QU female students shine at UN leadership and humanitarian affairs conference

A group of female students from Qatar University (QU) participated in the 2023 United Nations Leadership and Humanitarian Affairs Conference held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, recently.
They participated in lectures, workshops, and community initiatives, showcasing their commitment to driving global change. The theme for this year's conference was encapsulated by the phrase “Be the Change.” Against this backdrop, the delegates from QU embodied the spirit of transformation through their enthusiastic engagement and thoughtful contributions.
Gita Sabharwal, the United Nations resident coordinator in Thailand, delivered the welcome address. Kim Solomon, founder of the Asian Humanitarian Organisation, and Geniess Leung, regional director of the organisation, followed with insightful remarks.
Maha al-Bader, one of the participating students, shared her insights, saying, “Being an active member of the international community means being part of positive change. This opportunity allowed us to engage in positive change and put it into action through our participation in community service activities.”
On the conference's culminating day, the female students took part in workshops presented by United Nations-affiliated entities, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the International Organisation for Migration. These workshops provided the students with an immersive learning experience, offering them fresh perspectives on crucial humanitarian issues.
Aisha al-Ansari, one of the participating students, stated, “This participation gave me the opportunity to meet several inspirational individuals and learn about the various challenges they faced and how they overcame them. In addition to becoming familiar with different humanitarian issues through workshops, where students presented their creative perspectives and ideas.”
The students also visited Qatari embassy in Thailand, and met with ambassador Ahmed Ali Abdulrahman al-Jamil al-Tamimi and embassy representatives. This visit offered the students a unique insight into the diplomatic landscape and reinforced the significance of global collaboration.
Sumaya Zein, head of the QU delegation, added, “This experience had a significant impact on our students on multiple levels. It contributed to refining their talents and skills when they were given the opportunity to express themselves, their culture, and their society at an event of such importance and in front of a large number of students from different nationalities.”