A team of three HAPP final year undergraduate students – Niamh Carroll, Luke Duffy and Ben Wilson – were selected to represent Canada at the annual Model NATO competition in London, organised by the British International Studies Association, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence. 

Taking place in the historic Locarno Suite at the FCDO, students were tasked with finding consensus on their response to a major crisis facing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the Mediterranean. Throughout the day, alongside their debates, students heard from senior FCDO and MoD officials including Joanne Hamer, director, Euro-Atlantic Security, MoD. 

After an intense day of discussions, Ben and Luke, who sat on the NATO Military Committee, were awarded the Distinguished Delegation award. 

Reflecting on the experience, Luke Duffy stated:

“Being part of the 2025 Model NATO Competition was an incredible opportunity. My role was to represent Canada on the Military Committee, where we simulated NATO's response to a natural disaster in the Mediterranean. Working with teams from other universities in the Locarno Suite of the FCDO Building made the event so much more realistic. Prior to going over to London for the competition, my two teammates and I met up a few times to prepare. During the competition, this benefitted us as we had built up a great rapport. I’ve no doubt this helped us win the Distinguished Delegation award.”

Niamh Carroll commented:

“As somebody who endeavours to work in diplomacy and foreign affairs, this event allowed me to get first-hand experience in a high-level diplomatic simulation surrounded by others with the same enthusiasm. I was chosen to act as “North Atlantic Council Delegate for Canada” in a role that would see me partake in the more political discussions that occur in NATO. I know that the knowledge and skills I gained from this experience will add to both my academic studies and future career. I cannot recommend this experience enough to students who are offered it. It is absolutely one of the highlights of my time at Queens and I am so grateful to HAPP for enabling it to happen!” 

Alister Miskimmon, who coached the team, stated:

“Model NATO is an amazing opportunity for students to get a feel for the complexities of diplomatic negotiations. Ben, Luke and Niamh did a great job representing Queen’s University in London”.