By: Dr. Craig Ilgenfritz
Students from the Millersville University Middle Eastern Studies Organization (MESO) participated in the Capital Area Regional Model Arab League at Georgetown University from November 12-13, 2011, and they returned to Millersville as an award-winning delegation. The Model Arab League simulation is sponsored by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and Georgetown University. This year, the Millersville delegation represented Jordan. About 15 other colleges/universities also participated in the Capital Area Regional Model. All students had to, per the rules of the simulation, remain in character as members of diplomatic delegations from the countries they represent.
The Millersville MESO delegation consisted of Derek Smith, Bjorn Bolte, Alyssa Anderson, Christopher “Dart” Lederhouse, Richard Lyons, Curtis Martin, and Crystal Manafi, who served as Chair of the simulation’s Political Affairs Council.
The Model began begin at 8:00 A.M. on the morning of November 12, when the student delegations started the simulation process in an Arab League plenary session. Over the next two days the students worked in their respective councils, of which there are five for five different issue areas (e.g., the Environmental Affairs Council and the Joint Defense Council). The overall objective for each delegation is to pass resolutions in these councils that reflect the actual interests of the states they represent. At the end of the final day of the simulation, November 13, all delegations came together in the Summit Meeting, where the resolutions from the councils were voted up or down by the delegations. The Summit was also attended by Dr. John Duke Anthony, founder and CEO of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and by Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. At the end of the Summit, awards were presented to the best performing delegations and individuals. The Millersville Jordanian delegation received four of these awards.
Indeed, all of the Millersville students performed at a very high level of excellence in terms of academics, parliamentary procedure, and character. Furthermore, Richard Lyons earned the Best Delegate award for his representation of Jordan on the Environmental Affairs Council; Derek Smith and Bjorn Bolte both earned Honorable Mention awards for their representation of Jordan on the Joint-Defense Council; and Crystal Manafi earned an Honorable Mention award for her performance as Chair of the Political Affairs Council. These Millersville Students were chosen for these achievements out of over 120 students who participated in the Capital Area Regional Model Arab League.
From the preceding, it can be seen that successful participation the Model Arab League requires considerable research and knowledge of the country represented, the Middle East, and world politics. The simulation also requires sound knowledge of parliamentary procedure and rules. The Millersville delegation had been preparing for the simulation since the Spring Semester of 2011. It should also be mentioned that Millersville’s MESO and its activities will be discussed in the upcoming, updated paperback edition of Dr. James Zogby’s bestselling book, Arab Voices.
Dr. Craig A. Ilgenfritz from Millersville’s government department is the advisor and instructor for the delegation. Dr. Ilgenfritz and Ms. Lianna Sousa have made the arrangements for this undertaking and the former will accompany the students. Participation in the model is open to students who are members of the Millersville University Middle Eastern Studies Organization (MESO). The students who are preparing for the model have already dedicated considerable time and effort to be successful in this endeavor. This activity greatly enhances the students’ knowledge and understanding of Middle Eastern politics, economics, society, and culture. It also allows them to develop negotiation, diplomatic, parliamentary, and leadership skills. Simulations, as is well known, are powerful teaching instruments, and MESO as well as the Government and Political Affairs and International Studies Departments seek to educate students in the above areas through means beyond classroom instruction. Moreover, MESO and these departments benefit from the fact that participation in the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Model Arab League opens up the possibility of internships with the National Council as well as study abroad opportunities in several Arab states. Additionally, the students have the opportunity to interact and connect with their peers from a number of other colleges and universities.
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