This year, 28 high schools will participate in representing 60+ countries during
committee meetings and general session debates. The keynote speaker for the conference is Lisa Anne Essex, a business and media professional
with international experience in multi-million-dollar projects to build sustainable
capacity in journalism and advocacy.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA During the March 21-23 Model United Nations program at Winthrop University, high school students will focus on this year's theme of the
"International Commitment to the Preservation of Human Rights."
The Model United Nations program has involved more than 2,000 Winthrop students and 10,000 high school students since
its inception 42 years ago. This year, 28 high schools will participate in representing
60+ countries during committee meetings and general session debates.
The keynote speaker for the conference is Lisa Anne Essex, a business and media professional with international experience in multi-million-dollar
projects to build sustainable capacity in journalism and advocacy. She recently appeared
as trainer and presenter in series 2 of "Top Story," a unique African TV investigative
journalism reality show on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Channel 1.
She has 25 years of experience in international affairs, with clients such as the
United Nations, The African Union and the World Bank. She currently serves as the
director of 4th Estate Consultancy, an international media consultancy, where she
designs and delivers courses in advocacy, journalism, business and finance, and TV
presenting.
Overseeing the Model United Nations is the Secretariat, which is under the student
leadership of Brooks Hammett, Secretary-General; Philip Covington, Director-General; and Leyia Grant, Coordinator-General. The three work to organize the conference, contact the high
schools and work on logistics for the three-day event, as well as coordinate Winthrop
students' participation in the conference.
Winthrop's program was the first of its kind to combine participation of college students
with high school students. The Winthrop students, who enroll in the United Nations
course, are each assigned a country and work with the high school team representing
that country.
Political Science Professor Chris Van Aller has served as advisor to the Model United Nations for many years. "I am proud that
Winthrop University provides this opportunity to learn and debate about world issues,
one to which faculty and students contribute much time and energy," he said.
Here is the Model U.N. schedule:
March 21: Afternoon registration for high school participants and opening ceremony.
March 22: High school students will spend the day in committee sessions debating resolutions
that have been previously submitted to the secretary general and the two student coordinators.
This year's special committee is the African Union. Keynote speaker Lisa Anne Essex will speak during a noon lunch in McBryde Hall.
March 23: Final committee meetings and awards ceremony.
For more information, please contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.
