Contact: Sammy McDavid
More than 350 state high school and college-age students and teachers arrive Thursday [Feb. 7] at Mississippi State for the 23rd annual simulation of the United Nations' representative assembly.
Representatives of 16 high schools and four universities will be at the university through Saturday [the 9th] for the 2002 Mississippi Model Security Council. Most council activities will take place in the Colvard Union.
Robert L. Pugh of Columbus, a retired member of the United States diplomatic corps, will be the keynote speaker for this year's event. During a 30-year career with the Department of State, Pugh held a variety of leadership positions, including deputy ambassador to Lebanon and ambassador to the West African republic of Mauritania and the North African nation of Chad.
Signed in 1945 by the United States and 49 other nations, the U.N. charter gives the Security Council "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security." Though principally concerned with the resolution of conflicts, it is the only U.N. body with the power to create and deploy peacekeeping forces.
For additional information, telephone Rick Travis of the political science department at (662) 325-7866 or 325-2711.
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NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS:
High school delegations this year come from Brandon, Clinton, Franklin County of Meadville, Hebron Christian of Pheba, Houston, Humphreys Academy of Belzoni, Jackson Preparatory of Jackson, Madison Central of Madison, Pillow Academy of Greenwood, Richland, St. Joseph of Greenville, Starkville, Starkville Academy, Tupelo, and Warren Central of Vicksburg.
In addition to host MSU, delegates from Millsaps College, Mississippi University for Women and the University of Southern Mississippi also are taking part.