National Collegiate Conference Association Announces New Model United Nations Programs

PRLog (Press Release) – Jan 25, 2008 – ST.PAUL, MINN --  The National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA) announces NMUN•China to be held 25-28 November 2008 in Xi’An, China. The China Conference will mark the first international conference location sponsored by NCCA which also annually sponsors the world’s largest model UN, National Model United Nations, in New York City and NMUN•DC in the U.S. capital.

The ground-breaking China conference will include more than 200 student participants from around the world providing a unique opportunity for college students to experience NMUN abroad. The conference will be organized in cooperation with Northwestern Polytechnical University which celebrates its 70th anniversary in Xi’an this year. The principal language of the conference will be English and it will be directed by expert NMUN staff.

China also will host the 2008 Summer Olympics in August in Beijing. The city of Xi’an has several UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites including the Terra Cotta Warrior Army. The Xi’an area with a population of over 8 million is located in northwest China and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

NMUN•NY 2008 will bring more than 4,000 delegates from five continents to New York City in March and April. This conference includes more than 20 committees as well as a Security Council for unaffiliated delegates. This year, NCCA celebrates 40 years of experience-based educational programs that further the understanding of the United Nations and contemporary international problems. NMUN has hosted such renowned and respected speakers as H.E. Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali and H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan.

In November 2007, the NCCA, in partnership with the Osgood Center for International Studies, introduced NMUN•DC at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Washington, DC provided an opportunity for delegates to meet with Embassy and Department of State officials as well as excellent preparation for NMUN•NY. Approximately 375 participants attended. The 2008 DC conference will be held 31 October-2 November.

The NCCA Board of Director President is the Hon. Joseph H. Melrose, Jr. Ambassador Melrose served the U.S. Department of State for three decades in the Foreign Service and has served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the 61st and 62nd UN General Assembly.

In addition, the NCCA is developing a new resource for college students and faculty, the Model United Nations Network, www.modelunnetwork.org, which will provide a comprehensive source to find, prepare for and organize quality hands-on learning experiences. This on-line network will include a searchable calendar, conference preparation resources such as course syllabi and sample position papers, standardized rules of procedure and fundraising ideas.

Michael Eaton, NCCA Executive Director, said, “The network is the next, logical step in our mission, which is to provide participants with the insights needed to become better global citizens and the next generation of international leaders through quality educational experiences that emphasize collaboration and cooperative resolution of conflict. Network resources will help conference providers and participants to mirror as closely as possible the actual procedures of the United Nations.”

The NCCA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and non-governmental organization affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information. More information about the NCCA and its programs, biographies of key speakers and participants is available at www.collegiateconference.org and www.nmun.org.