This recap article was provided by NCSC’s Secretary-General Suraag Srinivas and Executive Director Avery League.
From October 18-21, 2018, the 46th iteration of the National Collegiate Security Conference (NCSC), hosted by the Georgetown International Relations Association, was a successful showcase of high quality debate, negotiation, and crisis performed by the most talented delegates on the collegiate Model United Nations circuit. This year, the conference saw its highest registration numbers to date, welcoming over 700 delegates from around the country and world to the nation’s capital. This was an exciting watershed year in NCSC history, as it was the conference’s first year at the DoubleTree Crystal City. This new location brought NCSC within ten minutes of downtown Washington, DC.
The conference opened with an enthralling speech by Her Excellency Dina Kawar, the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States. Confident and charismatic, Ambassador Kawar compelled delegates to pursues their principles in the international arena with bravery and character. Given NCSC’s security-focused brand, the fact that Ambassador Kawar has herself presided over the United Nations Security Council made her words particularly powerful. Opening Ceremonies also included a persuasive presentation by Craig Herb on the international philanthropy Room to Read, which promotes girls’ literacy and education around the world. By the end of the conference, delegates and staff had raised over $4,000 for Room to Read programs in Tanzania.
Once the conference was gaveled in, delegates were immediately challenged by the complicated international issues of the modern world. In the 2007 United Nations Security Council, delegates wrestled with controversial United Nations peacekeeping missions and the global rise in terrorism. In the 1993 Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe, delegates were pushed to address interethnic tensions and increases in nationalist sentiment across the continent. In the 1967 Sino-Soviet Split Joint Crisis Committee, delegates represented two of the most dominant global powers of recent memory during crucial periods of their histories. Not to be forgotten, the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Secretary-General delved into the potential power behind student movements in the United States.
Across three days of intense negotiation and strategy, delegates were prompted to consider the concept that “reality is a dangerous game.” Delegates were expected to implement high-level strategy and operate as bold players in competitive rooms, but still recognize the weight of the consequences that decisions made in committee would have in reality. In all of it, NCSC maintained its commitment to modern, realistic, and security-focused committee substance.
Finally, delegation awards were presented to the following universities:
Outstanding Small Delegation: McGill University
Best Small Delegation: Claremont McKenna College
Outstanding Large Delegation: Harvard University
Best Large Delegation: Florida International University
After a year of hard work and preparation, Secretary-General Suraag Srinivas and Executive Director Avery League would like to thank the Board of the Georgetown International Relations Association, the Senior and General Staff from Georgetown University, and each and every delegate for making this conference a reality. With that, NCSC looks forward to another successful conference in October of 2019.
Delegates in a rousing discussion in a crisis simulation.
Delegates working together outside of the committee room.
The Secretariat of NCSC XLVI
