MONYS 2012 PRESENTATION

The practice of a "model international organization" has a long tradition in the world. Model North Atlantic Treaty Organization, stands for a new concept, which refers to a professional and academic opportunity available to worldwide students. Among Model European Union (MEU), Model UN (MUN) and Model Arab League (MAL), "Model NATO" is designed to be a powerful brand which develops multilateral diplomacy, so as to better understand the roles, structures and mechanisms of NATO.

Not only is Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS) 2012 a unique event in Europe, but also the largest simulation of NATO’s decision-making process in the world. The 220 participants divided into 29 delegations from both Europe and North America will be engaged in debates upon MoNYS central theme "Political responsibility through leadership, innovation and strategic thinking in the XXI century".

Participants find themselves in the shoes of the representatives from all the NATO’ member states, enthusiastically working towards achieving peace and stability in the world. The "Model NATO" simulations have been so far taking place in the United States and Canada, at an inter-university and regional level. MoNYS 2012 is an ambitious project, intended not only to spread, for the first time, the practice of the NATO simulations to the East, but also to become the flagship of such large-scale projects organized in Brussels.

Within its working sessions and briefings, MoNYS involves high-level officials and renowned academics, in order to make the simulation more accurate and resembling to the reality. The added value to the project comes not only from the experts’ participation, but from the students themselves.

As the home to the NATO Headquarters, Brussels will be hosting participants from:

• Central and Eastern Europe (Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Ukraine);

• Balkans, Caucasus and central Asia (Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kirghiz Republic, Serbia, Turkey);

• Northern Europe and the Baltic states (Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway);

• Western Europe (Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom);

• Northern    America (Canada, United States of America).

• Special guests (Afghanistan, Australia, China, Ghana, India, South Africa).

  
  

  
  

This project aims to achieve diversity, continuity and sustainability. MoNYS 2012 will take place in the capital city of the European Union, and benefits from the fruitful cooperation with the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and other supporters. The conference serves as a platform for young delegates with different backgrounds, to share their ideas and network. During this six-day event, students will have the chance to broaden their views on different political approaches, while getting to know each other’s cultures better.

Now it is essential, more than ever, to advance cross-cultural understanding in the 21st century. The young generation should be at the center of creating a sustainable, thriving and inclusive society, based on knowledge and innovation, and this is how MoNYS 2012 makes its primary contribution. It is our main belief that youth plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.

MoNYS 2012 addresses the topics of smart defense, military capabilities, emerging security, fight against cyber-attacks, missile defense shield and partnership action plan with the Caucasus countries. The ultimate goal is to deepen NATO’s decision-making process, while creating a platform for students to enhance their consensus-reaching skills, alongside mastering the art of negotiation. Together we embark on the path towards a more peaceful and tolerant world, where citizens are in search of humankind’s ultimate goals: world peace, global security, economic prosperity, scientific improvements and worldwide literacy.

To enhance the visibility of Model NATO Youth Summit and disseminate the results and main conclusions of MoNYS 2012, news will be posted regularly on the official website, http://www.natoyouthsummit.org, as well as on the social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter).