Dubai, May 12: The UAE will become the first country in the Arabian Gulf region to host the United Nations Association, a forum popular among students worldwide, the organisation behind the initiative told Khaleej Times.
More than 100 countries host the UNA under the umbrella of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA). In the UAE, it is being started in collaboration with the Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF).
UAE students will now get an organised insight into the workings of the UN through moot debate sessions on pressing world issues. AYVF CEO Lisa LaBonté said the association will help develop global citizens of tomorrow.
“The UNA entry represents an opportunity to educate youth on a multitude of relevant international topics as well as UAE’s internal and external policy positions,” she said. “There will be dynamic models to create a greater number of globally minded future leaders.”
The association will systematically bring together the various model UN clubs in schools and institutions of higher education. Currently, there are more than a dozen model UN clubs in the UAE that organise annual mock conferences and debates.
LaBonté said, however, there still remains a dearth in the UAE in comparison to other countries. “Our Year One goal is to double this number, in addition to supporting the current Model UN Clubs, so that all are vibrant and self-sustaining.”
WFUNA programmes such as Adopt-a-Minefield, the Millennium Development Goals, Model UN conferences, human rights education and UN matters will be conducted for the host country.
The initiative is largely being funded by the US State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
Ralph Falzone, head of MEPI’s Abu Dhabi region, said the partnership will lead to educational and leadership opportunities for the youth of UAE.
“The foundation and the UNA are embarking on an exciting initiative sure to encourage the culture of civic participation among youth in the UAE for years to come,” he said.
The AYUF will be making a full announcement on May 17.
–Agencies