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MEGAN GEISSLER

     

ABOUT THE MODEL ARAB LEAGUE PROGRAM

• Brief History of the Model Arab League Program

• Profile, Vision, and Mission of the National Counil on U.S.-Arab Relations

• Teaching Islamic and Middle East Politics: The Model Arab League as a Learning Venue, Journal of Political Science (.pdf)

• Model Arab League in the News

• Interview with the 2011 National Model Arab League Secretary-General

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MODEL ARAB LEAGUE

In 1983, student delegations representing 20 schools gathered at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. to participate in what they assumed would be a one-time simulation.  Over the next 27 years, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations' Model Arab League (MAL) has grown to the point where 14 Models are held annually throughout grassroots America.  These November-through-April events would include over 2,000 students, 200 universities and secondary schools, hundreds of faculty advisers, and be held in 11 cities. Since that first year, over 35,000 students have participated in the Model Arab League Program.

The Models have no peer as a proven effective way to discover and promote excellence among America's leaders of tomorrow. They offer students an unsurpassed opportunity to acquire and develop practical leadership skills directly related to the United States and one of the world's most vital regions. In the process, students learn about the most important social, economic, cultural, and political issues facing Arab leaders and ordinary citizens.

Representing one of the Arab League's 22 member-states, student delegates work to achieve consensus on questions with which real-life diplomats wrestle daily. They write, debate, and pass resolutions that seek to resolve some of the Arab countries' most difficult challenges. The dynamics and interactive nature of the role-playing among the students stimulate critical thinking, heighten creativity, expand knowledge, and cultivate understanding as no book, video, or coursework ever could.

Participation in a Model is of value to all students regardless of their academic major. It matters little if at all whether their school has an academic course offering on the Arab countries, the Middle East, or the Islamic world. Students gain invaluable firsthand leadership experience and hands-on training. They acquire this through the Model's constant challenges and interaction in the course of public discussion, the application of time management skills, the use of parliamentary procedure, and the dynamics of debating, writing, and editing. All this occurs under pressure and tight deadlines that mirror the actual realities and tensions inherent in the give-and-take that comes with activism in public affairs.

In experiencing how a resolution they have prepared succeeds or fails on the basis of whether their fellow delegates find its rationale sufficiently persuasive, student delegates also refine their interpersonal skills. At the final session, adult judges with experience in international relations announce the names of individual students and delegations whose performance has earned them highly coveted awards. These and other student participants are provided priority consideration for partial scholarships in the National Council's language and area studies academic programs in the Arab world.

At the end of any Model, all delegates come away having practiced and improved considerably the kinds of skills that will serve them well all their life in any field they pursue. This one-of-a-kind practical experience brings students and their faculty advisers back year after year.

Model Arab League is the National Council on U.S. Arab Relations' gateway to other university and high school leadership development programs, including:

MODEL ARAB LEAGUE IN THE NEWS

2012

Students tune diplomacy skills in Model Arab League - McDaniel College News, January 3, 2012

2011

Converse Students Promote Peace In Middle East - WYFF (NBC Greenville, SC), December 20, 2011

Millersville University’s Middle Eastern Studies Organization Students Participate in Regional Competition - The Exchange (Millersville University), December 15, 2011

Converse Empowers Youth to Shape Arab World - Converse College News, December 9, 2011

Rewards Amidst Change - Georgia State University News, December 5, 2011

America Knocks for Young Qataris - Qatar Today, November 9, 2011

Qatar is ‘perfect for Model Arab League project’ - Gulf Times, July 3, 2011

Wu to intern in D.C. - Pace Academy News, June 13, 2011

Pace Student Chosen for Internship - Buckhead Patch, June 13, 2011

Alum explores the Arabic language with scholarship - Grand Valley Lanthorn, June 9, 2011

LAU students take Model Arab League in Paris by storm - Lebanese American University News, May 25, 2011

Georgetown Preparatory School's Model Arab League - Georgetown Preparatory School News, May 25, 2011

Texas State Delegation Again Takes Honors at South Carolina Model Arab League - Texas State University - San Marcos News, May 20, 2011

UCSB Students Excel at Model Arab League - Historía (Newsletter of the University of California, Santa Barbara History Associates), May 18, 2011

Students honor Dr. Elizabeth Bishop with Excellence Award - Texas State University - San Marcos News, May 15, 2011

HHS students compete at Capitol - Rockdale Citizen, May 12, 2011

Model UN Wraps Up Season - Bullis School News, May 3, 2011

Model UN and Model Arab League alumni celebrate program anniversary - CSUSB Alumni Association, April 30, 2011

Honors Students Excel in Diplomacy - Areté (newsletter of the Honors College at the University of Houston), April 28, 2011

Some teachers stand out above the rest of the crop - Rockdale Citizen, April 26, 2011

Libby Mandarino ’12 wins Arab World Scholar Award - Marist School News, April 26, 2011

GSU Model United Nations and Model Arab League Teams win top awards - Georgia State University News, April 25, 2011

Students ranked in annual Southwest Model Arab League - Harding University News, April 22, 2011

Dr. Nurudeen Akinyemi Named KSU Outstanding Advisor on April 20th - Kennesaw State University News, April 20, 2011

CSUSB's Model Arab League team earns 19th consecutive Outstanding Delegation honors - California State University, San Bernardino News, April 19, 2011

Debate model helps MSU students excel in knowledge about Arab world - MSU News Service, April 20, 2011

Students Recognized during Model Arab League Simulation - Oklahoma Baptist University News, April 15, 2011

Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation Hosts Visit of US Students from NCUSAR Youth Leadership Development Program - The Middle East Times, April 11, 2011

Model Arab League enriches students’ lives - The Jacksonville News, April 6, 2011

Model Arab League team takes top honors incompetition - Texas Non Profits, April 6, 2011

Visit enlightens 10 American students about Saudi culture - Arab News, April 3, 2011

SSU students attend Model Arab League at Miami University - Shawnee State University News, March 22, 2011

SR 419 - Model United Nations and Model Arab League Programs of Georgia State University; Dr. Rashid Naim; recognize - Georgia General Assembly Legislation, March 16, 2011

• Video: Georgia State MUN and MAL Honored by GA SENATE - YouTube, March 25, 2011

• Senate resolution recognizes GSU’s Model United Nations and Model Arab League - Georgia State University News, March 25, 2011

After the Uprising: What’s Next? My Model Arab League Speech - Connected in Cairo, March 24, 2011

BUSACC 2011 Model Arab League Conference - Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce Press Release, March 17, 2011

SIS students attend Bilateral Model Arab League conference - Oklahoma State University News, March 11, 2011

Students Participate in 2011 Model Arab League Conference - Adrian College News, March 9, 2011

Model Arab League team takes top honors in competition - Texas State University-San Marcos News, March 1, 2011

Converse College Model Arab League trio visit Middle East - Spartanburg Herald-Journal, February 28, 2011

Senior’s involvement foreshadows life of activism - Grand Valley Lanthorn, January 30, 2011

Photo Gallery: Model Arab League Award Presentation - Day 2 - Brookhaven Patch, January 28, 2011

Photo Gallery: Model Arab League at Marist School - Brookhaven Patch, January 27, 2011

Marist School to host Model Arab League - Brookhaven Patch, January 25, 2011

Model Arab League students visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Winter 2010 - NCUSAR, January 12, 2011

Lathrop a Top Delegate - Lowell Sun, January 2, 2011

2010

Fellowship in Saudi Arabia - Grand Valley State University Success Stories, December 21, 2010

Texas State graduate is primed for career in Middle East diplomacy - The Texas State University-San Marcos Blog, December 17, 2010

International Relations Club Returns Triumphant - University of Massachusetts Lowell eNews, December 3, 2010

Class Warfare - CSUSB Magazine, December 3, 2010

Unlocking identities: Keys without a home - The Battalion (Texas A&M), December 2, 2010

Model Arab League eyes reform, press freedoms - The Caravan (American University in Cairo), November 21, 2010

Students show talents in Model Arab League - Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, November 18, 2010

Political Science News - Fall 2010 Northeastern University Political Science alumni newsletter, November 18, 2010

Modeling Success - AUC Today, October 30, 2010

Model UN competes abroad, gains perspective - The Hawks' Herald (Roger Williams University), October 7, 2010

Cal State San Bernardino lecturer named CSSA student adviser of the year - Cal State San Bernardino News, July 8, 2010

Model Arab League students visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Summer 2010 - NCUSAR, June 16, 2010

Newslines Newsletter - Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations, May 22, 2010

MSU students win big at Model Arab League competition - Montana State University News Service, May 3, 2010

Model Arab League Conference 2010 - Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter - April 2010, May 1, 2010

Text of President Mark Becker's 2010 State of the University Address - Georgia State University News, May 1, 2010

Students Recognized during Model Arab League Simulation - Oklahoma Baptist University Press Release, April 30, 2010

Marshall Model UN Club Wins Best School Award - Vienna Connection, April 28, 2010

Model United Nations club revived on Hill - The Colby Echo (Colby College), Apr 28, 2010

Girls participate in 2010 National High School Model Arab League - The Madeira School News, April 19, 2010

Campus Group Participates in Model League - Daily Nexus (University of California, Santa Barbara), April 16, 2010

Hood Present at the National Model Arab League Conference - Blue and Grey Today (Hood College), April 15, 2010

Model Arab League places first in nation - The Huntington News (Northeastern University), April 15, 2010

Montana State University debate group nets top awards in Missoula - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, April 14, 2010

Cal State San Bernardino's Model Arab League team earns top award at conference - Cal State San Bernardino News, April 14, 2010

LU students take first in Model Arab League conference - Lamar University News, April 12, 2010

Army Excellence Newsletter - United States Military Academy at West Point, April 9, 2010 (.pdf)

Students represent YCP at National University Model Arab League - York College of Pennsylvania, April 8, 2010

Students celebrate 10th year of winning 'Outstanding Delegation Award' during Model Arab League Program - University of Michigan - Dearborn News, April 2, 2010

Student Committee Receives Outstanding Delegation Award - Greenville Technical College News, March 19, 2010

Adrian College Makes National Model Arab League Conference - Adrian College News, March 18, 2010

Students Work to Resolve Conflicts in the Arab World - The Metropolitan (Metro State College of Denver), February 25, 2010

Students travel to Grand Valley State University to discuss politics - The College World (Adrian College), February 25, 2010

Morocco's ambassador to the United States to speak at GSU - Georgia State University News, February 24, 2010

Model Arab League opens minds of participants to culture and politics - The Lariat (Baylor University), January 26, 2010

Redden Reports on the National Model Arab League - DosCentavos.net, January 4, 2010

2009

Aggies Celebrate Year Two at the Model Arab League - International Focus, Texas A&M University, December 21, 2009

A Voice for the Middle East at Hood College - Blue and Grey Today (Hood College), December 11, 2009

Students Renew Tradition at Model Arab League - University of Massachusetts Lowell eNews, November 27, 2009

Professor hopes to spread knowledge of Middle East to students, community - The Frederick News-Post, October 31, 2009

Change Through Debate - Inside Higher Ed, October 5, 2009

The world as classroom - news @ Northeastern University, August 17, 2009

Students Recognized during Model Arab League Simulation - Oklahoma Baptist University Press Release, June 15, 2009

Miami Grad Receives Fulbright Study Grant - Archbold Buckeye, June 10, 2009

Converse scholar overcame tragedy to become a leader - Spartanburg Herald-Journal, May 16, 2009

Newslines Newsletter - Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations, May 15, 2009

The Hill School Students attend National Model Arab League - The Hill School News, April 30, 2009

Marshall Model UN Club Wins Top Honors - McLean Connection, April 29, 2009

Model Arab League lets students run Middle East -- for a weekend - The Frederick News-Post, April 9, 2009

Mercer's Model Arab League Delegation Wins National Championship - Mercer University News, April 7, 2009

Model Arab League program offers college students political debate opportunities - The Daily Telegram, April 4, 2009

Model Arab League team gets lesson in diplomacy - The Gardner-Webb University Pilot, March 25, 2009

Model Arab League wins as Bahrain - The Michigan Journal, March 24, 2009

Hope Students Participate in Model Arab League - Hope College Press Release, February 25, 2009

Bouquets and Brickbats - The Beaumont Enterprise, February 20, 2009

2008

Model UN and Model Arab League teams excel at regional conference (.pdf) - Georgia State University Press Release, November 25, 2008

Lamar students explore Arab diplomatic strategies - Lamar University News, April 10, 2008

Converse tops model Arab league - Spartanburg Herald Journal, April 3, 2008

Students participate in Model Arab League - The Echo Online (Mount St. Mary's University), April 1, 2008

Students represent Kuwait, Libya at Model Arab League - The Crusader (Spring Arbor University), February 28, 2008

INTERVIEW WITH THE NATIONAL MODEL ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY-GENERAL

2011 Secretary-General: Mr. Matthew Cournoyer, Northeastern University

1. How did you get involved in the Model Arab League? Did you ever imagine that you would be Secretary General when you started? How have you seen yourself grow through the MAL?

I first became involved with Model Arab League as a freshman, after participating in Model United Nations for three years in high school.  Before I started doing MAL, I was rather unfamiliar with Arab politics and culture, and so I approached my first conference with hesitation and apprehension. I certainly didn't imagine that I would eventually be serving as Secretary-General of the National MAL! But since that first conference, my participation in MAL has allowed me to strengthen my understanding of the Arab world, and I have become not only a better MAL delegate but also a better student of international relations.

2. What are some of the differences you see between the National MAL and a regional MAL?

At the National MAL, delegates have developed a greater facility with the rules of procedure. Therefore, debate flows more quickly, and committees often deal with topics in greater depth than at a Regional MAL. In addition, the competitive spirit at the National MAL means that delegates must work harder to forge compromises and draft mutually acceptable amendments to resolutions.

3. What can the teams expect at the National MAL coming up in the spring of 2011?

At the upcoming Spring 2011 National MAL, delegates can expect their chairs to challenge them to explore the topics before the committee to the fullest extent. My expectation for this conference is that each chair will develop comprehensive and practical topic guides that lay the foundation for a successful simulation. By raising the standard of preparation for ourselves, the Secretariat hopes to raise the standard of preparation and level of performance for everyone at the conference. My goal is to make the 2011 National MAL a challenging and educational experience for all, and an efficiently-run simulation.

4. What are your plans after you graduate?

After I complete my undergraduate coursework in Political Science and International Affairs at Northeastern, I intend to pursue graduate studies and a career in government.

5. What advice you would give to students participating in the MAL for the first time this year?

Come prepared, and then be confident in your own ability. When you first start out at MAL, it's easy to get caught up in the intricacies of the rules and to be intimated by those who have attended MAL conferences for years. However, as long as you have prepared for the conference by researching your country and the topics, and by utilizing the resources made available to you through NCUSAR and the Secretariat, you will be ready to compete with everyone else in the room. Don't be afraid to make your voice heard.