Hobart William Smith College

Model African Union

9 November 2018 Model African Union

Model African Union 1Lastweekend, the HWS chapter of Model African Union hosted the fourth annual New York 6 Regional Model African Union Conference on campus, with HWS members serving as delegates representing Ethiopia, Egypt and Angola.

As members of the group since their first year, Pamela Icyeza 19 and Donovan Hayden 19were excited to manage the event. I am very proud to bring this opportunity to campus, says Icyeza, who believes Model African Union encapsulates the essence of a liberal arts education.

Throughout the weekend, students discussed the topic of womens rights on the Committee on Social Matters and sustainable environmental development through the Committee on Economic Matters.

The goal of Model African Union is to simulate a meeting of the African Union by role-playing the responsibilities and interests of nation delegates. The forum allows students an opportunity to improve their leadership and public speaking skills, respectfully engage with diversity factors, challenge viewpoints and learn more about the intricacies of diplomacy.

Fifteen students from Hamilton and Colgate participated in the conference. Icyeza believes that throughout the weekend the HWS club membersbuilt comradery with students from other institutions before the national conference which will be held in Washington, D.C. in February.

Many of the participantswere novices who expanded their scope of knowledge on the African continent beyond the classroom. I am looking forward to using the material Im learning in my African Politics class at the conference, said Chloe Brown 21 before the event. Applying my knowledge to represent Angola has already given me a better understanding of what I have been learning in class.

In addition to students participating as delegates, many members facilitated sessions as officers throughout the conference, including: Donovan Hayden 19, Israel Oyedapo 20, Colby Fenn 20, Yalemwork Teferra 21, Ethan Brown 20, Gemma Caglioti 19, Dylan Morris 19, Willa Dow 21 and Edgar Miranda 20.