2025 annual BISA/FCDO Model NATO takes place in London
On Wednesday 19 February approximately 100 participants from 31 UK universities took part in the sixth annual BISA Model NATO. The event is run in partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and took place at its offices in London.
The 2025 event began with a welcome from Professor Mark Webber (Birmingham and Model NATO Academic Lead), followed by a talk from Stephen Lillie (Defence and International Security Directorate at the FCDO). The UK Delegation to NATO had also pre-recorded videos to give the students advice on their negotiation skills, and how to get the most from the day.
Business then turned to the crisis simulation at hand, which this year focused on multiple natural disasters, resulting in significant loss of life and mass displacement of populations. Two thirds of the participating students sat on the Military Committee, where they were tasked with agreeing a detailed set of actions to be endorsed in a final declaration by a simulated North Atlantic Council - NATO’s highest authority.
Each student had been given a NATO ally to represent and had done research into their country’s resources and political positions prior to the Model. They had also been given two briefings on the hypothetical disaster - one 24 hours before - and received further information throughout the event which forced them to make on-the-spot decisions.
Nykyta Kaiun, a participant from Manchester Metropolitan University, said:
“From the start, our Military Committee discussions were intense, fast-paced and felt incredibly real. Under the leadership of Chair Philippe Lefevre, we tackled high-stakes security challenges and made tough calls under pressure. But the real thrill came during unmoderated time, when we stepped out of formal debate, negotiated behind the scenes, struck deals and formed alliances that could change everything…This was not just a debate. It was a crash course in diplomacy, leadership and strategic thinking.”
To conclude the event, Joanne Hamer (Director of Euro-Atlantic Security) addressed the students and assisted with the presentation of delegation awards.
The winners were:
- Outstanding Delegate in the North Atlantic Council: Denmark (Birmingham)
- Distinguished Delegate in the North Atlantic Council: Poland (Strathclyde)
- Most Authentic Delegate in the North Atlantic Council: Sweden (Plymouth)
- Outstanding Delegation in the Military Committee: Belgium (LSE)
- Most Authentic Delegation in the Military Committee: North Macedonia (Surrey)
- Distinguished Delegation in the Military Committee: Canada (QUB)
All students receive a commemorative certificate for their participation in the event.
We are extremely grateful to Professor Mark Webber for his work in preparing the Model, and to the FCDO for continuing to partner with us on the execution.
To find out more about our Model NATO events, take a look at the Model NATO playlist on our YouTube channel.
