By Hillary Townson
Twelve UA students spent spring break debating before more than 2,400 students from some 50 countries.
The Alabama International Relations Club sponsored the students to travel to Taiwan March 11-20 and represent the University at the Model United Nations Conference 2010, hosted by Harvard University and National Taiwan University.
The conference is one of the most prestigious of its kind and this was the first time the University was represented at a Model U.N. conference of this level.
“Having UA represented at a conference of that caliber is huge,” said Jessica Hetherington, a senior majoring in international economics and AIRC president. “It’s a statement itself.”
At the conference, the group represented Ukraine in their mock debates, and Hetherington was assigned to a non-governmental debate on the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
Jackie Pitts, a freshman majoring in international studies, received one of the few awards given for excellence in her debate and committee involvement.
The group toured the Mobiletron/Regitar Factory while in Taiwan after Hetherington gave a presentation to a group of Alabama business leaders. The company is owned by MORE Group Co., which also has a factory in Montgomery.
Hetherington said that due to the generosity of the MORE Group Co., the AIRC was able to experience Taiwan unlike any other delegation attending the conference. Outside the conference, the group had an opportunity to view a presentation on the company, tour its headquarters and receive a tour of Taiwan from a company employee.
Hetherington said different colleges throughout the UA campus sponsored the trip. She and the AIRC head delegate, Will Warren, spent the summer meeting with University officials to make preparations and raise money for the trip.
The mission statement of the Alabama International Relations Club is to involve UA students in communication across political, cultural and economic borders in order to foster cooperation and to create leaders for today’s globalized world.
Justin Davis, a junior majoring in computer and electrical engineering, said he was inspired to join the AIRC because he believes it is important to have communication on an international scale.
“I feel the club is important on a regional and international scale because it’s bring communities together and helping them understand each other.”
Hetherington said she is excited about AIRC’s future at the University.
“This year was huge in relation to last year, and we expect next year to be even better,” she said.
The AIRC meets every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in Bidgood Hall, Room 140. For more information on involvement with the AIRC, send an e-mail to [email protected].
