Students with enhanced interest in foreign affairs finally have
an outlet for discussion in the newly formed Undergraduate
International Relations Society.
After over a year of delays due to financing obstacles and
problems finding an adviser, the organization was founded to give
students an opportunity to debate international issues.
This non-partisan organization, sponsored by the Burkle Center
for International Relations, is focused on increasing awareness
about politics worldwide.
“After Sept. 11 (2001), a lot of students and people in
our generation have become more aware of what is going on in the
world and I think that the club is a good forum to discuss
pertinent issues,” said Micol Sordina, a fourth-year
political science student and vice president of UIRS.
Members of the organization agree on the need for increased
understanding on international issues given current political
situations.
“Now more than ever before, it’s important for
everyone, especially UCLA undergrads who inevitably have an impact
on the future, to be aware and ““ more importantly ““
knowledgeable and informed about the salient issues affecting the
international community,” said fourth-year student Jeff
Toolan, UIRS president and founding member.
UIRS provides open-debate opportunities for club members to
discuss pertinent international issues and share opinions.
“At this point we are talking about the most salient
international relations issues,” said Toolan, who is pursuing
an international relations specialization.
These are issues undergraduates are actually interested in but
don’t really have an outlet where they can debate them,
Toolan added.
Club members agree on the importance of engaging in discussion
with peers that hold different views.
“I definitely am forming my own opinions and I am happy
that I have somewhere to express them and exchange ideas with other
students on campus,” said Gerardo Orinelas, a second-year
political science and economics student.
“It’s giving me a forum to vent my political and
cultural views of the world,” he added.
In addition to offering opportunities for debate, UIRS is
planning speaker presentations with CIA and State Department
officials. These sessions will be aimed at providing students with
an understanding of internship and career opportunities in these
departments.
“There are definitely a lot more opportunities than people
think,’ said Toolan. “It is just getting in touch with
those opportunities that is difficult and that is what we hope to
do at UIRS.”
Other resources available to club members include the
opportunity to write for an on-line international relations
journal. This quarter’s topic for the journal will be
“Places after Crisis.”
The club, which will meet this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Royce
156, is open to students of all majors interested in learning about
and discussing international issues.