Melissa Greenaway ’12 was selected as one of seven American college students to represent the U.S. at My Summit 2010, a working conference for students held in Canada alongside the official G8 and G20 Summits.
The Linfield political science and economics major is hoping to work in government and international relations, and has spent part of her college career analyzing international policy issues, especially those debated by delegates at the official summits.
“If the last 20 years have taught us anything, it is that distance is irrelevant,” says Greenaway, who was able to observe international policy-making firsthand. “States can’t exist without each other.”
Workshops provided student delegates from G8 countries, including the U.S., with an opportunity to negotiate and map out positions on themes discussed by G8 leaders and to present recommendations to the international leaders. Delegates from G20 countries observed portions of the G20 Summit in process, discussed critical economic issues and met with senior officials and dignitaries.
College student delegates were selected based on interest in global issues and strong communication skills. The conference was sponsored by Global Vision and the Canadian government.
The G8 is an annual forum for leaders of eight industrialized nations that aims to address global challenges through discussion and action. The G20 is a forum for discussion about the international finance system; finance leaders from 19 countries and the European Union participate.
International Programs at Linfield