THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602240012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER RIDDLE
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
When students hear the words ``Model United Nations,'' they tend to visualize well-mannered, academically advanced students representing their schools with the utmost sophistication and intellect.
Last weekend at the Omni Hotel in Norfolk, the prestigious Old Dominion University-sponsored event, now in its 19th year, consisted of an overwhelming number of well-dressed, well-informed, immature adolescents.
The Model United Nations attracted students from more than 61 schools from across the nation, including Virginia, California, New York and Maryland.
This conference allows students to experience the world of international politics and learn how the real United Nations works. Students deal with all the issues that are on the United Nations agenda. For example, we grappled with environmental issues, nuclear testing and economics.
I laugh when I try to imagine the real United Nations being conducted in the way it was last weekend, and find myself asking, ``How did these people get to be involved in the Model U.N.?''
Now, don't get me wrong. There were students at the event who behaved with respect and maturity. Unfortunately, this was overshadowed by the obnoxious behavior of the teenagers who were sliding down banisters, shouting vulgarities in hallways adjacent to rooms where other students were debating population control and deforestation of Third World countries, and passing sexually suggestive letters during their committee meetings.
I represented Nigeria. During a break, I was talking to my sponsor, who is pregnant, about why my country would not be signing a treaty with Turkey. In the middle of the conversation, a guy, suit and all, came whizzing down the banister, knocked against my teacher and never looked back.
What is disturbing is that each Model U.N. delegate is chosen based on individual leadership abilities, grade-point average and maturity level. In a way, they are supposed to be the best of the best, representing not only their schools but our generation.
But if they are an example of how my generation is turning out, please excuse me if I don't want to be labeled along with the rest of them. To me nuclear proliferation and spitballs just don't mix. MEMO: Jennifer Riddle is a senior at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk.
by CNB