News Release

38th annual Model U.N. on campus Feb. 18 and 19

February 16, 2010

For the 38th consecutive year, regional high school students will debate today’s pressing global issues when they gather at Penn State Harrisburg for the annual Model United Nations, Feb. 18 and 19.

An estimated 300 student delegates from 20 schools will represent 95 member nations of the U.N. in debate topics ranging from nuclear proliferation to human trafficking during the two days of sessions.

Since its inception, the Model U.N. has attracted more than 10,000 students to Penn Harrisburg as part of the college’s commitment to share resources and join with area school districts to provide educational opportunities for students.

Organized and hosted each year by the college’s student International Affairs Association, the 2010 Model U.N. will involve the following schools: Annville-Cleona, Bensalem, Bishop McDevitt, Boiling Springs, Cedar Crest, Central Dauphin, Central Dauphin East, Central York, East Pennsboro, Harrisburg Academy, Hempfield, Hershey, Linden Hall, Lancaster Catholic, Mechanicsburg Area, Milton Hershey, Northern York, Penn Manor, Red Land, and York Country Day.

In advance of the Model U.N., students research the issues and familiarize themselves with the social and political climate of their chosen nation to effectively argue their points during the mock U.N. sessions.

Representatives of the U.S. Army War College also will conduct briefing sessions on current issues for the students. Participants and their topics include: Lt. Col. David M. Krall and Lt. Col. Bruce A. Stephens – Afghanistan and the Taliban; Col. William Pfeffer – genocide and human rights; Capt. Michael G. Casey and Col. Walter M. Hudson – human trafficking; Patrick J. Kuykendall and Ernest E. Rogers – Iranian nuclear weapons; and Lt. Col. Roy M. Jewell – peacekeeping and humanitarian relief.

The program begins February 18 with registration from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies in the Student Center of the Capital Union Building at 6 p.m. and the first committee and security council sessions at 7 p.m.

On February 19, the delegates will engage in the War College briefings and additional sessions beginning at 9 a.m. in advance of the general assembly session beginning at 6:45 p.m. Closing ceremonies are slated for 8:45 p.m.