ATU organises the first national competitions in International Relations Simulation

Report by the Directorate for International Academic Cooperation–

Thanks to the joint efforts made by the Vice Dean's Office for Research at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences and the ECO College of Insurance at Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU), the first national competition in International Relations Simulation, themed "Simulation of the JCPOA in the Security Council," was organised at ATU.

The event was convened at the library of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences and attended by Dr Abdollah Motamedi, ATU President; Dr Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations; Dr Aliakbar Salehi, Vice President for Research at Iran's Academy of Sciences and former President of the Atomic Energy Organisation; Dr Majid Abbasi, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, and professors and students from universities of Tehran.

At the beginning of the event, Dr Motamedi thanked the organisers and conveyed his best wishes to the students, stating that the organization of these competitions is an innovative measure: "I hope we will use the experience gained here and convene stronger, more comprehensive programs in the future. In the world today, international relations, influenced by major powers, have moved away from the principles of truth, justice, and fairness."

ATU President emphasized the significance of knowledge in creating power, highlighting the role of students as future contributors to the Islamic Republic system. He stressed the need for confident individuals who can actively engage in various arenas, including international relations, to build a strong Iran.

Further, he emphasized the importance of the deterrent conditions created by the Islamic Republic of Iran, not only in the military sphere, but also in scientific, cultural, and cognitive fields, to safeguard against potential harm. He then criticised the world's response to the tragedies in the oppressed Gaza, attributing it to the flawed international relations governing the world today.

In his concluding speech, ATU President encouraged the students to advocate for the oppressed in the international arena and represent the Islamic Republic's voice. He also expressed hope for the establishment of international structures and behaviours that promote justice worldwide.

Dr Majidreza Momeni, Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences and the organizer of the competitions, then explained that the event aims to familiarize students with the complexities and challenges of negotiation in organisations and multilateral spaces. He underscored the significance of reviewing and reenacting crucial international agreements like the JCPOA to provide students with a profound understanding of international issues and the rules and complexities of global politics, preparing them to play a constructive role in future international negotiations.

Reminding that six teams from various Iranian universities participated in the event, Dr Momeni added that the event was held for the first time and they will try to convene the event at the international level and provide enhanced facilities in the following years.

At the close of the competition, the team from ECO College of Insurance, ATU, secured first place, followed by the team from Islamic Azad University of Karaj. The International Studies Quarterly team also clinched the third position in this round of competitions.