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Savannah State’s Model African Union Organization is Successful at Annual SEMAU Conference

 

From left to right: Model African Union team members Nigel Smith, Olivia Withers, Sarita Smith, Nicole Harrison, and faculty advisors Dr. Otilia Iancu and Dr. Emmanuel Nojang. 

Savannah State University’s (SSU) Model African Union (AU) Student Organization members recently won five out of 10 awards at the 24th Southeast Model African Union Conference (SEMAU) hosted at Georgia College and State University.
 
The three-day conference on African affairs gave students an opportunity to learn about diplomacy, conflict resolution, leadership and government organizations, and all facets of African life.
 
“I had a wonderful time exchanging ideas and learning how to work with others who have different opinions. This is an experience I will never forget,” Political Science major Oliva Withers said. “I am very excited to be a member of the Model African Union and this experience has left me with better leadership and public speaking skills. I encourage all students to join the Model African Union!”
 
Out of 11 University System of Georgia institutions, Savannah State University tied with Georgia College and Georgia State University for the number of awards won. Junior Computer Science major Nigel Smith won both the Outstanding Delegate Leadership-in-Committee Award and Outstanding Delegation Award for the delegation of Cabo Verde. Master of Public Administration student Nicole Harrison was also awarded Outstanding Delegate Leadership-in-Committee in addition to Honorable Mention Delegation for the delegation of Madagascar. Juniors Sarita Smith and Olivia Withers, Political Science majors, also won Outstanding Delegate Leadership-in-Committee.

From left to right: Model African Union students Nigel Smith, Nicole Harrison, H.E. Carlos Dos Santos, former Ambassador of Mozambique, H.E. Frederic Edem Hegbe, Ambassador of Togo, Model African Union Olivia Withers, Sarita Smith and faculty advisor Dr. Otilia Iancu. 

In addition to AU student organizations, former ambassadors of Mozambique, Nigeria, and the current ambassador of African Union to the United States of America Hilda Suka-Mafudz were in attendance. The Ambassador of The Republic of Togo, Mr. Frédéric Edem HEGBE served as keynote speaker.

SSU’s Model AU plans to attend the 20th Annual International Model African Union Conference on February 24 - 27, 2022 in Washington D.C.

Established in 2004, Savannah State University’s Model African Union Student Organization attends regional and national conferences organized to simulate debates at the African Union. Through Model AU, students experience accurate representations of African Diplomacy and are skilled in public speaking and debating.


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