HWS News
8 March 2024 HWS Model African Union Delegates Receive Highest Honors
During the International Model African Union Conference, members of the HWS MAU team received the conference’s most prestigious recognition.
HWS Model African Union recently competed in the International Model African Union Conference at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where they represented Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia and South Sudan. They were joined by faculty advisor Associate Professor of Economics Keoka Grayson.
At the conference, students simulate discussions about major economic, social and political-security issues facing the African continent, and demonstrate the patterns of cooperation that characterize intra-African diplomacy.
Jasmine Goncalves ’27 won the Michelle Tooley Outstanding Delegation Award for her representation of Côte d'Ivoire on the Democracy, Governance and Human Rights Committee. The award is presented to the delegation who contributed the most to the accomplishments of the committee.
Delores Amponsah ’25, the president of HWS MAU, received the Eleazu Obinna Committee Leadership Award for her representation of Ethiopia on the Social Matters Committee. The award is presented to the individual who made the most significant contribution to fostering consensus, capturing the essence of complex issues, and leading the respective Committees and Council toward effective action.
A highlight of the trip included visiting the African Union Mission, where students met Hilda Suka-Mafudze, the African Union Ambassador to the U.S.
In addition to Goncalves and Amponsah, HWS MAU participants included Emmanuel Appiah ’26, Jamachukwunma Atumonyogo '26, Emily Cartagena ’25, Cori Chapman ‘26, Habisona Diallo ’25, Marie Diarrassouba ’26, Amsata Diop ’24, Ant Esi ’27, Chimee Ezike ’25, Leah Foster ’25, Jovan Joseph ’25, Biruk Nardos ’25, Jada Smith-Padmore ’24, Jaheim Pierre ’25, Jayla Pittman ’27, Helena Shimeles ’26, Chloe Woods ’27 and Aaliyah Zombra ’26.
At HWS, students who participate in Model African Union also enroll in a half-credit Reader’s College course focused on deepening students’ understanding of African politics and diplomacy. The program is supported by the Africana Studies Department. Many participants major in Africana Studies, International Relations and Political Science.
Pictured above, Members of the HWS Model African Union meet Hilda Suka Mafudze, the African Union Ambassador to the U.S., during the International MAU Conference at Howard University.
