MUNAUK's Trauma of Choice 2009 - Making the Right Choice

An AUK club/organization, the Model United Nations at the American University of Kuwait (MUNAUK), organized an event entitled "Trauma of Choice 2009" on the evening of Wednesday 8 April at the American University of Kuwait. The subject of the evening focused voting for candidates as ombudsmen and as representatives upholding similar perspectives and ideologies, rather than for reasons relating to tribalism, nepotism, sectarianism, or other forms of discrimination.

The event hosted the following Kuwaiti candidates and distinguished guests: Dr. Maasoma Al-Mubarak, Mussalam Al-Barak, Mohammed Abdulkader Al-Jasem Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, Saleh Al-Mullah, , Dr. Rola Dashti, Marzook Al-Ghanim, Madhi Al-Khamees, Talal Al-Saeed, Dr. Mohammad Al-Moqatei, . It was moderated by Dr. Ali Al-Tarrah, a renowned Kuwaiti political analyst.

Abdulaziz Safi Al-Mutawa, President of MUNAUK, began by introducing the topic of discussion, and the Kuwaiti parliamentarians, and hoping for a fruitful debate among them to reap a benefit for all. Dr. Ali Al-Tarrah commenced by emphasizing the importance of engaging in political participation lest Kuwaitis wish for their nation to go down the same murky path that has led them nowhere. He also discussed the importance of recognizing tribes despite popular belief about how they have come to fragment Kuwaiti society.

Each of the guests were given approximately ten minutes to speak on the issue of choosing the most impartial candidate to represent the Kuwaiti population. It came as no surprise to the audience that the discussion soon turned into a simulation of what can be regularly viewed inside the halls of the Kuwaiti parliament. The discourse was centralized around failures of past Kuwaiti parliamentarians and the humiliations that came along with them. Immediately following this was valiant cries for the Kuwaiti public to make the right choice.

A message that they all wished to convey is discouraging political idleness and reminding the Kuwaiti population that change rests in their hands. Mr. Al-Mutawa commented, "It is our choice... a choice that is difficult for us all. So we are facing the "Trauma of Choice."

MUNAUK wishes to thank AUK for supporting and providing a forum for this event, the first of its kind for the 2009 elections. In particular, the MUNAUK organization would like to extend its gratitude to AUK's PR & Marketing Department.

Written by Farah Al-Shamali

Munauks trauma of choice 2009 - making the right choice

Abdulaziz Al Mutawa, President of MUNAUK with some of the speaker

Munauks trauma of choice 2009 - making the right choice