Doha: Twenty students of the DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) attended a hectic and yet educative Model United Nations Conference on November 18, 19 and 20, 2009 at Qatar Academy. The students represented Croatia and Yemen on the various committees and wrote resolutions on issues of prime importance and debated them, voted for or against them and learnt how to lobby and negotiate with other delegates in a simulation of the United Nations.

Not only were details and procedures learnt and understood, students familiarised themselves with the nitty-gritty of bringing around people to accommodate each other’s views on policies and standpoints on issues. The students have come out of the experience with greater awareness of the problems that afflict the world, better communication abilities, better skills of negotiation, better organisational abilities, better reporting skills and better skills of observation and perception.

The school also sent students to the innovative concepts of Learning Institute and Film Institute that trained students on the working of an MUN and the method of film-making respectively. Apart from contributing with colourful and graceful dances in the opening ceremony, the school’s students won the appreciation of one and all for their intelligent and involved participation in the negotiations and debates throughout the conference. Mention was made of most of the DPS students in the various discussions that students and Directors had about the quality of the debates and proceedings. The highpoint was the fact that Nidhi Priya of class IX won the Best Delegate award for her active participation in the Film Institute. The students were grateful to the Principal Ms S Mattu for her persistent faith in their abilities and her untiring interest in activities like the MUN that help hone leadership qualities in students and develop them into well-rounded individuals. The students were guided by Mr Deepesh C and Ms Shantha Jayakumar, MUN Directors of the school.