While many students spend their weekends resting, the Model United Nations delegation spent the weekend of the 7th-9th of November in debate. They attended the Appalachia Regional Model Arab League (ARMAL) conference hosted by Hollins University where they represented Morocco, Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates on a variety of councils.
Model Arab League is run by the National Council on US-Arab Relations. Students act in a simulation of the League of Arab States, gaining knowledge on the current state of affairs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Like Model UN, students are assigned a member state to research and then debate and draft resolutions in council sessions. Students enhance their research skills, sharpen their public speaking skills, engage in critical thinking, and learn negotiation skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the MENA region. Some find it a good way to boost their acting skills as well, particularly for those representing a state with different views from their own.
For many delegates, it was their first time debating in a formal conference setting, but all did an amazing job. They put their debate and diplomacy skills to use while accurately representing each member state they were assigned, and showed Roanoke College in a very good light. The delegation is a testament to the Public Affairs programs at the college, and their faculty advisor Professor Vick. He attended the conference, gave pointers on policy as well as diplomacy, served as photographer, and was there to help guide the students when asked but also allow them to learn and grow on their own.
The delegation of Morocco consisted of Kathryn McElfresh ‘26 on the Environmental Affairs Council, Bram Jan van Dijk on the Political Affairs Council, and Will Spradlin ‘26 on the Summit of Arab Heads of State. They did so well overall that they won an honorable mention award – which is Model Arab League terminology for second place – as a whole for their representation of Morocco across these councils.
The delegation of Palestine consisted of Caroline Kunkle ‘28 on the Palestinian Affairs Council, Saad Khan ‘26 and Moayad Smaysem ‘27 on the Political Affairs council, and Mukhriddin Najmiddinov ‘27 on the Summit of Arab Heads of State.
The delegation of the United Arab Emirates consisted of Shashwat Bansal ‘27 on the Political Affairs Council, and Morgan Waski ‘28 on the Summit of Arab Heads of State.
Kathryn, Will, and Saad and Moayad, all won individual Distinguished Delegation awards – Model Arab League terminology for first place – and Caroline and Morgan won Honorable Mention awards for their individual councils. Even those who did not win an individual award still showed off all that the college can offer by being great delegates and taking the lead in their councils.
Head Delegate Kathryn says “I am so proud of everyone in the delegation for their enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment to being the best they could be. While we are happy with the awards won, it is more about the experience and gaining skills. This was my fifth Model Arab League conference with the delegation, and while certainly the dynamics have shifted over time, it was wonderful to see how far the delegation has come and how it has evolved.”
For pictures, check out our Instagram (@roanoke_mun) and our website (https://sites.google.com/view/roanokecollegemun).
Kathryn McElfresh
Staff Reporter
