The Peruvian Debate Society (PDS) is an inter-collegiate student debating association headquartered in Lima, Peru, aimed to promote debate and discussion on current national and international issues in order to form leading citizens who contribute to development by competing in Model United Nations (MUN) conferences globally. Since its foundation in 2014, their participation at national and international level has yielded multiple awards, consistently being ranked as the best Model UN team in the nation and one of the top international debate teams in the world.[1]
In the 2017–2018 debating season, PDS achieved for the first time the Best Large Delegation award at Harvard World Model United Nations 2018 held in Panama City, Panama, being the second Peruvian MUN team in achieving such international recognition.[2][3][4] The following season, the team achieved the Outstanding Large Delegation Award at the same conference, held in this occasion at Madrid, Spain.[5]
Having participated at regional level since 2015, PDS is the incumbent champion at the Harvard National Model United Nations - Latin America conference, and is the MUN team with most delegation awards in the history of the conference, garnering the Best Large Delegation a total of six times.[6][7]
Governance
The Peruvian Debate Society was constituted as a non-profit civil association for the promotion of education in Peru, in 2017. As an organization, it is composed by Associates, which in turn make-up the General Assembly, presided by a Board of Directors (composed of four elected associates).
The current Board of Directors is led by Sebastián Morello Montes, former Delegate (2016–2019) and Faculty Advisor (2019–2020; 2023–2025).
The PDS civil association is formally established under an official Constitution Act and Statute, to which every associate is subject to its rules and standing orders.
1 Best Delegate Juan Diego Rodriguez (NGO Programme) 1 Outstanding Delegate Paula Valle (FGA) 2 Honorable Mentions Mario Genit (CSW) Valerie Delgado (NATO)
Juan Diego Rodríguez Isabella Ponce de León Marcelo Hernández
Mario Genit Paula Valle
1 Best Delegate Paula Valle (NGO Programme) 1 Outstanding Delegate Mario Genit / Manuel Calderón (HRC) 2 Diplomatic Commendations Priscila Vásquez (ECOFIN) Mauricio Ferradas (FGA)
1 Best Delegate Luis Antonio Bisbal (NGO Programme) 2 Outstanding Delegate María Fe Blanco / Camila Barrón (ECOFIN) Bruno Bambarén (EU) 1 Diplomatic Commendation João De Cossio / Vanessa Herrada (UNIFEM)
Inés Bullard Luis Olazábal Sandra Lizarzaburu Alejandro Céspedes
Felipe Núñez del Prado Alejandro Robles
1 Best Delegate Sofía Wong (Crisis) 2 Outstanding Delegates Bruno Villalobos (DISEC) Rafael Tang (OAS) 4 Honorable Mentions Andrea Palacios (DISEC) Ignacio Tovar / Mario Genit (UNICEF) Alejandro Robles (OAS) Felipe Núñez del Prado / Nicolás Ormeño (UNSC)
José Mariano Martínez Juan Sergio Puicon Felipe Núñez del Prado Nennele Rivadeneira Vania Campana
Daniela Azmouz Vasco Soldevilla
1 Best Delegate Vasco Soldevilla (UNSC) 5 Outstanding Delegates Paula Valle (CCPCJ) Javier Balbuena (UNICEF) Francisco Daza (UNICEF) Mauricio Ferradas (Crisis) Juan Diego Rodríguez (Press Corps) 2 Honorable Mentions Joyce Antón (UNICEF) Andrea Asmat (Crisis)
3 Best Delegates Valentina Ursino (SOCHUM) Luis José Beingolea (WTO) Salma Samhan (UNFPA) 1 Outstanding Delegate Benjamín Espinosa (UNSC) 2 Diplomatic Commendations Fabiana Delgadillo (SOCHUM) Mariana Aldave (WTO)
Best Large Delegation
Since 2017, Peruvian Debate Society alumni have started to participate in Harvard National Model United Nations Latin America as part of the Substantial Affairs Team.
Disarmament and International Security Committee Youssef Abi-fadel Historical General Assembly, 1992 Martín Gallardo Jorge Alfonso Ramírez Cumbre de América del Sur y África Fabiola Ventura
Disarmament and International Security Committee Camila Mendoza Legal Committee Joaquín Mejía United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Valerie Woodman Commission on the Status of Women Camila Burmester Organization of American States Antonella Calle Enrique Rodríguez United Nations Security Council, 1985 Inés Bullard Cabinet of Raúl Alfonsín, 1983 Víctor Andrés Marroquín-Merino
Disarmament and International Security Committee André Díaz (Director) Rodrigo Guzmán (Director) World Health Organization Jimena Ayala (Director) European Council Luis Olazábal (Director) Washington Conference, 1949 Inés Bullard (Director) Press Corps Antonella Calle (Director) Raccelli Benitez (Director)
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Sebastián Morello (Director) Alvaro Peña (Director) United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute Valerie Woodman (Director) UN Journal Francesa Tiravanti (Director)
3 Best Delegates Sebastián Morello / Juan Sergio Puicon (DISEC) Jerhko Marangunich (OAS) Víctor Andrés Marroquín-Merino (Crisis) 3 Outstanding Delegates Nicole Lindley (WHO) Felipe Núñez del Prado (HRC) Sandra Lizarzaburu (WCW) 3 Honorable Mentions José Mariano Martínez (UNICEF) Daniela Azmouz (WCW) María Fernanda Espino (TPA)
Outstanding Large Delegation
IX
2020
Hugo Morales
Valeria Escudero Joaquín Mejía Sandra Lizarzaburu
3 Best Delegates Alessia Lara (AL) Ignacio Tovar (OAS) Alejandro Robles (WIPO) 2 Outstanding Delegates Andrea Palacios (Legal) Josemaría Soriano (UNSC) Best Position Paper Alejandro Robles
Best Small Delegation
X
2021
Tom Oldham
José Mariano Martínez Joaquín Mejía Alvaro Peña Nennele Rivadeneira
3 Best Delegates Camila Neyra / Vasco Soldevilla (DISEC) Paula Valle (UNHCR) Javier Balbuena (IMF) 3 Outstanding Delegates Daniella Ravelo (Legal) Mauricio Ferradas (IMF) Valerie Delgado (UNSC) 1 Honorable Mention Fabiana Infantas (UNHCR) 1 Verbal Commendation Priscila Vásquez (Legal) Best Position Paper Valerie Delgado
Outstanding Large Delegation
XI
2022
Xavier Romero
Isabella Ponce de León Juan Diego Rodríguez Jean Paul Cerdán Daniela Azmouz
2 Best Delegates Mario Genit (CSW) Benjamín Espinosa (Crisis) 4 Outstanding Delegates Javier Balbuena (ECOSOC) Santiago Galdo (WHO) Mía Ramírez (Press Corps) Franco Raffo (Crisis) 1 Honorable Mention Bruno Bambarén (EU) 3 Verbal Commendations Fabrizio Córdova (ECOSOC) Yube Ostos (WHO) Vasco Soldevilla (Legal)
Outstanding Large Delegation
XII
2023
Roberto Castro
Sebastián Morello Rodrigo Guzmán Jean Paul Cerdán Ignacio Tovar
2 Best Delegates María Claudia Barrios (CSW) Esteban Félix (UNSC) 3 Outstanding Delegates Luis Antonio Bisbal / María Fé Blanco (SPECPOL) João de Cossio (NATO) Giacomo Sanguinetti (UNSC) 2 Honorable Mentions Sebastián Díaz / Sebastián Humala (SPECPOL) Fiorella Fulchi (TPA) 3 Verbal Commendations Ricardo Jiménez / Micaela Fuertes (SPECPOL) Diego Castañeda (CSW) Alejandro Pinto (NATO)
Outstanding Large Delegation
XIII
2024
Vania Gastulo
Sebastián Morello Rodrigo Guzmán Andrea Palacios Bruno Bambarén
Disarmament and International Security Committee Inés Bullard (Director) World Health Organization Daniela Sibina (Director) Human Rights Council Valeria Escudero (Director) Organization of American States Juan Sergio Puicon (Director) International Criminal Court Joaquín Mejía (Director)
Legal Committee Fabiana Infantas (Director) Priscila Vásquez (Director) World Health Organization Grecia Moreyra (Assistant Director) Commission on the Status of Women Andrea Palacios (Director) United Nations Security Council Ignacio Tovar (Director) JCC I: Dance of the Dragons by George R.R. Martin Rafael Tang (Director) JCC II: Dance of the Dragons by George R.R. Martin Sofía Wong (Director)
Special Political and Decolonization Committee Daniela Azmouz (Co-Director) Commission on the Status of Women Camila Neyra (Co-Director) Bruno Bambarén (Co-Director) North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mauricio Ferradas (Co-Director)
Universidad del Pacífico Model United Nations (UPMUN)
Session
Year
Secretary General
Faculty Advisors
Individual Awards
Delegation Awards
IV
2014
Michelle Meza
Carlos Santibáñez Martín Gallardo
4 Best Delegates Juan Luis Salinas (SOCHUM) Jorge Alfonso Ramírez (UNICEF) Martín Gallardo (UNSC) Fabiola Ventura (UNCTD) 3 Outstanding Delegates María Claudia Aguilar (SOCHUM) Alexander Mayor (UNICEF) Youssef Abi-fadel (UNSC) 2 Honorable Mentions Vanessa Lam (UNICEF) Verónica Díaz (UNCTD) Best Position Paper Fabiola Ventura Outstanding Position Paper Juan Luis Salinas Honorable Position Paper Youssef Abi-fadel[8]
N/A
V
2015
Michelle Meza
Franco Nicolini Alfredo Villavicencio
2 Best Delegates Fabiola Ventura (UNDP) Jorge Alfonso Ramírez (Press Corps) 1 Honorable Mention Daniel Huapaya (UNCIO) Honorable Position Paper Matías Voto-Bernales
1 Best Delegate María Grazia Vallejos (DISEC) 3 Outstanding Delegates Renzo Guillén (CEDAW) Augusto Dannon (HRC) Juan Diego García (EU) Honorable Position Paper María Grazia Vallejos
3 Best Delegates Felipe Núñez del Prado (SPECPOL) Alvaro Peña (UNSC) José Mariano Martínez (OAS) 1 Outstanding Delegate Camila Mendoza (HRC) 1 Honorable Mention Miguel Prado (WHO) 2 Verbal Commendations Jorge Lazo (SPECPOL) Almendra Advíncula (WHO) Best Position Paper José Mariano Martínez
Outstanding Large Delegation
Since 2016, Peruvian Debate Society alumni have started to participate in UPMUN as part of the Substantial Affairs Team.
Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee Karina Campos (Director) Andrea Valdivieso (Assistant Director) United Nations Security Council Nicolás Delgado (Assistant Director)
Special Political and Decolonization Committee Valerie Woodman (Assistant Director) World Health Organization Francesca Sabroso (Director) United Nations Development Programme Paolo Ghio (Director) Organization of American States Valeria Escudero (Assistant Director) United Nations Security Council Joaquín Mejía (Assistant Director)
Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola Model United Nations (USILMUN)
Session
Year
Secretary General
Faculty Advisors
Individual Awards
Delegation Awards
I
2014
Francisco Biber
2 Best Delegates Juan Luis Salinas (DISEC) Andrés Quesada (UNSC) 1 Outstanding Delegate Eduardo Dibós (UNDP)
N/A
II
2015
Francisco Biber
Franco Nicolini Alfredo Villavicencio
3 Best Delegates Fernanda Falcone (DISEC) Eduardo Dibós (UNESCO) Juan Carlos Revoredo (UNSC) 2 Outstanding Delegates María Ximena Yarleque (DISEC) Andrea Valdivieso (WB) 1 Honorable Mention Antonella Calle (UNESCO) 3 Verbal Commendations María Fernanda Silva (WB) Carlos Marchese (UNSC) Fabiana Chávez (UNSC)
N/A
IV
2017
Diego Zapata
Andrés Quesada Andrea Valdivieso José Alfredo Andrés
Disarmament and International Security Committee Inés Bullard (Director) United Nations Security Council, 1990 Rodrigo Guzmán (Assistant Director) International Court of Justice, 1984 / International Court of Arbitration, 2015 Joaquín Mejía (Director)
Disarmament and International Security Committee Ignacio Tovar (Assistant Director) Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee Daniela Azmouz (Assistant Director) Commission on the Status of Women Paula Valle (Director)
Disarmament and International Security Committee Ignacio Tovar (Director) Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee Sofía Wong (Assistant Director) United Nations Development Programme Andrea Asmat (Assistant Director) Organization of American States Fabiana Infantas (Director) United Nations Security Committee Vasco Soldevilla (Assistant Director)
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee Santiago Galdo (Assistant Director) Legal Committee Yube Ostos (Director) Roberto Castro (Assistant Director) United Nations Environment Assembly Bruno Bambarén (Director)
Universidad Privada del Norte Model United Nations (UPNMUN)
Session
Year
Secretary General
Faculty Advisors
Individual Awards
I
2019
Omar Acuña
Yassmín Muñoz-Nájar Isabella Ponce de León Alvaro Peña
1 Best Delegate Vania Campana / Juan Luis Kruger (DISEC) 1 Outstanding Delegate María Fernanda Espino (Press Corps) 1 Honorable Mention Rodrigo Toledo (UNSC) 1 Verbal Commendation Alejandro Novoa (UNDP)
International Delegation of Peru Model United Nations (IDPMUN)
Session
Year
Secretary General
Faculty Advisors
Individual Awards
Delegation Awards
I
2014
Alfredo Villavicencio
1 Best Delegate Youssef Abi-fadel (UNSC)
N/A
II
2015
Giorgio Baglietto
1 Best Delegate Juan Diego García (UNDP) 3 Outstanding Delegates Fernanda Falcone (SOCHUM) Juan Carlos Revoredo (UNSC) Antonella Calle (EU) 3 Honorable Mentions Mariano Aliaga (DISEC) Nicolás Delgado (UNSC) Daniella Liendo (OIC) 2 Verbal Commendations Rodrigo Rivadeneira (OIC) Nicole Acosta (OIC)
N/A
III
2016
Pablo Sánchez
2 Best Delegates André Díaz (Crisis) José Luis Valdera (Crisis Press Corps) 4 Outstanding Delegates Francesca Sabroso (SOCHUM) Astrid Heredia (WHO) Cristián Carrión (HRC) Rodrigo Guzmán (OAS) 1 Honorable Mention Abigail Espinosa / María Paz Azula (DISEC) 1 Verbal Commendation Álvaro Luy / Marcela Shiroma (DISEC)
Did not attend as Delegation
IV
2017
Fahed Forero
Nicolás Delgado
5 Best Delegates Angel Gómez (SPECPOL) Juan Sergio Puicon (CELAC) Paolo Ghio (EU) Rodrigo Guzmán (UNSC) Andrea Morante (Press Corps) 4 Outstanding Delegates Alvaro Peña (UNCTD) Alejandro Prado (UNICEF) Víctor Andrés Marroquín-Merino (Peruvian Congress) André Díaz (Crisis) 1 Verbal Commendation Valeria Rivadeneira (Press Corps)
Isabella Ponce de León Yassmín Muñoz-Nájar Fabio Macedo Alvaro Peña
3 Outstanding Delegates Felipe Núñez del Prado (DISEC) Emilio Sopprani / Andrea Briceño (UNSC) Hiroshi Román (Press Corps) 1 Honorable Mention Miguel Prado (EU) 2 Verbal Commendations Ariana Flores (DISEC) William Gálvez / Ana Paula Gálvez (UNSC)
Since 2016, Peruvian Debate Society alumni have started to participate in IDPMUN as part of the Substantial Affairs Team.
Special Political and Decolonization Committee Augusto Dannon (Director) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Gustavo Taboada (Director) María Grazia Vallejos (Assistant Director) European Union María del Pilar Lindley (Director) JCC: Berlin Wall Crisis, 1961 José Luis Valdera (Coordinating Crisis Director) Press Corps Francesca Sabroso (Director)
Organization of American States María del Pilar Lindley (Director) Arctic Council Juan Sergio Puicon (Assistant Director) League of Arab States Yassmín Muñoz-Nájar (Director)
University Committees Disarmament and International Security Committee Sebastián Morello (Assistant Director) European Union María del Pilar Lindley (Director) Press Corps Francesca Tiravanti (Director) High School Committees Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee General Assembly: Marvel Gustavo Taboada (Director) Cities Summit Valeria Escudero (Assistant Director)
Modelo de Naciones Unidas del Perú (MONUP)
Session
Year
Faculty Advisor
Individual Awards
Delegation Awards
1
2015
1 Best Delegate José Alfredo Andrés (JCC: Peruvian Cabinet, 1879) 1 Outstanding Delegate Juan Carlos Revoredo (Papal Conclave, 1492) 1 Honorable Mention Antonella Calle (Cabinet of Ollanta Humala, 2016) Best Role Play Mariano Aliaga (JCC: Chilean Cabinet, 1879)