Model WHO Assembly engages students in global health debate

The Aga Khan University (AKU) hosted its first-ever Model World Health Organisation Assembly, a student-led simulation aimed at fostering debate on pressing global health challenges.

The two-day summit, organised by the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), was led by AKU Graduate Education Student Society.

The event provided students from diverse disciplines a platform to engage in discussions on global health governance, with a focus on critical issues such as universal health coverage, pandemic resilience, climate and health, and gender health equity. Participants worked in committees to develop resolutions and strategies aimed at shaping policies to improve public health worldwide.

In addition to formal discussions, students participated in informal lobbying, negotiation and alliance-building. Committees then drafted resolutions based on the assigned debate questions, followed by consensus-building and voting after a rigorous exchange of ideas.

WHO’s Pakistan Representative Dr Luo Dapeng, who was the chief guest, highlighted the importance of collaboration in solving global health challenges. “It’s essential to recognise that people’s health is interconnected across borders. The Model WHO event helps us see how young minds can contribute to innovative solutions.”

AKU Medical College Dean Dr Adil Haider emphasised the event’s role in developing leadership and policy-making skills among students. “By thinking through issues, exchanging ideas, understanding the positions of other nations, crafting resolutions and drafting position papers, our students get a glimpse into the practical world that governments function in.”

Dr Haider said that learning the softer skills of debating, negotiating, conflict resolution, diplomacy, teamwork and policy creation is critical for leaders, and excelling in them would give students the confidence to affect meaningful change.

Graduate Studies Associate Dean Prof Shahid Shamim described the Model WHO as an innovative learning experience that brought together students from diverse backgrounds in a safe and conducive learning environment. “The event proved to be a valuable learning experience, and in the future it will be expanded to include students from other institutions.” The summit concluded with an awards ceremony, during which the delegates and the position papers that were outstanding were recognised for their contributions during the event.