Lessons in Diplomacy
Thirteen Wheaton students got a firsthand lesson in diplomacy at the Harvard National Model United Nations in Boston last month, and one of them took home an award for his efforts.
Stephen Wulff '06, of Barrington, Illinois, won an honorable mention for his work on a resolution focusing on the topic of "Extradition Law and International Prisoners of War." Wulff was one of 101 delegates on the legal committee, which was charged with drafting a resolution on fair extradition practices and the ethical treatment of political prisoners.
The 2004 Model UN, held on February 12 - 14, was Harvard's 50th such session, drawing nearly 2,500 college students from around the world. They came to play the roles of international diplomats and debate such weighty issues as biological weapons, child prostitution, Kurdish autonomy and the protection of world cultural heritage. The Wheaton students represented the countries of El Salvador and Namibia in the simulated UN gathering.
Wulff said he felt "overwhelmed" at the beginning of the four-day conference, but gradually gained confidence and competence in the art of diplomacy.
"The first day, I decided to listen, take notes, and talk to all of the delegates that had a grasp on the material," he said. "After a day and a half of utter confusion and asking 10,000 questions, I began to comprehend the topic at hand. The last two and a half days, I began typing a resolution and speaking at the podium in defense of my working papers."
Wulff earned particular recognition for his efforts to forge agreement on the issue of extradition treaties.
"[My] proposals upheld human rights, promoted multilateral treaties, and respected already existing bilateral ones, which consequently united a lot of countries and blocs," said Wulff, who is working toward a double major in English and political science and an eventual career in government.
Wheaton's Center for Global Education revived the Model UN program at the college last fall after a hiatus of several years. To prepare for the conference, the Wheaton students met weekly with visiting lecturer Asbed Kotchikian, studying the history and structure of the United Nations.
Harvey Charles, dean of global education, said acquiring skills in diplomacy and conflict resolution is particularly important for young people in this age of strident global tensions. "The Model UN is an excellent way for students to learn to see the world as a community of nations working together to confront challenges and resolve problems," he said, noting that student coordinators Alex Dewar '06 and Brittany Krupica '06 "did an amazing job recruiting students to the Model UN and keeping them on track" during the months of preparation.
Charles hopes to continue Wheaton's Model UN program, and Wulff looks forward to attending future sessions. "This experience makes one more aware of the intricacies of the real UN and the customs and traditions of all nations," said Wulff, who is vice president of the sophomore class. "Each delegate must stay within the character of the country he represents. This isn't always easy, and although most people at the conference wanted to promote idealism, compromise is an inevitability in the real UN and in the simulated one."