Baylor to Host the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of the American States

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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (Nov. 11, 2013) - Baylor University will host the 17th annual Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of the American States (ESMOAS) program Nov. 14 through 16.
The Eugene Scassa Mock OAS is a simulation of the Organization of American States, a multinational organization similar to the United Nations, but limited to countries in the Western Hemisphere. During the conference, students represent the interests of their assigned country during debate sessions and a mock crisis scenario.
Students prepare for the event with two-hour meetings twice a week and learn skills such as parliamentary procedures, public speaking, nonverbal communication, networking and working as a team, said Joan Supplee, the Ralph Lynn Professor of History in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences, who oversees the ESMOAS program at Baylor.
"What I want them to get out of it is an understanding of the region and the OAS as well as how politics and diplomacy work," Supplee said. "On a personal level, I want the students to become proficient in public speaking and crafting a convincing argument and to sharpen their networking and team building skills."
The 2013 student secretariat includes two representatives from Baylor University: senior Ewan Hamilton-Short, president, and senior Cristina Mendez, secretary-general.
This year's topics of discussion range from fighting childhood obesity and malnutrition to improving cooperation on issues of cyber security.
The competition is judged by former participants who now work in organizations like the UN, OAS and State Department. Universities from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mexico participate, and the conference averages around 150 students.
All ESMOAS events will be held in the Bill Daniel Student Center, 1311 S. 5th St. Thursday's events will be from 4 to 7:45 p.m.; Friday's from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday's from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The program is open to the public. For more information, visit ESMOAS.org
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.