NCS students Reilly Poppert and Andrew Maynard participated at the Fifth Annual Model NATO Challenge on March 24. Poppert served as the student diplomat for Portugal and Maynard represented Iceland.
The following article summarizes the event and is reprinted with permission from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's website.
Local students test diplomacy skills at Model NATO
by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carla Burdt
Twenty-eight
student diplomats from Hampton Roads area high schools and universities acted as members of the North Atlantic Council (NAC), NATO’s principal decision-making body, during the Fifth Annual Model NATO Challenge March 24 at HQ SACT.
Model NATO requires students to have a thorough understanding of the Alliance and how NATO operates. Part of the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) Student Diplomat Programme, Model NATO provides an opportunity for command mentors to reach out to the local community.
“Model NATO gives local students the opportunity to not only learn about NATO and its contributions to peace and security in the world, but also expose them to the complexities of operating in a multi-national consensus-based environment,” said U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Dawn Knasas, ACT’s Model NATO coordinator.
Mentors were onsite as the students took part in NATO-level discussions on issues including a simulated exercise requiring group deliberations and decision-making.
“This programme introduces students to different cultures and ways of thinking about international problems through interaction with a mentor from the nation they are representing,” said Knasas. “It also allows students to practice the art of diplomacy, negotiation and compromise.”
Local high school juniors, seniors and college freshmen are selected to serve as student diplomats by participating in an essay contest that demonstrates their knowledge of NATO and its member nations.
The student diplomats were judged based on their essays and performance at the challenge through a spirited debate modelled after real NATO problem-solving techniques.
The top six candidates will receive a scholarship award to be applied to a college or university of their choice.
The Model NATO Challenge is one of several events leading up to the main week of the annual Norfolk NATO Festival April 27-30. Events also include a 28-country flag raising at Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) and a parade in downtown Norfolk followed by a salute to NATO Nations in NATOFest at Town Point Park.