The Model NATO student organization represented Georgia Tech and the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs with excellence during the 40th annual International Model NATO Conference held Feb. 13 – 16 in Washington, D.C.

The group won the Overall Outstanding Delegation Award, the equivalent of first place at the conference. This marks the second consecutive year the team has won the award, outperforming schools such as Georgetown University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and several international schools.

The Model NATO student organization was established at the Nunn School during the Fall 2022 semester. The organization’s aim is to simulate the proceedings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, culminating in an annual conference in Washington. 

Students meet, study, and prepare for half the academic year to represent the Nunn School and Georgia Tech at this conference. While there, students engage in pre-conference study and briefings at embassies of NATO member states in Washington. These events provide a unique opportunity to study the role and activities of NATO as well as the military and political-security issues facing the Alliance. Through the simulation, students come to understand the capabilities and constraints that shape NATO countries’ policies in determining matters of collective security.

Like real-world diplomats, participants had to navigate fast-moving developments as the new administration moved to implement its policies. In preparation, they met with a member of Senator Jon Ossoff’s national security team, as well as a former employee at the U.S. State Department. 

Overall, every member of the team placed, including four first-place committee finishes, one second-place committee finish, and one third-place committee finish.  In addition, Kaylin Nolan and Iris Allgrove, co-captains of the club, received the Committee Leadership Award for best delegation in committee, as voted by the professors. 

It is also important highlight the multidisciplinary make-up of the cohort: three Nunn School graduate students and nine undergraduate students from the Nunn School, the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, and the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. This student organization is a direct representation of the Nunn School’s multidisciplinary engagement across the Institute.

More info on the conference can be found here: https://internationalmodelnato.org/#schedule

Chris McDermott is Associate Director of Academic Programs in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, where he also advises the Model NATO student organization, the Simulation and Modeling (SAM) student organization, and the International Affairs Student Organization.