THIMUN Qatar 2021

The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) Qatar is the largest Model United Nations conference in the Middle East. The THIMUN Foundation’s philosophy is that events are run and organized by high school students for high school students. THIMUN Qatar welcomes over 80 schools to its conference each year, with half of them residing outside of Qatar. THIMUN Qatar participants have the opportunity to meet and interact with a diverse range of students from virtually every continent, creating a microcosm of the United Nations each February in Doha. Students also run and participate in a mock International Court of Justice, as well as engage in foreign language committees, where global issues are debated in French. Successful participation in THIMUN Qatar requires that students adequately study the country they will be representing, and investigate four topics that will be debated in their committee. The committees replicate the structure of the United Nations, with students engaging in discussions revolving around disarmament, legal and budgetary issues, human rights, economic and social development, as well as the issues that have been discussed in the Security Council. The ultimate goal of committee work is to seek consensus around finding solutions to pressing global issues. Model United Nations trains students to walk in the shoes of another, and to assume a country position that might be quite different from their own beliefs. By bringing students together from all over the world to discuss and collaborate on solutions, and to engage in public speaking and debate on complex issues from their adopted viewpoint, they are developing the higher level critical thinking and collaborative skills that are the foundation of engaged and tolerant global citizenry. THIMUN Qatar is not only about current events and public speaking, but also about providing a life changing experience to today’s emerging leaders. This year’s event also includes an issue in each committee that focusses specifically on youth engagement on global issues, and what YOUth can do to make a difference. This year’s event is unique in so many ways; we are online, and we are incorporating opportunities for action into the conference program, and celebrating student action performed in the last year. Students will have the opportunity to sign up as peer mentors to support the education of less advantaged students within Qatar and around the world, to train as mental health support for young persons in Qatar, to work with young advocates in Kenya, and to work for sustainable development with UNESCO, and to support equal access for students with disabilities. Students who have completed community programs in their schools are also given a platform to showcase their programs; this year’s finalists include a paper recycling program from DPS-MIS, “The 3Rs: A Paper Initiative”, an eco-schools journey from GAAQ, “GAAQ Acts For a Greener Tomorrow!” and a feminine hygiene program from Birla School, “Cups for Change”. Delegates will vote on which project takes first, second and third place for the award of QAR 3,000, 2,000 or 1,000. THIMUN Qatar is not only a platform for student voice, it is also a platform for supporting and celebrating student advocacy for local action. From local action to global impact, we engage youth in sustainability through youth led and student centred programming.