The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will have an unlikely delegation representing them on an international level next week: A group of 15 Kwantlen students participating in Harvard's World Model United Nations.
The group, led by head delegate Sophia Veale, will be among thousands of university students from over 65 counties worldwide participating in the UBC-hosted event, being held for the first time in North America. It is the first time Kwantlen will be represented at the conference.
"It's an opportunity that forces you to consider things from other cultural perspectives, and to learn about the issues plaguing the world," says Veale. "The skills in diplomacy that are learned in this sort of interactive environment I think are unique to these kinds of activities, and are so important."
The 15 students make a diverse team: Representing various disciplines, and bringing different perspectives and expertise to the preparations. And because of the amount of work involved, most of the students were recruited by Veale because of their high level of involvement within the Kwantlen community.
They have been preparing for WorldMUN for months on end, researching Jordan's stance on national and international issues, as well as undergoing extensive debate training with Kwantlen instructor and facilitator Colleen McGoff-Dean.
All of this, to prepare students for five days of competitive debates happening March 11-15, where student delegations will be recognized for the substance of their discussions and dialogue.
"It's not a competition in terms of something that can be quantitatively determined. It's about the quality of discussions, and the diplomacy," says Veale.
Founded by Harvard in 1991, WorldMUN offers youth from around the world with a space to articulate their views on international issues, and to develop global networks that have the ability to transform ideas into action.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for more than 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
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