The 41st Annual International Model NATO conference is scheduled for February 12 – 15, 2026. The Model is essentially a simulation of the proceedings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is augmented by pre-conference study and briefings at embassies
of NATO member states in Washington, DC. It provides a unique opportunity to study the role and activities of NATO as well as the military, political-security, issues facing the Alliance.
Through simulation, students understand the capabilities and constraints that shape NATO countries’ policies in determining matters of collective security. Apart from dealing with a prepared agenda, students grapple with a contemporary crisis.
Each participating university represents a member state of NATO. Participants receive preparatory material which include the Delegation Handbook and Rules of Procedure as well as NATO 101: A Guide to the Alliance’s Purpose, Structure, and History.
Each delegation shall be briefed at the Embassy of the country it represents.
For more information please contact:
Professor Mark Webber
School of Government and Society
University of Birmingham, UK
Email: M.A.Webber.1@bham.ac.uk
Professor Julie Garey
Northeastern University
Email: julie.garey@gmail.com
OBJECTIVES
The International Model NATO is designed to:
GIVE
Give students the opportunity to enhance their skills and understanding of diplomacy and public speaking.
STUDY
Study the role, structure, and activities of NATO in the defence of shared interests.
HIGHLIGHT
Highlight major military-security, political and economic issues facing NATO countries and recent changes affecting NATO’s security policies.
DEMONSTRATE
Demonstrate the patterns of cooperation that characterize intra-NATO diplomacy in the pursuit of collective security.
GENERATE
Generate understanding of the many capabilities and constraints that shape the foreign policies of NATO countries in determining matters of shared concern.
SIMULATION
The simulation of NATO shall be as follows:
- Each participating institution shall represent one or more NATO Member States.
- Each NATO member state delegation shall consist of a minimum of 6 students and, where possible, be accompanied by a faculty advisor.
- Each delegation shall receive preparatory material, including the Delegation Handbook, pertinent publications on NATO and a preliminary agenda from the sponsors, prior to the conference.
- Delegates are encouraged to supplement the material with individual research and, where possible, classroom instruction, to enhance their preparation.
- The sponsors shall designate qualified student delegates to preside over the deliberations of each committee.
- The sponsors shall assign participating university/college professors to serve as faculty advisors and resource persons in each committee.
- The Model is a simulation of the deliberations of NATO as they take place at its meetings, through debates, negotiations, etc.
SECRETARIAT 2026
Isabella Moreno (Converse University)
Secretary General
Lynn Hanchon (Converse University)
Acting Secretary General & Chair, North Atlantic Council
Karina Davis (Northeastern University)
Acting Secretary General
Ainsley Cua (Converse University)
Chair, Political Affairs
Kimberlain Willilams (Converse University)
Chair, Military Committee
Sreya Ravi (Northeastern University)
Chair, Nuclear Planning Group
Chelsea Palotta (Converse University)
Chair, Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee
Erin Semple (Converse University)
Chair, Committee on Emerging Security Challenges
Draven Wilson (Spartanburg Community College)
Chief of Staff
AGENDA 2026
- Relations with Ukraine (paras.15-17 and annex on Pledge of Long-Term
Security Assistance for Ukraine, 2024 Washington Summit Declaration refers) - Updated statement on the transatlantic relationship (2018 Brussels
Declaration on Transatlantic Security and Solidarity refers)
- NATO and the Asia-Pacific region (para.30 2024 Washington Summit
Declaration refers) - Containing and mitigating information threats (Allied Joint Doctrine for
Strategic Communications, 2023, refers)
- Strengthening NATO air policing and counter-drone measures
- Delivering ‘the forces, capabilities, resources, infrastructure, warfighting
readiness, and resilience needed to deter and defend’ (para.2, 2025 Hague
Summit Declaration refers)
- The implications for NATO of Russian nuclear coercion in Ukraine
- Strengthening the nuclear dimension of NATO exercises (para.39, 2023
Vilnius Summit Communiqué refers)
- Strengthening partnerships beyond the Euro-Atlantic area (para.28, 2024
Washington Summit Declaration refers) - Strengthening NATO-EU cooperation (Tenth Progress Report on NATO-EU
Cooperation, 2025, refers)
- Maintaining NATO’s technological edge (para.4, 2025 Hague Summit
Declaration refers) - Integrating responsible AI into NATO (NATO’s revised AI strategy, 2024,
refers)
DELEGATIONS
Each NATO country delegation is represented on the following organs:
- North Atlantic Council
- Political Committee
- Military Committee
- Nuclear Planning Group
- Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee
- Committee on Emerging Security Challenges.
DIRECTORY
| Albania | Virginia Tech | Yannis Stivachtis |
| Belgium | Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium | Robin Ladrière |
| Bulgaria | Baldwin Wallace University | Javier Morales-Ortiz |
| Canada | ||
| Croatia | ||
| Czechia | Stephen F. Austin State University | Julie Harrelson-Stephens |
| Denmark | ||
| Estonia | Syracuse University | Michael Williams |
| Finland | Converse University | Joe Dunn |
| France | University of Montreal | Oscar Couffon |
| Germany | Northeastern University | Julie Garey |
| Greece | Virginia Tech | Yannis Stivachtis |
| Hungary | ||
| Iceland | ||
| Italy | ||
| Latvia | ||
| Lithuania | University of Birmingham, UK | Mark Webber |
| Luxembourg | ||
| Montenegro | ||
| Netherlands | Indiana University Bloomington | Justyna Zajac |
| North Macedonia | ||
| Norway | Queens University of Charlotte | Maggie Commins |
| Poland | Georgia Institute of Technology | Chris McDermott |
| Portugal | ||
| Romania | Kennesaw State University | Stephen McKelvey |
| Slovakia | Kent State University | Nicholas Ostrum |
| Slovenia | ||
| Spain | Georgetown University (MSFS) | George Shambaugh |
| Sweden | Malmö University, Sweden | Scott McIver |
| Türkiye | ||
| United Kingdom | Spartanburg Community College | Jennifer Washburn |
| United States | Converse University | Joe Dunn |
View the Delegation Handbook 2026
View the 2020 Final Communique
View the Nato 101 Guide 2025
View the 2025 Committee Agenda
View the Proposed Amendment Form
View the Proposed Text Form
EMBASSY BRIEFING SCHEDULE 2021 (TBA)
| Albania | Ms. Marmica Tosca Minister Plenipotentiary | Embassy of the Republic of Albania 2100 S Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 223-4942 | 11:00 a.m |
| Belgium | Ms. Gaëlle Powis de Tenbossche Counselor | Embassy of Belgium 3330 Garfield St., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 333-6900 | 10:30 a.m |
| Bulgaria | Ms. Tatyana Karadzhova First Secretary, Political | Embassy of Bulgaria 1621 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 387-0174 | 2:30 p.m |
| Canada | Mr. Kevin Tunney First Secretary (Political)Mr. Greg Witol Counsellor (Defence) | Embassy of Canada 501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 682-1740; (202) 448-6515 | 2:00 pm |
| Croatia | Mr. Josip Babić Political Officer | Embassy of the Republic of Croatia 2343 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 588-5899 x 124 | |
| Czech Republic | Mr. Cyril Bumbálek | Embassy of the Czech Rep. 3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 274-9127 | 10:00 a.m |
| Denmark | Mr. Martin La Cour-Andersen Rear Admiral | Royal Danish Embassy 3200 Whitehaven St. NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 234-4300; 797-5347; 5316 | 1:00 pm |
| Estonia | Mr. Kadri Peeters Defense Counselor | Embassy of Estonia 2131 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 588-0101 | 11:00 am |
| France | Mr. Boris Toucas | Ambassade de France 4101 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007 (202)944-6000; 6149 | 1 :00 p.m |
| Germany | Mr. Frank Gräfe Brigadier General | Embassy of F.R. of Germany German Information Center USA 4645 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202)298-4000 | 1:00 p.m |
| Greece | Mr. Foivos Georgakakis Counselor | Embassy of Greece 2217 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 939-1311 | 10:00 a.m |
| Hungary | Dr. Zsolt Hetesy Deputy Chief of Mission | Embassy of Hungary 1500 Rhode Island Ave, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 362-6730 | 10:00 am |
| Iceland | Mr. Hreinn Pálsson DCM and Defense Attaché | Embassy of Iceland 2900 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (202) 265-6653 | 9:30 a.m |
| Italy | Mr. Emanuele Manzitti Senior Political Counselor | Embassy of Italy 3000 Whitehaven St, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 612-4468 | 12:00 noon |
| Latvia | Mr. Roland Heins Defense Counselor | Embassy of Latvia 2306 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC, 20008 (202) 328-2875 | 2:30 p.m |
| Lithuania | Mr. Vaidotas Urbelis | Embassy of Lithuania 2622 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 234-5860 x 114 | 10:00 a.m |
| Luxembourg | Mrs. Véronique Dockendorf Deputy Chief of Mission | Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 2200 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC 20008 (202) 265-4171 | 10:30 a.m |
| Montenegro | Ms. Anđelka Rogač Deputy Chief of Mission | Embassy of Montenegro 1610 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202)234-6108 | |
| Netherlands | Mr. Ingeborg Denissen | Royal Netherlands Embassy 4200 Linnean Ave. Washington, DC (202) 244-5300 | 2:30 p.m |
| Norway | Mr. Marius Dirdal Deputy Chief of Mission | Royal Norwegian Embassy 2720 34th St., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 469-3934; (202) 333-6000 | 11:00 a.m |
| Poland | Mr. Mariusz Stus | Embassy of Poland 2640 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 499-1758; (202)499-1758 | 10:00 am |
| Portugal | Mr. Mário Martins Counselor/Political Affairs Congressional Liaison | Embassy of Portugal 2012 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036 (202)350-5425; (202)328-8610 | 10:00 a.m |
| Romania | Mr. Adrian Tudorache Minister Counselor Sorin Niculescu | Embassy of Romania 1607 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC., 20008 (202) 332-4749 x217 | 10:30 a.m |
| Slovakia | Milan Šuplata, Political Officer Mr. Martin Sklenar, Director, Security Policy Dept. Mfa. | Embassy of the Slovak Republic 3523 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 237-1054 ext. 220 | 11:30 am |
| Slovenia | Mr. Borut Žunič First Counselor Mojca Pešec Defense Attaché | Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 386-6611; 6633 | 9:30 am |
| Spain | Mr. Gabriel Alou Public Diplomacy Officer | Embassy of Spain 2375 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (Press Room, Main Floor) Washington, DC 20037 (202) 728-2378 | 10:00 am |
| Turkey | Mehmet Özgür Sak Second Secretary | Embassy of Turkey 2525 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 612-6700 | 10:30 am |
| United Kingdom | Ms. Sarah Shiner | Embassy of the UK 3100 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 588-1187; 6500 | 12:00 pm |
| United States | Ms. Maciej Luczywo NATO Desk Officer | U.S. Department of State 2201 C St., NW Washington, DC (202) 647-3405 | 12:30 p.m |
REGISTRATION & ACCOMODATION
Registration
Each NATO Country Delegation Fee…………… $500.00
Hotel Accommodation and Cost
Participants will be housed at the Washington Plaza Hotel located at 10 Thomas Circle, Washington, DC 20005.
ROOM RATE INFORMATION
Single and Double Occupancy $225.00; Triple and Quad Occupancy $245.00 per night.
These rates do not include the 15.95% District of Columbia sales tax.
The cutoff date for reservations at these rates is January 27, 2025.
Overnight parking is available at a cost of $43.00 for self-parking ($50.74 inclusive of 18% tax per night. The hotel is three blocks from the McPherson (orange/blue line) Metro station.
Reservations may be made by contacting Joy Robinson and Riley McCullen at groupservices@
Please Note: The Washington Plaza Hotel imposes a charge of $75.00 per person per day on attendees who do not stay at the hotel.
Schedule (TBA)
Thursday February 15, 2024
| 09:30 am – 12:00 noon | Delegation Registration | Hotel Ballroom Foyer |
| Embassy Briefings | At Country’s Embassy | |
| 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | PLENARY SESSION Greetings Secretary General’s Address & Rules of Procedure | |
| 6:00 p.m. | BUS DEPARTS FOR WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL |
Friday February 16, 2024
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Faculty Meeting | National Ballroom- Salon A | ||||||||||||
| 9:00 – 6:00 | Home Government | State Room | ||||||||||||
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Briefing Update (All delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | ||||||||||||
| 9:15 – 12:30 | COMMISSION SESSIONS
| |||||||||||||
| 12:30 – 1:45 | BREAK | |||||||||||||
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Briefing Update (All Delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | ||||||||||||
| 2:00 – 4:15 | CONTINUATION COMMISSION SESSIONS
| |||||||||||||
| 4:15 – 4:30 | BREAK | |||||||||||||
| 4:30 – 6:30 | CONTINUATION COMMISSION SESSIONS
| |||||||||||||
Saturday February 17, 2024
| 9:00 – 1:00 | Control Group / Home Government | State Suite | ||||||||||||
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Faculty Meeting | National Ballroom-Salon A | ||||||||||||
| 9:00 – 9:15 | Briefing Update (All delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | ||||||||||||
| 9:15 – 1:00 | COMMISSION SESSIONS
| |||||||||||||
| 1: 15 | Committee officers submit draft language on Committee agenda topics to the Secretariat. | |||||||||||||
Sunday February 18, 2024
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Control Group / Home Government | State Suite |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Faculty Breakfast Meeting | |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Military Committee | Thomas Circle Suite |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | North Atlantic Council (All delegates except Military Committee members) Conclude Crisis Simulation Adopt Final Communiqué | Grand Ballroom |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | CLOSING CEREMONY/ AWARDS | Grand Ballroom |
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
Sunday, February 16, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
Thursday, February 13, 2020
| 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Delegation Registration Embassy Briefings | Hotel Ballroom Foyer At Country’s Embassy |
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | PLENARY SESSION Greetings RAVI K. PERRY, Ph.D. Keynote Address Home Government andCrisis Control Group Briefing Secretary General’s Address & Rules of Procedure | |
| 6:00 p.m. | BUS DEPARTS FOR WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL | |
Friday, February 14, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Faculty Meeting | National Ballroom- Salon A |
| 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Home Government | State Room |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Briefing Update (All delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A |
| 9:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | COMMISSION SESSIONS | |
| – North Atlantic Council | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | |
| – Political Affairs | Grand Ballroom- Salon C | |
| – Military Committee | Grand Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Nuclear Planning Group | Thomas Circle Suite | |
| – Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee | National Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Committee on Emerging Security Challenges | National Ballroom- Salon A | |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | BREAK | |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Briefing Update (All Delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | CONTINUATION OF COMMISSION SESSIONS | |
| – North Atlantic Council | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | |
| – Political Affairs | Grand Ballroom- Salon C | |
| – Military Committee | Grand Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Nuclear Planning Group | Thomas Circle Suite | |
| – Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee | National Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Committee on Emerging Security Challenges | National Ballroom- Salon A | |
| 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | BREAK | |
| 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | CONTINUATION OF COMMISSION SESSIONS | |
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
| 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Control Group / Home Government | State Suite |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Faculty Meeting | National Ballroom- Salon A |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Briefing Update (All Delegates) | Grand Ballroom- Salon A |
| 9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | COMMISSION SESSIONS | |
| – North Atlantic Council | Grand Ballroom- Salon A | |
| – Political Affairs | Grand Ballroom- Salon C | |
| – Military Committee | Grand Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Nuclear Planning Group | Thomas Circle Suite | |
| – Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee | National Ballroom- Salon B | |
| – Committee on Emerging Security Challenges | National Ballroom- Salon A | |
| 1:15 p.m. | Committee officers submit draft language on Committee agenda topics to the Secretariat. | |
Sunday, February 16, 2020 - Washington Plaza Hotel
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Control Group/ Home Government | State Suite |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Faculty Breakfast Meeting | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon | Military Committee | Thomas Circle Suite |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon | North Atlantic Council (All Delegates except Military Committee members) Conclude Crisis Simulation Adopt Final Communiqué | Grand Ballroom |
| 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. | CLOSING CEREMONY AND AWARDS. | Grand Ballroom |
FACULTY 2026
Home Government | |
Mark Webber, University of Birmingham
Julie Garey, Northeastern University
|
Larry Chalmer, Emeritus National Defense University
R. James Orr III, National Defense University (Ret.) |
North Atlantic Council | Political Affairs Committee |
George Shambaugh, Georgetown University
Justyna Zajac, Indiana University Bloomington |
Javier Morales-Ortiz, Baldwin-Wallace University
|
Military Committee | Nuclear Planning Group |
Jay Burkette, Virginia Tech
Julie Harrelson-Stephens, Stephen F. Austin State University |
Steven McKelvey, Kennesaw State University |
Partnerships and Cooperative Security | Committee on Emerging Security Challenges |
Nicholas Ostrum, Kent State University
Jennifer Washburn, Spartanburg Community College |
Margaret Commins, Queens University of Charlotte |
