A team of six AUS students participated in the International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC) held in Cape Town, South Africa, September 22–27, 2019.

The conference is a youth forum on world politics, international relations and justice which provides participants with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills, debate current issues, deliver speeches, make executive decisions and realize through experience the complexities of international relations.

Organized by the Student Leadership Program (SLP) at AUS, the trip saw the students participate in three simulations at the event: the African Union, International Criminal Court and the South African Parliament. The simulations challenged students to research, analyze and learn about current issues pertaining to the African continent. The students also visited Stellenbosch University and University of Cape Town, where they attended a lecture on equality and social justice in South Africa. The delegates also toured the South African Parliament, visited the public galleries of both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (NCOP), and learned about the political life, governance and democratic practices. The conference also included a visit to District Six Museum, where the delegates had a glimpse of the political, economic and social life in South Africa during the apartheid regime.

Aiswarya Padmanbhan, a junior majoring in international studies, said: “IYLC 2019 was a truly life changing experience for me. The conference helped me learn so much and explore the options and scenarios that I may be exposed to in my international studies major. The experience helped me become a far more composed and compassionate person. Meeting and interacting with such a versatile group of delegates from all over the world changed my perspective on various issues.”

Muaaz Adra, an industrial engineering senior , said: “I have been to many conferences and simulations on leadership. However, the IYLC was Cape Town is my favorite by far. The overall style of this conference is different and provides a very unique insight into leadership. Additionally, this conference was a great networking opportunity to build friendships with people from all around the globe.”

The AUS delegation consisted of:

• Aiswarya Padmanabhan, international studies
• Alya Mohamed, international studies
• Hames Sherif, mathematics
• Maryam Saleem, international studies
• Mohammed Badri, finance
• Muaaz Adra, industrial engineering

The Student Leadership Program, which regularly organizes trips of this nature, engages students in leadership activities that hone their leadership skills and molds them into active leaders of tomorrow. For more information about SLP, please visit: www.aus.edu/leadership-program.