AUSMUN: Developing the Discourse and Neogotiation Skills of the Youth (@AUS_ModelUN)

This article discusses the aims behind the AUSMUN conference, the benefits to delegates and to future generations as a whole.

Each year, dedicated students and faculty members from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) prepare for one of the most prominent conferences at AUS: AUSMUN (AUS Model United Nations).

The main aim behind the annual conference traces back to the United Nations, an organisation that emerged out of a world of turmoil after the Second World War, as the world condemned the atrocities and called for greater peace and co-operation. The UN emerged as a platform that aims at uniting the whole world for peace.

Those in the organizing team at AUSMUN aim to create a platform for student delegates to meet, discuss and negotiate real topics in various committees. This will not only widen their knowledge about world politics and international economics, but also embed in their minds important concepts such as peace, cooperation and most importantly, the concept of fruitful dialogue.

Dialogue, as a norm, needs to be constructed at a young age so it becomes the next generation’s weapon to end the endless tensions and turmoil. AUSMUN aims to establish and strengthen this norm, as we believe that delegates participating in such conferences are the next wave of business and political leaders.

The world is facing new challenges every day, from environmental problems such as global warming and water shortage, to the recent threats of global terrorism. Through our selection of topics assigned per committee, we encourage our delegates to research, think critically, and stay objective in a formal UN-model setting.

The world needs new leaders with fresh perspectives who seek to find opportunity in each conflict; leaders who seek the common good and not their self-interest solely, and AUSMUN grants this through its annual conference.

As board members of AUSMUN, we have a vision of encouraging delegates to take the lead and adopt the positions of countries that they may not personally agree with. This teaches them about the neutrality and diplomacy needed for their future careers, and gives them the opportunity to know the opinion of the other.

Another latent benefit from AUSMUN that I personally gained as a delegate 3 years ago is the public speaking skill and the exposure that the conference gives to its delegates. At some point as a delegate or a moderator, you will have to talk and express your position in front of your audience. This gave me and my fellow delegates a boost in our confidence that helped us later on in various public speaking and debating opportunities.

AUSMUN is not just an annual three-day conference. It’s a concise boot camp that helps its participants acquire knowledge about various topics such as politics, economics, trade, and border issues. It also helps its participants in boosting their self-esteem and their confidence as they start representing their assigned countries and defend them.

AUSMUN is a unique experience that we as AUSMUN board members urge all high school and university students to participate in, to take a step in enriching our minds so that together, we can make a difference.

Written by Merna Elmedany, International Studies student at the American University of Sharjah.

To register, or know more, please access our website AUSMUN.org

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