For the first time in 10 years, Georgia Southern University will host the Southeast Model African Union, a two-fold educational experience for students in the University System of Georgia. The three-day event, now in its 21st year, will be held at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center Nov. 9-12.
The Convening of the SEMAU, essentially an opening ceremony, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9, during which His Excellency Ambassador Carlos Dos Santo,African Union Ambassador from Mozambique, will speak.

“We are extremely proud to offer students the continued opportunity to solve worldwide problems, with an emphasis on Africa,” said Saba Jallow, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Georgia Southern. The Center is one of the sponsors of the event, and the University has a nationally award-winning Model African Union team.

This educational experience offers two phases for students. The first phase of learning begins in the classroom or in study sessions where the participant gathers information, does research and learns about issues relating to a specific country.

The second phase takes place in the simulated meetings of the actual commissions of the African Union, which will be held in the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center and the Russell Union.

All delegates receive a certificate at the end of the simulation, and outstanding teams and delegates also receive recognition and awards. The top delegates will then go on to Washington, D.C., and participate in the National Model African Union.

SEMAU gives participating students an opportunity to learn about diplomacy, leadership and governmental organization through a unique simulation experience. The AfricanUnion (AU) is committed to defining and implementing the African agenda 2063. This planned simulation of the proceedings of the AU is therefore an experience designed to enrich and enhance students’ understanding of the political, economic and cultural dimensions of different African countries and their relationship to each other and the rest of the world as members of the African Union.

The two decades of the SEMAU simulation have revealed the tremendous gains of this form of experiential learning for participating students. When student delegates take on the character of their selected countries and develop an understanding of African issues from an African perspective, they gain knowledge that is rewarding to them in their collegiate and community endeavors.

“We appreciate the diligent work of the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center staff and the SEMAU Host Committee, comprised of Georgia Southern faculty, staff, students and community members,” Jallow said.

SEMAU takes place annually at different campuses of the USG. Student teams from various USG institutions will act as delegations from the member states of the AfricanUnion, with USG faculty serving as advisors.