CCU students and staff mentor area youths in global politics

Students and faculty of Coastal Carolina University donated their time and expertise to the Montessori Model United Nation’s “Building Peace and Security in Asia” symposium, held at the Coastal Montessori Charter School (CMCS) in Litchfield on Saturday, May 4.

During the three-hour event, CMCS students negotiated and debated a host of topics --  from nuclear weapons and child education, to health and poverty reduction, all with a focus on Asian countries.

Pamela Martin, director of CCU’s Model United Nations program, considers the event and the Model UN a reflection of the Montessori school’s vision of “learning within a global and sustainable lens toward creating future leaders and productive citizens.”

“The goal of the symposium is to help CMCS students view the world through the eyes of a diplomat from another country and work toward solutions to problems that directly impact children,” she says.

Martin, also a CCU professor of politics, and several CCU students have been building relationships with the children of CMCS, located in Waccamaw Middle School, since January.

“CCU students Dominique DeWit, Dillon Ramsey and Ken Quaglia have interned all semester at CMCS, teaching the kids there about global politics and the United Nations,” says Martin.

Also in attendance were CCU students Casey McKee, Deanna Gatling, Josh Kochran, Douglas Johnson, Ian Detweiler, Mario (Seraphim) Beck and Brandon Reilly.

A keynote address was delivered by Min Ye, a professor of politics and Asian studies and director of CCU’s global studies minor. Ye spoke on China’s role in the world, as well as issues that impact the country’s children.

The event was intended as preparation for next year’s Montessori Model United Nations competition in New York City.