On behalf of the Rotary Club of Adliya, I extend to you all, students, organizing committee, school directors, guests, dignitaries and sponsors a warm welcome to BAHMUN XV, 2009.

The Bahrain Model United Nations Assembly for Youth was established in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Since its inception for the past fourteen years, it is continuing to be a successful event because of the enthusiasm, effort and cooperation of the involved participants and in particular the delegate students.

Participation in BAHMUN is proof of the increased awareness of our youth of today to become future leaders. Development of future leaders is more important than ever and is part of Rotary’s emphasis in helping youth to grab an opportunity to help shape the lives of future generations. BAHMUN offers that opportunity. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Dear delegates this is your chance to find yourself and shape your leadership role.

Pressure on youth is increasing. Standards and values are being challenged from every corner. More than ever, young people need strong, effective leadership. Students who have successfully completed a BAHMUN experience can be justifiably proud of their accomplishments and are on the footstep towards being future leaders.

Over the past fourteen years, hundreds of students aged between 15 and 18 years from government and private schools participated in the Annual Rotary program to learn skills that will help them to become future leaders. BAHMUN is a youth program that allows participants to discover more about themselves and the world. By participating as delegates, representing different countries and organizations, they will express “their” countries’ or organizations’ views. They will discuss debate, lobby, negotiate, and exercise diplomacy to win their stands and pass resolutions, just as they do in the UN-sessions. The main aim of BAHMUN is to give students an opportunity to learn about the most pressing issues in the world; in politics, social and economic challenges faced by the UN, countries, and leaders around the world. They learn to express their representative opinion in a democratic atmosphere. They also acquire negotiating skills and learn how to be team players, in addition to acquiring linguistic and presentation skills.

Delegates will meet at the General Assembly for the formal opening of BAHMUN XV and at the end of the two-day session to receive individual committee reports. The test lies in succeeding to adopt a number of meaningful resolutions on crucial issues that are influencing our life and shaping the future. You can help bring the world closer together – and make some good friends in the process.

In 2008-09, Rotary theme is to “Make Dreams Real” for the world’s children. My challenge to all of you is to work towards such goal, and that is to Make Dreams Real by giving children hope and a chance for a better future. Such dream can be achieved, dear delegates, by trying to come to consensus and pass resolutions to accomplish this goal.

I would expect that the experiences be inspiring and motivating. You would know upon the completion of this assembly even better on how much there is to be done. Now is the time to make service a part of your life – in Rotary our Motto is “Service Above Self.”

In conclusion, I would like to express my deepest and heartfelt wishes for a successful learning experience and fruitful dialogue, and my sincere gratefulness to the Patron, organizing committee members, sponsors, fellow Rotarians, and our host – the Indian School – for their exceptional efforts in making this event a successful and rewarding one.

Ms. Nazha Abu-Hendi
President 2008-2009

Closing Speech

Chair & Organizing Committee, Secretary General, Organizers, Academic Coordinator, School Directors and other members of the Academic Support Team, Honorable Delegates, Members of Bahmun Administrative Corps: nl the Runners en Security, members of the Bahmun Arabic and English Press Corp, Fellow Rotarians, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am indeed thrilled to be here among you at the closing of the 15th Bahrain Model United Nations 2009. I am really delighted with these delegates who have engaged in a meaningful debate in courteous behavior.

I am sure that you will agree with me that these 2 days of activities were successful and memorable one for each of us and the credit goes to all the students, organizers and coordinators who have worked so hard.

As we come to the end of our time together, I am reminded of how we began this forum three days ago. As we have at every Bahrain Model United Nations Assembly over the past 15 years, and after the recitation of the holy Quran, we start with the opening speeches and statements. They are inspirational and motivational, indicating our faith and high expectation from you the leaders of the future.
You have exceeded our expectations, you have passed the test and I am really delighted with these young men and women who have engaged in debates in an enthusiastic and respectful manner reaching consensus on some of the crucial issues that are influencing our life and determining our future. Among other things you have accepted and passed the challenge put forward to you, and that is to satisfy the Rotary Theme for year 2008-2009 to “Make Dreams Real” for the world’s children. You have addressed the root causes of war — poverty, disease, and ignorance — and replaced them with education, health care, clean water, and a chance to make a better life. All of which were subjects you have discussed and debated during the past two days.
Let me also remind you of my statement at the Opening Ceremony of this Forum, I have said “You would know upon the completion of this assembly even better on how much there is to be done. Now is the time to make service a part of your life – Do you remember Rotary Motto. Yes it is “Service Above Self.” الإيثار لا الإثرة

Putting an event like this together is a big challenge and requires tremendous effort, commitment and dedication, when we help our community amongst others around the world by trying to better lives and work toward peace through understanding, and we work to build understanding through service. When we come together in friendship with the people we wish to help, this is how we begin a process of change that will endure far longer than our involvement in any one project”. Now after the two days forum and through your interaction with each other, I am sure that this statement makes much more meaning to you than when it was first said.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Club members of Rotary Club of Adliya, I take this opportunity to thank each and everyone for their support and assistance in organizing this event.

We would like on this occasion to extend our appreciation to the leadership, the government, for the programs laid down aiming at preparing our youth for future challenges. Our gratitude as an NGO goes to H.H. the crown prince Sheik Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for being a continuous supporter and believer in our youth as the main assets of this nation.

I would also like to express my sincere gratefulness to the Patron H.E. Dr. Majid Bin Ali Al-Nuaimi Minister of Education, H.E. Karim Ebrahim Al- Shakar Ambassador At Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all the effort he put to make our BAHMUN Assembly a replica of the UN Sessions, Dr. Khalid Esmael Al-Alawi Assistant Undersecretary Educational Services & Students Activities, sponsors, fellow Rotarians, and our host – the Indian School – for their exceptional efforts in making this event a successful and rewarding one.
My appreciation goes out to the Organizing committee, the Academic Coordinator, and I would like especially to thank the organization… Well done and thank you.

I am grateful to all organizations and establishments who have contributed to and sponsored this activity.

We, at the Rotary Club of Adliya are delighted to have been able to support an activity which involves a young generation of both men and women and I would like to mention that we shall look forward to its continuity in future years.

It is also worth to note that the Rotary and the UN share many ideals as it is evident from the Rotary Club of Adliya Mission and Vision Statement printed on the poster on the wall of this auditorium.

The Model United Nations is a symbol of recognition of the importance of the youth of the world and the Bahrain Model United Nations recognizes the importance of your generation for the future of Bahrain and the Countries of the Gulf Region.

Thank you all and hope to see you and many more in the 16th Bahrain Model United Nations in 2010.

Nazha Abu-Hendi
President 2008-2009

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