ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
Three Algonquin College alumni attend Model NATO in Berlin for crisis simulation forum

Three Algonquin College public relations graduates, Arkyn Kornell, Megan Zorn and Renée Jewer-Pineau, attended the Model NATO event in Berlin as an opportunity to build their professional skills on an international scale. 

Model NATO Germany is a four-day simulation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s most important organizational and diplomatic proceedings. During this time, participants represent a NATO member state in one of three selected committees: the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the NATO Military Committee, or the Policy Committee. In their respective committee roles, Kornell, Zorn, and Jewer-Pineau were tasked with responding to and resolving a simulated crisis through debates of all kind, while representing Romania. 

"[The simulated crisis focused on the High North] really fascinated me because I'm hoping to go further into environmental communications," said Kornell. "Specifically, arctic research is something I'm interested in, along with sustainability initiatives. The forum and crisis simulation are all about these topics, as it was the 100th anniversary of the Svalbard Treaty in 2020. It's important to learn how to tackle these issues as a united front with NATO."  

Kornell and her team initially applied as an exercise in proposal writing, without the expectation of attending the event. The team received the news that their application was accepted and began preparation.  

"I can't think of a better forum for these graduates to showcase the skills they learned in the Algonquin PR program than in trying to resolve a geopolitical crisis," said Lara Mills, Public Relations Professor and Program Coordinator at Algonquin College.  

"I have so much love for the PR program and what it taught me," said Kornell. "I'm grateful to Lara Mills and other excellent Algonquin College Public Relations professors. One of the main things they taught us was to pay attention to the news. Monitoring relevant news sources has really helped us prepare for the simulation. The PR program is a collaborative program, it makes you a better teammate and teaches students to lead. There was plenty of opportunity to rely on your teammates during the simulation." 

This experience was an exercise in demonstrating their craft in public relations, putting into practice the foundations learnt at Algonquin College, and it was also an excellent resume builder.

Post-event, Kornell continues to work towards her Bachelor of Communications and Digital Media Studies at Ontario Tech University; Zorn is also continuing her studies, pursuing a Bachelor of Communications and media studies at Carleton University, while working as a policy analyst in the federal government, and Jewer-Pineau continues to work as a strategist in Ottawa. Zorn and Jewer-Pineau are available to discuss their experience.