Model Organization of American States

The Model Organization of American States General Assembly began in Washington D.C. in 1980 as a joint project between the Organization of American States and Georgetown University, with the goal of educating U.S. university students about issues related to the Americas. The program was very successful and the OAS decided to reach out to high schools in the Washington, D.C.

In 1995 Ambassador Gene Scassa initiated the MOAS in San Antonio and thanks to the tremendous support of the San Antonio World Affairs Council, especially Barbara Schneider, faculty from Incarnate Word, UTSA, St. Mary's, Trinity, and Baylor Universities, the MOAS came into being. We were the first to organize a Model OAS outside of the Washington area.

Corporate sponsors, including Valero Energy, have played a key role in sustaining this important educational opportunity.

Student interns at the World Affairs Council and student volunteers from various schools, including Baylor, have contributed their time and energy in preparing the Model OAS website and agenda, offering sound advice essential for success.

The Model OAS is described as "...a crash course in international policy making and a lot more. Students develop skills that can only be acquired outside the classroom: diplomacy on an international level, reaching consensus on complex international issues and understanding the important role of these issues in the future." Since 1995, over two thousand students have participated in the Model OAS.

Over the years the World Affairs Council served as the focal point for organizing and obtaining corporate funds for the MOAS. St. Mary's, Incarnate Word and UTSA (downtown campus) have served as hosts in the past. In 2008, the World Affairs Council asked St. Mary's University to take over the sponsorship and hosting of the MOAS. St. Mary's was pleased to accept the World Affairs Council's kind offer. The Model OAS is a specific example of our broader commitment to internationalization, reaching across borders and providing students an opportunity to broaden their horizons.

This year, 2009, marks out 13^th annual event and we are expecting about 20 colleges/universities to participate with approximately 400 students.

Past Keynote Speakers

The Honorable Carlos Roberto Reina, Former President of Honduras

Ambassador Eugene L. Scassa, Diplomat in Residence, St. Mary's University

The Honorable Carlos Sada, Consul General of Mexico

Ambassador Peter Deshazo, Deputy U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States

The Honorable Oliver P. Garza, United States Ambassador to Nicaragua and The Honorable Jeff Davidow, United States Ambassador to Mexico (Joint Speakers)

Drew Roy, Vice President for International Affairs, SBC

Dr. Charles Cotrell, President, St. Mary's University

Major General Freddy Valenzuela, United States Army

The Honorable John Maisto, United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States

Ambassador Ron Godard, Senior Adviser for Western Hemispheric Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C., and former Ambassador to Guyana

The Honorable Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General, Organization of American States, Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Bill Eaton, Diplomat in Residence, UTSA, and former Ambassador to Panama

9th Annual Model Organization of American States at St. Mary's University