Carolinas Committee on U.S.–Arab Relations NEWSLINES

Volume 31, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations June 2017 An Affiliate of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

In This Issue

1 Cruise Ships, Mountains, and Deserts: An Tourist Infrastructure Joe P. Dunn, Converse College

4 Seeking Religious Diversity in Oman Jason Loscuito, Chaplain, Converse College

6 Converse Participates in the First Rabat (Morocco) International Model Arab League

8 Qatar: A Cultural Experience by Claudia Coffin, Converse College

10 Thirty Years of Converse Meeting at ITHRAA, Inward Investment and Export Developent Agency Participating in Model Arab League Cruise Ships, Mountains, and Deserts: by Joe P. Dunn An Oman Tourist Infrastructure 13 The Model Arab League Manual: A Guide to Joe P. Dunn, Charles A. Dana Professor, Converse College Preparation and Performance I had the unique opportunity much the same itinerary with the By Philip A. D’Agati and Holly A. Jordan Reviewed by Dr. Joe P. Dunn to participate in National Coun- significant difference that the first cil trips to Oman twice within nine trip was in late December and ear- months as an Alwaleed bin Talal ly January, when the weather was scholar. The circumstances of that I beautifully mild. The second trip Dr. Joe P. Dunn, Director will simply characterize as my good in late August and early Septem- Jenny Dunn, Associate Director fortune. The different mix of aca- ber was brutally hot. The most im- and co-editor of Newslines demics, and in the latter trip with portant reality, however, was that Carolinas Committee on U.S.–Arab Relations four undergraduate students as the heat played a role in a bout Converse College 580 East Main Street well, made each National Council of dehydration that allowed me Spartanburg, SC 29302 trip special. As with all such experi- to experience the Omani medi- ences, the second time provided cal system and my trip ended a bit new insights. The trips followed prematurely.

(continued on page 2) NEWS AND ARTICLES NEWS AND ARTICLES

Grounds of the National Mosque Banquet at Royal Military Officers Club When I wrote about my initial about my two trips to Oman, so to maximize the possibilities. As I St. Regis, W, and Ritz-Carlton Re- edutainment center, multiple ho- opened as the largest and most trip in January in the last edition a return to the country with her thought about what I wished to serve have entered the market tels, and a residential zone and advanced in the region. of Newslines, I focused on politi- is likely. We both enjoy cruise highlight in this piece, I decided and resorts such as the 700-room retail areas. A 13,000 square feet The Oman National Railway cal and security topics, my gen- ships. On both visits I observed that Oman’s potential tourist in- Shati Salalah and the Alila Resort National Museum in is be- project, the development of eral area of expertise. However, the cruise ships and their guests dustry would be a worthy focus. Salalah with 125 rooms and 46 ing planned. high speed railways for domestic on both trips I spent considerable in Muscat; Oman is becoming a The country has much to offer residential units and 49 villas in Airport expansion also is nec- transportation and commercial time talking with our incredible popular stop in the region. As one but also some considerable ob- the capital of Dhofar have been essary. Thirty airlines presently usage, is the largest construc- tour guide Badar Al Yazeedi and commentator explained though, stacles to overcome especially completed. On the coast south- fly in and out of Muscat,tion project anda presently underway his associates about tourism in what is necessary is that Oman for the European and American east of Muscat, the 550-room Yiti new low-cost domestic airline in the Sultanate. It will connect Oman. As a experienced travel- develops the infrastructure that markets. The first issue is percep- Resort, with 550 rooms and 1100 has been commissioned along- major urban centers to ports and er, I am always interested in that will encourage companies to tion. Oman is impeccably safe. residential units and villas, and side the national airline, Gulf Air. to the GCC-wide railway project, subject, and on a second visit to schedule longer stops beyond a But few Americans have ever the Saraya Bandar Jissah open in When the first phase of the Mus- which is projected for comple- a different culture one absorbs few hours in port for shopping in heard of the country and con- 2017. The tourism ministry expects cat International Airport expan- tion in 2018. Highway expansion much more than one does the the souq. The tourism bureau pro- cern about turmoil in the region is to add 10,000 hotel rooms, from sion is completed in 2017, it will be to reduce traffic congestion and first time. My second trip- reaf jected around 152 cruise ships to a problem to overcome. luxury resorts to budget hotels, by increase capacity from 7 million connect the urban areas on the firmed the beauty of Muscat andvisit the new Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman’s Vision 2020 plan em- 2018, up from 315 hotels account- to 12 million passengers annu- coast to the inner country is also environs and I re-experienced the Muscat and a smaller number to phasizes tourism as a significant ing for 16,691 rooms in Oman in ally, and when fully operational under development. friendly openness of the country. dock in Khasab and Salalah dur- area of diversification of the mid-2016. in subsequent years it can handle As one of the most success- Although I did not make it there ing the winter cruise season from economy. Presently, approxi- Other development projec- 36 million annual passengers. The ful Gulf countries in diversifying its on the second trip, I enjoyed pe- October 2016 to May 2017. But mately 75% of Oman’s tourism tions include “a world-class multi- Salalah Airport, being expanded economy from the very high con- rusing my colleagues’ pictures the dream is to become a home- comes from Arabian Gulf neigh- cluster 1.5 million square meter to handle 3 million passengers centration on petroleum, Oman on Facebook that demonstrated port from which tourists would fly bors with Europe, particularly Ita- entertainment and leisure theme (with hopes of 6 million eventu- has high hopes for ongoing eco- that the Dhofar region is indeed into and out and thus increase ly, Germany, and the United King- park,” built by the Muscat Na- ally), will increase passenger vol- nomic development. Tourism is a different experience in the vari- the time and money spent in the dom, next. Oman projected in tional Development Company in ume significantly. Commercial an important component for the ous seasons of the year. Back in country. 2015 as much as a 10% increase Barka, on the coast north of Mus- airports are under development future, and I can attest to the the U.S., I envied my peers con- Oman has significant poten- in tourist numbers. Hotel and re- cat, which will feature an inte- in Duqm and Sofar as well. In late virtues of travel to the country. I tinuing travel. tial in the tourist sector but it will sort expansion is imperative. In grated theme park, a wildlife and December 2016 the Muscat Inter- haven’t made it to Musandam in My wife has heard much take expansion of infrastructure the last couple of years, Westin, waterpark, an equestrian facility, national Air Traffic Control Center the far north yet, so I must return.

2 3

NEWS AND ARTICLES NEWS AND ARTICLES

and looking for the footprint at the that the tenth chapter of Genesis that there are shared values such Seeking Religious Diversity in Oman bottom of an ancient well that is mentions that Job was from Aouss as hospitality, love of neighbor, said to have gushed forth after the which is located toward Dhofar. the alleviation of poverty and our Jason Loscuito prophet Job prayed to God. There This visit to the Prophet Job’s me- shared humanity which I saw and Chaplain, Converse College is a small sign at the entrance to morial in particular and to Oman was the recipient of during our trip. the site which describes the final in general reminded me that while I purchased a set of prayer beads “We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He resting place of the prophet Job there are significant theological in Nizwa and I carry them with me would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what and also makes the connection differences between Islam, Chris- on occasion as a reminder to pray, has come to you. So compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will between the Book of Job in the tianity and Judaism we also share but they also remind me of the Bible and the mention of Job in the the stories of our foremothers and beauty, hospitality and openness return to God and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.” Holy Quran four times. It also states forefathers in the faith. Beyond of the who I met. Surat al-Ma’ida, 48

In the Dhofar Mountains partnered with the Interfaith Youth Corp to provide trainings for our students and we recently received a grant from the Arthur Vining Da- vis Foundation to create an Inter- faith Studies Program. I felt that the trip to Oman would provide an op- portunity to explore, observe, and reflect on a sect of Islam of which I had little knowledge. There were numerous oppor- tunities on the trip for me to learn about how Islam is practiced in Oman. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat reflected the beauty of Islam through the archi- tecture and use of space which re- minds the visitor about the holiness of Allah. I asked questions about I have to confess that when readings from the Council on U.S.- religious pluralism in Oman and I was invited on the Oman Al- Arab Relations, provided me with a our host, Badar Al Yazeedi, told me waleed Fellowship Study Visit the strong knowledge base of Oman in about the Christian, Buddhist and first thing I did was pull outgeneral my and in particu- Hindu communities in Muscat and smart phone and say, “Siri, where lar. After our last meeting my col- in other areas of Oman. I watched is Oman?” After locating Oman on league handed me a set of Islamic as Muslims answered the call to the map, I talked with my wife and prayer beads which he had pur- prayer in small towns, large cities the Provost, to make sure that my chased in Iraq. He told me to take like Salalah and next to a wadi on absence at the beginning of the them with me on the trip for safe a Friday afternoon. semester would not be too much travel. The visit to the tomb of the of a burden on my family and my I was most excited about trav- Prophet Job stands out as a mo- colleagues. Upon securing their eling to Oman so that I could learn ment of religious pluralism on the blessing I made preparations for more about Ibadi Islam and how trip. The memorial site is located the trip. the people of Oman practiced this in Beit Zarbij which is 27 kilome- During the time before our sect of Islam. During my tenure at ters outside of Salalah. The site in- departure I met with a colleague Converse College I have made cludes a small mosque in addition who has spent time in the Arab an effort through the co-curricular to the building where the tomb world during both his military and programs that my office sponsors is located. Outside of that build- academic career. Over lunch in and through the courses I offer in ing is an ancient prayer area with the dining hall he answered my the Religion Department to stress prayer rugs lined up next to each questions about Arab culture, the importance of interfaith liter- other on the ground. We mingled politics, and Islam. His knowledge, acy and cooperation to our stu- among the pilgrims making their in addition to the pre-departure dents, faculty and staff. We have visit to this holy site, taking pictures Jason, Emily Holbert, Megan Madison, and friend

4 5 NEWS AND ARTICLES NEWS AND ARTICLES Converse Participates in the First Rabat (Morocco) International Model Arab League

Ribat University campus breaks were impressive, and the level of debate was excellent. All the Converse delegates received individual awards in their respective councils and the delegation shared the Outstand- ing Delegation Award with Geor- gia State. As the U.S. sponsoring school, Georgia State provided the council chairs and assumed responsibility for training Moroc- can students to fill those roles in succeeding years. However, when one Georgia State chair could not make the trip, Con- verse’s Sidney Jones stepped into the role and won the Distin- guished Chair Award. Funded by a grant from the de Rabat. Four U.S. institutions, Although the Model was Converse College Golden Club who annually compete at the the core purpose of our trip, the (50th Year Reunion Class), seven National Model — Converse (with three-day excursion to southern senior and junior members of the a single delegation) and Georgia Morocco at the end of the con- Converse MAL delegation and State University, University of Ar- ference was the highlight. On three sponsors participated in the kansas — Little Rock, and the U.S. Sunday participants traveled to Camel Ride to Top of Dunes first Rabat (Morocco) International Military Academy (all with multiple Errachidia, Errissani, Erfoud, and University MAL, hosted November delegations) joined teams from the Mausoleum of Mly Ali Cherif, cooked blend of meat and veg- the bus, a hot shower and bed Casablanca where we arrived 11-12, 2016, at the new French- Rabat International University and the founder of the early Alaouite etables) was incredible. We slept were welcome. The buffet meal in the middle of the night. After language, European educational Al-Akhawayn University. The facili- Dynasty. Clearly the most popular that evening in tents, that evening was accompanied spending the early morning hours model Universite Internationale ties were outstanding, meals and event of the entire Moroccan visit admittedly rather highline tourist by live native Dkaykya music and on a rather cold airport floor, we was an evening in the desert at style with Western amenities. The dance. Ouazazate is the Holly- departed to Greenville/Spartan- Desert Camp Merzouga complete with a cam- next morning some of the group wood of Morocco, where scores burg with stops in Paris and De- el ride into the dunes to watch the trekked back to the dunes for of movies have been filmed. The troit. sunset from the top of the dunes. the sunrise. From the top of the Museum of Cinema provided a My thinking prior to the trip was By our good fortune, this was the center’s building, the rest of us touristy display of props from fa- that the generous funding had night of the Super Moon, the clos- observed morning life in the sur- mous movies such as Ben Hur, provided a one-time opportunity est and largest shinning in the last rounding Bedouin encampments Gladiator, Cleopatra, and more for a fortunate group of Converse fifty years. Words cannot capture and village. recent action films. Another stopstudents. However, after the trip, the beauty of the evening. The On Monday we traveled at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou I concluded that this experience painted sky of the sunset was stun- through the Toudgha Gorge, a afforded a hard climb to the top was too special for only one se- ning, the moon seemed to fill half magnificent sight that reminds of the mountain, but the view jus- lect number of students to enjoy. the sky, and the stars appeared one of a tour along the bottom of tified the climb. I don’t know how this will be ac- so close that one could reach up the Grand Canyon in the U.S. or On the return to the north, we complished, but I intend to find and touch them. Petra in Jordan, and we enjoyed traversed the winding highway a way to repeat the trip periodi- The night concluded with a another grand meal at the bot- through the Atlas Mountains with cally. camp fire, sub-Saharan drum- tom of the Gorge. The following colorful Fall foliage and snow at We thank all the donors who mers and dancers, and another day, we visited Ouazazate and the top of the highest mountains. made this trip possible, and we wonderful Moroccan meal. Every spent the night at a four-star ho- Amidst the huge evening carnival have the fondest admiration for meal on the trip (usually the tra- tel. After a day on the bus, a night in Marrakech, we ate at a roof- our Moroccan hosts who provid- ditional Moroccan tagine slow- in the desert, and another day on top restaurant and then left for ed a lifetime experience.

6 7 NEWS AND ARTICLES NEWS AND ARTICLES Qatar: A Cultural Experience by Claudia Coffin, Converse College

I stepped off the plane at the Hamad International Airport with statistics, percentages, and data in my head. Yet I had no idea what I was about to experience, no idea of the customs and cul- ture in which I was about to be immersed. I spent the next week learning how Qatar is, rather than what Qatar is, and it changed my perspective entirely. Upon first impression, Qatar is intimidatingly modern. The Doha skyline rises sleek and shining over Doha Skyline Evening Downtown the bay, while the surrounding land brims with opportunity. Each in progressing so rapidly, recently, of people gathered in the Souq with open arms. Whether it be the aspect of the capital’s architec- and richly, has flexibility in its- de Waqif to hear the news and cel- call to prayer reverberating over ture is curated with a futuristic and velopment not afforded to most ebrate when the billet was pre- the yachts moored to a man- rich taste. Under the relentless sun, modern countries. sented. Then, the Supreme Com- made island, or the Souq Waqif’s cranes greet each other through I knew that Qatar gained its mittee for Delivery and Legacy reconstruction to appear more the gaps in the skyline, signaling independence in 1971. Howev- was created to organize it. Billions “authentic,” Qataris do their best the many projects yet to come. er, seeing the rise and effects of of dollars in infrastructure and de- to maintain a healthy balance As described by a digital society such sudden economic boom velopment will be required to suc- between new and old. In this bal- Claudia in Doha development representative from was mind-blowing. I had the op- cessfully host the tournament. Ex- ance, the Qataris have achieved Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and portunity to tour a museum ex- pansion of hotels, a metro-system, a vibrant, active beauty like I Communications, there are no hibit devoted to the Oil and Gas a harbor transport system, and had never seen. I look forward to historical landmarks or previous industry, which featured such an- new roads are all under construc- seeing their impact on the world development to contend with cient relics as a phone with a ro- tion for 2022, as well as eight new in the coming years, because I the sheer potential Qatar carries tary dial and a 12-inch screen box stadiums. Above all, the anticipa- know they have impacted me. for infrastructure. The excitement TV. It was then that I realized just tion is already palpable, myself no and creativity pulsing across nu- how new everything in Doha was. exception. merous cutting-edge develop- Even a few decades ago, the Hosting the World Cup is cre- ments was clear as we toured the country was unrecognizable to ating a boom in infrastructure municipalities around Doha. the gleaming hyperindustrialism it and employment, again mostly Qatar has an interestingly displays today. In fact, the skyline of immigrant workers. Along with complex dynamic within its cul- of the West Bay consisted of one the workers, there will also be an ture, government, and econo- pyramid-shaped hotel, which is influx of tourists to the region. I my. With such diverse residents, now of course flanked by a- thickcan only hope that the inevitable the place is a true melting pot of et of shining superstructures. exchange of culture will reduce Eastern culture. The monarchy in In preparation for the World misconceptions about the Arab 2013 adopted Sheikh Tamim ibn Cup especially, transportation, region on a worldwide scale, but Hamad Al Thani as its new emir, entertainment, and hospital- only time will tell how large of an in a peaceful exchange of pow- ity are undergoing massive ad- impact it will have. er from father to son. The money vancements. As a soccer player Qatar is a beautiful country from oil and, more recently, liqui- and fan myself, I was interested with massive changes underway. fied natural gas, also plays a mas- to learn about the preparation for The Qataris pride themselves on sive role in financing the -ambi the event. In 2010, Qatar won the their intellect, respect, and pros- tious projects Qatar is pursuing. bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, perity. I admire how, everywhere The underlying theme is the free- the largest event in the most be- I went, Qataris honored their heri- dom to start from scratch. Qatar, loved sport in the world. Hordes tage while embracing the future

8 9 NEWS AND ARTICLES NEWS AND ARTICLES

Heads of State ThirtyCouncil Years of Converse Participating JDC at NUMAL in Model Arab League

by Joe P. Dunn

Converse Delegation at SERMAL

snowed in during two blizzards; SERMAL has grown dramatically, of MAL has been systematically student mishaps and crises of now hosting well over two hun- maintained. Thus in the 32 issues every imaginable kind; and the dred participants per year, and as of this newsletter that I have pub- constant personnel and policy director of this event, I have ac- lished since 1998, I attempt to changes of the National Council quired another whole set of sto- chronicle an annual history of the provide a myriad of stories for my ries. For several years Converse National Model and the South- memoirs. However, bottom line, participated in the Northeast Re- east Model, at least through the MAL has been a central event of gional Model and in recent years lens of our involvement. In that my academic career. opted for the more financially vein, this year’s Converse experi- Converse has excelled. We feasible Appalachian Regional ence follows. registered our first overall best - del Model. egation award in our third year in The auxiliary benefits ofAppalachian MAL Regional Model 1990 and repeated again in 1994. participation for my students and (ARMAL) (November 4-6, 2016) at In 1997 we launched a consecu- me have been considerable. Hollins University. tive record of outstanding del- Scores of Converse MAL partici- Sending only its eleven first- Converse began its partici- was small at that time with only sion in the last decade. The ex- egation awards that runs through pants have traveled under Na- year delegates, Converse repre- pation in Model Arab League in a single annual model and less tensive network of regional col- the present year. In the early de- tional Council sponsorship to the sented Yemen, Iraq, and a cou- 1988, four years after the program than fifteen participating schools. lege/university and high school cades we fielded two delega- region; I have personally benefit- ple of students as Bahrain at the came under the auspices of the None of the schools that partici- models brings the opportunity to tions and both usually won overall ted from these excursions as well small conference. With nine of National Council on U.S.-Arab Re- pated in 1988 are still active in the thousands of students across the top delegations; and for five con- and have written about them the eleven participants receiving lations. Founded by Dr. Michael National Model today. With thirty country annually. For me the ex- secutive years, we chaired all the over the years in this newsletter. awards, the Yemen delegation Nwanze at Georgetown Univer- consecutive years at the National perience has been an adventure. councils. We participated in the All this would not have been pos- was the Outstanding Delegation sity, the National Council soon Model, Converse is, by decades, Multifarious venues, including sev- Southeast Model (SERMAL) for the sible without the long association and the other two teams were cit- became the sponsoring organiza- the senior institution, and I am by en different hotels over my years; first time in 1997 and have won the with MAL. ed as Distinguished Delegations. tion. When Converse participat- far the longest serving faculty ad- a multitude of hotel horror stories top award every year since with As an historian I believe in an ed for the first time, the model had visor. alternately funny, frustrating, and our second delegation usually re- ongoing record of the past. With Ribat International Model (No- moved to American University as The growth of Model Arab infuriating; more travel debacles cording a delegation award as the flux of the National Council vember 11-12, 2016): See includ- host for a few years before return- League has been significantthan one wants to remember, in- well. Converse became the per- over the decades, I am not sure ed article. ing to Georgetown. The program over the years with large expan- cluding a “lost” van and being manent host of SERMAL in 1999. that an adequate accounting

10 11 NEWS AND ARTICLES LEARNING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Southeast Regional Model (SER- Elon University (Jordan) and Roa- Northeastern (UAE) received the MAL) (March 10-12, 2017) at Con- noke College (Bahrain). Other Overall Best Delegation citation. The Model Arab League Manual: verse College. participating colleges were Spar- Distinguished Delegation Awards A Guide to Preparation and Performance The opening ceremony in- tanburg Community College, The went to Georgia State (Oman), cluded a panel of student and Citadel, Jacksonville State (two University of Utah (Bahrain), Miami By Philip A. D’Agati and Holly A. Jordan faculty participants on the lat- delegations), Hollins, Georgia University of Ohio (Palestine), John Reviewed by Dr. Joe P. Dunn est National Council Qatar and Southern, Kennesaw State, and Carrol University (Mauritania), and Oman trips and brief remarks on Wofford. Several usual partici- the American University of Cairo As an earlier article ex- circumstances, challenges, the first Ribat International Model. pants, including Mercer, University (Sudan). plained, I have been involved problems, and opportunities. With the illness of the designated of North Carolina-Pembroke, and Other participating institutions in Model Arab League for thirty But this incredibly useful hand- Secretary General, Melanie Wad- Georgia Perimeter were unable included Northwestern, Western years. I have learned how it book provides an introduc- dell, Converse 2012 graduate and to attend this year. In the high Kentucky, Mercer, USMA at West works and how to be success- tion to virtually everything one a former programs associate with school division, participants were Point, University of Houston-Clear ful in organizing and managing could want to know about the the National Council, stepped in Spartanburg Day School, South- Lake, Adrian College, Shawnee an MAL delegation. But as the program. Its Table of Contents to assume the Secretary General side Christian School, Byrnes High State, Universite Laval, Univer- National Council on U.S.-Arab is so comprehensive that the role. All the council chairs were School, and Broome High School. sity of Houston-Honors College, from Converse. Sidney Jones George Mason, Texas State at San Relations program continues best practice is simply to list it: (Joint Defense) and Melissa Rick- National Model (NUMAL) (March Marcos, Roger Williams, University to expand nationally to in- (1) introduction to the League enbaker (Social) shared the Best 30-April 2, 2017) at Georgetown of Arkansas-Little Rock, Brigham clude more and more schools and the model league, (2) Chair Award and Jayda Means University. Young, Grand Valley State, at both the college and high conference structure: coun- (Palestinian) was cited as Distin- With twenty six participat- George Washington, Kennesaw school levels, many institutions cils, leadership, and guidelines, guished Chair. ing institutions and over 400 del- State, University of Nevada-Reno, and new advisors really do not (3) representing a country, (4) Winning the Outstanding egates, the 2017 National Model and Hollins. know where to begin to be rules of procedure, (5) research two top programs in the field Delegation Award in fivewas of the thelargest ever. For Con- Farah Elharezy of George successful. This is the place. to represent a country, (6) con- will not fit for every institution, eight venues and Distinguished verse, it is the penultimate event Mason University served as Secre- The authors bring to bear ference leadership, including but much of what they sug- Delegate in the three others, Con- of our competition year which this tary General. Converse held four their considerable experience how to prepare a chair, (7) lo- gest can be adapted or modi- verse’s Yemen delegation finished year included four MALs and In- council chair positions and one with two of the most success- gistics for running a team, (8) fied to each individual -situa first over Georgia State Univer - ternational Model NATO, in all of of them, Jessica Morgan (Heads ful national level programs to the role of a faculty advisor at a tion. The essential question is sity (Oman) and Converse’s Iraq which Converse took Outstanding of State), was voted by the fac- offer good advice and best conference, and (8) teaching delegation finished third overall Delegation awards. At the 2017 ulty as the Best Chair. Jessica was where does a model delega- among the nineteen competing NUMAL, with awards in five of thealso named as the 2018 Secretary practices. Dr. Phil D’Agati liter- a model Arab league course. tion fit in the individual college delegations. The other two del- councils, Converse (Yemen) re- General and Kathleen Langbehn ally came up through the pro- Particularly valuable subtop- structure—is it a class, club, ex- egations cited for awards were ceived the Outstanding Delega- from Converse will chair the Joint gram from participation at the ics under the topics above in- tracurricular activity, or an as- both new participant colleges— tion Award, but our perennial rival, Defense Council in 2018. undergraduate and graduate clude how to write resolutions, sembly of students for a single levels on through his Ph.D. and conduct practice sessions, de- event. This issue significantly im- served as the faculty sponsor velop effective team policies, Converse Delegation at NUMAL pacts the funding sources mat- to the Northeastern University and acquire funding. ter. The authors cannot answer delegation for many years. Appendices include im- the question for each school, Dr. Holly A. Jordan was a par- portant historical documents, but they do offer the advan- ticipant as an undergraduate Model Arab League rules and tages and disadvantages of at Converse College, worked regulations, samples of resolu- the various possible structures with high school models and tions and other procedures, and examples of what other helped other university del- and examples of topic guides. participants have done. egations while obtaining her A glossary and index are very Bottom line this quite at- masters’ degree at the Univer- helpful. tractive paperback should sity of Georgia, founded a del- Throughout the book the be acquired by every school egation during her doctorate authors inject “best practices” involved or contemplating work at Virginia Technological suggestions and other useful participating in Model Arab University, and established a insights from their experience League. The authors’ passion delegation at Roanoke Col- and ideas garnered from other for their subject is evident and lege while teaching there. programs. The best practices they have provided a great Obviously, every partici- that they continually invoke service. pating institution has different from their experience with the

12 13