Students take lessons from UN

Conference

Hundreds of university students from around the world are coming to Adelaide to debate global issues and produce resolutions for action in a simulated United Nations assembly.

Delegates appointed to 15 UN-style committees including a 'Security Council' and a 'World Health Organisation' will take positions on topics such as using genetically modified foods, the future for Iraq, and Israeli practices within the Occupied Territories.

To be hosted by the University of Adelaide, the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference will be held in Adelaide for the first time from 6-11 July. This is its 14th year, with last year's conference in New Zealand attracting more than 500 delegates.

The 2008 conference was recently launched by the UN Secretary-General's representative in Australia, Mr Abdullah Saleh Mbamba, Director of the State Government's Office for Youth Ms Tiffany Downing, and University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

Mr Mbamba, who is Director of the United Nations Information Centre for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, said: "The Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference offers participants a forum for discussing global concerns in a context that closely parallels the 'real world'."

He said the experience would stand the students in good stead for the future, and encouraged them more broadly to consider the kinds of real-life issues the UN faced when dealing with global problems.

The conference is being organised by a committee of students from the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University, and has the support of the three universities and the State and Federal Governments.

Student conference organiser and 'Secretary-General' Andrew Antenucci said the conference gave participants the opportunity to learn about the workings of the United Nations and issues facing the world today. They would also build skills in research, debating and public speaking and have plenty of opportunity for social networking.

"Each of the 15 committees will produce a resolution on each of the two topics assigned. These will be debated on the last day in the General Assembly and the final resolutions will be presented to the United Nations," said Andrew.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for students to build new skills, learn about issues of global importance and the workings of the UN and meet people from other cultures from around the world. It's also a great chance for Adelaide to show what it has to offer to all these young people from around the globe. These are undoubtedly the leaders of tomorrow."

Want to attend?
More information about the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference can be found at: www.amunc.net

Story by Robyn Mills