Fifty Libyan youths from across the country participated in a United Nations simulation event held in Misrata from October 24 to 26. The event aimed to enhance their understanding of the international organization's mechanisms and develop their critical thinking, negotiation, and diplomatic skills. The simulation was organized by the UN Support Mission in Libya in cooperation with the Dialogue and Debate Foundation.
The event included a simulation of various UN bodies, including the Security Council, General Assembly, and Economic and Social Council. On the second day, Stephanie Khouri, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed the participants on the simulation of the Security Council and answered their questions about the roles and mechanisms of UN bodies.
The simulation provided participants with a hands-on experience of diplomatic discussions, requirements for preparing position papers, and mechanisms for presenting views and dealing with different situations. The experience included training participants to represent the positions of countries they spoke on behalf of, which required researching the issues and understanding the associated policies.
One participant stated that preparing a position paper was one of the most significant aspects of the experience, as it required in-depth research and a clear understanding of the position of the country they represented. The participant added that the experience helped them develop their listening and response skills, as well as defend a specific viewpoint even when it differed from their personal opinions.
The event reflected the importance of practical training in developing dialogue and conflict management skills, as well as providing a platform for communication among youths from different backgrounds and regions within Libya. Participants emphasized that the experience was essential in enhancing their understanding of diplomacy and negotiation.
On the final day, Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator, addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of the skills they acquired during the event, particularly the ability to reach settlements and defend issues while listening to other parties' positions.
The event is part of efforts to introduce Libyan youths to the work of international institutions and provide them with practical skills in dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building through direct participation in simulations that mimic multilateral diplomatic procedures. The experience is expected to benefit the participants, their families, and communities, as well as Libya as a whole.
Key points
- The UN simulation event aimed to enhance Libyan youths' understanding of international organizations and develop their negotiation and diplomatic skills.
