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This past weekend saw the District 9810 Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) held at Parliament House in Spring Street. MUNA is an International Youth Program and has been running in Australia since 1980. It is aimed at increasing students knowledge about international affairs and also to give them an understanding about the UN General Assembly. Schools are approached to enter teams of two from Year 11.
All up there were 41 teams entered sponsored by around 25 clubs. Each team is allocated a UN member country - the countries represented included Australia, Germany, Thailand, USA, South Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, Sweden and Malaysia to mention a few.
The teams dressed up in the national costumes of their countries to add to the flavour of the event. They also research the culture and politics of their country so they can engage in debate from the perspective of that country.
Teams debate "resolutions" and present for and against arguments, The chamber is presided over by a "Secretary General".
This year, the RC of Nunawading sponsored a team from Blackburn High School. They represented Malaysia.
The debating was fast and furious, sometimes feisty, often passionate and with infusions of wit. Topics included decriminalising illicit drugs, using drones and robots during combat and refugee allocation. Many delegates spoke very well and had clearly put a lot of preparation into the event.
And the winners were:
1st Malaysia
2nd Germany
Best costume - The Ukraine
Honourable mention: Brazil
Student Choice: Turkey
Best resolution submitted: Brazil
Our girls from Blackburn High School will now go to join 20 other District winners in August 2016 at Old Parliament House, Canberra for a national MUNA event.
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