Adrian College Makes National Model Arab League Conference posted 3/18/10
Students discuss Arab politics in Washington, D.C.

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College students participated in the Michigan University Model Arab League Conference in February and are headed to the national conference for the first time in Washington, D.C. next week.

Model Arab League is a student leadership development program administered by the National Council on U.S. - Arab Relations. Participants learn about the politics and history of the Arab world and the arts of diplomacy and public speech. It is also a gateway to exchange programs in the Arabic world.

Adrian College has made impressive showings the past three years at the Michigan MAL.

Last year, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ (NCUSAR) representative to the Michigan MAL, strongly suggested that Adrian College be nominated to attend the national Model Arab League, which is held annually in Washington, D.C. NCUSAR subsequently selected Adrian College to represent the country Djibouti at the 2010 national model.

According to the National University Model Arab League (NUMAL) official web site, the NUMAL will celebrate its 27th year next week. Started as an informal demonstration simulation at Georgetown University in 1983, the NUMAL has grown to host over 300 students from 22 colleges and universities annually in an academic debate forum centered on issues relevant to the 22 Arab nations that comprise the League of Arab States.

The Arab Court of Justice will convene at the 2010 National University Model for its seventh year. Ten states will bring their cases before the court over the course of two days, Adrian College being Michigan’s representative.

The 2010 national conference will be held March 26 - 28, 2010, at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center.

Adrian College's Model Arab League program was founded in 2008-2009 by Dr. Philip J. Howe and Dr. Sheri Bleam as a joint project of the political science and communication arts and sciences departments. It is currently taught in both departments by Dr. Howe and David Takitaki, adjunct professor of communication.

The Adrian College MAL will be hosting a fundraiser this Saturday, March 20, at Marion Brothers Coffee in Clinton at the corner of Matthews Hwy. and U.S. 12. Monetary donations can also be directed to Dr. Phil Howe, Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St. Adrian, MI 49221.

More information may be obtained by contacting Dr. Howe at 517- 264-3949 or via e-mail at phowe@adrian.edu. Additional information on the national conference can also be found at the www.ncusar.org.