Model African Union - 2020
2020 AU Simulation
The International Model African Union (IMAU) is an initiative of Howard University in collaboration with the African Union Mission in Washington, DC. Other partners are embassies of the Member States of the African Union (AU), the continental union. This conference, sponsored, in part, by embassies of represented states, is held annually in February.
The Model simulates proceedings of the African Union. University teams from within and outside the USA attend as delegations from the different nation-states of Africa. Participating students serve as delegates -- they assume the roles of African leaders; practically experience intra-African diplomacy; and gain a richer understanding of the forces and ideas that inform the policies and policymaking processes of AU member states. The conference kicks off with the embassies of represented countries hosting their delegates for briefings, followed by a plenary session, a reception, and three days of the simulation.
The IMAU team at JMU
The JMU team has enjoyed great success at the Model AU. Students competitively apply to join the team of six to represent JMU. Delegates, should they choose to, remain on the team until their graduation. Upon a member leaving the team, a slot becomes available for new applicants. Funding has been arranged to cover the participating students’ transportation to Washington; three nights of hotel accommodation (sharing a room with other students); conference registration; and a small meal stipend.
In advance of the Model AU itself, the team has preparation meetings and resolution development activities at the end of the fall semester and at the beginning of the spring semester. Students may receive academic credits for AFST 400, POSC 498, or AFST 489.
The next International Model African Union Conference will be held in Washington, DC, February 20-23, 2020. At the 2020 meeting, JMU's team will be representing Zambia.
This year's team is sponsored by JMU's College of Arts & Letters; the Office of Access & Inclusion; the Department of Political Science; the Department of Justice Studies; the Department of English; the Office of the Vice Provost for Research & Scholarship; the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Development; the Center for Global Engagement; and the Madison Center for Civic Engagement.
Click HERE to see profiles of this year's JMU IMAU team and its advisors.
Questions? Contact Dr. Besi Muhonja at muhonjbx@jmu.edu.
For more information on African studies at JMU
For more on the African, African American, and Diaspora (AAAD) Studies minor, visit https://www.jmu.edu/africana/ and contact one of the program co-directors: Dr. Mollie Godfrey (godfrema@jmu.edu) and Dr. Besi Muhonja (muhonjbx@jmu.edu).
For information on the Africa concentration within the International Affairs major at JMU, visit https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/intlaffairs.shtml and contact Dr. John Hulsey at hulseyjw@jmu.edu.
For further information on JMU study-abroad opportunities in Africa (and elsewhere), visit https://www.jmu.edu/global/abroad/all-programs/index.shtml#Sem1 and then contact the appropriate program director for the opportunity that interests you.
Every February, the AAAD program hosts scholars from across the world and from across the disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, STEM, the arts, and business, as well as artists, activists, and independent scholars at its Annual African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Interdisciplinary Conference. The conference is a charged space for cross- and inter-disciplinary research exchange, debates, and networking. AAAD minors are also invited to present their capstone senior research projects at a special session during the conference. Visit the conference website for more information: https://www.aaadjmu.com.
