When a United Nations simulation ended recently in Ottawa, a UNBCstudent was named the best delegate among the 650 university studentsin attendance, and another UNBC student was named second-best.

UNBC Physics student Theon te Koeti earned the top award after playingthe role of a delegate from Niger during a debate on nucleardisarmament and ballistic missile defense. Fellow UNBC student, KyleGuy, earned “Outstanding Delegate” honours after representing Cubaduring the same session. Both students were in Ottawa for the ModelUnited Nations simulation, which was presented by the United NationsAssociation in Canada and provides students with the opportunity toexperience international diplomacy. In addition to having an interestin international relations, Theon and Kyle have internationalconnections: Theon is from New Zealand and Kyle is an internationalstudent from Massachusetts.

“These national Model United Nations events attract students fromCanada and the United States and they’re important venues for educatingstudents about international relations,” says Caroline Clarke, anassistant professor in the University’s International Studies program.“The competition is serious and of a very high standard. The Universityand the broader community should be proud of Theon and Kyle. Theirachievements are significant and delightful for a small and younguniversity.”

UNBC will be hosting a Model United Nations simulation for regionalhigh school students later this month to expose them to the operationsof the UN and engage them in topics of international significance. TheUNBC Model UN will be held on campus on April 25 and 26 and involve 40students from Quesnel, Terrace, Houston, Burns Lake, and Prince George.The main topic for discussion will be the United Nations AssistanceMission in Afghanistan, focusing on troop deployment, the transfer ofdetainees to Afghan authorities, and the utilization of newinterrogation techniques.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622 

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From left: Theon te Koeti and Kyle Guy