Over 350 high school students from 20 local schools and 40 international schools representing at least 25 different countries are taking  part in the Model United Nations (MUN) starting today.
Organised by Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q) the MUN takes place at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) and runs up to Sunday.
During the conference, participating students will debate, deliberate, consult and develop solutions to real world issues in a recreation of the real workings of the UN. Over the years, several MUN conferences have been established and practiced all over the world.
The Georgetown University Model UN projects - held on both their Washington DC and Qatar campuses - benefit in particular from the breadth of expertise and focus that a foreign affairs curriculum provides to both the  student organisers and high school participants .
SFS-Q Dean Gerd Nonneman said: “The opportunity to participate in the Model UN presents a transformative moment for a future generation of engaged citizens. High school students from around the world coming to Doha will gain a unique insight into the mechanisms of effective negotiation and global conflict resolution. We are incredibly proud of our university students serving as role models through the dedication and hard work they have invested in this important programme.”
Commenting on the MUN,  Kathryn King, associate director of student development at SFS-Q, said: “It is run by Georgetown SFS-Q students - students leading the world in the study of international affairs. Additionally, we have the participation of Georgetown faculty with expert briefs offered in our committees and sample lectures given during the event.” He added that the scope of the conference was enhanced by the representation from both regional and international schools.
This year’s MUN theme, which along with the committees and committee topics are all chosen by the MUN Student Board, is focused on the issue of sustainability.
William Yang Un Cha, an SFS-Q senior in International Economics and the Secretary General for the upcoming SFS-Q MUN, said that the topic of sustainability is particularly relevant to Qatar.  
There will also be a cultural night, a colourful international bazaar where each school will showcase national dress, food, flags, pictures, songs and other attractions from their school’s country. The festivities not only provide an engaging social activity for the students, but present yet another forum in which relationship building will contribute to the atmosphere of cooperation.