Students participate in Model Organization of American States

(Nov. 8, 2001)--A team of eight UTSA honors program students will participate Nov. 8-10 at the 5th Model Organization of American States (MOAS) at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. The conference will include students from colleges in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, each representing one of the 34 countries in the Western Hemisphere.

This year's UTSA team includes Rachel Carrales (English), Stephanie Drenner (criminal justice), Daniel Johnson (electrical engineering), Sarah Luna (anthropology), Michael Pammit (biology), Brenna Rivas (biology), Jennifer Scavone (Spanish) and Jose Villalobos (political science).

"We have a very diverse group of students on the team, and all of them are in the University Honors Program," said James McDonald, UTSA associate professor of anthropology and faculty advisor. "Additionally, Brenna Rivas is an intern at the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and this year's secretary general for MOAS."

McDonald has been faculty advisor for the UTSA team since the conference started in 1997, and is a member of the WAC's educational outreach committee and steering committee for MOAS.

MOAS in an educational opportunity for college students that simulates the activities of the OAS and its committees by allowing participants to assume the roles of diplomatic representatives to the OAS. Role playing allows students to gain a better understanding of the problems and complexities of the relationships among member nations.

Personal communication skills are enhanced by participating in discussion and debates. The students act as representatives from countries in North or Latin America. An important issue is presented and small groups are formed to explore these problems in detail. This conference reinforces San Antonio as a gateway to Central and South America and better prepares future leaders for inter-American affairs.

Guest speakers at the conference will include Ambassador Miguel Ruiz Cabanas, permanent representative of Mexico to the Organization of American States, and Drew Roy, president of SBC Communications International Operations. The conference is being sponsored in part by SBC Communications.

For more information about the conference call (210) 308-9494. Visit the Model Organization of American States Web site.

Committees and topics at the conference are as follows:

2001 Model Organization of American States

Inter-American Committees and Commissions Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
--Gender equity and equality
--Women and children's issues
--health issues

Inter-American Juridical Committee (IAJC)
--Strengthening/promotion of democracy (Freedom of expression)
--Protection of journalists
--Immigration/migration

Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)
--Drug trafficking
--Combating corruption
--Demand and supply reduction/rehabilitation efforts

Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development (IACD)
--Plans for regional economic development (Inter-American Development Bank)
--Sustainable development
--Role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Committee on Hemispheric Security (HRC)
--Response to terrorism
--New concepts of security in hemisphere
--Confidence and security building
--Conflict resolution

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