MOAS is a semi-annual debate series sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS). Topics deal with issues in North and South America. Participants form a general assembly with universities representing different countries.
Students act as mock OAS representatives, performing OAS duties. Ambassadors
from each represented country brief the mock delegates on his/her country's
political positions. This allows students to accurately represent their
respective countries.
Tasks include caucusing, drafting resolutions and working in committees for common goals. The exercise emphasizes economic, social, educational, political and security issues in the Western Hemisphere.
"Through extensive negotiations, the students eventually come to perceive patterns of conflict and cooperation that characterize Inter-American diplomacy in its search for solutions to regional issues," said OAS spokespersons.
Towson MOAS faculty advisor Dr. David Dent said TSU will represent Brazil this year. He said Brazil holds the world's eighth largest economy and is important in trade and environmental issues.
"The most challenging aspect of the model is the task of representing the views of a country that may be 180 degrees from the United States," he said.
Dent said TSU has participated in MOAS since it started in 1980.
In 1981 and '85, Towson won best delegation awards. The school also took merit for best delegates in both 1986 and '87.
Jennifer Belford, Andrea Bell, Ann Marie Fitterer, Alec Meredith, Marshall Pinnix, Leila Piran, Brian Sivert, Thomas Yost and Nathan Zook compose this year's TSU team. They will join 35 other universities in April.
According to Dent, up to ten MOAS representatives are chosen each year through applications. The exercise is open to students of all majors, although past representatives receive preference, he said.
MOAS is listed as Political Science 385 in the TSU course catalog. For more information or an application for next year, call Dent at 830-3440.
