Students from universities across the region will gather at UST on April 4 and 5 to participate in the first Model Arab League conference in the Southwest region. Representing one of the 22 states of the Arab League, student teams will familiarize themselves with the foreign policy agenda of their nation’s government and be responsible for researching and understanding all aspects of their country as well as the country’s allies and interests in the region.

The conference will simulate deliberations among the Arab League, which was founded in 1945 as a forum in which Arab states engage in discussions about common political challenges and improve their bilateral relations.

Eight UST students will represent the United Arab Emirates at the conference, including Laura Adal, Maurielle Balczon, Diana Caicedo, Nora Hall, Sheza Hamdy, Ashley Mosing, Deanna Soileau and Catherine Wargo. Balczon, who is the student coordinator, said the opportunity to hold such an event on campus will be instrumental in the International Studies Department’s efforts to expand its knowledge on Middle Eastern affairs.

“The Model Arab League is a prestigious organization, so it’s very exciting and promising for International Studies to have the first conference of the region on the UST campus,” Balczon said.

Dr. Nivien Saleh, assistant professor of international studies, is the faculty coordinator.

The Model Arab League is the student leadership development program of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Similar to Model United Nations, but more limited in its focus and scope, the Model Arab League offers students the opportunity to learn about the Arab world and how governments interact while honing skills in negotiation, communication and conflict resolution. The conference is conducted by the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. Cosponsors are UST’s Center for International Studies and the Cameron School of Business.

Pictured Above:

Participants prepare for the Model Arab League conference