2008 Woodie Awards
Students Form Muhlenberg International Relations Council
Jenn Lavelle
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News
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Motivated to get College students thinking and talking about international affairs, Meghan Courtney '07, Libby Hill '07, Katherine Hesselink-Hicks '07 and Brian Galgano '08, formed the Muhlenberg International Relations Council (MIRC) last semester. Dr. Hashim, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the Dana Scholars program, is their advisor. The Political Science Department has also offered their assistance to the Council. The goal of the Council is to "stimulate thought about international politics here at the College," said Meghan Courtney, one of the founding members. All four students who began the program at the College interned at the United Nations, where they learned how the UN functions diplomatically in the international sphere.
Courtney, Galgano, Hill and Hesselink-Hicks also noted that many Political Science and International Studies students at the College are not politically involved. They hope to break through the "Muhlenberg Bubble" and make students more aware of what is going on in the world outside of the College. The College is constantly trying to get a more involved student body, which the Council fully supports. The MIRC's mission is "dedicated to the pursuit of global awareness, promoting critical thinking and debate."
So far, the group is off to a promising start. For a first year club, the membership is quite large and they started right away with some big projects which could be a reason for the large numbers of members right off the bat. MIRC headed up two "Breaking through the Bubble" campaigns last semester, one involving stopping human trafficking, and the other airing out Myanmar's dirty laundry, which was accompanied by a letter-writing campaign to the UN Secretary General. They also heard Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, speak in the Lehigh Valley. She spoke about corporate responsibility to uphold practices regarding human rights issues, especially regarding child and slave labor.
The Council also has big plans for this semester. They are arranging an awareness campaign to educate students on the hot issue of conflict in Africa. The Council will also be sending students to a model UN meeting in New York, a first-time undertaking here at the College. Students from all over the world will be representing various countries in a simulated UN meeting. Courtney believes this is a "great opportunity for students to learn how countries work through problems and implement policy." The Council will also work with another College student organization, S.H.A.R.E. (Students Have a Real Effect) on a campaign for Poverty Awareness week. Students participating in the Council will also be listening to some interesting speakers this semester. They are bringing in a guest who works with AIDS awareness and trains doctors working in Africa.
Courtney, Galgano, Hill and Hesselink-Hicks also noted that many Political Science and International Studies students at the College are not politically involved. They hope to break through the "Muhlenberg Bubble" and make students more aware of what is going on in the world outside of the College. The College is constantly trying to get a more involved student body, which the Council fully supports. The MIRC's mission is "dedicated to the pursuit of global awareness, promoting critical thinking and debate."
So far, the group is off to a promising start. For a first year club, the membership is quite large and they started right away with some big projects which could be a reason for the large numbers of members right off the bat. MIRC headed up two "Breaking through the Bubble" campaigns last semester, one involving stopping human trafficking, and the other airing out Myanmar's dirty laundry, which was accompanied by a letter-writing campaign to the UN Secretary General. They also heard Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, speak in the Lehigh Valley. She spoke about corporate responsibility to uphold practices regarding human rights issues, especially regarding child and slave labor.
The Council also has big plans for this semester. They are arranging an awareness campaign to educate students on the hot issue of conflict in Africa. The Council will also be sending students to a model UN meeting in New York, a first-time undertaking here at the College. Students from all over the world will be representing various countries in a simulated UN meeting. Courtney believes this is a "great opportunity for students to learn how countries work through problems and implement policy." The Council will also work with another College student organization, S.H.A.R.E. (Students Have a Real Effect) on a campaign for Poverty Awareness week. Students participating in the Council will also be listening to some interesting speakers this semester. They are bringing in a guest who works with AIDS awareness and trains doctors working in Africa.