International Models & Simulations - A Step Toward Global Engagement
International models and simulations serve as dynamic platforms for experiential learning, skill development, cross-cultural exchange, and advocacy. They play a crucial role in equipping the next generation of leaders to address global challenges while fostering a deeper understanding of international affairs. At Sharek Youth Forum, we are committed to engaging youth as active participants in civil society, providing them with the tools to advocate for their rights, demand better services, and take on leadership roles in their communities.
A key aspect of our approach is integrating advocacy into all our programs to challenge structural barriers that hinder youth development in Palestine. Given the complexities of the Palestinian context, where international decisions often seem disconnected from young people's realities, our programs aim to bridge this gap by enhancing their understanding of global diplomacy and decision-making processes.
Our Engagement in International Models
Through strategic partnerships, Sharek Youth Forum has actively incorporated international models into its programs, including:
These initiatives offer Palestinian youth valuable opportunities for experiential learning, skill development, and cross-cultural exchange. Through these simulations, participants gain hands-on experience in diplomacy, negotiation, and international law. They develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to navigate global platforms, advocate for their rights, and contribute meaningfully to international discourse on critical global issues.
Statistics
Model United Nations (MUN) Program
The MUN program has been implemented across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, targeting students in law, international relations, public administration, media, and other disciplines. The program aims to:
Program Structure & Impact
Participants undergo comprehensive training on:
Simulation Topics
The program features hands-on simulation sessions where participants engage in UN-style debates on topics of global relevance, including but not limited to :
Model European Union (MEU) :
Program Summary:
In collaboration with the European Union, Sharek Youth Forum has launched the first-ever Model European Union (MEU) program in Palestine. This initiative marks a significant milestone, being the first local implementation of MEU and the second in the region, following Egypt's experience.
The MEU program was designed for Palestinian youth eager to expand their knowledge of the European Union’s institutions, policies, and decision-making processes. Through realistic simulations of EU negotiations, participants develop strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and an understanding of how EU member states collaborate to shape policies.
The MEU program consists of three key components:
Simulation Topic - Focus on the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)
The first edition of the MEU Palestine simulates the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), focusing on key global issues such as defense, security, trade, development cooperation, and humanitarian aid. The FAC plays a critical role in shaping the EU’s foreign policy, ensuring consistency in its external actions, launching crisis management initiatives, and enforcing strategic measures, including sanctions.
By participating in MEU, Palestinian youth gain a unique platform to develop leadership skills, engage in high-level international discourse, and prepare for future roles in diplomacy and global governance.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)- Defenders Initiative
The Model International Court of Justice (ICJ) Simulation, organized by Sharek Youth Forum in collaboration with UNFPA, with full support from Palestinian universities, was developed in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the events of October 7th.
Program Overview
The "Defenders" initiative is an intensive training program for law students across Palestinian universities. The program focuses on developing and presenting compelling legal arguments addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, specifically emphasizing the ongoing genocide in Gaza—a tragedy witnessed by the global community.
Law students from universities across the West Bank participated in teams named after various Gaza governorates and camps (Rafah, Jabalia, Shuja'iyya, Khan Yunis, and Gaza), ensuring the competition was focused on representing Gaza as a whole, rather than individual universities.
Program Structure
The Defenders program combined online sessions, coaching, practical exercises, and face-to-face training over the course of one month.
The online phase involved personalized feedback and guidance from experienced trainers and speakers, including:
These sessions provided participants with a thorough understanding of legal advocacy, international law principles, and real-world scenarios related to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
The three-day face-to-face training focused on refining participants' arguments and preparing them for the simulation. It included:
The final simulation took place at Al-Istiqlal University in Jericho, where participants presented their arguments in a realistic courtroom setting.
On the simulation day, a panel of eight distinguished legal professors evaluated the participants' presentations. Teams demonstrated legal expertise and emotional resilience under pressure. The simulation concluded with Team Gaza being declared the winner, showcasing the success of the program's rigorous training.
this exercise, enabled participants to develop legal reasoning, argumentation, and drafting skills necessary for effective advocacy. These sessions allowed participants to present arguments reflecting their vision and analysis of current situations in the Palestinian Territories, focusing on humanitarian situations, war crimes, and the rights of civilians.
Learning Outcomes
The Defenders initiative provided participants with significant skills in:
