SG
Sammi Gaines
  • Political Science and Legal Studies, International Relations minor
  • Ellsworth, IL

Sammi Gaines of Ellsworth Wins Award at Model United Nations

2011 Nov 9

The University of Evansville is proud to announce that Sammi Gaines of Ellsworth recently received an award at the annual Indiana Consortium for International Programs Model United Nations, which took place November 3-5 at the University of Indianapolis. Gaines was named runner-up for best overall delegation.

Gaines, a Tri-Valley High School graduate majoring in Legal Studies, was among 19 UE students who participated in Model UN as part of a 300-level honors discussion class. Students served as delegates representing 15 countries on the United Nations Security Council. At the competition, they made speeches, debated current international issues, and wrote resolutions in an effort to build consensus and solve global problems. Gaines played the role of Colombia.

This year's discussion topics included the admission of the state of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations; famine, security issues, and the need for an effective international response in the failed state of Somalia; international organized crime, international drug trafficking, and terrorist violence in the Americas with special focus on Mexico and Colombia; and political violence and instability in Syria.

"The Model United Nations allows students such as Sammi the chance to wrestle with real-world issues and diplomatic challenges of the 21st century," said Wes Milner, the team's faculty advisor and director of UE's International Studies Program. "Through demonstrating their knowledge of complex international crises, an ability to debate these topics, and skill in negotiating with allies and adversaries alike, UE's delegations represented the University exceptionally well."