(Orange, CA)—Santiago Canyon College (SCC) Model United Nations (MUN) won four awards at the National Model United Nations in New York, held March 20- 24. Twelve members of the SCC team traveled to New York, where they represented the delegation from Panama.

At the conference, there were more than 5,000 delegates from nearly 300 colleges and universities. This competition is one of the most challenging and largest in the world. SCC’s Model United Nations delegation won three position paper awards, which were developed collaboratively by the delegation. The delegation also brought home the Distinguished Delegation Award. SCC’s delegation included Tustin resident Zuleyma Aguilar; Garden Grove residents Jessica J. Arbgast and Paola Carrillo; Yorba Linda resident Esther Chian; Anaheim resident Troy M. Cota; Corona residents Shaun A. Flood, Lauren Gallagher, and Christina N. McKay; Orange residents Sean M. Greaney and Jie Liang; Fullerton resident Kathryn D. Lozano; and Santa Ana resident Kien T. Nyugen.

Issues discussed at this year’s conference included: promoting access to renewable and sustainable energy for poverty reduction and sustainable development; financing for development; world commodity trends and prospects; corruption and environmental governance; improving sustainable forest management practices; plastic debris in the world’s oceans; measures to increase national reporting of member states; incorporating gender-sensitive approaches in the implementation of the programme of action; and adapting to recent developments in small arms and light weapons technologies.

The four awards the team won were:

• Outstanding Delegation
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons Biennial Meeting of States (PoA SALW)
• Outstanding Position Papers in the General Assembly Second Committee

The trip to New York was funded through donations. Donors included Southern California Edison (SCE), the SCC Foundation, and SCC faculty members.

While in New York, the delegation visited with the ambassador of Panama to the United Nations (U.N.). They were also briefed by Her Excellency Laura E. Flores H., Permanent Representative of the Republic of Panama to the U.N. Flores shared experiences with the students that she has encountered in her long and fruitful career as a diplomat. The SCC delegation also visited the New York Stock Exchange courtesy of CNBC contributor Peter P. Costa.

The National Model United Nations conference allows students from colleges across the globe to come together to discuss current global issues. Delegates are asked to come to the conference prepared to solve three pressing issues that are relevant to the 21 countries simulated in the conference. Some delegations are allowed the chance to meet with their country’s official national delegate. Some national delegates will even advise the student delegation at the conference.

The National Model United Nations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They aim to make participants into better global citizens through quality educational experiences and cooperative conflict resolution. The organization envisions people who are civically engaged and strive for peaceful alternatives to resolutions.

For more information about the SCC Model United Nations team, contact SCC professor of history and political science Narges Rabii-Rakin at (714) 628-4940. For more information about the conference, visit NMUN.org.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves about 14,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and senior - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sccollege.edu to learn more.

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