Three delegations of Carleton undergraduate students represented Canada, Czech Republic and Estonia at the model North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conference, which was hosted by a team of 15 Carleton graduate students.
According to Derek de Jong, model NATO fellow and project manager, the conference is a “diplomatic simulation . . . where undergraduate students assume the roles of national representatives and simulate the structures and negotiations of the organization.”
He explained that the conference reflects NATO’s five largest committees, each with a mandate and agenda items.
One of the major aspects of the conference is coming to consensus with representatives from the other member states.
“It’s important to consider that the simulation is not a competition; delegates are expected to co-operate to find solutions to issues before the committees,” de Jong stressed.
The conference is intended to be a learning experience for delegates to “research and present foreign policy of the various member states of NATO,” de Jong said.
Many months of preparation preceded the conference, as delegates researched their assigned country to learn its existing interests, policies and history with NATO. De Jong said some delegates may also learn about NATO itself, depending on their familiarity with the organization.
The conference was convened by the Centre for Security and Defence Studies at Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.
De Jong said most of the costs were borne by sponsors.
Participants were welcomed to the conference by an opening reception, which gave the opportunity for delegates to engage with academics and diplomats. A luncheon featured speaker retired Brigadier-General James Cox, and delegates also participated in a “fictional crisis scenario” to consider NATO policies.
One of the conference’s highlights was the briefing delegates underwent with their respective political representatives at the nation's embassy.
“Carleton students did well, and should be proud of their performance,” said de Jong. Queen’s University was awarded Most Outstanding Delegation for the second year in a row.
De Jong said the goal for this year’s conference was to “improve the experience of delegates and volunteers” from previous years. He said he feels they were successful in doing so.
“All indications are the conference went very well. The number of positive comments and emails from participants already is astounding.”