Archil Sumbadze is one step closer to his goal of becoming a diplomat for his country, Georgia. A fellow of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Eurasia and Central Asia [10], he was honored as an Outstanding Delegate at the oldest, largest, and most prestigious of Model UN conferences, the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN).
“For a developing country like Georgia, it is essential to understand the tools, processes and issues of international diplomacy in order to advance its national goals and to regain its original place in the Western civilization,” Sumbadze said.
Sumbadze, who studies International Relations at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, represented Amnesty International on the Legal Committee of the UN General Assembly at the model conference. He negotiated and lobbied on issues related to Universal Jurisdiction and Climate Change and International Environment Law. Leading up to the HNMUN, Sumbadze researched relevant historical problems, current challenges, positions, interests, the roles of different actors, and, Amnesty International’s approach to these issues.
At the conference, Sumbadze delivered an introductory presentation of Amnesty International and its position, fielded questions, debated with his colleagues, and took part in negotiations. After raising and lobbying for solutions that he, as Amnesty International, wanted countries to adopt, many political blocs considered Sumbadze’s recommendations.
At the end of the conference, jurors from the NGO and Legal committees honored Sumbadze as an Outstanding Delegate as an NGO representative. The criteria for the award included the quality of his position paper and presentation, as well as success in debating, negotiating, and lobbying.
Sumbadze called the event a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” where he collaborated with colleagues from Peru, Canada, UK, India, Japan, Venezuela, Brazil, Czech Republic and many more. “One of my dreams came true,” he said.
Sumbadze plans to share his experience with his Georgian peers upon returning home this summer. “It is my dream to hold an International Model UN in Georgia, and my HNMUN experience will be very helpful for this goal.”
The Global UGRAD Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, and is implemented by IREX.