Former Amherst student takes part in World Model UN

In March, approximately 1,500 students from around the globe will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, for the largest student Model United Nations Conference, the Harvard World Model UN.

Included is Elizabeth Rivard, 23, a 2001 graduate of Amherst High School.

"I am excited to participate in WorldMUN, as I have always been interested in international relations and it will be a great way to learn more about UN policy making and the workings of multinational organizations," she said. "I am particularly looking forward to meeting other students from around the world and discussing various cultural and political perspectives on international issues."

Among the participants will be a team of students from Warsaw University, the first team from a Polish university to participate in such an event.

Model UN conferences provide students with the opportunity to simulate the activities of the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council and other multinational decision-making institutions. Interestingly, although the first Harvard Model UN conference was held in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, in 1991, no Polish delegations have participated since.

This year, a team of eight students studying international relations, diplomacy, law, economics and philosophy will be participating.

The team will represent Singapore and St. Kitts and Nevis in UN committees, such as the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization. In order to prepare for the conference, students research the issues relevant to the UN committee they will be participating in and familiarize themselves with the affairs of the country they will represent. Not only is it an opportunity to experience the UN decision-making process first-hand, but it is also a chance to meet young people with similar interests from across the globe.

Rivard graduated from Canisius College in 2005 after majoring in marketing and international business. She has studied in Poland, Spain and South Africa.

The team is currently looking for donations or sponsors in order to help offset the costs of attending the event, particularly as some of the students may not be able to participate otherwise. For more information on this project and how to donate, contact Rivard at erivard83@gmail.com.