Model OAS General Assembly (MOAS) Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations

Purpose of the MOAS The Model OAS General Assembly (MOAS) is a program of the Department of International Affairs (DIA) of the OAS, designed to promote democratic values among the youth of the Hemisphere by familiarizing students, faculty and academic institutions of the Americas with the work of the OAS and its Member States, as well as with the Organization’s role as the premier political forum in the Hemisphere.

The MOAS is a simulation exercise of the proceedings of the OAS General Assembly for students of the Hemisphere, where they represent the 33 active OAS Member States, advocating their assigned countries’ policies and interests, and engage in general debate to discuss Hemispheric issues related to democracy, human rights, security and development. Several MOAS take place every year: for universities, high schools and OAS Interns. WHAT IS THE MOAS?

OBJECTIVES Promote democratic values among the youth. Promote democratic values among the youth. Generate an understanding of the mission, role, structure and functions of the OAS. Generate an understanding of the mission, role, structure and functions of the OAS. Analyze the major political, economic, social and security issues in the Americas. Analyze the major political, economic, social and security issues in the Americas. Highlight the relevance of diplomacy as a problem solving instrument. Highlight the relevance of diplomacy as a problem solving instrument. Train dedicated leaders Train dedicated leaders

HISTORY

HISTORY: The MOAS began in 1980  MOAS for High Schools: Annually at OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC.  MOAS for Universities: Until 1999 held annually in Washington, D.C, only.  Since 2000 the MOAS is also held in other OAS Member States that offer to host it.  MOAS abroad: Canada (2000), Mexico (2003), Dominican Republic (2006), Colombia (2006), Argentina (2001 and 2007), Chile (2008).  Washington MOAS (WMOAS): Annually in April.  MOAS prior to the OAS General Assembly, in the same country or region where the Assembly takes place: Medellin, Colombia (May 2008); San Pedro Sula, Honduras (April 2009); Lima, Perú (May 2010).

 Represent their assigned country ’ s interests and policies.  Understand their assigned countries’ perspectives through research and contact with diplomatic representatives.  Understand current regional issues.  Draft resolutions and negotiate support from other delegates.  Debate and approve resolutions during committee meetings.  Practice parliamentary procedures and diplomacy to reach consensus and address regional problems. STUDENTS´RESPONSIBILITIES

MOAS for High School Students Washington, DC

MOAS FOR UNIVERSITIES

MOAS General Secretariat MOAS Communications Center Translation Interpretation MemberStates (34 delegations) ObserverCountries STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN THE MOAS EXERCISE MOAS Authorities

DELEGATIONS Delegations to the MOAS include 10 students and 1 faculty advisor. Each delegation:  Conducts research, learns about its assigned country and engages in contact with that country’s diplomatic representatives.  Drafts resolutions on the topics of the Agenda prior to the MOAS.  Signs a Code of Conduct.  Is charged a registration fee to cover the conference costs.  Is responsible for its own travel, lodging, food and miscellaneous expenses.

BASIC DOCUMENTS (As posted on OAS Charter as per its 1967 amendment and subsequent amendments. History, structure, principles and objectives of the OAS. Inter-American Democratic Charter. Agreements and official conventions relevant to the topic of the agenda and/or policies of the represented member state. Assigned country’s views and policies. Documents/webs related to Agenda topics.

BENEFITS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF: POLITICAL SCIENCE, INTERNATIONAL OR COMPARATIVE POLITICAL STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES LAW OR INTERNATIONAL LAW GOVENRMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LANGUAGE, EDUCATION AND MULTICULTURAL STUDIES COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM

BENEFITS FOR ALL STUDENTS Learn about current political, social and security issues in the region and the impact of multilateral negotiation in the Americas. Use of negotiation and diplomacy as problem solving instruments. Practice of communication and public speaking skills.

BENEFITS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL Negotiation skills Leadership Inter-cultural experience Public service Networking

Courses based on MOAS in Universities of the Americas

For more information about the MOAS, please visit our Web Site: For more information about the MOAS, please visit our Web Site: Irene Klinger Department of International Affairs Irene Klinger Director Nelly Robinson Nelly Robinson MOAS Coordinator Phone: (202) Fax: (202)