Jordan Times
Monday, November 21, 2005
Queen Rania speaks to youth
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Sunday
joined a group of Jordanian and international students for the 4th annual
session of the Amman Model United Nations (AMMUN) Conference to discuss the key
role of youth in addressing the global challenges of terrorism and extremism.
This year's conference was scheduled to include over 20 schools from Jordan and
around the world. Due to the bombings in Amman earlier this month, however,
several countries cancelled their participation.
Despite the cancellations, the participating local schools and organising team
decided to forge ahead with the event, saying: “If there is any hope at all for
a better tomorrow, it is to be found in the hearts of the youth... AMMUN has,
above all, taught us to always have confidence in our ability to affect change,
and we are more determined than ever to make a difference.”
During the conference, students debated the global nature of terrorism in
today's world and discussed tangible recommendations for action, including
utilising the media, youth camps, and youth discussion groups, as well as the
need for the government to fund youth projects, which combat the roots of
terrorism.
Queen Rania commended the students for going ahead with the conference and for
their “spirit of perseverance, courage, strength and determination.” She noted
that today's struggle against terrorism is different from traditional struggles,
which are defined by geographical borders, adding that it is “mindset against
mindset,” and a common global challenge.
She charged the youth with the responsibility to take on the fight of the
moderates against the extremists, not only for their own benefit, but for the
benefit of future generations.
Queen Rania noted that despite the rich diversity of their backgrounds, the
youth share common values. She said that today's youth represent “a mindset that
respects human life... that respects the values of peace, of justice, of
tolerance, of diversity.”
“It doesn't matter what your religion is, which country you come from, what
colour, what race... What matters is what is going on in your head.”
“Let us focus on what we have in common,” urged the Queen, stressing that the
youth must decide never to live in fear and that their presence today is the
“first step” in the right direction.
Since its inception three years ago, AMMUN, an entirely student-organised
simulation of the United Nations, has been a beacon of peace and political
understanding among youth.