From 15 February to 18 February 2024, The Royal Military College of Canada Debate and International Affairs Association (DIAS) represented the Kingdom of Denmark in the Howard University International Model NATO Simulation in Washington, DC. Twenty-seven universities from Europe, Canada, and the United States participated in this competition. The aim of this simulation is to provide students the opportunity to understand how NATO functions organizationally while building their diplomatic, strategic, and public-speaking abilities.
All RMC participants earned awards for their performance, with OCdt Margarita Bajamić as head delegate and on the North Atlantic Council and OCdt David McKinney as North Atlantic Council co-chair receiving Outstanding Delegate awards, OCdt Zachary Bowerman on the Nuclear Planning Group earning the Leadership in Committee and Outstanding Delegate awards; NCdt Ethyn Ko on the Political Committee also gaining Leadership in Committee and Outstanding Delegate awards; OCdt Ryan Yin on the Military Committee receiving the Superior Delegate award; NCdt Selim Eskisarli gaining the Distinguished Delegate award on the Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee; OCdt Al-Ansar Mohammed on the Emerging Security Challenges Committee receiving the Distinguished Delegate award.
On the first day, the cadets visited the embassy of Denmark in the United States of America and received a briefing from Mr. Morten Vestergaard Jacobsen, the First Secretary of Foreign and Security Policy, and LtCol Henrik Gram Pederson, the assistant defense attaché. The information and advice provided to the cadets proved to be priceless.
The team was awarded the Outstanding Delegation award, indicating a placement of first overall. The delegation was also highly motivated thanks to the opportunity to visit the Embassy of Canada in Washington, where they received a brief from Canadian naval attaché Capt (N) William Quinn (CMR ’90 Alumni). Additionally, MGen Michel-Henri St-Louis (CMR ’92 Alumni and Canadian Defence Attaché) visited the conference, motivating the cadets, and awarded OCdt Bajamić with a coin from the embassy for her leadership.
The DIAS team is incredibly grateful for the Alumni Association’s role in funding this trip and is thankful for the amazing experience and opportunity to represent RMC abroad.
