Nov. 30, 2009 issue
Bluffton students learn from MCC at the U.N.
By Jake Short Bluffton UniversityBLUFFTON, Ohio — Rudi Kauffman, assistant professor for restorative justice, and nine Bluffton University students attended the Mennonite Central Committee-United Nations conference in New York City Oct. 29-31.
The annual conference offers an opportunity for students to learn about the world through MCC and the U.N.
“MCC offered a program that introduced us to new ideas and, perhaps more important, new ways to think about our own ideas,” Kauffman said.
“Whether exploring the city, sitting in lectures or discussing the events of the day, it was such an encouragement to hear and see Bluffton students engaging the world through thoughtful and faithful action.”
MCC organized the conference with assistance from the U.N., which hosts and offers its services. The 2009 conference was focused on refugees and internally displaced people as well as global problems such as poverty and hunger.
The theme corresponded with Bluffton’s civic engagement theme, “Beyond Borders: the Role of Immigration in a Global Community.”
Anna Pawsey, a senior from Clyde, said: “I loved visiting the United Nations. I don’t know if it was because so much happens there that can change the world or that for about an hour and a half I wasn’t in the United States anymore but on ‘international’ land.”
Others from Bluffton attending the conference were Svetlana Mumba of Zambia, Tsedey Biru of Arlington, Va., Abbi Stern of Chambersburg, Pa., Kendall Church of Grabill, Ind., Andrea Flack of Canton, Megan Hargraves of Hartville, Casi Kadangs of Nigeria and Brent Householder of St. Marys.
They visited the U.N. headquarters, learned about refugees and internally displaced people and considered case studies on Congo, Colombia and Iraq.
Bluffton students were joined by students from other Mennonite colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
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