AUS students honored in International Model United Nations 2015

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) Model United Nations (AUSMUN), under the Department of International Studies, sent 13 of its distinguished students to participate in WIMUN 2015, a conference held at the UN headquarters in New York City. Organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), the event was held on November 10.

The delegates represented the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Singapore in four committees: the UN Security Council (UNSC), discussing the conflict in DR Congo; General Assembly First Committee (Disarmament and International Security or DISEC), discussing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects; General Assembly Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee or ECOFIN), discussing stimulating effective economic development of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs); and the General Assembly Sixth Committee (Legal), discussing the rule of law at the national and international levels.

The student delegation comprised Omar Al Mutawa, Roudha Ahli, Alia Al Hazami, Salem Al Qassimi, Yonas Ackholm, Al Jawhara Al Juwaied, Omar Al Owais, Kreol Arakulath, Maitha Al Abdouli, Huda Al Hammadi, Buthayna Muftah, Khalid Al Bah, and Nasser Anwahi. The delegation was lead by Dr. Johannes van Gorp, Assistant Professor of Political Science, as Faculty Adviser and Omar Al Mutawa as Head Delegate.

AUS students received an honorable mention for their tremendous efforts in facilitating diplomacy between Member States through their exceptional leadership and hard work. Omar Al Mutawa, representing Germany at the economic and financial committee, received the prestigious Diplomacy Award for his solid efforts in achieving consensus in his committee and leading the European and North American blocs.

The students received extensive training prior to the conference, including a full-day workshop conducted by Nabila Elassar of United Ambassadors.

Alia Al Hazami, representing the United Kingdom, was one of 12 speakers invited to speak from the dais in the UN General Assembly Hall during the opening ceremony. Salem Al Qassimi and Yonas Ackholm, representing the United Kingdom, assumed the Presidency of the Security Council in the conference and lead the committee the entire week.

Nasser Anwahi, delegate to WIMUN said, "Going to WIMUN has been a transformative venture both on a personal and a professional level. It was a truly remarkable experience."