MIO

Model International Organization

Everybody wants to rule the world…..but we mean it

About Us

E-mail: mio_unt@yahoo.com

Spring 1997 Participation in the 1997 Southwest Model Arab League was the genesis of Model International Organization. MIO founders wanted to ensure that UNT would continue to be represented at this annual conference. The goals of the organization were soon expanded to include attending other model conferences.

1997-1998 During the 1997-98 academic year, MIO hosted an on-campus lecture series on current world events. MIO was pleased to welcome Latin American scholar, State Department consultant, and UNT professor, Dr. John Booth, for the inaugural lecture, "An Update on the Chiapas Rebellion." In November, the American Model United Nations in Chicago broadened the experiences of MIO members. An important goal of MIO was achieved at the 1998 Model Arab League in Waco, when the UNT delegation won six individual awards for excellence and the Outstanding Delegation award. UNT was also given the honor of hosting the 1999 Southwest Model Arab League. Additionally, MIO officer Jason Peacock was elected as Secretary-General for the 1999 conference. The 1999 conference was a great success, mainly through the efforts of Jason and his secretariat.

1998-1999 In 1998-99, the MIO expanded it's lecture series to include two very popular panel discussions as well as continuing with the lectures by individual professors. The first lecture of the semester, "Democratization and Development in Uganda," was presented by Dr. Meernik of the Political Science faculty. MIO also cosponsored a panel discussion titled "Promoting Peace Through International Organizations" with representatives from Amnesty International and the International Service for Peace. MIO also again widened its interests, sponsoring a post-election discussion. This forum marked the first time that MIO has held any events concerned with domestic politics. MIO hosted the Southwest Model Arab League, in addition to representing two nations.

1999-2000 The MIO scored a series of successes during the 1999-2000 school year. MIO attended the Southern Regional Model United Nations conference in Atlanta, winning Honorable Mention Delegation. MIO also attended the Southwestern Model UN and was awarded Outstanding College Delegation. MIO continued its relationship with the Southwest Model Arab League, again representing two nations. The lecture series that year was the most successful ever. Speakers included former UN commander in Bosnia General Lewis MacKenzie, former Pakistan Ambassador Syed Ashani, and the exiled Shah of Iran. MIO capped the year with an award, the Student Program of the Year, University of North Texas Student Development Service Awards.

2000-2001 MIO continued its activities during the 2000-2001 academic year. During the Fall semester, MIO sponsored a lecture by the Socialist presidential candidate David McReynolds, an Election Forum, and a presentation on Iraq by UT Journalism Professor Robert Jensen. MIO also participated at the Model Organization of American States Conference at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. In the Spring semester, MIO attended the Southwestern Model United Nations conference in Abilene and won the award for Outstanding Delegation. At the Southwest Model Arab League conference, MIO won the Honorable Mention Outstanding Delegation award. As part of International Week, MIO sponsored a lecture with African press hero Pius Njawe, publisher of Le Messager newspaper group in Cameroon. Over 250 UNT students attended the lecture titled, "Press Freedom, Human Rights, and Democracy."

2001-2002 Once again, MIO broke new ground during the 2001-2002 academic year. In October 2001, MIO was proud to host the first North Texas Invitational Model United Nations conference. Held at the Environmental Sciences building at UNT, this event was a new chapter in MIO history. Metroplex high schools represented nearly 30 delegations at NTIMUN, which received rave reviews from students and faculty sponsors. In November, MIO returned to the Model Organization of American States conferences, winning four individual awards. Also during the fall MIO sponsored a panel discussion on the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sir Eldon Griffiths discussed terrorism in a lecture cosponsored with ISP. Additionally, MIO co-sponsored a forum on the attacks and a discussion on democracy in Nigeria. MIO also presented an international film series. During the Spring of 2002, MIO attended its first National Model Arab League conference in Washington, DC. Representing Djibouti, MIO won three individual awards. MIO also hosted a very successful follow-up panel discussion, "Changes in the World Since 9/11." A Point-Counterpoint lecture series on the relationship between India and Pakistan was also presented by MIO, with UT professor Dr. Sumit Ganguly in March and former Pakistan Ambassador Syed Ashani in April. The crowning event of the year was in April, when MIO accepted the University of North Texas Student Organization Distinguished Service Award, 2001-2002 at the Honor's Day reception.

Fall 2002 In October, MIO cosponsored a forum on the conflict with Iraq, with faculty from the political science and history departments. Over 350 students were in attendance in the Lyceum. MIO also cosponsored with ISP, "Confronting the Real Threats to America's National Security" with Edward G. Abington, Former US Consul General to Jerusalem and Advisor to the Palestinian National Authority. Additionally, MIO hosted Ambassador Tibor Nagy to discuss careers with the US Department of State in the Department of History Library. MIO made a triumphant return to the Model Organization of American States conference. MIO members won four individual awards, including one Outstanding and three Distinguished Delegate awards. NTIMUN 2002, held in the University Union, was a resounding success. Secretary-General Martin Willhoite hosted 47 delegations from several Texas schools - from as far away as Austin and San Antonio. Fall 2002: At OAS, we represented Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela that year.

Spring 2003 In February, MIO attended its first Midwest Model UN in St. Louis. Five students represented Afghanistan and Iraq. Adam Smith, a delegate for Iraq, won Honorable Mention for his contributions in the Disarmament Committee and Security Council. In April, MIO attended the National Model Arab League conference in Washington, DC, representing Oman. MIO received three honorable mention delegate awards. Also in April, MIO hosted an interdisciplinary panel discussion on the war in Iraq.

Fall 2003 In October, MIO attended the third Model OAS in San Antonio, Texas. At OAS, we represented Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. We had 2 outstanding delegate awards from James Draper and Daniel Thompson. NTIMUN continued to grow under Sec Gen Jason (Rev.) Peacock. We had 200 + students representing 49 countries. Following NTIMUN, we hosted former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

Spring 2004 In April at National University Arab League, we took 5 students who represented Saudi Arabia and had 3 students win delegate awards: Rebecca Hinkley, Kareem Mansour and Veronica Acosta. Two weeks later MIO attended the Southwest Model Arab League at Baylor. Four Students attended the Southwest Model Arab League, Britton Douglas, Anthony Piccolo, Kristen Lucas, and Christina.

Fall 2004 UNT hosted a very successful North Texas Invitational Model United Nations in mid-October. NTIMUN was under Sec Gen Stephanie Wolfe. We took 16 people to OAS. We'll know about awards soon.... We helped bring in Madeleine Albright, and also hosted a Saudi Arabia/US relations panel discussion. MIO also attended the Model Organization of American States on November 4-6. Fifteen students attended the Model OAS representing Paraguay, Argentina, and El Salvador.

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