INTA Students Win Award

On February 9 and 10, Georgia Tech sent four students to the 2007 Model European Union Conference at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Matt Bufford, Anna Finderup, Clayton Skinner, and Harold Whitaker are all undergraduates in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. The delegates began their preparations in late November and worked tirelessly over the next few months to familiarize themselves with EU politics and the positions of their respective countries. The French delegation was composed of Skinner, who played the role of Head of Government, and Bufford, who played the role of Senior Diplomat. Finderup was the Head of Government for Denmark, with Whitaker as her Senior Diplomat. Skinner and Bufford brought home the award for Best Representation of a Large Country.

The conference was modeled after the December 2005 Council Meeting, which was held during the British Presidency. Agenda topics included the Budget Agreement, with points of interest being the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the British Rebate. Delegates also negotiated positions on illegal immigration, Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East Peace Process. Participants were judged on his/her familiarity with the background of EU politics, characterization and portrayal of their character and the policies of the country, caucusing abilities, and diplomatic style.

Finderup commented, "Attending the Model EU Conference at the University of Pittsburgh gave me personal, real-world insight into the realities and challenges that the members of the EU face on a daily basis to cooperate and reach mutual agreements. Having participated in similar conferences before, I feel that the Model EU conference was different; despite the obvious role play by college students, there was a true sense of camaraderie and common ground."

Other universities sending delegations included University of Pittsburgh at Oakland, East Stroudsburg, Washington & Jefferson College, and the University of Wisconsin.