The Cal Poly Pomona Model Organization of American States (Model OAS) Team recently traveled to Washington DC, where they proudly represented Canada at the Washington Model General Assembly of the OAS (WMOAS), held April 7-10, 2025. This year’s team was CPP’s first all-female Model OAS delegation: Luna Bellido, Fiona Takeuchi, Elaine Saucedo, Brianna Rivera, Camryn Beaulieu, Natalie Esquibel, Stephanie Paredes, and Melanie Lopez.
This annual simulation, hosted in partnership with the real-world OAS and the Institute for Diplomatic Dialogue in the Americas, brings students from across the Western Hemisphere together for a weeklong diplomatic conference. Led by their advisor Dr. Mary Anne Mendoza-Davé and head delegates Luna Bellido and Fiona Takeuchi, the CPP team debated pressing issues facing the hemisphere, introduced and negotiated resolutions, and practiced the diplomatic protocols used by real-world policymakers. Each of their committees included schools across the U.S. and Latin America. Our team also met with policy experts of the OAS and visited the Canadian Embassy, where they spoke with actual diplomats and gained firsthand insight into international relations.
Aside from visiting the Canadian Embassy, the conference also featured one day in the historic Hall of the Americas at the OAS building in Washington DC. The remaining events were hosted at Trinity Washington College, including opening ceremonies where the OAS Secretary General addressed our students.
This year, the Model OAS team had two head delegate who helped prepare the team for the conference. This involved a lot of research sessions and practice speeches in class and at Panera, a favorite spot for the team. We asked our head delegates about their experiences this year and here’s what they had to say:
Fiona Takeuchi, head delegate: “I’m so grateful I was able to travel to DC, see some iconic sights, and visit buildings where the things we learn about in class are actually occurring. Technically, we even traveled to Canada when we visited the embassy to speak with real delegates! In conference, the debates are diplomatic, but engaged, and representative of different states’ viewpoints, and outside of conference, everyone is extremely supportive and friendly. The opportunity to act as Canada as well as meet likeminded students from across the entire western hemisphere is unmatched.”
Luna Bellido, head delegate: “Throughout the simulation I learned the following: diplomacy, advocacy and professionalism. These are main the traits I take away from this aside from creating new connections and even friendships.”
As one of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences’ signature experiences, Model OAS prepares students for careers in international relations, public policy, and diplomacy. Through CPP’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy, the program offers not just classroom insight but transformational, real-world learning.