ABU DHABI // Children in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are being challenged to assume the roles of international ambassadors as they debate solutions to one of the world’s most critical issues – the scarcity of water.
As participants of the Montessori Model United Nations precursor conference, the pupils will be trained to formulate arguments and negotiate solutions on issues related to water.
The MMUN, a global initiative developed in collaboration with the United Nations, is an academic simulation of the UN to teach children between the ages of nine and 15 about current events, diplomacy and international relations.
“Children will learn how to collaborate, how to be aware of issues, to come together to find a solution; the debates that happen in the MMUN are not aggressive, they’re more collaborative. The point is to find solutions,” said Almas Menon, the UAE’s MMUN representative.
She said other topics, such as the environment, child labour and human trafficking, have been tackled at other MMUN conferences across the world.
“When you have young minds, such as nine, 10 and 11 years old, being aware and discussing topics like this, it’s just incredible,” Mrs Menon said. “You’re channelling the young ones towards global awareness and global peace.”
The initiative, which has been around for eight years, is being held for the first time in the Middle East, between January 31 and February 4 in Abu Dhabi and February 7-11 in Dubai.
It will prepare pupils for the international conference, which will also be held in the UAE in October. A number of those who take part in the international conference and show exceptional leadership qualities and commitment will be selected to chair the board representing the UAE at the prestigious model UN conference in Geneva or New York City.
“It is very important because they are the leaders of tomorrow, so we’ve got to train them now,” Mrs Menon said.
Schools from across the UAE were invited and about 300 pupils are expected to take part in the Abu Dhabi MMUN, hosted by Aldar Academies at Al Bateen Secondary School.
“MMUN provides a learning experience where students jump into another world through role-playing other world cultures as their ‘UN ambassadors’,” said Nilay Ozral, the chief executive of Aldar Academies.
“The MMUN inspires children and encourages them to believe they can make a positive difference to the world.”
In Dubai, the event will be held at Gems World Academy. Entrance is free to teachers and costs Dh1,285 for pupils.
“This covers the conference fee, this covers the certification, each student and each teacher will be certified by the MMUN, showing that they have participated and that they have been trained and certified by the Montessori Model United Nations,” Mrs Menon said.
MMUN instructors will fly in from New York to lead teachers on an intensive two-day training course.
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, will open the conference with a pre-recorded video introduction to the children.
rpennington@thenational.ae
