20th Anniversary of GU-Q's Model United Nations Conference Draws Global Participation

Over 1,300 Participants Gather for GU-Q's 20th Anniversary GMUN Conference

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), a prestigious branch of one of the world’s leading academic institutions, celebrated its 20th anniversary by hosting its annual Model United Nations (GMUN) conference. The event brought together over 1,300 participants from 25 countries to engage in meaningful debates and diplomatic discussions. The theme, "Managing Global Power Shifts in an Age of Crises: Responding to Political Transitions," focused on addressing global challenges and fostering a deeper understanding of diplomacy. The conference inspired secondary school students and their advisors to explore educational excellence while learning about international relations and global governance.

Dr. Abdulnassir Al Tamimi, Executive Director of Student Services at Qatar Foundation, welcomed the participants, highlighting the crucial role of youth voices, ideas, and leadership in driving historical change and shaping a better future. Dana Al-Anzy, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Education Above All and a GU-Q alumna, delivered the keynote address, reflecting on how MUN shaped her perspective and prepared her to make a difference. She emphasised that MUN debates were about understanding the human impact of policies and encouraged participants to remember that their words and decisions could change lives.

The three-day conference gathered 981 student delegates, 144 advisors, and 100 volunteers, making it one of the region's largest MUN events. Participants engaged in discussions on global power dynamics and solutions to international challenges. The event was organised by 80 GU-Q undergraduates, with Nagla Abdelhady, MUN Deputy Secretary General from the Class of 2025, leading the organization. Abdelhady shared that MUN was more than an extracurricular for her; it was a platform to contribute, inspire, and grow, driven by her passion to expand and build momentum.

Jibin Koshy, the Educational Enrichment Manager, emphasized the program's growth and impact, noting that GMUN had empowered over 9,000 young leaders since 2005. He highlighted the 20th-year expansion, welcoming the largest cohort and integrating AI to support students' preparation. Koshy expressed pride in leading the program alongside the students. GMUN ’25 featured the Higher Education Excellence Symposium, providing 144 counsellors and educators with insights on supporting student success. Six sessions led by GU-Q faculty covered topics like transformative learning, supporting diversity, and ethical grounding. Dr. Ken Grcich, Associate Dean of Students, stated that the sessions aimed to enhance the MUN experience as a hub for secondary school capacity-building in higher education. GMUN's 20th-anniversary event demonstrated its ongoing commitment to nurturing young leaders and fostering a deeper understanding of global issues.

Editor's Note:

The 20th anniversary of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) and its annual Model United Nations (GMUN) conference marks a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to fostering global understanding and leadership among young minds. Bringing together over 1,300 participants from 25 countries, the conference inspires secondary school students to explore educational excellence and engage with international relations and global governance. The success of this year's GMUN conference highlights the crucial role of youth voices, ideas, and leadership in driving historical change and shaping a better future. The enthusiastic participation and engagement of students, advisors, and volunteers underscore the transformative impact of such initiatives on young leaders' development.

According to Skoobuzz’s opinion, it is clear that GU-Q's Model United Nations conference will continue to be a cornerstone in the journey of cultivating future leaders who will make a lasting impact on the world.