The public is invited to the sixth annual Model United Nations Conference at 10 a.m. on April 16, in the Great Hall of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Eight UVI students – four from St. Thomas and four from St. Croix – have conducted significant research on major problems in Jamaica and Belize and will present to the model United Nations, their concerns, solutions, and strategies to resolve the issues within their representing country.
The students representing Jamaica are from the St. Thomas Campus. They are Christel Brandy, Michael Charles, Desiree Lettsome and Verlyndah Rogers. Representing Belize are students from the Sheen Campus. They are Akeem McIntosh, Samantha Roberts, Sheniqua Slader and Berle Wallace.
Jamaica and Belize were the chosen countries due to student interest in dissecting regional problems. Students will debate a variety of topics including financial mismanagement, homophobia, education and women’s rights in Jamaica, as well as border disputes, aboriginal land rights, gang violence and drug trafficking in Belize.
Dr. Kula Francis, Model UN Conference student advisor and UVI assistant professor of political science, said student presentations promise to offer insight on serious challenges facing Jamaica and Belize. They will propose effective steps to tackle the difficulties or concerns. “Their participation in the Model UN Conference is an early step in unfolding how to get to the root of public problems, while developing techniques and strategies for positive change,” said Dr. Francis. “This year, students were surprised at how many of the problems facing Jamaica and Belize are also similar to our local problems.” She said many of these students have career goals in government, law, criminal justice, education and politics.
Participating students come from a variety of locations including Anguilla, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Thomas and St. Croix.
This event is co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Rotary Clubs on St. Croix (Harborside and West).
For more information please contact Dr. Kula Francis at (340) 692-4065 or Sonia Boyce at (340) 626-9207.