Oceanside Native Part of Award-Winning Model United Nations Team

Oceanside resident Rachel Barnett was a member of SUNY Oneonta's award-winning 2013 National Model United Nations delegation.

More than 3,000 students representing 150-plus colleges and universities from almost 30 countries participated in the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City from March 24-28.

This year's SUNY Oneonta delegation, representing Croatia, was one of 29 groups from around the world selected to receive the Distinguished Delegation Award at the end of the conference. This is a high honor, placing the Oneonta delegation in the top 10 percent of participants.

Barnett, a Political Science and International Studies major, was one of 16 students representing SUNY Oneonta at the conference.

Over the course of the spring semester, students prepared for the simulation by learning about Croatia's international and domestic politics, contemporary issues, and the United Nations' committee system and operating procedures.

While in New York City, the students received a briefing from the Permanent Mission of Croatia to the United Nations. Once at the conference, they debated proposals put forth to address these issues from the perspective of diplomats of their assigned country.