Harvard World Model United Nations-Panama Conference

March 10, 2018

The Model United Nations team had a packed spring break as they attended the Harvard World Model UN conference in Panama City, Panama

From Saturday, March 10th to Sunday, March 18th, the team not only competed on an international level, but experienced the culture of Panama. The conference began with an opening ceremony where keynotes speakers, such as the President of Panama, addressed the crowd of student delegates.

During the middle of the week, WC delegates engaged in six committee sessions, in which teams of one or two would deliver short speeches during moderated sessions and work with other delegates on creating working papers and resolutions. The WC delegates not only experienced the process behind creating official papers, but collaborated with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

By Friday, the conference wrapped up with one last session before going into the closing ceremony. The WC students and audience were more than anxious to hear the results of the award ceremony. However, the Model UN team found themselves not only jumping up in celebration once, but twice as two double delegation teams from Washington College won verbal commendations. Jess Burns and Sabrina Mendez received commendations from the UNESCO committee, while Kathryn Bedard and Abigail Burnett received one from the World Conference on Women.

Outside of committee, the WC students networked with other students at a variety of social events, including a party at an official site of Spanish ruins.

Congratulations to the Model UN Team for all the hard work they put in!

The WC Model UN group right before opening ceremonies.
Dr. Tahir Shad — The WC Model UN group right before opening ceremonies. Dr. Tahir Shad

Several WAC try to out bike each other.
Kathryn Bedard — Several WAC try to out bike each other. Kathryn Bedard

The Panama Canal.
Kathryn Bedard — The Panama Canal. Kathryn Bedard

One of the cultural events during the closing ceremonies.
Dr. Tahir Shad — One of the cultural events during the closing ceremonies. Dr. Tahir Shad

An image of one of the beaches that Panama has.
Kathryn Bedard — An image of one of the beaches that Panama has. Kathryn Bedard

The WAC Model UN team right before the closing ceremonies.
Kathryn Bedard — The WAC Model UN team right before the closing ceremonies. Kathryn Bedard

A photo of the old town of Panama City.
Kathryn Bedard — A photo of the old town of Panama City. Kathryn Bedard

A picture of the old town of Panama.
Sabrina Mendez — A picture of the old town of Panama. Sabrina Mendez

An image of Panama City during a hike.
Tyanna Baker — An image of Panama City during a hike. Tyanna Baker

A picture taken during one of the trips to the canal.
Kathryn Bedard — A picture taken during one of the trips to the canal. Kathryn Bedard

Some of the beautiful architecture that can be found.
Kathryn Bedard — Some of the beautiful architecture that can be found. Kathryn Bedard

Jess Burns enjoying the social events before the first day of committee.
Dr. Tahir Shad — Jess Burns enjoying the social events before the first day of committee. Dr. Tahir Shad

Philip Estes, Sabrina Mendez, Jess Burns, Michael Luckert, Paris Mercier (Left to Right) at Global Village.
Dr. Tahir Shad — Philip Estes, Sabrina Mendez, Jess Burns, Michael Luckert, Paris Mercier (Left to Right) at Global Village. Dr. Tahir Shad

John Linderman wearing American themed accessories.
Dr. Tahir Shad — John Linderman wearing American themed accessories. Dr. Tahir Shad

WC Model UN with the Ambassdor of Luxembourg.
Dr. Tahir Shad — WC Model UN with the Ambassdor of Luxembourg. Dr. Tahir Shad

Dr. Shad and the MUN team at the Luxembourg embassy.
Dr. Tahir Shad — Dr. Shad and the MUN team at the Luxembourg embassy. Dr. Tahir Shad