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Students Address Global Issues
in Model UN Debate

DUBAI — Finally, it all narrows down to proving your point. If that is the message that the world gives with its quota of debates on every issue, can students be left behind?

In a strong display of oratory and debating skills, students from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India discussed regional and global issues at the first Model United Nations conference (DIAMUN) organised by the Dubai International Academy.

The three-day forum, held by the school, was aimed at empowerment through education, relating to the Millennium Development Goals of UN.

Hind Owais, Second Secretary, UAE Mission to the United Nations, Venu Rajamony, Consul General of India, Kees VA van Spronsen, Consul General of Netherlands, Finbarr Curran, World Food Programme Director, WFP Dubai, Karl Mythen, The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) Board Member, International School of The Hague and Hamdi Osman, Founding Board Member of Dubai International Academy and Regional Vice-President of FedEx, attended the forum.

Student ‘envoys’ from 11 other schools from UAE, Saudi Arabia and India apart from DIA took part in the debate. Participating schools included American Academy for Girls; American International School of Jeddah, KSA, Cambridge International School, Dubai, Delhi Private School, Sharjah, The Doon School, India, Dubai British School, Dubai Scholars, Emirates English Speaking School, Emirates International School, Jumeirah, Emirates International School, Meadows, and Universal American School.

“Through education we develop understanding and through understanding we can contribute to finding solutions to the problems that are facing the world today and in the future,” said Karl Mythen.

DIA started its own MUN club one year ago, and the school’s students have participated in eight MUN conferences including The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) in Singapore, The Hague, and Munish- conducted by International School of The Hague, UNA-USA for Middle Schools Students in New York and Harvard MUN. “DIA’s young delegates have been passionately involved in MUN Conferences,” said Bhanu Shankar, MUN Director of DIA.

Aahan Bhojani, the Secretary General of DIAMUN, said: “What you give to DIAMUN is time, dedication, commitment, and the willingness to compromise in search of viable solutions.”

Anja Gullerfelt, who has previously represented DIA at two MUN conferences, and is now the Deputy Secretary General and the President of the Security Council, said: “The best thing about the conferences is that you are building a global network. You meet people from all over the world, and in the process establish relationships that may prove to be useful to one’s future career”.
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