Canadian University Dubai — Neutral Dialogue Platforms and Political Discourse
Our Commitment
Canadian University Dubai is dedicated to fostering neutral dialogue platforms that encourage open debate, political discourse, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. The University’s core values emphasize mutual trust, openness, and personal dignity, preparing students to be global citizens who can engage constructively with complex global and regional challenges.
International Conferences and Global Forums
CUD hosts major international events that bring together diverse stakeholders, including heads of state, government officials, academics, and industry leaders, to debate global issues.
| Event | Date | Key Participants | Topics of Dialogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Conference on Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICLIE'16) | April 2016 | H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (Former Prime Minister of Malaysia); speakers from 30+ countries | Transnational debate on global economics, Islamic finance, sustainable innovation, and technology. |
| Silk Road Universities Network (SUN) General Assembly | Feb 2023 | International delegates from universities worldwide | Debate on "The Role of Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data." |
High-Profile Guest Lectures and Diplomatic Discourse
CUD regularly invites prominent political figures and diplomats to provide candid perspectives on global affairs, creating a neutral platform for political dialogue.
| Speaker | Date | Role | Topic of Discussion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Charest | 2016 | Former Premier of Québec, Canada | "The foremost political and social challenges facing the global community." |
| Nathan Tek | 2018 | Regional Spokesman, U.S. State Department | Strategic Communications and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. |
| Mary Robinson | (Forum attendance) | Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights | Frank discussion on the UAE’s need to enhance its participation in Human Rights engagement. |
Student-Led Political Simulations
CUD supports extensive student-led simulations that teach diplomacy, negotiation, and political discourse in a structured, neutral environment.
| Platform | Scale and Reach | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Model United Nations (MUN) Association | Weekly meetings; participation in international conferences (e.g., Munster, Germany) | Role-playing UN member states to debate global challenges and develop practical solutions. |
| Harvard Model Congress Middle East (HMCME) | Hosted at CUD (Jan 2024); 200+ students from 23 schools across 10 countries | Debating AI, cybersecurity, sustainable food systems, global energy policy, and migration crises. |
| Dubai Model United Nations Academy | International high-school delegations | Debate on sustainability, discrimination, conflict resolution, and world poverty. |
Engagement with National Legislative Bodies
CUD facilitates direct student engagement with the UAE’s political institutions, allowing them to observe real political dialogue in action.
- Federal National Council (FNC) Visits: CUD Arabic Communication students visited the FNC to observe legislative sessions on national media policy. Students met with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui (Minister of Energy).
- Sharjah Government Communications Forum: CUD faculty and students participated in regional forums where world leaders discussed countering extremism and crisis media communication.
Alignment with National and Global Goals
These initiatives align with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly UN Target 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making) and Target 16.10 (Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms). By providing neutral dialogue platforms for international debate, diplomatic lectures, and student simulations, CUD fosters a culture of open, rigorous, and respectful political discourse.