ODU's Award Winning Model United Nations Team Returns Triumphant from Toronto

April 8, 2005

COLUMBUS, OH-Ohio Dominican University's Model United Nations team recently returned with awards in hand, after competing in a conference in Toronto, Canada. In only its first year of participation, ODU's Model United Nations team has already won the Small School Outstanding Delegation Award and several student delegates have won individual awards.

At the conference in Toronto, two ODU students, Amanda Waluzak from Columbus and Ron Scheib from Pickerington each brought home awards for outstanding performances. Waluzak won the award for her well-researched representation of Argentina in the World Health Organization. Scheib, a senior majoring in business administration, was given top honors for his performance representing Chile in the Security Council.

Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. Model U.N. is a worldwide organization with over 200,000 high school and college participants. Student delegates serve as members of one of the simulated committees of the United Nations, while other international student organizations gather to discuss the issues facing their generation.

The goal of the program is to provide students with an understanding of the responsibilities and benefits of global citizenry. At the same time, the program promotes student and teacher interest in international relations and related subjects; increases students' capacity for problem solving; teaches aspects of conflict resolution; and develops research and communication skills. Over 400 conferences such as the one attended by the Ohio Dominican team, are held around the globe annually. The organization was a launching pad for the careers of United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and former World Court Justice Stephen M. Schwebel. Celebrities such as Samuel L. Jackson and former First daughter Chelsea Clinton were once members of the Model United Nations.