What is Carleton Model NATO?
Hosted in partnership with Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton Model NATO is a four-day simulation that takes place annually in the heart of Canada’s capital, Ottawa. This experiential conference brings together university students from across North America to partake in the fulfilling – and often challenging – process of working together as representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Alliance and its Partners to deal with pressing issues that affect transatlantic and international security.
How We Simulate NATO’s Consensus-Building Process
Delegates must work together to navigate the process of preparing communiqués while prioritizing the particular interests of their own country. As the North Atlantic Council (NAC) has the final say over everything that the Alliance does, every communiqué that NATO committees agree upon must subsequently be passed by the NAC on the final day of the conference. The NAC is a consensus committee – if any delegate on the NAC votes against a communiqué, it will not be adopted. This feature of NATO decision-making provides an exciting challenge for delegates as they work to coordinate policy and negotiate strategies within their respective teams.
While committee agenda items are communicated in advance to allow delegates to prepare their country’s positions on specific security issues, Carleton Model NATO also includes an element of improvisation, testing the diplomatic skills of participants: at some point during the two full days of committee deliberations and debate, delegates will be presented with a sudden, real-world crisis that requires immediate action by individual committees and the NAC. This immersive experience provides students with a unique understanding of the challenges of NATO decision-making and the management of pressing global security problems. Outstanding delegates and delegations will be awarded during the closing ceremony.
Opportunities for Professional Development
Due to its location in the nation’s capital, Carleton Model NATO has been privileged to host distinguished speakers, social events, and learning and professional networking opportunities that only Ottawa can provide. Delegates are provided with ample opportunities to connect with professionals in Ottawa’s policy and diplomatic communities by attending briefing sessions with delegation heads at the embassy of their assigned country, or meeting with government officials from Global Affairs and the Department of National Defence. Carleton Model NATO also features other networking opportunities for delegates during the opening ceremony, which features a keynote speaker and reception, and a catered luncheon and distinguished speaker on the final day. Past speakers include Canadian Chiefs of Defence Staff, Ministers of Defence, Canadian and foreign delegation heads, NATO officials, military attachés, and other prestigious academic experts.