how were these students selected?

The JCU delegates were required to have a GPA of at least 3.0 and to submit an essay. Their strong enthusiasm about international affairs undeniably was also decisive in the process.

Once selected each student was assigned topics related to the various committees being represented at the conference.

This will not be the last Model UN conference for John Cabot. Soon, JCU delegates will be sent to a Model UN conference at the Hague where once again they will get a chance to test their diplomatic talents. 

One thing is certain, the future of international affairs is in good hands with delegates so committed that they even sacrificed Valentine’s Day to attend the conference!

“I don’t regret it” commented Giorgio Orlandi, JCU delegate, on this particular matter.