In Brief: Students see success at Model Arab League competition

By Mariah Medina
University News Service
February 27, 2015

Texas State University’s Model Arab League (MAL) team received a total of six delegation and team awards for its participation in the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce Regional University Model Arab League competition at the University of Houston Feb. 20-21.

Among the 15 schools participating, Texas State’s delegation was awarded an honorable mention for its representation of Qatar.

Daniel Burrow, a 2010 graduate of Texas State, presented Texas State’s joint defense council with the competition’s unique award for outstanding council.

Chief Delegate Lily Lowder and teammate Daisy Jaimez were recognized for their contributions to the category of political affairs.

Jaimez and Lowder’s three-part resolution in the category consisted of humanitarian aid, infrastructure initiatives and microeconomic investment from the international community of non-governmental organizations—while supporting the development of small-medium enterprises.

“(We) gained the support of Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine by adapting the resolution to the underdeveloped Arab countries' economic growth and infrastructure needs,” Lowder said.

In addition to Jaimez and Lowder’s awards, Elton Kulak and Mohammad Al-Rousan received an honorable mention for representation of Qatar on Social Affairs. Ben Swenson-Weiner and Max Jaklich also received honorable mentions.

Students who participate in MAL learn about various Arab nations and compete as representatives from their assigned country. The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations organizes events for students to debate in five councils: economic affairs, joint defense, Palestinian affairs, political affairs and social affairs.

The event is hosted as an outlet for students to develop public speaking skills and diplomacy skills while learning about their respective Arab nation.