DANBURY, CONN. — A handful of students from Western Connecticut State University got the opportunity this week to share their recent experiences in Geneva at sessions of the Human Rights Council with a congressman from Connecticut.

The students told U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D.-5th Dist.) on Wednesday that the three-week trip helped them develop a better perspective that the United Nations and the Human Rights Council help solve problems globally.

From May 30 to June 17, a dozen WestConn students, accompanied by WCSU Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Social Work Field Education Dr. Kathleen Hinga and Friar Michael Lasky, traveled to Switzerland as part of a human rights course. Their participation included attending daily open sessions of the Human Rights Council, discussions with various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and meeting with U.S. representatives and delegates to the U.N.

“The information and perspective are much more global,” said WestConn junior Nate Cullerton, an American studies and political science major from Ridgefield. “They’re trying to find global solutions to global problems.” For example, Cullerton said rather than looking at domestic farm subsidies in the U.S., he said the council looked at how today’s food prices affect developing countries. “Instead, of focusing on our interests, we need to recognize that our interests are connected to the rest of the world.”

Murphy responded to this by saying, “We are suffering in a global economy because we refuse to engage.” He said the U.S. needs to create an educational system that will educate a new class of salespeople, educators and producers.

WestConn student Nikki Singer of Newtown voiced concern about the lack of U.S. involvement in the Human Rights Council and asked aloud what would happen to other countries if the U.S. continues not to participate. “We need to have a presence there,” she said. Singer also reflected on the number of people, including two Iraqi men, who approved of the efforts of anti-war movements in the U.S. She said other countries do sometimes recognize that Americans do not always support the actions of their government.

“That’s a powerful perspective to hear,” Murphy said, emphasizing his gratitude for the students being ambassadors for the U.S. and for young people.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.