MODEL UNITED NATIONS

The Model United Nations Club of Skidmore College organizes, and helps to prepare, students to participate in the National Model United Nations Conference in New York each Spring. Club members receive Skidmore's country assignment by December and begin research of primary documents related to the country's position in the United Nations in January. The Club meets weekly until departure in April for New York. The faculty advisor, Professor Graney, offers assistance to the Club leadership in setting up guest speakers, library orientation, and other needs as they arise. In years past, Skidmore has represented such diverse countries as Mongolia, Israel, France, Poland, Cambodia, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Canada. Approximately 15-20 Skidmore students participate in the Model UN each year. Preparation for participation in the simulation, beyond club educational activities, may also be received in some Government courses. Learning through simulation exercises broadens and deepens students' understanding of the problems associated with international cooperation and diplomatic negotiation and the foreign policy choices before nation-states as their governments seek to balance the realities of domestic politics with the imperatives of international interdependence.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CLUB

Have you seen a good film lately? Come join the swell folks of the Foreign Film Forum every Tuesday night for a cool flick. Interested in International politics? Discuss your opinions with professors and students in an informal conversation Wednesday afternoons in the Spa for Brown Bag Politics. Want to go to simulations to debate with other students the politics of the Globe? Join the Model European Union Club or the Model United Nations Club. Want to bring a cool speaker to campus or organize a Teach-in to inform the community about important topics? If you answered yes to any of these, then YOU MUST get involved with the International Affairs Club (IAC)!!! These are just a few of the many events and programs that the IAC has been involved in doing. Last semester we had a great German feast at the Spa Brahaus where we held our second annual International Affairs Dinner which invited all IA students and faculty. Students participating in the Model European Union Club traveled to Prague, in Czech Republic in January for the annual simulation where they played the part of the European Commission. Students involved in the Model United Nations Club will be traveling to New York City in the April for their simulation. Last but not least, the IAC is in the process of planning its most fantastic event!! The Case Flag Benefit. The formal evening of wines and cheeses from around the world will raise money to purchase flags representing all the countries of the world for the new Case Center! We will also be celebrating International May Day and a possible co-event for Cinco de Mayo! And don't forget about the Foreign Film Forum. We had over 100 attendees to the showing of "Run Lola Run." Coming up: we have Il Mostro and Urga! Come join the fun and get involved with the International Affairs Club!

MODEL European Union (EU)

The Model European Union Club of Skidmore College organizes, and helps prepare students to participate in an intercollegiate simulation of the European Union (EU), called the EuroSim, alternately held at a U.S. campus and a European campus. The Model EU is the first of its kind in the United States. Club members receive Skidmore's country and role assignments by September for January simulations and December for April simulations and begin research of primary documents related to that country's position in the EU shortly thereafter. The Club meets weekly throughout both terms until departure in April for U.S. locations or January for European locations.

The 2003 EuroSim was held at SUNY Fredonia from April 3-6. The topic was the constitutional convention and Skidmore students represented Sweden and Finland primarily, with some participants representing Lithuania and Spain. EuroSim 2004 will be held at Tilburg University in Tilburg, Holland. The topic will be the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) that will follow the current constitutional convention in real life.

The faculty advisor, Professor Marc-Andre Weismann, gives lectures on the European Union, opens his office library/files on the EU to club members, and offers assistance to the Club leadership in setting up guest speakers, library orientation, and other needs as they arise. In years past, Skidmore has represented such countries as the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and Spain. Approximately 15-20 Skidmore students participate in the Model EU each year. Preparation for participation in the simulation, beyond club educational activities, may also be received in some Government courses. As with the Model UN, learning through simulation exercises broadens and deepens students' understanding of the problems associated with European integration and diplomatic negotiation and the foreign policy choices before European states as their governments seek to balance the realities of domestic politics with the imperatives of European interdependence.