High school students debate global issues at Model UN

AMMAN — “As a generation, we should learn politics, not because of power, but because of justice,” high school student Tara Matalka said in her capacity as secretary general of the 14th Annual Amman Model United Nations (AMMUN).

Hot-button political, economic and humanitarian issues were the focus of this year’s
AMMUN conference, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sarvath. 

The Amman Baccalaureate School hosted the week-long event with the participation of more than 500 local and international high school students from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

During the week, students engaged in debates on pressing global issues, including terrorism, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, migrants and the privatisation of war.

“AMMUN aims — and never fails — to promote youth involvement in issues currently facing the development of our modern world. It provides a venue for politically aware students to experience the process of international decision making,” Matalka said in an address to the delegates.

AMMUN is a student simulation of the United Nations. High school students from around the world play the roles of UN member states and tackle an array of national and international topics in an attempt to find feasible solutions.  

“We aim to foster a generation that is politically aware of the issues facing the international community,” Matalka noted. 

At the conference’s closing ceremony on Monday, attended by former prime minister and Senate president Taher Masri, participants underlined the significance of the experience in developing their debating skills, teamwork abilities and knowledge on global issues.