Kittitian scholar represents British university at Harvard National Model United Nations

Ms. Sonia Boddie

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS,FEBRUARY 22ND 2012 (CUOPM) – Kittitian Scholar Ms. Sonia Boddie has continued to distinguish herself and stand out from the crowd at the University of Birmingham in England.

The Tabernacle-born Boddie, a British Chevening Scholar, is pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration with a special focus on Diplomacy and Statecraft.

She was recently selected as part of an elite eight-member student delegation (the first of its kind) that represented her University, at the 58th annual Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN), held in Boston, Massachusetts from February 16th -19th.

The Harvard National Model United Nations is the largest, oldest and most prestigious of its kind and brings together over 3,000 students from around the world to engage in similar debates to those held at the United Nations.

Students are assigned to various, committees with different topics and assigned a country and a required to maintain the country’s foreign policy, meanwhile finding resolutions to pressing issues affecting the international community. The annual event is aimed at equipping students with skills in diplomacy, researching, negotiating and public speaking.

Ms. Sonia Boddie with other students from the University of Birmingham.

Asked about the selection process, for the event, Ms. Boddie noted it was “very competitive” and highlighted that because of the number and caliber of students interested in participating.

“Students had to participate in a two stage selection process, which firstly involved writing a 1000 word policy paper on the topic ‘Does the UN Security Council need reform?’

“In my paper, I emphasized that the composition of the UN Security Council represented a by gone era and needed reform to reflect the current geopolitical landscape. I noted that from the policy papers ten students were shortlisted for interviews and 8 were eventually selected,” said Ms. Boddie, who further remarked that in light of the intense competition for places, she was overwhelmed and humbled at her section, but was indeed happy that her hard work paid dividends.

Speaking about the event, Boddie noted it was an absolutely amazing experience.

“It not only gave me an opportunity to be an ambassador for the University, and the country assigned which was Liberia, but it also afforded me the proud honour to be an Ambassador for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Boddie told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) by telephone.

Ms. Sonia Boddie in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Dress with other students from the University of Birmingham.

She said she was delighted to wear and display the National Dress of St. Kitts and Nevis at the cultural cocktail event, which allowed participants to represent their respective countries.

“That event gave me an insight as to the challenges faced by countries, especially small ones, in getting their voices heard in such a big forum, and the intense negotiations needed before resolutions are passed,” said Boddie.

Boddie further noted that she was assigned to the Legal Committee and the topic discussed in that committee was the Revision of the Geneva Convention in the Role of War.

“This conference certainly gave me new ideas as to how to become a much more eloquent public speaker and certainly equipped me with new strategies in diplomacy and negotiation,” said Boddie who also mentioned that she was particularly grateful for the doors of networking that the conference opened to her and the friendships she has now built with future world leaders.

When asked about what advice she would give to the young people, Boddie remarked, “The world is you oyster. You have to be prepared to think not only outside the box, but above and beyond the box. There are many opportunities that await us, but we must be prepared to be diligent and confident and put in the necessary work that is required to reap success.”