Past Conferences

Hanging in the Balance: American Leadership in Global Crises

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the peace on the European continent that has lasted since the end of World War II was shattered. The United States and NATO have refused to directly intervene with military might in the conflict, but have largely been united in imposing economic sanctions on Russia and supplying Ukraine with the means to defend itself. Meanwhile, as Russia is scorned by the West they forge even closer ties with China, eerily evoking the specter of a new Cold War. How did the United States and the world allow things to get like this? And what lessons has the United States learned from this to deter the threat of even larger conflict erupting elsewhere in the world?

Fortifying the Foundation: Strategies for Safeguarding American National Security

US Response to National Security While the United States is often viewed as the global police force and model to the rest of the world, there are areas in which our ability to solve issues threatening our domestic security may be lacking. In viewing the US as a global superpower, Americans often see their homeland as impenetrable. As countries respond to COVID-19, domestic and international tensions are on the rise. In moving beyond the pandemic, it is crucial to evaluate how our society has changed in all areas. As our international relationships have evolved, what are the internal and external threats against our homeland, and what are the best strategies to combat them? How do issues like counterterrorism, the global natural resources crisis, and human trafficking look different as a result of our changing world?

Sailing Uncertain Waters: Navigating America Through A Changing International Paradigm

The SCONA 66 Theme was “Sailing Uncertain Waters: Navigating America Through a Changing International Paradigm.” The goal of this conference was to analyze the roles and challenges facing international institutions. Delegates participated in small-group roundtable discussions led by subject matter experts to work together to create a policy paper. SCONA’s roundtable discussions range from great power competition to global public health by focusing on America’s role in international institutions. This topic allowed for participation from a diverse group of participants to engage in topics of national and international importance. MSC SCONA offers this unparalleled experience for students to engage with both their peers and experienced professionals on topics of public policy and national affairs.

Forging America’s Future: Exploring Solutions for Current Challenges

The world has continued to change at an unprecedented rate, with shocking world developments happening almost daily. For example, The United Kingdom left the European Union, China is leading developing nations into debt with its One Belt One Road Initiative, and India successfully launched a lunar exploration mission, just to name a few. For the past decade, the United States has focused its efforts on combating terrorism, but that is no longer the largest threat today. With tensions rising globally, it is time for the United States to look to the future. This year, the MSC Student Conference On National Affairs (SCONA) will host its 65th conference, entitled “Forging America’s Future: Exploring Solutions for Current Challenges.” The conference will address the many challenges facing America today, both at home and abroad, through the development of innovative policy solutions.

One of the largest problems facing American leadership has been, and continues to be, adapting to a rapidly changing world. SCONA 65 will consider the question of what can the United States do to face the diversifying challenges of a modernizing world . The U.S. is in the midst of a global transition, and is now facing a Great Powers competition. Today, its hegemony is at risk, especially as technological advances are made by other countries. Comprehensive and effective cyber-defense policy will be a topic of importance at this year’s conference.

Space exploration has been revived as an issue of importance to the United States and other nations, particularly as the world wakes up to the security implications of it. India, Israel, and China are only a few of the nations who are expanding their respective space programs. Satellites enable GPS, intelligence gathering, and even mundane things such as commerce. Today’s space industry has seen the emergence of private space companies, such as Boeing and SpaceX. SCONA 65 will analyze how the private and public sector can work together in this domain, as well as necessary policy to secure America’s future space.

In addition to cybersecurity and cosmic concerns, trade policy will greatly shape America’s role in today’s globalized economy. Positive relations and profitable trade agreements between the world’s emerging economies, particularly the BRIC countries, are vital for continued growth and increased exports. The impact of trade wars and trade deals will be discussed, along with ways to combat intellectual property theft and ways to maintain competitiveness by spurring technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

A steady and reliable supply of natural resources is vital to American strategic interests. 35% of the water used by humans is supplied by aquifers, which are now experiencing dangerously low levels. Furthermore, there are still Americans who are struggling to have access to a steady supply of clean water and food. Besides security of food and water, there are also important minerals called “rare earths” that are vital to modern day technology. They can be found in many products ranging from iPhones to fighter jets. Over 90% of the rare earth supply comes from China. It is crucial that American policy addresses both the diminishing global supply of clean water and loss of access to critical natural resources.

Additionally, “Forging America’s Future: Exploring Solutions for Current Challenges” will re-evaluate United States policy in light of other topics such as the significance of megacorporation influence on elections and national policy, the effects of climate change on the American people, alternative energy sources, the growing opioid epidemic and potential healthcare reform, plans to fix crumbling infrastructure, crushing student debt and low international education rankings, responses to illegal immigration and the growing number of refugees, changing domains of war, and the use of terrorism and proxy wars as a means to further political agendas.

Extinguishing the Flames of Fury: US Strategy and Response in the Face of Global Terror

Terrorism is a politically charged word with various associated connotations and real-world, hard-hitting effects. It is loosely defined as any violent act intended to cause fear for the purpose of political, religious, or ideological gain. The constraints are broad and the controversy about how to mitigate terrorist attacks continues across national borders. As terrorist groups gain access to new technology and weapons systems to change their tactics of destruction, the United States must adjust its strategies for dealing with them. Delegates to the 64th Memorial Student Center Student Conference On National Affairs will focus on fifteen of the policy areas related to terrorism in the modern world and construct policies on how to effectively counter them.

The threat of terror is a clear and pervasive danger in nearly all fields of expertise. With the looming threats of biological warfare and cyber-attacks, businesspeople, doctors, and everyday citizens play just as much of a pivotal role in the fight against terrorism as politicians and soldiers. Terrorist groups will go after the economic infrastructure of a nation just as easily as their physical or cyber infrastructure. Preparing for scenarios like these is essential in all aspects from the national level all the way to the state and local.

In addition to strengthening our defense, the United States has historically been a world leader in creating an effective offense: counterterrorism. U.S. counterterrorism strategies have, according to the State Department, been successful in terms of decreasing terrorist organization’s regional influence, monitoring activity, creating plans to mitigate terrorist attacks, and stabilizing and responding diligently after an attack.

Since terrorism falls outside of the standard definition of warfare, there are no implications on the tactics and strategies of terrorist groups. In that case, the possibilities are endless and we must be active in preventing its advance. The bottom line is that terrorists will do whatever they can to hit us where it hurts most, whether that is targeting civilians in public areas, economic infrastructure, or the physical nature of our country. Terrorism remains a threat and will continue to remain a threat in all areas of interest.