GU-Q MUN marks two decades of diplomacy

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) marked its 20th anniversary with its annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference, welcoming more than 1,200 participants from 25 countries to engage in rigorous debate and diplomacy.
Themed Managing Global Power Shifts in an Age of Crises: Responding to Political Transitions, the event invited secondary school youth and their advisers from across the globe to learn more about diplomacy, and educational excellence.
Participants were welcomed to Qatar Foundation (QF) by Dr Abdulnassir al-Tamimi, the executive director of Student Services at QF Higher Education.
“The world needs your voices, your ideas, and most importantly, your leadership... every major movement in history has been driven by the courage of young people like you, who dared to dream of something better,” he said.
Dana al-Anzy, head of Strategic Partnerships at Education Above All and a GU-Q alumna, delivered the keynote address.
“These are not just abstract resolutions you debate on,” she said sharing how her work at the UN exposed her to the human face of the policies discussed.
“One day you will be sitting at the decision-making tables, and when you do, remember this: your words have power, and the decisions you make, no matter how small, can change the course of someone else’s life,” al-ANzy added.
Featuring three days of diplomatic exercises, the conference brought together 981 high school student delegates, 144 advisers, and 100 high school volunteers, making it one of the largest and most impactful MUN conferences in the region.
Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, navigating global power dynamics and developing solutions to pressing international challenges.
The student-led event was organised by 80 GU-Q undergraduates, including a dedicated committee playing key roles in the MUN structure.
At the helm was MUN deputy secretary-general Nagla Abdelhady, Class of 2025, who has participated in the event throughout her four years at the GU-Q.
“When you are truly passionate about something, you don’t just want to participate in it – you want to share it, expand it, and build momentum for it,” she shared, adding: “The MUN was never just an extracurricular for me; it is a platform, a community, and a space where I can contribute, inspire, and be inspired.”
According to educational enrichment manager Jibin Koshy, the programme’s growth for both local and international students is a testament to its impact on the region.
“As a flagship programme since the inception of the GU-Q in 2005, the MUN has empowered more than 9,000 young leaders to find their voice and commit to building their communities,” he said. “In celebration of our 20th year we have enhanced our offerings, welcoming our largest cohort ever, and incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to better support students in their conference preparation.”