Tucson, AZ – The Arizona Model United Nations (AzMUN) is pleased to invite members of the press to the opening ceremonies of the 50^th Annual High School Conference to be held at the University of Arizona on March 2^nd.

The AzMUN, an organization run entirely by University of Arizona students, hosts an annual Model UN simulation for high school students every year. This simulation is unique in that it is the only bi-national, bilingual civic education program in existence in the Southwest, and perhaps the United States and Mexico. Over 400 Mexican and American high school students congregate on the UofA campus to learn lessons about international affairs, while also having the opportunity to dialogue with like-minded youth from a neighboring country. The AzMUN provides live-translation and bilingual programming so that attendees, whether American or Mexican, can participate in the language they feel most comfortable in. This body of student work, which has spanned over half a century, has been recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative University and the Border Research Partnership for exceptional student activism and bi-national education.

 “Giving Mexican and American kids the chance to interact with each other in a civil environment is more important than ever,” says Secretary-General James Vancel, “Given the atmosphere around controversies over immigration and drug violence, there has hardly been a better time for youth of neighboring countries to meet each other and dialogue.”  

Opening ceremonies will include a ceremonial breaking of the bread over a fully-catered banquet, an address by a distinguished guest speaker and the inauguration of the 50^th Session of the AzMUN.

Media interested in covering the event should contact the AzMUN Public Information Officer, Francisco Lara, for additional details and to request the appropriate press credentials.

For more information and media inquiries please contact:
Francisco Lara Garcia, USG Public Information
flara@email.arizona.edu
(480) 277-0464
www.arizonamun.org

Tucson, AZ – The Arizona Model United Nations (AzMUN) is pleased to announce that is has been named as one of the first recipients of the Award for U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Cooperation and Innovation by the Border Research Partnership, a group comprising the Woodrow Wilson Center Mexico Institute, the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF). According to the NACTS website, the award is granted to those entries that “embody the spirit of bi-national collaboration, deeply engage regional stakeholders, and enhance the lives of residents on both sides of the border.” The AzMUN is based at the University of Arizona and is the only awardee working in the states of Arizona and Sonora.

“It’s a really exciting time to be a member of the Arizona Model United Nations.” says James Vancel, AzMUN’s Secretary-General, “not only did we get recognized earlier this year at the Clinton Global Initiative University, but now we’re getting another national award for our work. I think it speaks tons to the incredible capacity that students have to make a difference in their communities.”

The AzMUN, an organization run entirely by students, is being recognized for its work in promoting international education, cross-border dialogue and relationship-building among high school students, college students and educators.  It is a body of work that has spanned nearly half a century and has been accomplished mainly through the organization of an annual conference. During this conference, high school students take on roles as foreign diplomats and debate issues of international significance, learning lessons about civics and diplomacy along the way.  This last years’ conference, the 49^th annual, assembled over 400 students, two-thirds of them from Arizona and a third from Sonora, Mexico.

The award ceremony will occur during the Border Governor’s Conference to be held in Ensenada, Mexico on September 29^th.  The Governors and representatives from the various Border States will all be in attendance.

For more information please contact:
Francisco Lara Garcia
Undersecretary General of Public Information
flara@email.arizona.edu
(480) 277-0464