Rumaysa Salman, a Law and International Relations student at Monash University, Melbourne, has achieved extraordinary recognition both internationally and nationally in the span of a single week.
From 2–5 May 2025, Rumaysa represented the State of Palestine at the Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN 17), held in Bangkok, Thailand, where she was awarded Best Delegate in the United Nations General Assembly.
Just three days later, she was back on home soil as a finalist for the 7News Young Achiever Awards Australia, joining a group of remarkable young Australians recognised for their leadership and contributions.
At AYIMUN, Rumaysa’s position paper focused on preventing racial discrimination among youth, approached from the perspective of the State of Palestine.
With a written submission as well as her powerful speeches, Rumaysa delved deep into the reality of Palestinian racism outside of Gaza, highlighting:
• The erasure and corruption of Palestinian history,
• The role of media in distorting narratives and fuelling racial hatred from a young age,
• Discriminatory treatment at checkpoints, in judicial systems and social services,
• And the neglect of minority communities, including Bedouin and Africans.
As part of her resolution, Rumaysa also proposed a set of detailed reformations on behalf of the State of Palestine, including the establishment of youth-focused UN mechanisms and legal obligations for Member States to combat racial bias, especially against young people and minorities.
Rumaysa’s compelling advocacy and eloquent delivery made a strong impression.
“Ultimately, I was blessed to win due to my manner and passion for public speaking I’ve developed over the years, as well as a strong resolution paper,” she shared.
Reflecting on her incredible week, she said on LinkedIn:
“Whether it was fighting for human rights on a global stage, or being recognised alongside inspiring global shapers and change-making pioneers at 7 News, I feel truly blessed to have the unbelievable support of my community behind me every step of the way.”
AYIMUN, hosted by the International Global Network (IGN), is an international platform that brings together youth from across the globe to develop skills in leadership, diplomacy, and negotiation, tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Congratulations to Rumaysa Salman on this incredible accomplishment.
Her dedication, intellect, and unwavering voice make her a strong role model for young people everywhere, especially those striving to stand up for justice, truth and representation on the world stage.
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