Qatar Shell celebrates 10 consecutive years of Model United Nations sponsorship in Qatar
Feb 02, 2014
The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) Qatar kicked off in Doha last week at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) with more than 1300 students from many countries attending. The program aims to develop leadership skills in high-school students from Qatar, the Middle East and around the world through discussions, debates and negotiations to solve the world’s real and pressing problems. Qatar Shell is the sole sponsor of the Model United Nations in Qatar, and this year the company celebrates a decade of support for the annual program.
Rob Sherwin, Deputy Country Chairman for Qatar Shell, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony saying, “Qatar Shell is very proud to have supported this outstanding program for 10 years since it touches both the human and social pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 which we strongly support through its focus on education, teamwork, and leadership”.
During the Special Committee session on Sustainable Development, Mr. Sherwin also gave a presentation about Qatar Shell’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs that support the development of the State of Qatar, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Some examples include Qatar Shell’s investment in Qatarization and training local talent through TAFAWOQ, a centre of excellence for competence building in project management of capital investments. Other CSR programmes include KOORA TIME in partnership with the Qatar Football Association (QFA), seeking to improve the health and wellbeing of Qatar’s youth through the sport of football.
Mr. Sherwin explains; “Importantly, our contributions to the State of Qatar stretch well beyond our direct assets and projects. Qatar Shell believes that CSR should be about having material and, measurable beneficial impacts for Qataris and Qatari society”.
The THIMUN Conference bring students together from around the world to learn and share ideas from a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds. Last year over 1000 students from Qatar and the region attended the two-day event and this year numbers have grown by several hundred.
During the conference students will participate in a wide variety of committees such as General Assembly, Disarmament, Human Rights, and Environment Committees. THIMUN Qatar also has a Special Committee and an Advisory Panel that focuses on major issues in the host region. The overarching aim is to give students from diverse countries and backgrounds the opportunity to practise tolerance, live together in peace and to seek solutions to the various challenges facing the world through dialogue.