Columbus State University’s Department of Politics, Philosophy and Public Administration will host 180 local high school students for the Columbus Model United Nations Conference on Nov. 13 - 14. The event teaches public speaking, research skills, problem solving, and conflict resolution, as students are each assigned a nation to represent at the mock United Nations.
 
“You see them in action, and you have an overwhelming feeling of ‘wow. This is really something!’,” says Raquel Aponte, Administrative and Proctoring Coordinator at CSU’s Center of Online Learning. Aponte previously participated in the program as a CSU political science student. She was so impressed with it that she now volunteers to help organize it, and one day hopes to become a professor of international relations.
 
In addition to hosting the high school delegates, CSU’s Model UN program also brings together college students and middle schoolers. Middle schoolers are invited to page, whereas CSU students help plan the event and serve as committee chairs. All age groups learn valuable lessons and devote much time and energy into the event.
 
“It takes a lot of time outside of their class schedules and homework. It is really amazing to see  how prepared and dedicated they are,” Aponte says.
 
This year’s conference will be assisted by two college classes: an international relations course taught by Dr. Kimberly Gill and an international studies course taught by Dr. Eric Spears. The conference is believed to be the 47th Model UN program hosted at CSU, based on items in the university’s archives that date back to the first conference in 1972.