Dream more, do more, be more!
LAU’s Outreach and Civic Engagement office hosts the Third Annual Middle School Conference Model UN closing ceremony.
About 450 students gathered at the Third Annual Middle School Conference Model UN of GC LAU MUN hosted at LAU on March 2 and 3.
The conference brought together delegates who simulated their assigned countries in ten UN committees. On the first day, sessions and cultural celebrations were held in Byblos while Sunday’s sessions, crowned by an official closing ceremony, took place at the Beirut Campus.
At the ceremony and in the presence of former Interior Minister Ziad Baroud, LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra addressed the audience saying, “This is the beginning of a journey and a lifelong mission to make sure that Lebanon and the world are a better place for all of us as well as for successive generations.”
Model United Nations (MUN) program is LAU’s Outreach and Civic Engagement office flagship activity as it draws numerous students each year from across the country, and is the largest high school and middle school conference in Lebanon. Hundreds of aspiring leaders are trained in the intricacies of global politics, conflict resolution, peace education, public speaking and leadership. They also hone their skills by competing in collegiate competitions around the world.
In one year, participating middle-school students took part in five training sessions and a two-day final conference where they simulate 122 countries in ten committees also simulating international organizations like UNDP, WHO, HRC, UNICEF, and the UN Security Council.
Delegates, advisors, the secretariat and officials gathered at the closing ceremony hosted at LAU Beirut.
In his address, Baroud who could sense the enthusiasm of the students said, “I invite all those who are negative about Lebanon’s future to come and sit with you.”
“LAU being your mentor is the evidence that this academic institution is deeply integrated in its society, seeking to form good citizens,” Baroud continued.
After his speech, Baroud was presented with a commemorative shield by Dr. Jabbra on behalf of the university.
The students closed the ceremony raising their hands and reciting the Middle School MUN 2013 oath, shortly before winning committees were announced.