From May 19th to May 23rd, 2025, Rory Palau Zea and Jaimi Plater, SPPA students in the MPPA, joined a team of law students from the University of Ottawa (UofO) to participate in the prestigious Model ICAO event at the world headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montr茅al. It was the first time that SPPA students were participating in this experiential learning activity. Dr. Marc Rioux, Adjunct Research Professor and Executive Director of SPPA鈥檚 Transportation Policy Innovation Centre, accompanied them and acted as technical advisor for the joint 杏吧原创/UofO team.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The Model ICAO event exposes students to real high-level diplomatic and technical discussions taking place in the ICAO Council (the management board of the organization). Students represent actual Member States and participate in simulated deliberations on important matters related to international civil aviation. They are asked to develop informed policy positions and present them convincingly to other delegations.

The joint 杏吧原创/UofO team represented Australia, a Contracting State sitting on the Council. Team members had the chance to meet the Australian Permanent Representative (ambassador) to learn more about that country鈥檚 positions on international aviation issues to be discussed in five technical committees (environment, safety, security, legal and economic) as well as in the Council itself. In addition, they had the opportunity to meet various ICAO and international experts during the deliberations of their respective committees and networking activities.