Hood Present at the National Model Arab League Conference
Student Delegates Receive Recognition for Their Work Representing Yemen
Aida Odobasic
Issue date: 4/15/10 Section: News
Visiting the embassy of a foreign country to discuss current issues, engaging in animated debate for ten hours a day, mastering the intricacies of parliamentary procedure and nuances of diplomatic language, writing resolutions, wearing business attire, and posing for photographs with royalty are far from the ordinary activities of a typical student's weekend. The extended weekend of March 25-28 was indeed extraordinary for 12 Hood College students and their advisor as they participated in the 27th annual National University Model of the Model Arab League event at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The much-anticipated annual event, organized by the National Council on US-Arab Relations, attracts students from prestigious colleges and universities throughout the United States and Egypt.
For the third consecutive year, Hood College students, led by Linda Pappas Funsch, Senior Lecturer in History and Faculty Advisor for the Model Arab League, participated in a simulation of a summit of the League of Arab States, a regional organization of 22 member states. This year, Hood College represented the Republic of Yemen, a country which has recently attracted a great deal of international media attention. Serving in a variety of committees, ranging from the Arab Court of Justice to Councils of Economics, Defense, Social Affairs, and others, they debated issues of national and regional importance.
Preparation for Hood delegates began during the fall semester. Meeting on a regular basis, students studied the history, culture, and politics of Yemen as well as the challenges facing the wider Middle East region. Researching specific issues suggested by the conference organizers, they formulated positions designed to best reflect their country's position.
Prior to the official three-day proceedings, the Hood delegation of twelve students was invited to the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Washington for the purpose of reviewing issues of national importance with actual diplomats.
For the third consecutive year, Hood College students, led by Linda Pappas Funsch, Senior Lecturer in History and Faculty Advisor for the Model Arab League, participated in a simulation of a summit of the League of Arab States, a regional organization of 22 member states. This year, Hood College represented the Republic of Yemen, a country which has recently attracted a great deal of international media attention. Serving in a variety of committees, ranging from the Arab Court of Justice to Councils of Economics, Defense, Social Affairs, and others, they debated issues of national and regional importance.
Preparation for Hood delegates began during the fall semester. Meeting on a regular basis, students studied the history, culture, and politics of Yemen as well as the challenges facing the wider Middle East region. Researching specific issues suggested by the conference organizers, they formulated positions designed to best reflect their country's position.
Prior to the official three-day proceedings, the Hood delegation of twelve students was invited to the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Washington for the purpose of reviewing issues of national importance with actual diplomats.
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