Doha: The Academic Bridge Program (ABP), part of Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, organized 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.
According to Qatar News Agency, 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 Dr. Saheim Khalaf Al Temimi, Director of the Academic Bridge Program. "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."
Dr. Al Temimi highlighted that organizing 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 emphasized the importance of students continuing to carry forward the spirit of inquiry, responsibility, and global citizenship that characterized the conference.
Salma Boukouj, President of the Harvard Model Congress Middle East, remarked: "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."
Mohammed Abdulrahman from Nord Anglia International School, who is aged 12 and was the youngest participant in the conference, shared: "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." He emphasized the importance of learning to express views with confidence and collaborating respectfully through such conferences.