GU-Q launches first collegiate MUN, expanding global diplomacy education

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) has expanded its renowned Model United Nations (MUN) programme to the collegiate level by inaugurating the GQMUN for university students.
The inaugural, student-organised GQMUN event in Doha was under the theme “Solidarity in a Fractured World: Embracing Unity Amidst Complex Divisions.”
There were 128 international participants from 12 universities across nine countries from the Mena and GCC regions. The event also saw 50 students from 17 universities in Qatar.
GQMUN featured simulations of five key UN councils, including the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, allowing students to step into the shoes of UN delegates and tackle global issues from the real UN agenda.
Since the establishment of its Qatar campus in 2005, GU-Q has been a prominent organiser of MUN conferences for high school students. With the launch of GQMUN this year, GU-Q will now be hosting three separate MUN conferences throughout the year that engage both high school and university students in global diplomacy and international relations.
Jibin G Koshy, the educational enrichment manager at GU-Q, said: "The launch of GQMUN marks a significant step in meeting the evolving educational needs of our students. In today's interconnected world, where diplomatic skills are increasingly crucial in addressing a myriad of global challenges, it is essential to provide platforms like GQMUN that prepare students to tackle a diverse array of global challenges."
GQMUN committees engaged students in debates on diverse global issues, including combating online disinformation, the restitution of cultural property, addressing humanitarian crises, cyber terrorism, and digital resilience. They also tackled the militarisation of outer space, hate speech, human trafficking, access to quality education, women's rights, and bioethics, reflecting a broad spectrum of challenges crucial for future international diplomacy and policy-making.
In addition to the MUN conference, GU-Q also hosted an innovative two-day higher education symposium for the faculty and staff that accompany student teams.
This symposium featured sessions led by GU-Q staff on diverse topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Student Advocacy, Cognitive Biases, and Mental Health in Higher Education.