2008 Woodie Awards
New club launched to create awareness of global issues
Jomaire Crawford, Staff Writer
Issue date: 1/30/08Section: News
During the fall 2007 semester, the St. John's Model United Nations (Queens Chapter) was created with the purpose "to reshape the way our students think about global issues, how they communicate and interact with those who are different from them, and what they value as it pertains to global justice," said Reggie Barnes, Director of Multicultural Affairs.
This initiative has been titled the Global Awareness Project (GAP) and was created by the Division of Student Affairs.
Daphné Vanessa Pierre, Secretary-General of Model UN, articulated the two major focuses of the club. She stated, "This organization has two components: the debate/conference aspect and the programming aspect," Pierre said.
"Specifically, students interested in global issues and coordinating events would be interested in the programming element of this organization," she said.
According to Barnes, the goals of the initiative include equipping students with the tools which will allow them to be responsible global citizens, preparing them to integrate and engage in our globally diverse world, joining students with faculty in service and studying abroad, and understanding the interrelation of international bodies that address the problems in the world.
The Global Awareness Project and these four goals are all centered on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
These eight goals were created in 2000 by the United Nations in the hopes of eradicating extreme poverty all over the world by 2015.
Barnes encourages students to visit the United Nations website www.un.org/millenniumgoals to learn more about the U.N.'s global commitment.
Specifically, St. John's Model United Nations aims to increase the awareness of the MDGs as addressed by the General Assembly and other agents of the United Nations.
Currently, at least 50 students university-wide have expressed serious interest in this chapter. "We're encouraged by the numbers of committed students and expect this number to increase as we create more structured opportunities offered on a consistent basis," Barnes remarked.
This initiative has been titled the Global Awareness Project (GAP) and was created by the Division of Student Affairs.
Daphné Vanessa Pierre, Secretary-General of Model UN, articulated the two major focuses of the club. She stated, "This organization has two components: the debate/conference aspect and the programming aspect," Pierre said.
"Specifically, students interested in global issues and coordinating events would be interested in the programming element of this organization," she said.
According to Barnes, the goals of the initiative include equipping students with the tools which will allow them to be responsible global citizens, preparing them to integrate and engage in our globally diverse world, joining students with faculty in service and studying abroad, and understanding the interrelation of international bodies that address the problems in the world.
The Global Awareness Project and these four goals are all centered on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
These eight goals were created in 2000 by the United Nations in the hopes of eradicating extreme poverty all over the world by 2015.
Barnes encourages students to visit the United Nations website www.un.org/millenniumgoals to learn more about the U.N.'s global commitment.
Specifically, St. John's Model United Nations aims to increase the awareness of the MDGs as addressed by the General Assembly and other agents of the United Nations.
Currently, at least 50 students university-wide have expressed serious interest in this chapter. "We're encouraged by the numbers of committed students and expect this number to increase as we create more structured opportunities offered on a consistent basis," Barnes remarked.
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