Political Science and International Relations students from the Faculty of Arts, The Maldives National University (MNU), commemorated Commonwealth Day by conducting a two-hour Model Commonwealth Summit in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The activity provided students with a practical opportunity to explore multilateral diplomacy, international cooperation, and the shared priorities of Commonwealth member states.

Through a simulated summit, students took on representative roles and engaged in discussions on issues relating to governance, diplomacy, international relations, and sustainable development. The activity introduced students to the processes involved in multilateral dialogue, including presenting policy positions, considering different perspectives, and working towards shared understandings.

The summit enabled students to apply their academic knowledge in a simulated diplomatic setting. Through role-play, negotiation, and policy discussions, participants developed practical skills in public speaking, critical thinking, negotiation, and consensus-building. These activities complemented classroom learning by allowing students to experience aspects of diplomatic engagement and international decision-making.

The collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs connected university learning with professional perspectives on diplomacy and international cooperation. It also provided a platform for students to engage with the principles of multilateralism and consider how countries work together to address common challenges.

The Model Commonwealth Summit highlighted the importance of respectful dialogue, peaceful engagement, and cooperation among countries with diverse perspectives and interests. By marking Commonwealth Day through an educational activity, the Faculty of Arts provided students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of international relations and the role of dialogue in addressing shared global priorities.

The initiative contributed to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing experiential learning opportunities that strengthened students’ knowledge and practical skills in diplomacy and international relations; SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting peaceful dialogue, negotiation, inclusive decision-making, and consensus-building; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between MNU’s Faculty of Arts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connecting academic learning with diplomatic practice.