Yemeni Students Impress Georgetown University in Qatar’s Model UN

From 29 January to 2 February, six Yemeni students and an escort took part in the fourth annual Model UN program held by Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q). The Yemeni student delegation, escorted by Salwa Al Akwaa, included Jumana Bamakhrama, Reem Ramadhan, Marwa Nouman, Aya Al-Howshabi, Nabil Al-Khayati, and Mohmmed Al-Hamzy.

According to GU-Q’s Model UN program coordinator, Kathryn King, thirty-six international teams of six students were invited from more than 30 countries this year. Unlike most other teams (which were from individual schools), the Yemeni team was comprised of individuals from several schools—united by their participation in U.S. Department of State exchange programs administered by AMIDEAST. The Yemeni students were also first-time participants to GU-Q’s Model UN, and they and 35 other international groups were joined by teams from 22 Qatari schools. Ms. King noted that “All the high school students proved their schools proud as they debated tough issues throughout the four days, each student acting as an ambassador of a foreign country. With the Yemen group it was a unique opportunity to have so many schools from across Yemen represented in one group.”

Before traveling, the Yemeni participants conducted extensive research as delegates of a pre-selected country. They had to review “their” country’s past statements and actions on several pre-established topics. Preparation for a successful Model UN requires extensive commitment and time and access to lots of materials online, but fortunately for the Yemeni group, one of Georgetown University’s selected committee topics was the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, with which they were familiar.

The Model UN program at Georgetown University in Qatar, like all other Model UN programs, gave students the opportunity to practice debating skills while simulating or “modeling” a UN committee meeting. They learned to express opinions in a constructive way and listen to the opinions of others and in the process to learn more about themselves and the world around them. One participant, Nabeel Al-Khayati, noted, “I learned how I can respect the opinions of others and discuss a problem to come to an agreed-upon solution.” Reem Ramadhan added: “I would encourage all Yemeni students to read more in different fields and . . . about the world, not just our corner.”

The Yemeni delegates gave enthusiastic reports about the closing ceremony’s cultural evening, when over 300 students shared their cultures through presentations on national dress and portable displays. Ms. King echoed this excitement: “It was a learning experience for everyone to see the wealth of cultures together in one room.” Now, having returned to Yemen, the delegates are considering how they can share this experience with fellow high schools students this summer by implementing a series of summer Model UN activities with other students in preparation for next year’s program.

Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar will offer the Model UN program again next year as just one part of its outreach to high schools across the Middle East and North Africa in support of its educational mission – to develop experts in international affairs through liberal arts education. Georgetown University in Qatar offers exciting degree programs as well as opportunities like Model UN and lectures by expert speakers on international affairs. For more information about Georgetown University’s bachelor degree programs at Education City in Qatar, visit: http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/