The Fifty-Seventh North American Invitational Model United Nations

Washington, D.C., February 13 – 16, 2020

It was Presidents’ Day weekend, and the Washington Hilton was humming with the bustle and excitement of some three thousand high school students dressed in Western business attire. This rather unusual sight was caused by NAIMUN LVII, the Fifty-Seventh North American Invitational Model United Nations conference, at which students take on the role of ambassadors to the United Nations or other international organizations. Organized by a large staff of Georgetown University students under the auspices of the Georgetown International Relations Association, delegates debate and negotiate complex issues of international diplomacy. Eighteen GISW students, accompanied by Dr. Heep and Ms. Meuschke, participated in this experience.

In addition to the work in the committees, the GISW delegation had the opportunity to visit the Embassy of Brazil to learn about Brazil’s history, geography, and economy and have many questions answered. As part of a speaker series on Saturday, Mr. Florian Doerr of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization gave us insight into the efforts to defeat hunger and deal with challenges to food security. Friday’s Hilltop Madness and Saturday’s delegate dance provided relief from intense discussions, but then three of our delegates were called up for exciting midnight crises.

After final committee sessions on Sunday, the conference concluded with the Closing Ceremonies, and the hotel slowly returned to normal operations. Until next year!

A. Meuschke
Model UN Advisor