DAMMAM — The meticulously organized finale of the 6th Model United Nations Conference 2017 was a visual treat to the goodly crowd who watched it. The grand program began with recital of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Haneen Ashkar and its translation by Abdul Rahman. Ms. Jayashree Muralidhar, the principal of Al Khozama International School, gave the welcome address.

Model United Nations Conference is a replica of a live United Nations Conference and is the only one of its kind in K.S.A. It provides the high school students an atmosphere that encourages the ‘delegates’ to embrace their role as members of global community and thus emphasize their commitment to peace and security.

The students are given a simulated committee experience of the United Nations with its different bodies such as General Assembly and Security Council. This helps them grow intellectually and develop skills in the areas of writing, critical thinking, public speaking, research, persuasion and leadership.

The chief guest of the day was Dr. Jeanine Granthem, assistant professor environmental design in the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. The august session was attended by Razi Shaikh Pareeth, the deputy group manager commercial, Peter Ronald, vice principal New Al Wurood, Jeddah, Ms. Bushara Khadir, vice principal New Al Wurood, Jeddah, Niyas C.K., head master Al Khozama and an elite panel of judges comprised of Syed Faizulla, Umar Farooq Malik and Ms. Minuri Wijay Sekra.

In her speech, Dr. Jeanine emphasized the need of leadership in the precarious era in which we live. She said, “To become a leader of all, you have to become the servants of all.” Her speech was received with a thunderous applause from the audience.

As a prelude to the session Venugopal, the coordinator, explained the modus operandi.

Dr. Jeanine distributed the hand books to the delegate nations Bolivia, Kuwait, Venezuela, New Zealand, Russia, Czech Republic, Georgia and Poland. The first session, the General Assembly, was set in motion by the opening speech of the chairperson Ms. Roohi Sharoz and duly supported by Ms. Asma Waheed — the director, and Abrarudeen – the rapporteur. The topic of discussion was “Sustainable Development”.

The second session, the Security Council, commenced with the speech of the Chairman Danish Khan who was supported by Anna Elin Thomas — the director and Maria Nevin — the rapporteur. The topic of discussion was “Cyber warfare and cyber security”. Both sessions witnessed some hair-splitting arguments from the members of the delegate nations. The mind-boggling sessions were appreciated by the chief guest, the judges and other dignitaries.

In his remarks Syed Faizulla, the judge, mentioned that his dream to witness the UN Assembly, has been fulfilled after witnessing the MUNC 2017 hosted by Khozama. The other judge, Umar Farooq Malik, observed that only a visionary leadership and management would be able to plan such events for the welfare of students.

The valedictory session was an epitome of class and discipline. The valedictory function was a replica of the opening ceremony. the chief guest distributed the trophies and certificates to the winners.

The best speaker in the General Assembly was Mrunalini Vijay Shankar of Al Khozama International School followed by Shine Surendran of Al Khozama International School and Abdulla Hussainy of New Al Wurood International School, Jeddah, in the second and third positions respectively.

The best speaker in the Security Council was Sheheer Ansari of New Al Wurood International School Jeddah, followed by Mohd. Omar of Al Yasmin International School Riyadh, and Tanush Reddy of Al Khozama International School in the second and third positions respectively.

Aswathy Sathish of New Al Wurood International School was declared the best delegate in the General Assembly and Shine Surendran of Al Khozama International School was in the second position. The third position was shared between Abdullah Hussainy of New Al Wurood International School Jeddah and Abdullah Mohammed of International Indian School, Riyadh.

The best delegate in the Security Council was Sheheer Ansari of New Al Wurood International School, Jeddah followed by Tanush Reddy of Al Khozama International School and Shiya Binth Siyaz of New Al Wurood International School Jeddah in the second and third positions respectively.

The first position for the overall performance was shared between boys of Al Khozama International School Dammam and New Al Wurood International School Jeddah. The second position was shared between girls of Al Khozama International School Dammam and Al Yasmin International School, Riyadh. The third position was bagged by the girls of New Al Wurood International School Jeddah.

Ammar Khan, the school’s vice head boy, proposed the vote of thanks. By being the MCs for the event, Abdul Rahman Qureshi and Haifa Asharaf stole the show. The program ended with the rendition of the Saudi national anthem followed by the Indian national anthem by the school Choir. — SG