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Students Participate in Model EU Conference in Germany

Contact: Holly Foster
Phone: (315) 859-4068
January 15, 2008

Hamilton students in Germany at international Model European Union conference.
Hamilton students in Germany at international Model European Union conference.
Sponsored by the Levitt Center, 11 Hamilton students recently traveled to Germany to represent Romania and Slovakia at an international Model European Union (EuroSim) conference. This year's event was hosted by the Universities of Trier and Saarbrucken, and concentrated on possible independence for the Kosovo region of Serbia. The participants Elena Filekova '08, Stephen Sallan '08, Tamim Akiki '08, Murtaza Jafri '08, Matt D'Amico '08, Henok Alemayo '10, Mariam Ballout '10, Zeynep Harezi '10, Kasey Hildonen '10, Reisa Asimovic '11 and Robert Eisenhart '11 prepared through weekly meetings and individual research in the preceding months. 

The four-day conference, which took place January 2-6, brought together students of varying levels of study (undergraduate through law school) to forge agreements about what the EU can and should do regarding Kosovo. Representing their respective alter-egos as officials from EU member-states rather than their own opinions, students serving on simulated committees reached consensus concerning the specifics of joint-efforts, including a civilian mission to Kosovo. These agreements were possible despite the inclusion of skeptical nations, who do not support the seemingly inevitable independence for Kosovo.

All students left grateful for the opportunity to participate and learn from this incredibly positive experience, and gained varying observations and lessons. For Elena Filekova '08, Kosovo was a particularly interesting topic "because it engaged the interests of the USA and Russia," with students from both countries present, and "created a divide within the EU itself." She went on to observe that "this situation within the union means it will be quite hard (for the actual EU) to reach an agreement. It shows how hard it is to reach a consensus within international organizations that contain very different nationalities and still try to speak with a united voice."

Reisa Asimovic '11, who vivaciously represented the foreign minister of Slovakia, highlighted the international friendship aspect of the conference. "While being part of an amazing team, I had the opportunity to experience something different, interesting and challenging in more ways than one. We worked very hard, but we still had time to have fun with students from around the world."

All agreed that it was a worthwhile trip, and Matt D'Amico '08 summarized the experience. "Hamilton's participation in EuroSim is a unique opportunity for Hamilton students to visit Europe, many for the first time, broadening their knowledge of the European Union by participating in the simulation and meeting European university students. We are deeply grateful for the funding of the Levitt Center to allow for a variety of students to participate in the conference."

The topic set for next year's conference is international terrorism.

-- by Mariam Ballout '10