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Participants are judged on their ability to represent the needs, concerns, interests and foreign policy objectives of their assigned country.  The awards are based on the opinion of judges who observe the proceedings along with the votes of the students on the event鈥檚 councils.  Schaller, who is majoring in political science and minoring in history, was recognized for his work on the council on Political/Palestinian Affairs while representing the perspective of the United Arab Emirates.

A total of eight Hope students participated in this year鈥檚 Model Arab League, representing the views of the governments of Bahrain, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.  In addition to Schaller, the Hope delegation consisted of:

• Lourdes Abril Herrera Angel, a sophomore from El Salvador majoring in global studies and minoring in computer science, who represented the United Arab Emirates on the Council on Social Affairs;
• (JP) Juan Arrivillaga, a junior from Guatemala double majoring in political science and economics, who represented Tunisia on the Joint Defense Council;
• Veronica Booker, a senior from Bolivar, Missouri, majoring in political science, who represented Tunisia on the Council on Social Affairs;
• Helbert Valerio Carneiro, a freshman from Brazil majoring in political science, who represented Bahrain on the Council on Social Affairs;
• Marlie McDonald, a junior from Lowell majoring in political science, who represented Bahrain on the council on Political/Palestinian Affairs;
• Daniela Melgar, a sophomore from Honduras majoring in global studies and minoring in youth ministry minor, who represented Bahrain on the Council on Joint Defence; and
• Wyatt Wilcox, a sophomore from St. Johns double majoring in history and German, who represented the United Arab Emirates on the Joint Defense Council.

The Hope students participated under the auspices of the college鈥檚 Fried Center for Global Engagement, Department of Political Science and Student Development Office.  Their adviser was Habeeb Awad, who is an international student adviser and an adjunct professor of Arabic at Hope.

The Arab League was established in March 1945 to foster collaboration among Arab countries and predates the creation of the United Nations, whose charter was signed in June 1945.  The Arab League began with six members and has grown through the years to include 22 members today.

The Model Arab League (MAL) was established in 1983 by the National Council of the U.S.-Arab Relations as an opportunity for primarily American, but also Arab and other international students, to put themselves in the shoes of real-life Arab diplomats and foreign affairs professionals. During the conference, students each represent a specific country from the actual Arab League and are tasked with playing the role of diplomats. The students discuss topics such as joint defense, political and Palestinian issues and social issues within group committees. They work to create solutions for these issues. 

The agenda is written before the conference, giving students time to prepare. When students arrive at the conference, they can petition to add topics they feel should be discussed. Topics include security, education and public health.  MAL participants are judged on their ability to represent the needs, concerns, interests and foreign policy objectives of their assigned country.

The conference typically consists of 换妻社区, GVSU, Aquinas College, the University of Michigan Dearborn, Grand Rapids Community College, Eastern Michigan University and other schools throughout the Midwest.