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Today's youth are striving to be active members of society. New education methods no longer treat students as passive absorbers of information, but as innovative thinkers and problem solvers.
What would it be like if we placed today's youth in the position of important decision-makers from around the world? That's what the American University of Sharjah (AUS) did during its first three-day Model United Nations (MUN) event.
High school students from across the country were invited to participate, with each student acting as a delegate from one of the member states of the UN raising "their country's" point of view on critical global issues.
Solving the world's problems
Students formed delegations representing 36 world countries and for three days discussed some of the world's most pressing issues. These included global poverty, federally-administered tribal areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan and their bearing on international security; the effects of global warming on sub-Saharan Africa; the affordability of medication in underdeveloped countries; AIDS; and the invasion of Iraq.
Students soon discovered that solving the world's problems is not an easy task.
They said that as passive learners of information through newspapers, television and the internet, people often don't realise the intricacy of global issues and are quick to make judgements and draw conclusions. However, when placed in the position of individuals directly involved in the critical decision-making process that could either make or break a country, this perception quickly changes.
A learning experience
The student delegates were well informed about their assigned country and its past, present and future objectives. Students readily disputed any issues that placed their country or human interest at risk. Students said they had conducted up to three months of research in order to have all the necessary information they needed for their delegation.
The invasion of Iraq was one of several issues the students debated. For many students, this was their first attempt at discussing global politics. While many have always had a keen interest in the subject, others said that although they had a healthy curiosity about politics, they would only follow the most prominent issues.
"I joined this mainly because I wanted to try something new," said Muhanned Nabulsi, year 11 student from Dubai International School (DIS). Nabulsi was representing Brazil in the session that discussed conflict mitigation and disarmament in Darfur, Sudan. "I have never tried politics before and I just wanted to see what it's all about," he said.
Nabulsi said that his experience in the MUN has taught him values that could be applied to everyday situations.
"I realised that to find solutions you need to compromise and be diplomatic in your decisions," he said. "You have to understand that at the end of the day you can't get everything you want."
Israa Abu Shaheen, year 12 student from DIS who was representing Sudan on the topic of global poverty, shared a similar view.
"At the end of the day, people must realise they must give to get," she said. "We need to reach a conclusion where every country benefits and as long as other countries take advantage of other countries' resources that will never happen."
Abu Shaheen also highlighted the importance of social responsibility in the global context. She said that while it is important to consider the development of one's own country, true progress couldn't be made unless the world is at peace.
"I think we should speak for countries that can't speak for themselves and are undergoing constant turmoil," Abu Shaheen said. "Every government is thinking only in terms of their own benefits and that's what is creating more conflict in the world. If we all unite and truly provide help to those who are in need without any hidden motives, only then can we reach a state of harmony."
International studies as a major?
Many students said that they did not have a keen interest in politics but took part in the MUN to satisfy their curiosity about global issues. However, it was apparent that students' interest in politics was growing as the three-day event progressed.
During the half hour tea break students were given on the second day of the MUN, Notes could overhear the buzz of student voices as they eagerly discussed various topics. "It is unfair that our country must sacrifice its natural resources when it's still at a vulnerable stage of its development," one student said.
No, the students certainly did not use their breaks for light-hearted chit chat. They used every minute to their advantage — to get them one step closer to a resolution in the best interests of all the countries involved and for world peace. It was evident that with every moment their passion for the subject was growing.
So after all this excitement, what do students have to say about a major in political science or international relations?
"I'd definitely consider it as a minor," Nabulsi said. "I wouldn't opt for it as a major simply because of the difficulty in finding a job in that arena. If I had the chance to pursue it as a minor, though, I wouldn't think twice."
Most students agreed with Nabulsi that finding a job in the field of political science or international relations would be exceptionally challenging and that this factor alone would make them think twice about pursuing a degree in these fields.
However, according to Jeremy Keymer, assistant professor of philosophy at AUS and AUSMUN faculty adviser, a major in international studies would give students a good background in global issues and this knowledge can then be applied in a variety of career alternatives
Creating future leaders
The idea of holding the MUN was raised last year following the visit of an AUS delegation of students and faculty members to the Harvard Model United Nations, one of the largest and oldest MUNs in the world.
"AUS started AUSMUN because we want to interact with our community, to introduce students to international relations, and because we believe that practising politics now will make future leaders and good citizens," said Keymer.
"Model United Nations stresses cooperation and compromise, and creates high-level policy analysis among people entering adulthood," he added.
According to Keymer, this year's MUN will be the first of many to come.
What is the MUN?
Model United Nations (MUN) student delegates gain an insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by assuming the roles of UN representatives and members of other international bodies and national cabinets. It's an exciting opportunity for students to debate issues that confront world leaders and to draft resolutions in response to these global issues.
— Source: www.harvardmun.org
International Studies/Political Science
Several career options exist for degree-holders of International Studies or Political Science. Some include:
- Diplomat
- United Nations Staff
- Non-Government Organisation officer
- Human Resources Manager
- International Business Consultant
- Lawyer
- Journalist
— Provided by Jeremy Keymer, assistant professor of philosophy at the American University of Sharjah and AUSMUN faculty adviser
Want to participate in the next Model United Nations?
The American University of Sharjah welcomes student participants from colleges and high schools for its next Model United Nations event. If you would like to participate in the next MUN contact Stephen Keck, head of the Department of International Relations, at skeck@aus.edu.
The key topic this year was the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Students were required to go back in time and revisit the decision-making process which led to the invasion.
For
Ameen Fadl, grade 12 Sudanese student from the Sharjah American International School, represented the US in the session. Having to represent a country he personally did not support in this conflict posed the ultimate challenge.
Fadl said that being placed in a room with 21 other delegates, a majority of whom were sceptical about the US position on the invasion, kept him on his toes. The main issue at hand was that the US believed Iraq was still in possession of weapons of mass destruction after the Gulf War. However, being at the core of the issue as a representative of the US, Fadl was able to gain a new perspective on the issue.
"Originally, I was completely against the invasion," he said. "But now after doing some extensive research on the US position, I can see why they formed their suspicions. There is a lot of evidence that indicates Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction that I was unaware of."
Fadl said that initially had he been able to choose a country to represent, it would have been one that was not directly involved in the issue and did not hold a biased perspective – a country such as France or Germany. However, after his experience representing the US, he said he would not change a thing.
Against
Meanwhile, grade 12 Indian student Anish Gupta from Dubai College represented Iraq on the issue. He said his personal opinion provided him with the motivation to stand up for his assigned country.
"I have always believed that Iraq should not have been invaded," he said. "And after doing thorough research on the issue I have found that all evidence confirms my belief."
Gupta said that his position on the issue coupled with his personal beliefs was the perfect recipe for a strong and passionate debate.
"No matter what the argument, I was always ready to stand up and defend myself and I was determined to make my position clear," he said.
The final decision
The final resolution on the issue was that the UN would be granted more time to inspect Iraq for nuclear weapons without any kind of US interference. Why did students agree to this resolution?
According to Anish Gupta, the inspectors would be able to provide the most objective feedback without posing a threat to the security of the country.
"Politicians don't deserve to be allowed into another country," he said. "Because most of the time they have their own political agendas. By allowing inspectors to continue with their investigation, the UN would eventually see that Iraq does not own weapons of mass destruction and the country would be okay."
If given a second chance in the present…
When asked what they would say to members of the UN if they had the chance, both students responded with the same answer. Ameen Fadl said: "I would question why the US still has the right to stay in Iraq after finding no weapons."
Meanwhile, Gupta said that not only would he question the US' ongoing occupation of Iraq, but would also present the UN with "all the negative consequences the country is suffering due to the US invasion."
Praise for the students
"The Model United Nations (MUN) provides students with the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills, their debating skills, their research skills and their collaborative working skills. It fosters international-mindedness and the students from Deira International School were exemplary in all aspects of the conference. I felt like a proud parent watching our students speaking with such confidence in front of a large group of their peers. Their contributions to the conference demonstrated their thorough preparedness and their high personal integrity. They are an outstanding group of young adults."
- MUN Directors Angela Hollis and Greg Hollis and Naila Obaid, member of the administrative staff, Deira International School
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