Model NATO | HCSS

HCSS Model NATO 2019 Conference

In cooperation with the NATO Centre of Excellence for Civil-Military Cooperation (CCOE) and The Municipality of The Hague, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies invites you to a 3-day simulation of the NATO North Atlantic Council (NAC), in celebration of the 70th anniversary of NATO. You will get an opportunity to explore the inner-workings of NATO, immerse yourself into one of the contemporary security challenges faced by the alliance, and benefit from a variety of additional activities in and around The Hague, a central hub for peace and justice of the past, the present and the future.

NATO member states are confronted with a variety of security threats domestically and abroad. During these turbulent times, the NATO alliance and the spirit of cooperation that it represents is essential in fostering peace and security. Originally created in order to protect post-WWII Europe from the spread of communism, NATO continues to ensure peace and security for the North Atlantic region. However, the character of the threat environment has transformed significantly since the Cold War. Cyberspace, for instance, is increasingly weaponized by malign actors who attempt to use cyberattacks and other coercive digital measures to disrupt and undermine the alliance and its members.

Does a cyberattack against a member state of NATO trigger Article 5 of the collective defence agreement? What measures represent a proportional, yet effective reaction to such an attack? How can the alliance equip itself with the necessary means to protect itself in the cyberspace? These questions, and more, will be debated during the HCSS Model NATO at the NATO Centre of Excellence for Civil-Military Cooperation in The Hague, on June 2nd - 4th 2019.

Are you a university student in a NATO member state? Have you attended one or more Model NATO/United Nations conferences in the past? Then apply and join us as a delegate at the 2019 Model NATO conference in The Hague. For more information, contact us at modelnato@hcss.nl.

We look forward to welcoming you to the International City of Peace and Justice!

General Information

Date of Conference: 2nd, 3rd and 4th of June 2019

Location: NATO Centre of Excellence for Civil-Military Cooperation (CCOE), The Hague, Netherlands

Delegate Fee: €140 Euros.

The fee includes:

✔ Conference materials

✔ Breakfast (3rd & 4th), lunch (3rd & 4th) and dinner (3rd)

✔ Coffee breaks throughout the conference

✔ All social activities

✔ Transportation passes to travel within The Hague

✔ Private accommodation rooms at the NATO CCOE on the 2nd and 3rd of June

The delegate fee does not include:

✘ Transportation to The Hague

✘ Meals on the 2nd of June

✘ Accomodation for dates other than those stated previously

Refunds for the delegate fee will not be provided.

Conference Preparation: delegates will be provided with a Study Guide introducing the committee and the topic, to ensure that all participants have an equal foundational understanding. However, delegates are expected to prepare for the conference beyond the provided material, to ensure a high level of debate during the conference. As the conference will be held at an official NATO location, and delegates will be also staying on the premises, a document outlining the house rules will also be given to all participants. By attending the conference, you implicitly agree to these rules.

Individual & Delegation Applications: both individuals and delegations are welcome to apply. All delegates must submit individual applications, but can mention an organisational affiliation if they wish to be allocated for the same country as their fellow delegation members. This conference will be running a double-delegation setup for the NAC. Despite best efforts, the organisers can not guarantee that country preferences will be matched.

Visas: HCSS will not be providing visa invitation letters to delegates. It is the delegates’ responsibility to ensure that they are legally eligible to travel to the Netherlands, before applying to the conference!

Application Process

The deadline for applications has closed, but If you still wish to apply, please contact modelnato@hcss.nl.

Committee Information

The simulated committee at the HCSS Model NATO conference will be the NATO North Atlantic Council (NAC), the primary decision-making body of NATO. Delegates will represent member state ambassadors in double-delegations. The topic for this conference will be “Determining appropriate and proportional responses to cyberattacks against NATO member states”.

Committee Chairs

My name is Sarah Huddleston, and I grew up in Sarasota, Florida. I currently work and reside in The Hague, Netherlands, where I recently earned a master’s degree in Political Science from Leiden University.

My Model United Nations experience spans over a decade of being a delegate, chair, and conference organizer. In practice, I have learned to channel my passions for international affairs through various internships and jobs, namely at the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Department of State. In these roles, I participated in discussions with Congressional Members, diplomats, and legislative staff on topics related to national and international policy for the United States in the midst of a changing administration. Most importantly, I learned how critical my years as a delegate were to the development of my curiosity as a profession in the field of the social sciences. Alongside my professional endeavors, I work as a volunteer with refugee children at the Rijswijk Asylum Center, implementing programs developed by UNICEF Nederland and War Child International.

I have high regard for the work of HCSS and am honored to have the opportunity to act as a Chair for this inaugural event!

In the year NATO celebrates its 70th anniversary, I am happy to welcome you to this extraordinary event. My name is Sander Mulder, and I’m currently pursuing a masters in Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, specialising in conflict resolution and governance.

Over the years, I have participated in many MUN’s over the years, both as a delegate, delegate trainer and a chair. All these experiences have thought me rules on negotiation, public speaking, formal writing, etc. One of the best experiences was chairing a simulation at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) together with my good friend Sarah Huddleston. I am thrilled that Sarah and I will both be there during this modelNATO to guide you through three days of exciting lectures and debates. Have a lot of fun!

The Study Guide and the conference Rules of Procedure will be available soon under the 'materials' tab.

Provisional Schedule

Sunday 2nd June

12:30 - 13:30 - Delegate registration

13:30 - 14:00 - Opening of the conference - Han ten Broeke, Director of Political Affairs, HCSS and former Dutch MP

14:00 - 15:00 - Delegate introductions and ice breakers

16:00 - 18:00 - Tour of the City of The Hague

18:00 - late - Free time to explore The Hague

Monday 3rd June

07:00 - 08:30 - Breakfast

09:00 - 10:00 - Keynote speeches - Michel Rentenaar, Netherlands Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO and Commodore Elanor F. Boekholt-O'Sullivan, Commander of the Netherlands Defense Cyber Command

10:00 - 12:30 - Session I

12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch

13:30 - 18:00 - Session II

18:30 - 20:30 - Evening formal dinner

20:30 - late - Entertainment activities and free time

Tuesday 4th June

07:00 - 08:30 - Breakfast

09:00 - 12:30 - Session III

12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch

13:30 - 16:00 - Session IV

16:00 - 17:00 - Closing Ceremony

17:00 - 18:00 - Delegates depart from the venue

Accommodation

Delegates will be provided with individual accommodation at the NATO Centre of Excellence for Civil-Military Cooperation on the 2nd and 3rd of June. The cost of the accommodation is included in the delegate fee.

Logistical Information

Travelling to and from the conference

The venue is best reached by tram number 1 (direction Delft Tanthof) from Den Haag (The Hague) HS train station, followed by a 12 min walk to the conference venue at Brasserskade 227A, 2497NX, The Hague, Netherlands.

Airport

Nearest airports are the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Rotterdam/The Hague Airport, Eindhoven Airport and Brussels International Airport. The conference venue can be reached by public transport from all these locations. A direct train from Schiphol Airport takes 30 minutes.

Rail

Nearest rail station is the Den Haag HS station. It can be accessed by direct trains from the Amsterdam Centraal Station (50 Minutes), Rotterdam Centraal Station (20 Minutes) and Brussels Noord or Brussels Zuid/Midi (2 hours).

Road

The site is easily accessible by road, however there is no parking available on site. A Park and Ride is located approximately 200m from the venue. Direct buses also operate from Paris and Brussels to The Hague Centraal Station.

Accommodation for additional nights of stay

Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague have an extensive list of hotels and hostels and are within close reach. Unfortunately, extension of your stay at the CCOE is not possible.