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Model Organization of American States

Model OAS is an educational simulation that mirrors the annual sessions of the Organization of American States’ General Council. Students from universities across the country debate issues, ask questions and vote on resolutions.

The Model OAS program at SUNY Plattsburgh serves as one of two capstone experiences for the Latin American Studies major and minor programs. This semester-long course offers an immersive, hands-on exploration into the political and diplomatic workings of a major hemispheric organization.

An Immersive Diplomatic Experience

You will engage with contemporary issues as promotion of democracy, combating drug trafficking, the rights of indigenous peoples, free trade agreements and public health from the point of view of one country of the Organization Member States.

Latin American Studies at SUNY Plattsburgh is a multi-disciplinary program composed of professors from anthropology, economics, English, foreign languages and literature, music, political science, geography, history and sociology. In preparation for the Model OAS course, LAS 459 students take a series of content courses distributed throughout these departments as well as LAS111, an introductory survey.

The Model OAS involves developing skills in research, diplomatic affairs, parliamentary procedure, and debate. The course begins with a historical overview of the country. From there students receive an introduction to the structure and organization of the OAS as well as training in argumentation, questioning, and the practices and procedures used for formal debate at the Model.

Hands-On Simulation in Washington, D.C. & Ottawa, Canada

Held in April of each year, the Washington Model Organization of American States is a week-long simulation where a delegation of Plattsburgh students participate in debate with schools from around the United States as well as from other nations of the Americas. Part of the program takes place inside the Pan American Union Building, located just off the Washington Mall and only a short distance from The White House.

SUNY Plattsburgh delegations, under the guidance of a SUNY Plattsburgh instructor, have been participating in the Model Program for over two decades.

In addition to the week in Washington, D.C., the Model Delegation travels to Ottawa, Canada to participate in embassy briefings by ambassadors and their staff from countries around the hemisphere. These briefings have, in the past, included interviews with embassy staff of the country the SUNY Plattsburgh delegation is representing, as well as the Canadian External Affairs Ministry. In addition, the team will visit at least four other embassies from countries representing the various sub-regions of the hemisphere.

High School Model OAS

Each June SUNY Plattsburgh hosts the North Country High School Model OAS for participating high schools from the area. This program can be taken for college credit as LAS110 and is designed to fulfill the New York state Participation In Government requirements for K-12 education requirements in New York state. Dr. Stuart Voss organized the creation of this regional high school model in 2001.

Each year’s university delegation is given the option to return and serve as the staff of the high school model. Alongside them, high school students are able to participate as rapporteurs (committee secretaries) and news reporters in addition to those positions within delegations. High school students follow a course curriculum similar to that of the university level.

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