what is amwho? |
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AMWHO is an authentic simulation of the World Health Assembly, the sole decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). At the AMWHO International Conference, graduate and undergraduate participants will assume the roles of WHO ambassadors, non-governmental organization members, media correspondents, or industry representatives.
Participants will engage in debates and discussion surrounding our theme for this year: The Population Paradox: Declining Births, Longer Lives, and the Future of Health. Through collaboration, students will craft approaches to address our world’s pressing public health challenges and draft a final resolution to send to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
Throughout the weekend, students will have access to renowned professors from the Gillings School of Global Public Health and public health professionals from the Triangle. Students will hear from and talk to these guest speakers at the opening ceremonies and the Lunch and Learn event.
Participants will engage in debates and discussion surrounding our theme for this year: The Population Paradox: Declining Births, Longer Lives, and the Future of Health. Through collaboration, students will craft approaches to address our world’s pressing public health challenges and draft a final resolution to send to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
Throughout the weekend, students will have access to renowned professors from the Gillings School of Global Public Health and public health professionals from the Triangle. Students will hear from and talk to these guest speakers at the opening ceremonies and the Lunch and Learn event.
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What is model-who?
concept
Model-WHO is a conference simulation of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the annual global health policy making forum of the World Health Organization (WHO). Students who register for AMWHO conferences are assigned either a WHO Ambassador, NGO Representative, Pharmaceutical Company, or Media Correspondent position, and must represent their role accurately throughout the course of the three-day conference weekend.
Delegates are split into five regional blocks: African Region (AFRO), Americas Region (AMRO), Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), European Region (EURO), and Western Pacific & Southeast Asian Region (WPRO/SEARO). Prior to the conference, delegates research their position’s stance on the global health policy theme, and create resolutions with fellow participants. On the last day, all regions convene to debate their completed resolutions, emulating the true simulation of the WHA.WHO AMBASSADORS
A WHO Ambassador is an individual representing a diplomat to one of the 193 Member States to the World Health Organization. Ambassadors have full voting rights within the conference, with a sole goal to pursue their nation’s health interests in the Assembly. These delegates are expected to conduct detailed, in-depth research prior to the conference on their nation’s position with respect to the conference theme, their allies and enemies, and how their nation would react to different proposals. Their main objective is to use the skills of negotiation and diplomacy to create sound, realistic, and effective resolutions with fellow delegates, who very well may hold differing opinions.NGO Representatives
Delegates representing an NGO must embody the ideals, motives, and objectives of their organization. As an NGO Representative, they will receive a personalized schedule during the conference that allows them to rotate among all regional rooms, and debate with any WHO Ambassador. They must understand all resolutions being formed, with a primary focus in ensuring that each policy holds the ideals of their organization. Ultimately, these delegates provide seals of approval, or written acceptances of a resolution, before all resolutions head to the final plenary. They do not have voting rights, but are able to formally debate.media correspondents
Media Correspondents are non-voting delegates that hold a unique role in the AMWHO International Conference. They perform research prior to the conference on their company views and biases around the conference theme, but their primary objective is to capture the news and highlights of the conference through video and blog form. They aim to provide news in the same journalistic manner of the company that they represent. Thus, these delegates must be well-versed in how to provide the news in respectful, but accurate way. Media Correspondents will receive assistance in capturing stories, conducting interviews with the voting and non-voting delegates, and presenting the exciting and often controversial happenings in other regional blocks.industry representatives
Industry Representatives, also non-voting delegates, represent their industries in varied ways as it relates to the conference theme. Still, these players are critical to achieving partnerships with WHO Ambassadors, NGO Representatives, and Pharmaceutical Companies, and thus delegates must be well-researched on their company and its core values as it relates to the theme.
directors' Letter |
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Dear Delegates and Colleagues,
Welcome to the 2027 UNC American Mock World Health Organization (AMWHO) International Conference! As the founders of AMWHO, our university has had the opportunity to host several international, regional, and summit conferences. Over the years, we have seen how changes in population, health systems, and social conditions can shape the health of communities around the world. As we continue this tradition, we are pleased and honored to welcome you to another year of AMWHO and remain inspired by your dedication to understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing global health. Our hope is that this conference will provide you with a platform to engage with multifaceted and interdisciplinary public health issues, exchange diverse perspectives, and work alongside others to develop thoughtful and sustainable policy solutions. As Executive Co-Directors of the conference, we are excited for you to join us in this unique conference experience, modeled after the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Our goal is to create an experience where delegates can explore the complexities of the social, cultural, political, and economic determinants of health, all while collaborating with key stakeholders and interest groups. To account for diverse perspectives that influence global health issues, delegates may represent either a member state, media organization, non-governmental organization, or private corporation. Throughout the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to engage with passionate peers and distinguished speakers, participate in thoughtful discussions, and consider how different sectors can work together to address evolving global health challenges. Through these interactions, we hope that you will gain knowledge and skills crucial to becoming a global health leader, allowing you to analyze public health issues through a holistic lens and address these issues through effective policy. The theme for the 2027 UNC AMWHO International Conference is The Population Paradox: Declining Births, Longer Lives, and the Future of Health. Around the world, populations are changing in ways that create new demands on healthcare systems and public policy. The demographic shifts do not occur uniformly as countries continue to experience declining fertility rates, increasing life expectancy, rapid urbanization, population displacement, and changing patterns of nutrition. Through thoughtful communication and debate, we hope delegates will examine how population change intersects with health equity, healthcare access, and social policy. By considering these issues across diverse regional contexts, we hope to encourage multisectoral solutions to the evolving challenges of global health. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge all the hard work that has been put into this conference by the 2026-2027 UNC AMWHO Executive Board and Conference Board. This conference would not be possible without their dedication and collaboration over the past several months. We would also like to thank all of you for your commitment to advancing global public health solutions through meaningful conversations. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2027 UNC AMWHO International Conference! Sincerely, Shaina Patel and Parker Beale Conference Co-Directors 2027 UNC AMWHO International Conference |
Shaina Patel
Conference Co-Director 
Parker Beale
Conference Co-Director |
theme introduction |
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The theme brief gives delegates an overview of the global health challenge that will be discussed and debated over the course of the conference. It includes sub-themes that break-down the intricacies of the problem and provides case studies that describe how countries in different regions of the world have been affected. Delegates may use the theme brief as a resource to write their position paper.
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SUBTHEME 1: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND FERTILITY
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Position Papers Due Date: ---
CHECK DELEGATE HUB FOR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND EXAMPLES!
CHECK DELEGATE HUB FOR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND EXAMPLES!
conference schedule
Day 1 - Friday
Day 2 - Saturday
Day 3 - Sunday
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GUEST SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
Lunch and Learn speakers
reviews, publications, & media |
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"Students said AMWHO had “revived [their] passion for diplomacy and advocacy,” and described the experience as one that “could not be found in a classroom” and “influential” for their future plans. 35 of 39 respondents (90%) rated the experience as “good” or better, and 38 of 39 (97%) would recommend AMWHO to a friend."
"AMWHO is a useful forum for students to improve their knowledge of global health issues, and sharpen their skills in diplomacy, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution." |
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"The vast majority (98%) of respondents from the AMWHO 2014 conference indicated the conference as being "good" or "better", and 90% of respondents indicated they would recommend the conference to a friend... The American Mock World Health Organization fills a gap in global health policy education by providing students with the opportunity to develop skills essential to careers in global health governance."
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"By encouraging students to network with current professionals, AMWHO facilitates collaboration and communication between passionate individuals working to make a difference. It is surreal to think that the friends I made over the three day conference can one day be colleagues, or the global health professionals I networked with could one day be mentors. Sitting in the conference, I envisioned the other students and myself one day becoming a part of the WHO in order to make meaningful change by helping those without health care access or affordability." |
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"Global health crises are unimaginably complex. In listening to and participating in discourse during AMWHO 2016, I was forced to consider interests beyond my own. I was reminded of the opening addresses by Dr. del Rio and Dr. Weiss. There are multitudes of stakeholders, each with their own, often conflicting interests. Resources are always limited and compliance is almost never guaranteed. Perhaps the greatest lesson I took away from AMWHO was how truly difficult it is to work in the field of global health. But having spent the weekend engaging with equally enthusiastic individuals and having passed a resolution together, I came away with a renewed sense of determination that solutions, while complex, are not beyond our reach."
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"I think one of the problems with the undergraduate mindset is that we think we think we don’t have the tools to solve problems when we do," she said. "And I think events like this get undergraduates to realize that they can and will make a difference if they set their mind to it.”
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faq |
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WHO CAN ATTEND?
AMWHO conferences are open to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in public health, medicine, public policy, international relations, foreign diplomacy, and intergovernmental delegation. There is no required "major" or course of study that participants must have in order to attend an AMWHO conference. Students across the United States and abroad are invited to attend. A limited number of high school students will be able to apply to attend the conference at a later date (more information to come).
WHERE IS THE CONFERENCE BEING HELD?
The conference will be hosted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. For details regarding times and room assignments please check out our delegate guide under the Delegate Hub page.
WHICH ROLES CAN I CHOOSE FROM IN THIS CONFERENCE?
Delegates may choose to be WHO Ambassadors, NGO Representatives, Media Correspondents, and Industry Representatives. More information about these roles are included in the 'About AMWHO' section.
DO I HAVE TO BE IN AN AMWHO CHAPTER TO ATTEND?
If your university does not have an AMWHO chapter, you may register yourself as an individual participant.
HOW MUCH IS THE REGISTRATION FEE?
Early registration for UNC students ($55) and non-UNC students ($65) opens on January 12th, 2026 at 12:00 am and closes on February 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Regular registration for UNC students ($65) and non-UNC students ($75) runs from February 3, 2065, at 12:00 AM to March 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Late registration for UNC students ($75) and non-UNC students ($85) is open from March 10, 2026, at 12:00 AM to March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Observer registration ($50) is available from January 12th, 2026 at 12:00 AM to March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Didn't answer your question? Please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
sponsorsHIP |
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The 2027 UNC AMWHO Executive Board would like to thank our 2026 AMWHO sponsors, without whom the 2026 AMWHO International Conference would not be possible. Please check back for updates on new 2027 sponsors.
For more information on how your academic institution or corporate organization can work with us, please email [email protected].
For more information on how your academic institution or corporate organization can work with us, please email [email protected].
Meet the secretariat
We would like to thank our UNC AMWHO Executive Board for all of their hard work in putting together this conference!
Anya Abhayakumar AMWHO, Inc. President |
Amogh Rao AMWHO, Inc. Vice President |
Ayush Khanna AMWHO, Inc. Managing Director |
Michelle Wong AMWHO, Inc. Director of Strategy and Development |
Shaina Patel Conference Co-Director |
Parker Beale Conference Co-Director |
Kovida Vupputuri Internal Logistics Co-Director |
Rakshita Raajesh Internal Logistics Co-Director |
Sarah Eckstein External Logistics Co-Director |
Olivia Vorhis External Logistics Co-Director 
Radhika Heda Finance and Sponsorship Co-Director |
Hima Manne Theme Co-Director
Mahi Mehta Finance and Sponsorship Co-Director |
Anna Zheng Theme Co-Director
Samhita Kotamraju Secretary |
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Zoe Nagro Media Co-Director |
Joslyn Bakion Media Co-Director |
Benjamin Ashley Dais Co-Director |
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Prajwal Biradar Dais Co-Director |
Samanyu Manjunath Campus Affairs Co-Director |
Katherine Marley Campus Affairs Co-Director |
Contact us |
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Questions? Concerns? Let us know!
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