DOHA: Qatar’s understanding of the value of education and investment in human capital development has been praised.
Referring to the Eighth annual Model United Nations (MUN), the Charge d’Affaires and head of mission of Singapore, Syed Noureddin, said: “It is refreshing to have youth with such enthusiasm and energy engage in such issues.”
The event hosted by Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q) concluded yesterday.
The three-day forum included intensive and transformative dialogue and debate among hundreds of international high school students, at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Qatar, Bahrain, the UK, China and Switzerland were among over 25 countries represented at the academic platform for young people who took on the roles of UN delegates and focused on challenges faced by world leaders in response to global issues.
MUN conferences are held in schools throughout the year.
SFS-Q MUN participants had the added privilege of assuming the roles and responsibilities of UN delegates in the same venue, the QNCC, where actual UN events have taken place.
At an opening ceremony, Gerd Nonneman, Dean of SFS-Q, told the students: “There is no better way to get to the heart of issues than to immerse yourself in the actual debate” — an immersion made more real since students would be “in an extraordinary building that has been the site of latest UN climate change negotiations, so you’ll be working in the very same environment that the UN worked in the highest places.”
Human rights, pollution, the debt crisis, standards for intervention and Syria were among the topics on the model UN agenda as they are on the real United Nations’ agenda.
“I was impressed by the creative ideas put forward at this MUN,” said a student from a US high school.
“This is the second time I participated and this one was more professional, delegates were more knowledgeable, debates more intense.”
The opening ceremonies also included a keynote address by Dr Charles King, professor of international affairs and government at the Washington DC Georgetown campus.
The MUN panels were headed by SFS-Q students, who also ensured respect for proceedings, including voting and debate guidelines.
Participants had the added advantage of an enhanced diplomatic experience through a SFS-Q open house and a Diplomatic Reception, where they discussed the role and responsibility of diplomacy with the ambassadors of India, South Africa and the UK.
The Peninsula
