My Beloved Chocolate City, and the Third Annual Washington Model Organization of American States

Seven months of preparation finally came into resolution (pun intended) at the 2011 Washington Model Organization of American States

The final week of March and first of April ushered in a culmination moment for my Fulbright period's primary volunteer activity. From September through March, I dedicated the majority of my non-teaching time to advising and mentoring a simulated diplomacy debate team at my host institution, Medellín's Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB). Under the guidance of two other faculty members--Olmer Muñoz Sánchez of the faculty of Political Science, and Ana María Velasquez of the faculty of International Business--and my own, the UPB's Model Organization of American States squad met at least once per week, preparing to represent Brazil at the April 2011 Washington, DC Model Organization of American States conference (WMOAS). I advised the improvement of the students’ speech and professional writing in English as they prepared for the conference. I assisted the students with research about the history and functions of the OAS, the internal politics and international relations of Brazil, and current events affecting the Western Hemisphere. I worked hand-in-hand with students on the revision of simulated policy papers for presentation at the conference, which were required to be in English, and coached their verbal debate practice. When March, the month of crunch time, struck, my teammates and I entered a particularly grueling four weeks of draft resolution revisions, for presentation in WMOAS committees. Through my tireless tutoring, the students came to learn that diplomatic writing must be not only content-rich but also word-slim. That is to say, in this exercise, every word employed must count. And I admit that producing this sort of writing when students are employing English as a second language can be especially challenging. But with time, everything came together: the papers were well-researched, pertinent, correct in their grammar and syntax, and properly formatted. Two weeks before the conference, after a final six-hour jam session in which I made final edits, Ana María and I sent the papers off to the WMOAS directors in Washington. Within days, the team members and I boarded three different American Airline flights from Medellín to Miami to my nation's fine capital.

As I continuously stressed to my advisees for months leading up to the conference, if a delegate puts their heart, energy, and full focus an international conference like WMOAS, the reward can often be coming away feeling like you've learned more about the power of negotiation, international academic culture, and the way the world really works than you will in years of university classroom study. To give an idea, if I recall correctly, this year's WMOAS benefitted from the attendance of 17 US and 11 Latin American universities. Now this was a legitimate opportunity for Fulbright-worthy international exchange! Our team had 10 members spread out amongst five OAS-emulating committees, debating topics ranging from the simulation of small and medium enterprise, to the control of drugs and arms trafficking, to Latin American health codes, to the role of women in politics, to the protection of rare resources in the Brazilian Amazon. Indeed, the simulation afforded students a chance to apply classroom knowledge of international affairs. More importantly, it allowed them to meet brilliant new students from across the Hemisphere, and improve the verbal etiquette, teamwork, and professional skills necessary to advance a genuine career in the realms of politics, international business and diplomacy--or just about any other work in which one must interact with diverse individuals in a collaborative setting.

Because this was the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's first time participating in WMOAS, I admit we were feeling a bit uneasy and naive upon entry, not knowing what to expect. My own college debate conference experience suggests that the outcome and student enjoyability of these sorts of conferences can be greatly impacted by the quality of the management, the level of commitment of the respective faculty advisers, and the student chairpeoples' degree of training and knowledge of committee procedure. But stepping into the Organization of American States' HQ building at 17th and Constitution in downtown Washington, it became immediately clear that a high level of organization and an air of professionalism would pervade the conference. For one, the presence of actual OAS officials, providing keynote addresses at the opening ceremonies, and supervision throughout, added an element of realism, authenticity, and urgency to the conference that was a step above any I myself attended during my college years. Moreover, we came to discover that the student Chairs were very well versed in the OAS parliamentary procedure, and assertive in the verbal leadership of the conference proceedings. The faculty members of all teams present were punctual and dedicated in their revision of resolutions debated during the committee proceedings.

Our team's "extracurricular" experiences during our week in Washington were excellent. For instance, outside of the conference, we had the fortune of visiting Brazil's official Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States, right near the Watergate Complex on Virginia Ave, on the fringes of the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. We received an informative, candid, and personalized briefing from Wilson Dockhorn, Jr., Second Secretary at the Mission, about the State of Brazil-OAS relations. My sketched notes from Mr. Dockhorn's talk are follow below:

Substantive Topic Issues and Other Areas:

· Brazil’s greatest allies in the OAS: ALADI (the Spanish-speaking counties of South America, Brazil, and Mexico), SICA (i.e., Central America), and Mercosur

· Brazil may in some cases favor other countries that also have federalist governments, i.e., those that are more decentralized… For this reason, Brazil’s support for Venezuela may become problematic

· The summer rain disasters in the Brazilian Southeast were the worst natural disasters in Brazil’s history

· What is Brazil’s relationship with Haiti and Panamá?

· Yes, Brazil is a regional power right now…But to which countries will Brazil turn first?

· Reaching consensus can be more difficult than it seems at first glance…

· Brazil is only going to “open its hand” toward the States in the Visa war if the US does so first

o Other countries facing travel restrictions to Brazil: Canada, Panama, and Venezuela

· It is more difficult to discuss complex issues before the General Assembly; it’s easier to do

· Election of government officials in Brazil:

o All senators and representatives in Congress are elected directly by the people; Supreme Court members (there are 11-12?) in total

· About women in Brazilian politics: In Brazil, there is a legislative quota for participation of women in politics. It varies by state, but in most cases, the threshold is between 15 and 20%. It is not always met… At times, forced efforts to meet this quota brings up a quality versus quantity dilemma.

o In Colombia, there is a target threshold for female participation, but it is also usually not fulfilled…

o Also, think about the evolving reform of domestic violence law in Brazil…

o There are two federal female judges on the Brazilian Supreme Court

· Participation of women in politics across the Americas: Currently, women occupy four of the presidential posts in the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Dominican Republic (?)

· Brazil’s IR:

o Brazil currently encounters the need to “densify” relationships with immediate neighbors, especially Colombia

o What is Brazil’s direct impression toward the growing drug trade and arms trade crisis in Mexico?

o Brazil, South Africa and India: a new forum of rapidly growing emerging economies that, when combined, may have growing clout…

o There are no US military bases in Brazil… Washington’s military relationship with Brazil is quite different than that with Colombia

Certainly, the visit to the Permanent Mission was a highlight of my week in Washington. But, of course, no visit to the nation's capital would be complete without stopping by one of my favorite development organizations on earth, the Phelps Stokes (PS) fund, the directors of which I became close with starting last December at Fulbright Colombia's Third Annual Seminar in Leadership Development. Upon prior invitation from Tonija Navas, PS' Director of Latin America and the Caribbean Special Projects, on Wednesday, March 30th, I delivered a guest lecture to Phelps Stokes and friends on behalf of Fulbright Colombia titled "Multicultural Perspectives from Latin America: An Intense Discussion with Solamon Estin on his Experiences as a Cultural Polyglot in the US, Brazil, and Colombia." Though admittedly my audience wound up on the smaller side, the event was worthwhile for the few who dared attend. Our candid conversations about persisting racism, economic development challenges, and struggles to improve the state of education in Latin America were indeed at times intense, and definitely a rewarding chance for me to vent about my months living in the world's eighth most socioeconomically unequal society. I must thank Phelps Stokes for this historic opportunity to represent the Fulbright Program, my scholarship Commission, and my valued fellow Grantees before an educated, socially concerned, and critical North American audience.

Needless to say, my week as a Fulbrighter in Washington was action-packed and thoroughly exhausting in the most gratifying way. In all, I can say on behalf of the team that we are more than satisfied with the results of our performance. Heading into WMOAS as the first UPB team to ever participate, our expectations were high but still tempered. But by the conference's conclusion, low and behold, our Head Delegate and my good buddy, Luis Quintero, was elected to the position of Chair for next year's conference. This marked an enormous and shining step forward for my host university, and the anticipation of great progression amongst next year's team. I will leave Colombia wishing these curious students of international affairs a great time preparing, and an even more memorable conference experience next year!

Landing at Reagon National Airport to be greeted by US Department of Homeland Security employee Karina Levitas, Pitzer College class of '07, my adopted sister, one of my best friends and most valued mentors of all time

Back at last in my country, clearly, there is only one logical step to make: heading straight to Thaitanic, one of DC's finest, for some gourmet Thai food. Ah, how I miss the excellent international cuisine of the USA!

You know you're in Washington when...

Arriving for my first day of team supervising duties at the Fairmont Hotel Georgetown, 24th and M St

Feeling an intense element of realism at WMOAS 2011 Opening Ceremonies at the Organization of American States headquarters, 17th and Constitution Ave

After a flight on my own up to Washington, I arrived in the nick of time to Opening Ceremonies, and felt charged to be back with my teammates.

Preparing for the opening addresses of OAS diplomats and leadership staff

Inside the Hall of the Americas, making it look official

Our Head Delegate post and placard at Opening Ceremonies... Just so we don't forget who we're representing!

At 17th and Constitution: the place to be!

First half...

Second half

National Mall bound. What more can I say?

Washington's cherry blossoms in full bloom, right in season...

With teammate Laura Garces paying a thank you to Mr. FDR

The team and I arriving at Brazil's Permanent Mission to the OAS, right near Watergate

Proudly boasting my birth country's coat of arms!

The team with Wilson Dockhorn Jr., Second Secretary at the Brazilian Mission

A map of South America, drawn to accurate scale, inside Phelps Stokes' McPherson Square office. Observe the accurate size representations of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru in particular...

And on that same atlas, the Motherland, also drawn to scale. It's time to get educated, my friends. This is why I love Phelps Stokes!

Georgetown University, baby! At GU's main quad enjoying a prospective Master's student visit with Jonathan Weinstock, my old debate buddy from the 2009 West Point Student Conference on United States Affairs

Upon invitation from Lina Montoya, fellow Fulbrighter, and PhD Grantee from Colombia to the States, I arrived at the University of Maryland for the Robert H. Smith School of Business 3rd Annual Social Enterprise Symposium.

"TEA-EO" Seth Goldman of Bethesda, MD-based Honest Tea serves up the keynote address at the UM Symposium

The lobby at the Organization of American States second office, on F Street, downtown Washington... Feeling right at home surrounded by flags galore!

And on a pleasant walk between OAS buildings, it suddenly became Review Your Andean History Day... Who did I bump into but Mr. Simón Bolívar himself!

It seems whether in Caracas, Bogotá, Colombia's Caribbean Coast, or my own nation's fine capital, one just can't escape the omnipresence of the Liberator!

Just make sure you keep your Andean States in line, my friends. Don't get it twisted!

Co-faculty leader of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's Model OAS team, Ana María Velasquez, and I enjoying the courtyard view at the Fairmont Hotel, site of most of the conference's committee deliberations

Co-Head Delegate and recently-elected student Chair of the 2012 WMOAS conference, Luis Quintero, and I, taking a moment to reap the fruits of our hard work!

I learned the acoustics of the official US Capitol tour headphones can be quite good... If you don't slack and fall out of range!

With advisee and Head Delegate Camila Londoño, who complained that the White House was "too small." But with me pulling a half-Nixon, you know things were all gravy in front of the Obamas' pad on my end!

Standing in the US Capitols' dead middle of Washington's quadrant intersection. All eyes pointed--where else?--due south!

You've got to love that Capitol Building Rotunda... A masterpiece still standing strong.

...Yet another scene of ancient democracy depicted here

You know I had to soak in a moment of reflection with my boy MLK while under the Capitol Rotunda.

UPB WMOAS Team Head Delegate Luis Quintero also taking in a moment with Dr. King

Debate teammate and advisee Natalia Lalinde making her points sharper than pyramids do, clutching the Washington Monument

Enjoying a view of the National Mall with UPB team members Laura Giraldo, Natalia Lalinde, and Manuela Velez

Can you name this building? (No, visiting international students, despite what you've heard, it's not the White House...)

The Money Shot... It's just too bad that while I proudly represented my country, the folks inside that fine domed edifice were bickering in futile disagreement about how to save the nation's budget...

Flags, flags, flags, gotta love my flags in DC

Washington's Union Station... I'll take Amtrak Acela Express, not Greyhound, please...

Fellow Pitzer Political Studies graduate Devon Haynes and I enjoying the Eastern Market neighborhood for a Sunday brunch... Nothing like wrapping up an action-packed and rewarding week in DC with a pulled pork sandwich!