Nota Bene: Model NATO Challenge

Over the past two years, I've had the pleasure of interacting significantly with leadership at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-Allied Command Transformation (NATO-ACT). General Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, and his Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Sir Graham Stacey, are friends and colleagues, and I'm proud that Virginia Wesleyan will once again host the annual Model NATO Challenge on March 31.

During the mock global crisis simulation, produced by the Norfolk NATO Festival in partnership with NATO-ACT, local high school juniors and seniors will take on the roles of student diplomats, each representing one of the 28 NATO Member Nations. Select students will also participate in the Student Press Corps, covering the event action in a live media role.

Virginia Wesleyan’s involvement in the Challenge stems from the College’s formal agreement with NATO-ACT, which offers up to 25 International Student Grants of $9,000 per semester ($18,000 per year) to dependents of NATO-ACT employees stationed in Norfolk. In return, NATO-ACT offers their staff's expertise to the VWC community in the form of guest lectures, internship opportunities, experiences with NATO’s Innovation Hub, and NATO simulation opportunities like the Model NATO Challenge.

We are extremely grateful for this valuable partnership and celebrate the opportunity to build global partnerships right here in our community. Read more about the 2017 Model NATO Challenge on our website, and be sure to stop by the simulation on Friday, March 31, at 4 p.m. in Boyd Dining Center.