June 15, 2009
Oklahoma Baptist University students recently competed during the Southwest Regional Model Arab League simulation at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, earning delegation honors at the April event. The students competed against 10 other Model Arab League programs from other universities.
The OBU group represented Iraq during the 2009 competition. Bison Hill students have participated in the simulation for 20 years.
Students began preparing for the simulation in February and continued to meet once a week to review information about the region, as well as prepare draft resolutions for the various committees.
Two OBU students received recognition for outstanding delegation in their committees. Sean Brown, a senior political science major from Houston, Texas, and Rebekah Dillinger, a senior political science major from Buffalo, Wyo., received honors in Palestinian affairs and social affairs, respectively. Joel Hicks, a sophomore from Webber Falls, Okla., received honorable mention recognition for his delegation on political affairs.
Other students involved in the delegation included Sarajane Harris, a senior from Aurora, Colo., and Andrew O'Gwynn, a senior from Shawnee, Okla., who both represented joint defense. Michael Wood, a junior from Hot Springs, Ark., represented environmental delegation.
The Model Arab League is a leadership program designed to help students learn to think quickly as they pose as Arab diplomats struggling through the world's problems and trying to reach a policy consensus. Students receive a drafted agenda which becomes the basis of their research for a two-page policy statement. The statements are discussed with their fellow committee members.
Model Arab League is part of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. According to the NCOUSAR Web site, "Founded in 1983, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world."