Cadet Model UN team off to Edinburgh for world-class debate

The Dolphin
03/17/2005

Coast Guard News

COAST GUARD ACADEMY – Six cadets were selected to debate in Harvard
University’s World Model United Nations competition scheduled at Edinburgh,
Scotland, on March 28.
First Class Cadets Lauren Beck, Anton Destefano, Ben Stevenson and Stephen
Elliot, Second Class Cadets Travis Noyes and Sarah Smith are excited at this
opportunity to test their mettle in an international arena against the
world’s brightest academic minds.
“They will be busy in the next few weeks preparing the foreign policy
positions of Armenia and getting their academic affairs in order in
anticipation of this trip,” said Lt. Scott Borgerson, Academy Model UN
advisor. “Like last year, the selection process for the World Model UN was
very difficult, and demonstrated performance at previous conferences, club
participation, academic standing, military bearing and seniority were all
considered.”
Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations organization and
system, with each participating university or service academy representing a
different set of countries. Students act as their countries’ ambassadors and
political leadership, working to debate international politics and write and
pass resolutions. Success at Model UN depends not only on critical thinking
skills and knowledge of world politics, but also an ability to negotiate,
speak before large audiences, forge coalitions and understand the nuances of
international diplomacy.