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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

TAISM hosts 9th Model UN Conference

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MUSCAT, Jan 27 - The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) hosted its ninth annual Model United Nations (MUN) conference recently. Ninety-five students from local schools assembled at TAISM for the 2-day event. This year’s participating schools included The British School of Muscat, The Sultan’s School, Al Shoumoukh School, Muscat International School, ABA and the host school TAISM. All student delegates were assigned countries for which they would serve as UN “model ambassadors” at the TAISM conference. After studying the contemporary history and political structure of their assigned countries, the students focused on the two main issues selected for the conference. The first topic was ‘global efforts to control and reduce the number of attacks and effect of Cyberterrorism’ and the second topic addressed the ‘efforts to eradicate the involvement of children in armed conflicts.’


The TAISM conference began with a thoughtful speech delivered by Marc J Sievers, United States Ambassador to Oman. Ambassador Sievers reflected on his first involvement with MUN at a conference in 2002 in Washington, DC. He then focused on the importance of the historical references and developments of diplomacy. He encouraged students to remain interested and involved in international diplomacy, especially on multilateral relations and potential future careers. His inspiring talk was received with enthusiasm and warmth by the students and it set an optimistic tone for the rest of the conference.


TAISM High School Principal Richard Peterson in quoting an Alumni student’s remark about participating in Model United Nations stated, “MUN represents the very best of humanity. Through hope and collaboration we can make this world a better place.”


Upon completion of the opening ceremonies, the students worked in groups to draft resolutions pertaining to the two main issues. Under the leadership of the two chairs, Juan Quintana, and Natalie Baltimore, both TAISM seniors, the delegates adhered to strict parliamentary procedure as they spent the next two days debating and voting on resolutions and amendments pertaining to the issues.


Although all the student delegates demonstrated impressive degrees of skill in public speaking, diplomacy, debating and conflict resolution, The Muscat International School earned the “Distinguished Delegation Award,” while British School of Muscat delegate Mudra Dikshitha Srinivasan, representing Iran, earning the award for “Outstanding Delegate Award.”


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