Model ICAO event: A First for SPPA Students

From May 19th to May 23rd, 2025, Rory Palau Zea and Jaimi Plater, SPPA students in the MPPA, joined a team of law students from the University of Ottawa (UofO) to participate in the prestigious Model ICAO event at the world headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montréal. It was the first time that SPPA students were participating in this experiential learning activity. Dr. Marc Rioux, Adjunct Research Professor and Executive Director of SPPA’s Transportation Policy Innovation Centre, accompanied them and acted as technical advisor for the joint Carleton/UofO team.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The Model ICAO event exposes students to real high-level diplomatic and technical discussions taking place in the ICAO Council (the management board of the organization). Students represent actual Member States and participate in simulated deliberations on important matters related to international civil aviation. They are asked to develop informed policy positions and present them convincingly to other delegations.

The joint Carleton/UofO team represented Australia, a Contracting State sitting on the Council. Team members had the chance to meet the Australian Permanent Representative (ambassador) to learn more about that country’s positions on international aviation issues to be discussed in five technical committees (environment, safety, security, legal and economic) as well as in the Council itself. In addition, they had the opportunity to meet various ICAO and international experts during the deliberations of their respective committees and networking activities.

Rory Palau Zea and Jaimi Platter with Dr. Marc Rioux at the 2025 edition of the Model ICAO event

Rory and Jaimi were students in Dr. Rioux’s Master’s level course on Aviation Policy (PADM 5702C) and also took part in some preparatory sessions organized by the UofO Faculty of Law.

“During the Model ICAO event, we had the challenge to learn quickly the details of a pressing topic, work with other delegations with diverse interests, and produce a satisfactory solution. These are all skills we developed at the SPPA. It was a wonderful opportunity to put them in practice in a realistic international setting with students from other fields and universities”.

Rory Palau Zea, MPPA student

“The Model ICAO event was an excellent opportunity to apply the concepts learned in Dr. Rioux’s course while networking with the future leaders of international civil aviation”.

Jaimi Platter, MPPA student

“Throughout the event, Rory and Jaimi made significant contributions to negotiations with other countries to develop effective solutions and draft appropriate resolutions. The simulation allowed them to deepen their negotiation, teamwork and communication skills”.

Rory and Jaimi’s registration fees and travel expenses were paid by the Transportation Policy Innovation Centre.