GPC hosts Southeast Model African Union

by Jennifer Johnson
The Collegian
Issue date: 11/1/07

The 11th Annual Southeast Model African Union (SEMAU) conference was held November 1-3 on GPC's Clarkston campus. "For most students," said GPC associate professor of economics James Kahiga, "This was the first time they made a direct connection between the theoretical model and actual African Union." Kahiga directed the 2002 model A.U. for GPC and this year, was once again invited to coordinate the event.

The opening session was attended and addressed by GPC president Dr. Tricoli, Dr. Paul Hudson, Chair of the Clarkston Business and Social Sciences department, Phil Smith,

Dean of the business department?, Ms. Susan Pratt, Assistant director of the Office of International Education for the Board of Regents, and Dr. Eustice Palmer, Chair of the University System Africa Council. Three special guests were also in attendance; Dr. Michael Nwanze, director of the National Model in Washington D.C., keynote speaker

Dr. Sulayman Nyang, Professor of African Studies at Howard University, and on Saturday, Her Excellency Amina Saloum Ali, the Ambassador of African Union to the U.S.

21 African countries comprised the Model Union, six of them represented by GPC delegations, made up of 5 to 8 students and an advisor. GPC had the most delegations and, up until two years ago, was the only two-year college participating in the model. Each delegation was represented in each of 5 committees that dealt with economic, social human rights, peace and security matters. Some of the issues addressed during SEMAU included foreign debt, the status of women, free education, the use of technology and Darfur.

Before the model A.U. took place, each student participant prepared a resolution to be presented to the committee addressing problems facing the continent of Africa. The resolution was first debated within the committee, which eliminated weaker issues and helped to combine proposals for strong resolutions. By the second day of the conference, the remaining resolutions were ready to be presented to the Heads of State assembly which met the next morning to debate them.
Resolutions that emerged from the model union are going to be complied and sent to the African Union at the encouragement of the Ambassador. This is the first year the model A.U. will be sending the thoughts, views and suggestions of the students to the African Union.

GPC student Danny Fraga of the Guinea delegation learned a lot about the country his group chose, both through weekly SEMAU-prep meetings and independent research.

"I thought it was awesome. I think it's a great program... it touches a lot of aspects-economic issues, social issues, problem-solving issues, you have to present vocally, so it helps with public speaking and is good leadership training. It was very well-rounded," said Fraga.

SEMAU also provided students and advisors with a social aspect that, as Fraga said, was an integral part of the experience.

"There is no way of explaining to students the experience they would get until they participate," said Kahiga after the conference. "Attitudes change; they form long-lasting friendships, and a long-lasting interest in Africa. It's the most cost-efficient way of study abroad without necessarily going there."

Students might not have left Georgia, but they did get a taste of Africa during the event-on Thursday night, participants enjoyed dinner with an authentic South African menu, and on the following night, were treated to African music and performances from the GPC International Dance club and the Soweto Street Beat Dance Group, who taught a few dance moves and a little Zulu to their audience.

"SEMAU was wonderful, and we need to have more people there," said Debra Denzer, director of the Center for International Education, who paid the registration fees for each of the GPC SEMAU delegates, and provided staff support.

Students interested in SEMAU need only identify an instructor interested in advising a delegation, Kahiga said, as there are no prerequisites to participate. Instructors interested in supporting the model may include SEMAU as an option for a class project or extra credit.

"But certainly," said Kahiga, "the amount of learning that students get at the model is much more than any course credit they can receive."