Rabat, Morocco-The city of Fez hosted the first edition of the Alumni Model United Nations conference, which was held from January 30th till February 1st. The conference was organized by the Association of Moroccan American Dialog (AMAD) and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and was a great opportunity for various Moroccans to put themselves in the shoes of diplomats as they represented the member states of the United Nations. Delegates of the Security Council discussed issues related to International peace and security, including terrorism, the current situation in the MENA region at large, and the ISIS threat in specific.
According to Ouiam Mallouk, who was chairing the General Assembly, “AMUNC was a great experience for participants to represent their countries’ stance on international issues. MUN is the best learning experience because it brings people from different backgrounds to discuss and debate issues that affect the international system and security. Reaching a compromise and producing resolutions is the lucid example that proves that despite differences we can work together and change the world. ”
The delegates of the General Assembly put a spotlight on many issues that threaten the world today, such as racism, discrimination and xenophobia. After hours of discussion, the two committees came up with three important resolutions that covered the aforementioned topics.
Fouad Touzani, the founder of Alumni Model United Nations said that “the idea of this Model UN stems from previous participation many years ago in the Georgetown University and Harvard University Model United Nations. Thence, I wanted Moroccans who are able to speak English, as it is the language of communication, to experience the same rewarding experience due it is the pathway to the world of United Nations.”
Fouad added that AMAD’s board members, as well as the guests of the conference, were astonished and surprised by the intellectual level of the delegates and the quality of their resolutions and work.
Sophia Winkler, an American exchange student currently studying in Rabat said in an interview to TMT that she “was very pleased with the AMUN conference. Not only did it provide an opportunity to alumni of these programs to join together to discuss relevant issues, but it allowed for precious networking between like-minded youth. The experience was educational and accepting, serving as a less strict conference for delegates to learn and practice the skills needed in MUN. Overall I made valuable connections during the AMUNC and am proud of the resolution our assembly wrote.”
At the end of the conference, AMAD’s board members distributed certificates, awards and trophies to the best delegates of the General Assembly and Security Council committees.
The event gathered Moroccan and American alumni of different U.S. government-sponsored educational and cultural programs, in addition to various Moroccan students representing Moroccan universities and higher education institutes.
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Mr. Youssef Gherrardi holds a BA in Media and Cultural studies from Mohammed V University of Souissi, Rabat. Youssef is an active member among various social and political organizations. Youssef works also as a freelance journalist with several Moroccan and Arabic-based electronic outlets. Youssef is a delegate at the Model United Nations, Morocco section. [/symple_box]
