The American University in Dubai (AUD), as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

AUD's American educational philosophy stresses a well-rounded student experience and encourages its students to be involved in activities as an important component of their university life. Among the many clubs at AUD is the recently established AUD Model United Nations Organization (AUDMUN), committed to the pursuit of understanding of the United Nations and international diplomacy through the means of Model United Nations conferences, encouraging active debate, conflict resolution, negotiation, compromise and the expansion of worldly knowledge.

Behind the creation of the AUDMUN is the determination and hard work of AUD freshman student Philip Apaza and the amazing support of several students including the following study abroad students at AUD during the fall 2009 semester: Lisa Maroni from Saginaw Valley State University, Jean Paul Behrens from the University of Tampa, Benjamin Leatham from Tufts University, William “John” McCauley V from Appalachian University, and Sarah Ohnemus, a study aboard student from University of the Incarnate Word, as well as AUD student Mohammed Saleh.

The club has the full support of the External Relations Office, managed by Ms. Peggy Awad, also the advisor of AUDMUN. The response to putting such a club together has been one of great enthusiasm, dedication and support from the AUD Community as a whole.

Philip Apaza, founding member of the AUDMUN comments on choosing AUD:

"When I first made my decision to come to AUD, I saw many opportunities to expand my cultural awareness and understanding. The many clubs and organizations here at AUD, from special interest groups to cultural organizations, factored greatly into my decision".

On how AUDMUN all started… Apaza tells the story:

"Within the first ten days of classes starting, I heard that there were initiatives underway to establish a Model UN at AUD. After meeting with Ms. Awad, we immediately got to work drafting a constitution; most MUNs have one because it helps define operating procedures and establish a clear and concise set of rules for the organization to follow".

The desire of the students from the beginning was to have an MUN indistinguishable in organization from any other competitive, university-level MUN in the world. A constitution is meant to be the permanent binding doctrine, much like the Charter of the United Nations, and as such it is written as much for future generations as for current times.

Apaza continues: “In order to draft the constitution, we first had to decide what operating procedures we would like to see in place. Experience and research helped with that. Next, we had to write the constitution in such a way that it fit in with the goals we had. This included short term, long term and mid-range goals. When the approval to establish AUDMUN finally came through, we started preparing for elections, the ratification of the constitution and the direction we wanted to see the organization go. Our first meeting was hugely successful with a turnout greater than expected.”

Lisa Maroni explains how participating in Model UN shapes a student’s life:

"The most important thing I can say about my Model UN experience is how profoundly it shaped my desire to be an active and engaged global citizen in the world. Model UN is the reason I am an International Studies major, and shaped my interest in seeing the world and interning abroad".

AUDMUN got off on a solid foot last Fall as a team was formed to train AUD delegates who attended an IVY league MUN at University of Pennsylvania (UPMUNC). The students dedicated their time and expertise to training their fellow peers on basic MUN 101 and had less than a month to do so.

Ms. Peggy Awad, External Relations Manager and AUDMUN Advisor concludes:

"The Model UN experience offers students different kinds of talents that can be developed including skills such as teamwork, persuasive writing, debating and negotiations -- all of which play a crucial role in the importance of personal development that could contribute to their future success".