IABC Sculpting history through diplomacy at BRACU
On September 5th, the International Association of Business Communicators BRAC University (IABC) hosted DIPLOMATS’ MEET 2026. Students from various institutions nationwide came together to play the role of diplomats, in four-member groups, representing member states within the council of a recreated model of the United Nations and to discuss and work together to solve a hypothetical geopolitical crisis unfolding in real time, presented to them. The event was graced with the presence of Dr David Dowland (Registrar, BRACU), Dr Abu Saadihammad Al Masnun Al Mahi (Co-advisor, IABC) and other esteemed guests.
In photo: Dr David Dowland (Registrar, BRACU), Photo credit: Shakib Raiyan
Delegates represented a diverse range of states, ensuring that their diplomatic acumen was tested by placing them within unfamiliar borders.
Photo credit: Shakib Raiyan & Tasnuva Salvin
The event offered different types of sessions in repetition. During the General Assembly sessions, individual delegates of each member state made speeches to voice their standpoints regarding the crisis presented, – the nature of which escalated to military interventions and hostage situations – some of which were passionate and heated, reflecting the severity of the situation from their nation’s viewpoint. In between speeches, developments in the crisis were announced.
Photo credit: Shakib Raiyan & Tasnuva Salvin
The organisers placed strong emphasis on the General Assembly, shaped by rules, informative Q/A sessions, and strict decisions during assembly sessions. In the informal consultation sessions, peer delegates engaged in thoughtful discussions to assess their compatibility in finding joint, effective solutions to the crisis, while minding geographical, historical and cultural differences. While in the voting sessions, individual directives regarding the situation – sent from representatives of states – were read out, and delegates in the audience voted ‘for’, ‘against’, or ‘abstaining’ as they saw fit.
Farhan Afi (High school graduate, Dhaka Commerce College), one of the participants, remarked, “This event has allowed me to meet so many new people.” Another participant, Swastik Ghosh (Sophomore, Jahangirnagar University), shared, “Overall, it was such a wonderful experience to share.”
