The inauguration of the Lebanese American University New York Center is a realization of LAU’s pioneering stance on global education and outreach. On that occasion, LAU will hold a "Global Outreach and Leadership" (GOAL) conference. The conference will consist of an opening ceremony on September 13, followed by a 1 day of panels as follows: 

1. Global Education. 

2. Youth Civic Engagement & International Diplomacy from a MUN perspective.

3. Civic Advocacy and International NGOs.

We invite global education specialists and scholars, study abroad and international exchange experts, Model United Nations advisors and leaders, civic advocacy and international NGOs specialists, practitioners, activists and researchers from universities, cultural centers, think tanks, NGOs and other related associations to take part in the GOAL conference related to the following areas:

Surveys recently conducted by the National Geographic Society and the Asia Society have noted the decline of multicultural awareness. The studies showed that students in most countries lack adequate understanding and knowledge of different cultures around the world, which is why the role of universities in offering globalized education for today's youth has become more crucial. Universities are called upon to better understand the value and necessity of developing global curricula, addressing the students’ needs and knowledge of global political, economic, security, environmental, and cultural issues. 

This panel constitutes a forum for the exchange of academic and pedagogical experiences about the benefits of Model United Nations programs as a tool of leadership and personal development, which will become a yearly event. In this respect, students explore topics such as peacekeeping, sustainable development, human rights and economics of globalization whereby its educational growing popularity is based on interactive simulations and curricular materials.

Civic advocacy in a globalized world tackles the issues that are of common interest to the citizens of all countries such as democratic governance, social justice, human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability, disarmament and economic development. In this respect, international NGOs, by actively engaging local communities and civil societies, play an important role in creating broad coalitions and societal awareness for the understanding of these issues, their adoption in advocacy agendas and for the devising of local solutions. 

Details on the conference program and guest speakers will be available soon. To register, send an email to goal@lau.edu.lb. Registration is free but space is limited, so please RSVP by June 30, 2013.