Model OAS General Assembly (MOAS)

Department of International AffairsSecretariat 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’srole as the premier politicalforum in the Hemisphere.

The MOAS is a simulation exercise of the proceedings of the OAS

General Assembly, where students represent the 33 active

OAS Member States, by advocating their assigned

countries’ policies and interests, through debate and discussion of

Hemispheric issues related to democracy, human rights,

development and security. There are MOAS for universities, high

schools and OAS Interns, throughout the year.

WHAT IS THE MOAS?

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

• Promote democratic values among the youth.Promote democratic values among the youth.• Generate an understanding of the mission, Generate an understanding of the mission,

role, structure and functions of the OAS.role, structure and functions of the OAS.• Analyze the major political, economic, social Analyze the major political, economic, social

and security issues in theand security issues in theAmericas.Americas.

• Highlight the relevance ofHighlight the relevance ofdiplomacy as a problemdiplomacy as a problemsolving instrument.solving instrument.

• Train dedicated leadersTrain dedicated leaders

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

The MOAS began in 1980 as a joint projectbetween the OAS and Georgetown University, with the goal of educatinguniversity students from the United States about issues related to the Americas.

The MOAS for University students has expanded considerably. Currently, the GS/OAS organizes:• An annual Model in Washington DC (WMOAS) in April.• An annual Model in anticipation to the OAS General

Assembly.• A Model in a country that offers to host it.

The first MOAS for High Schools took place in 1982, and since

then it is held annually at OAS headquarters, in December.

HISTORY

HISTORY (Continued)

The Model of the Permanent Council for OAS Interns (MOAS/PC) began in 2008 as a joint program of the Department of International Affairs and the Department of Human Resources, it is held three (3) times a year.

National MOAS for universities or high schools are also held in anyOAS Member State that offersto host a Model.

MOAS for High School StudentsWashington, DC

MOAS FOR UNIVERSITIES

MOAS General

Secretariat

MOAS Communications

Center

TranslationInterpretation

MemberMemberStatesStates

(34 delegations)(34 delegations)

ObserverObserverCountriesCountries

STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN THE MOAS EXERCISETHE MOAS EXERCISE

MOAS MOAS AuthoritiesAuthorities

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 miscellaneousexpenses.

PREPARATION OF STUDENTS

• The Department of International Affairs (DIA) has developed a Tutorial CD that offers a complete training guide forparticipants in the MOAS.

• Information in the MOAS Tutorial is divided into interactive modules with complete information and learning guides about the OAS and its Member States; MOAS processes, documents, instructions and Guidelines (how to write a Resolution, how to debate, etc); as well as, videos, a glossary and FAQs.

BASIC DOCUMENTS (As posted on www.oas.org)

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 STUDIESLAW OR INTERNATIONAL LAWGOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONINTERNATIONAL BUSINESSLANGUAGE, EDUCATION AND MULTICULTURAL STUDIESCOMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM

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 communicationand public speaking skills.

BENEFITS FOR ALL STUDENTS

BENEFITS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

Negotiation skillsLeadershipInter-cultural experiencePublic serviceNetworking

Courses based on MOAS in Universities of the Americas

For more information about the MOAS, please For more information about the MOAS, please visit our Web Site:visit our Web Site: www.moas.oas.org

Department of International Affairs

Irene KlingerIrene KlingerDirector

Nelly RobinsonNelly Robinson MOAS Coordinator

Phone: (202) 458-6897Fax: (202) 458-6239

E-mail: moas@oas.org