Preparing for the 43rd MOAS for High Schools

Writing a Position Paper and General Statement:
Prior to the MOAS, each student will work on both a Position Paper and a General Statement. 

Position Paper:
Each student will be required to write a position paper on the assigned country with respect to the topic they have been assigned to in their Committee. This must include your findings, country position, and key themes on your topic. Please see the following for more information on writing a position paper: Guidelines. Sample of a position paper.
Position papers should be sent to the MOAS Coordinator by Tuesday, November 12 via email at [email protected].
Your position paper will serve as the basis for your Opening Speech/General Statement.

General Statement:
During the Model, each delegate (head and alternate) will present a General Statement (1 minute maximum) to the other delegates in their committee stating his or her country’s position and proposal.  This General Statement does not need to be shared with the MOAS Coordinator prior to the start of the Model.  However, delegates must come prepared to deliver their statement at the designated time.
Guidelines for preparing the General Statement.

 Working Groups:
During the MOAS, students will meet in their assigned Working Groups to draft their resolutions with the guidance of the OAS expert. Following the drafting of resolutions, students will debate and vote upon the draft resolutions in their respective Committees.
Delegations will be comprised of 6 student delegates with two delegates per Committee (Each Committee will consist of three working groups i.e. three topics).  
The MOAS Coordination Team will provide the Working Group assignments once registration has concluded. 
Each working group must, amongst themselves, select a working group leader at the first meeting of the working group.  The Working Group Leader will have specific functions and responsibilities with respect to conducting the working group meetings.  Please see here the responsibilities of the working group leader: Responsibilities and Functions of the Working Group Leader
Orientation Session for all delegations:
The MOAS Coordination team will hold a virtual orientation session with all delegations prior to the Model to provide more information on the nature of the Model including what to expect and how to prepare.  Any questions and concerns will also be addressed.

Learn the Rules of Procedure:
Knowing the Rules of Procedure of the MOAS is important to the seamless and effective functioning of each Committee. The MOAS Rules of Procedure provide thorough, detailed information on the procedures and operation of the Model. The rules explain how a Committee operates, the responsibilities of participating students, how debates are conducted, etc. MOAS authorities and faculty advisors must be familiar with these rules for a successful participation. Take the quiz on the MOAS Rules of Procedure

 

Learn about the OAS:
The OAS Website is the best research tool to learn about the OAS mission, its main bodies, basic documents, such as the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and key issues in the Americas. It provides information about its priority areas, and specialized bodies of the Inter-American system. Press releases on current developments in the Hemisphere, and access to meetings of the Permanent Council through live Webcast can be helpful resources.  Through the Member States’ Permanent Missions Section you can access country’s official government websites. The approved resolutions of past OAS General Assemblies and documents produced by the various committees and working groups of the OAS Permanent Council are also available. Multilateral and bilateral Treaties and Agreements may contribute to a better understanding of a country’s position.  

 

Research your assigned country:
Follow the Quick Guide for Participation in the MOAS. When researching your country’s position on a specific issue, you will first need to learn about your country (location, political system, political ideologies, domestic issues, economic trends, etc) so that you can accurately simulate your country's position on issues raised during the Model. After reading the reference documents on the MOAS Website, analyze all the data gathered and produce your own ideas and proposals following your country’s stance.

 

Public speaking:
Public speaking is a skill you will use during the entire Model.  The first opportunity will be when you deliver your general statement.  You will convey your country’s position in your Committee Sessions, help build consensus and formulate resolutions in your working groups. The best way to cope with your fear of speaking in front of a large group is to be well-prepared for the Model.  Watch delegates speak in previous Models through the MOAS YouTube account and practice public speaking before participating in the Model.

 

 

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