پودكاست الشباب تيلت : من مدرج القانون إلى طاولة التفاوض، آية فارية تكتشف العالم الدبلوماسي..

Aya Faria: A law student. The study of international law and political relations is no longer limited to lectures and university textbooks. Model United Nations (MUN) programs now offer young people a practical opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy firsthand, understand how positions are formulated, conflicts are managed, and national interests are defended within a structured framework governed by rules and protocols. This topic was the focus of an episode of the youth podcast "TILT," which featured Aya Faria, a private law student, who discussed her experience with Model United Nations and the educational and personal value this simulation can add to the journey of students and young people interested in international affairs. What is a Model United Nations? A Model United Nations is an educational simulation of the work of the United Nations and its various committees. Participants assume the roles of diplomats representing specific countries and are required to study those countries' positions, understand their interests, and then defend them in debates and negotiations that, to varying degrees, simulate the work of the Security Council, the General Assembly, and specialized agencies. The student does not participate in this simulation as a personal representative or based on their own convictions. Instead, they temporarily become a representative of a state, required to speak on its behalf, even when its positions do not align with their personal opinions. This is one of the most important benefits of the experience: learning to distinguish between personal conviction and institutional representation, and understanding that diplomacy is not merely about declaring positions, but also about assessing the balance of power, evaluating interests, and seeking common ground. From the Classroom to the Negotiating Table Aya Faria explained that participating in these simulations allows students to move from theoretical knowledge to practical application. Reading an international agreement or studying a political conflict at university is vastly different from having to defend a state's position in a direct debate, respond to participants' objections, and formulate negotiable proposals. Before the simulation begins, each participant conducts research on the state they represent, including its foreign policy, international relations, stances on the issue at hand, and its economic and security priorities. They then submit a position paper outlining their vision and proposed solutions. This preparation pushes students beyond a superficial reading of events and makes them better equipped to understand the complexities of global issues, whether related to wars, human rights, migration, climate change, or international security. Diplomacy is not just eloquent speech. Experience also reveals that diplomatic work is not based solely on rhetoric. Participants are required to listen attentively, maintain discipline, respect the rules of the session, choose the appropriate moment to intervene, and build alliances with other delegations. They also need to present convincing arguments without turning the discussion into a personal confrontation. The goal is not always a complete victory for the position being defended, but sometimes reaching a compromise that achieves the minimum interests of the various parties. This practice helps develop numerous skills, including research and analysis, negotiation, persuasion, public speaking, teamwork, time management, and the drafting of documents and resolutions. These skills are not only beneficial for those aspiring to diplomatic work, but are also essential for journalists, lawyers, researchers, community activists, administrators, and anyone working in environments that require dialogue, coordination, and decision-making. The Russian-Ukrainian War as a Case Study The guest speaker drew on her experience discussing the Russian-Ukrainian war as an example that reveals the difficulty of representing international positions. The conflict is not viewed solely from a military perspective; rather, it is intertwined with considerations of security, energy, economics, alliances, history, and international law. When a student represents a particular country, they are required to understand the reasons behind its position, even if they disagree with it. Here, younger generations learn that international issues are not always reduced to a simplistic dichotomy of good and evil, and that every country has its own calculations, concerns, and interests. This does not mean justifying violations or abandoning principles, but rather developing a more mature ability to understand the underlying factors that lead countries to adopt differing stances. A Space to Rekindle Youth Interest in Politics United Nations models gain added importance given the sense among some Moroccan youth of alienation from traditional politics or a lack of influence within it. This simulatio...