Six King’s Academy students participated in the 53^rd Round Square International Conference (RSIC) that took place in the United Kingdom from September 19-25. After a two-year hiatus from face-to-face conferences due to the global pandemic, around 800 students between the ages of 16 to 18 from over 50 countries around the world were finally able to convene in person at RSIC 2022 that took place for three days at Oxford University under the theme “Take Less: Be More” before breaking off to five other schools in the area for further activities during the remainder of the week.

Celine Akroush ’24, Kenzy AlDweik ’24, Malak Allawama ’23, Shaimaa Freihat ’24, Jude Nofal ’24 and Yousef Taha ’23 had the opportunity to listen to keynote speeches about energy, the environment and ocean plastics. Speakers also included alumni from various Round Square schools who shared their experiences working in fields and initiatives that allow them to give back to their communities. Talks were followed by group discussions through which delegates examined sustainability and humans’ consumption behaviors through different lenses.

“The conference helped students to carefully consider what we take from our environment and from the people around us, and to find ways to always put back more than we take,” said Khaila Al Sawalha, Round Square and community service program manager at King’s.

The conference provided student delegates with the opportunity to meet and share ideas with students from different nationalities, and to build international understanding and a spirit of cooperation.

In addition to attending the conference, delegates visited touristic sites, went on nature walks, enjoyed a traditional ceilidh dance, went to the theater, and participated in various other activities around the city. Delegates also put on a variety performance talent show that allowed them to introduce other students to their many national and cultural traditions — King’s students taught delegates how to dance dabkeh followed by a spirited dance that many delegates joined.