More than 140 middle school students from seven schools will gain a new awareness of the world and international affairs on March 2-3 as they gather at Troy University for the Southeast Alabama Model United Nations Assembly (SAMUN).

The event is hosted by the Southeast Alabama Regional Inservice Center, which is located at TROY, and funding is provided from the Alabama Department of Education and the Wiregrass Writing Project.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the United Nations first-hand with each delegation representing a different nation and deciding important issues that affect the world.

“This year 25 teams are participating in the Model United Nations,” said Faye Allen, center program coordinator. “Each delegation will be dressed in native costumes from the country they represent, construct a replica of the country’s flag, present a 30-second welcome in the country’s native language and prepare a resolution relating to the current issues and concerns for their country.”

Through the program, students have the opportunity to build communication and consensus-building skills, develop insight into the relationships of the United States and other nations, gain knowledge of other cultures and history of other nations, build self-confidence and teamwork skills and develop friendships with students from other schools and communities.

Participating in this year’s assembly will be teams of students from Brewton, Carver Magnet School, Beverlye Magnet School, Honeysuckle Middle School, Daleville Middle School, Thomasville Middle School and Houston Academy.

The Southeast Alabama Regional Inservice Center is one of a network of 11 such centers in Alabama designed to enhance the training of school personnel. SEARIC serves nearly 5,600 teachers in 21 school systems.