Introduction to LAU AL-WALID GC MUN

Model United Nations (MUN) asks high school students to take on the role of ambassadors or world leaders. It simulates the diplomacy of the many forums of international relations and aims to build amongst young people an understanding of global challenges that cross borders of background, culture and nationality. For the second consecutive year, sixteen students from Grades 10 and 11 have been chosen to participate in this rewarding experience. After the thorough process of selection, our elected delegation was privileged to attend a presentation conducted by Dr. Anwar Kawtharani, Dean of School of Education at the Lebanese International University and MUN project advisor. Dr. Kawtharani explained the skills MUN aims to develop including: strong leadership, initiative and expertise in public speaking; negotiation, mediation and consensus building; and the ability to form relationships rapidly with people of alternative viewpoints. Students got an overview of the six training sessions and became equipped with certain tactics, conventions and rules used even in genuine international summits.

Some of our students' feedback:

I. "I thought it was amazing. He was awesome and managed to explain everything in a good way. It helped diminish my fears and enhances my self-esteem. The lecture will help us in the future. It built a firm background for us (for me at least) about what to do and how to do it. It prepared me for everything that I might encounter during my path in the MUN conviction." Saber Abdullah

II. "The Presentation that we attended on Thursday on the M.U.N. was very informative. I learned a plethora of information about the M.U.N. that will help me better understand what I will be doing in the next 4 months. The annotator had an aptitude for speaking in public. Every piece of information he had explained had a way of luring attention and with every passing minute of his speech our audience grew more interested on the topic of M.U.N. The metaphors the annotator would use to compare the "Global" Debate with an actual war using terms such as: attack, support, protect, and the making of alliances drew our attention as though it were a game to be played.Thanks for offering me the opportunity to participate in such a remarkable activity." Nader Al Solh

III. "Today's presentation was so beneficial for me. It actually made me more willing to participate and to put all my mind and soul into this workshop that I hope will reflect my dedication & my enthusiasm.
First of all, the technique that Mr. Anwar had suggested really caught my attention and not just to apply them while MUN-ing but to help me interact with every person in my surrounding. Furthermore, he opened my eyes to certain reflexes that I should work on such as giving in and handing out some of my positions in debates filled in information that will be used in any taken step in my life.
Although, the environment that we are going to visit there is not that much new because the school has always obtained such activities, yet I'm still so interested to meet and debate with students with alternative backgrounds and viewpoints.
Last but certainly not least, Mr. Anwar has motivated me, exceeded my limits and supported my positive thoughts that I earned from the beginning about the MUN, hoping to deliver my best!" Ghida Akhdar