Doha: Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q) and The Hague International Model United Nations Qatar (THIMUN Qatar), have announced the successful conclusion of Qatar Leadership Conference (QLC) 2014, the flagship professional development forum for educators and students in the Middle East.
The third annual conference, held at Qatar National Conference Centre in Education City, witnessed a 20 percent rise in attendees this year, with over 530 students, teachers and mentors from schools in Qatar and the region participating in events to expand and nurture youth leadership skills. It featured MUN debate with educational leaders working with participants in skill-building, professional learning, organisation, teaching, community and service, media and film programmes. High school students and teachers were provided with workshops and a programme to assist with professional development, utilising tools to run MUN and media studies programmes.
“The conference plays a pivotal role in providing knowledge-sharing and workshop opportunities critical for educators and students to hone leadership skills,” said Dr Everette E Dennis, Dean and CEO, NU-Q.
“Its growth in popularity is testament to the importance of bringing together education institutions to offer multi-discipline learning. Our leadership in co-hosting the forum with Qatar-based partners demonstrates the importance we place on providing world-class communication, journalism, and liberal arts programmes to benefit our students and the wider community.”
Keynote speakers included Canadian humanitarian Peter Dalglish, William Yotive from the UN Department of Public Information in New York, Ben Keesey, Executive Director and CEO, Invisible Children, Inc., and Ryan Villanueva, co-founder of Best Delegate, US-based Education Company specialising in Model UN resources, training and consulting.
“At GU-Q, we are continuously finding ways to engage with the community and developing young leaders. Our partnership with QLC to bring together Georgetown students, faculty and staff with local and international participants for skill-building and professional development is an important way to fulfil our mission,” said Dr Gerd Nonneman, Dean.
“We look forward to building on the successes of the last three years of working with NU-Q and THIMUN through QLC, and to continued engagement with students on the important issues impacting the world around them.”
Lisa Martin, Head of THIMUN Qatar, said, “QLC promotes multiple opportunities to foster discussion between emerging youth leaders and recognised authorities in their fields. It is an incubator of new ideas and supports the development of qualities needed in today’s youth, to act on their knowledge and make their voices heard. The student-led workshops provide an opportunity to practise skills needed by leaders of all ages. Whether you are a delegate new to MUN, or an official from the UN, and everyone in between — teachers, new directors, student officers, humanitarians, activists, film enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs — QLC is a place to act on ideas and find your voice, all critical components for engaged leadership.”
QLC is part of initiatives to bring together students and faculty from various campuses in Education City. It includes the recent launch of the first ‘Doha Seminar,’ a new interdisciplinary honours seminar open to outstanding undergraduate students in EC and taught by professors from Qatar Foundation Education City universities, Qatar University and Brookings Doha Center.
The Peninsula
