Doha, Qatar: The Academic Bridge Program (ABP), part of Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, organised the Harvard Model Congress Middle East (HMCME) 2026 at Education City, in collaboration with Harvard University, under the theme "Diplomacy in the Age of Innovation." The event brought together around 150 high school students from Qatar and 10 countries worldwide.
The conference aimed to provide students with a hands-on educational experience through realistic simulations of negotiation and decision-making processes.
Participants took part in multiple sessions and committees simulating the work of parliaments, international forums, and United Nations bodies. Students assumed the roles of legislators and policymakers, debated contemporary global issues, and proposed solutions to complex challenges.
The conference featured 11 international and local committees addressing current topics, including digital infrastructure, digital banking in emerging Europe, and the impact of technology and innovation, such as smart cities, on democratic systems and policymaking.
Sessions were chaired and moderated by Harvard University students, who guided discussions and supported participants throughout the conference.
"Hosting this conference aligns with the Academic Bridge Program's mission to prepare students academically, intellectually, and personally for higher education, while enabling them to develop critical thinking, constructive dialogue, and decision-making skills," said Director of the Academic Bridge Program, Dr. Saheim Khalaf Al Temimi. "We are also pleased to announce that the Harvard Model Congress Middle East will be hosted again in Education City next year, continuing this educational collaboration."
"The experience contributed to developing essential skills students need for their future pathways, whether in higher education or in fields such as public service, science, technology, and international affairs."
Dr. Al Temimi said that organising the conference reflects QF's commitment to supporting experiential learning, empowering youth, and enhancing their engagement with global issues, while reinforcing Qatar’s role as a hub for dialogue, education, and innovation.
He also emphasised the importance of students continuing to carry forward the spirit of inquiry, responsibility, and global citizenship that characterised the conference, while remaining committed to asking questions, demonstrating leadership, and making positive contributions to their communities and the wider world.
For her part, President of the Harvard Model Congress Middle East Salma Boukouj said: "It was an intensive and enriching experience, during which students engaged in in-depth discussions and addressed real-world challenges that reflected their high level of commitment and seriousness. It was inspiring to see their passion, ambition, and depth of thinking, and I hope this experience will have a lasting impact on their journeys, as it did on mine."
"Although the conference has concluded, it marks the beginning of a path of continued collaboration in Doha. Hosting the conference in Education City has proven successful and has opened the door to further developing this educational platform in the years ahead."
Mohammed Abdulrahman from Nord Anglia International School, who is aged 12 and was the youngest participant in the conference, said: "This experience taught me that age is not a measure of one’s ability to participate or make an impact. Rather, effort, preparation, and readiness for dialogue are what truly make the difference.
"Through conferences like these, we as students learn how to express our views with confidence, listen to different perspectives, and work with respect and collaboration."
