More than 200 students from 12 universities in the United States and three universities in Latin America are gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the 35th Model General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), discussing top OAS agenda issues such as human rights, the status of democracy in the Americas, economic and social development, and fighting poverty, terrorism and illegal drugs.

The Model Assembly is primarily intended to familiarize students with the work and functions of the hemispheric organization by examining the major issues affecting the citizens of the Americas and the role of the OAS in solving them. Jointly sponsored by the OAS Department of External Relations and the Inter-American Institute for Diplomacy, this Model Assembly brings together students from 17 OAS states to defend the policies and interests of the countries they are assigned.

Other issues on the students’ agenda include free trade and investment in the Americas; initiatives to eradicate human trafficking; the use of technology in education; the Americas as a biological and chemical weapons-free zone; Internet security; strategies to improve quota payments to the OAS; and funding to tackle natural disasters.

The students participating in this 35th Model Assembly represent: Drexel University, Frostburg State University, College of Charleston, California Polytechnic at Pomona, Grand Valley State University, West Virginia University, College of Notre Dame, Providence College, Plattsburg State University of New York, Hampden-Sydney College, Towson University, Baylor University; and Argentina’s Matanza University, Colombia’s University of the North and Guatemala’s Francisco Marroquín University.

The Model OAS session was inaugurated at OAS headquarters by Irene Klinger, the OAS Director of External Relations. The first plenary session was chaired by Model Assembly President Robert Slater of Baylor University, Texas, with the remaining sessions being held at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The closing session will be addressed by OAS Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin.

Reference: E-087/06