Initiatives

Model African Union

The Model African Union offers students the opportunity to participate in teams and conduct research on political issues in assigned nations and then represent those nations in a model African Union role-playing exercise in Washington, D.C. Focuses on intra-African relations and the roles of Africans in international affairs, emphasizing the new African Union (AU) that replaced the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The Model AU examines the Pan-Africanist origins, challenges, and achievements of the African Union.

NU Delegation Represents Zambia at National Model African Union
The Department of African-American Studies prepared six students to represent the African nation, Zambia at the National Model African Union (AU) March 2-7 in Washington DC. The AU Model, one of the few that are genuinely national in terms of the number of U.S. schools and colleges participating, is a simulation of African inter- national relations and the proceedings of the newly formed African Union (AU), which has 53 member states. The students were led by Mbosonge Mwenechanya, a PhD student and a graduate assistant to Professor Kwamina Panford for the Model AU course in the African-American Studies Department. Northeastern has participated in this National Model involving over 45 U.S. colleges and univer- sities since 1989. This course which meets the department and College of Arts and Sciences' experiential education requirement, prepares students for study abroad and employment internships in Africa and other regions of the world.

Highlights of the model included students receiving an official briefing by Zambian diplomats on Zambia, the AU's positions on African and other international affairs. The students also visited the Embassy of Ghana in Washington to be part of Ghana's official celebration of independence from Britain. This model offers students a unique opportunity to develop and hone their oral and written presentation skills and learn about real life international diplomacy. They earn course credits toward graduation. This Model AU course is offered every spring semester and is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Sciences and the African-American Studies Department. For details please contact the African-American Studies Department at x3148/4333.