About 1,000 students attend AUS Model United Nations conference

About 1,000 students gained first-hand diplomatic experience during the American University of Sharjah Model United Nations (AUSMUN) conference.

A collaborative effort by the AUS faculty and undergraduate students, AUSMUN is an innovative conference in which debates are fostered, alliances are created and thoughtful solutions are proposed to deal with some of the most pressing issues.

Now in its 10th year, the three-day conference required high school and undergraduate students to take part in a simulation of the work carried out by various United Nations committees as students represented a member state or an organisation in a formal assembly. Along with developing a sound understanding of international relations and diplomacy, participants also acquired a diverse skill set, ranging from negotiation and public speaking to leadership and teamwork.

The student delegates addressed a wide range of topics, including protection of children during armed conflict, international counterterrorism measures, youth and technology, and women and peacekeeping missions. To form a successful resolution, delegates had to negotiate their positions and make reasonable concessions as would occur in a real-life diplomatic setting. The main objective for delegates was to engage in finding solutions to the problems being addressed by their respective committees.

An initiative of the Department of International Studies of the College of Arts and Sciences, CAS, this year’s conference featured 20 committees, offering the widest selection in the history of AUSMUN.

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve, AUS Chancellor, said, "At this 10th edition of AUSMUN, we welcome delegates from 40 different institutions, both from high schools across the UAE as well as universities such as NYU Abu Dhabi, the American University in Dubai, Paris-Sorbonne, Herriot Watt, the University of Sharjah, Zayed University, HCT and RAK Health and Sciences University, and of course, AUS. This year we also have two international high schools participating, one from Kuwait and the other from Afghanistan."

Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Arab, Secretary-General of AUSMUN, said, "This event is a reflection of our common passion for the field of politics and international relations. The conference allows students an insightful view into first-hand workings of diplomacy and negotiation, alongside the functions of the United Nations and a simulation of various issues that the international organisation faces. Moreover, we aim to provide all participants with the opportunity to develop and further broaden their horizons, and to provide a platform on which any knowledge gained can be shared."