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Judith and Gabby attended the District 9810 Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) held at Parliament House in Spring Street on 6 and 7 May. 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 from Year 11. All up there were 80 students from 32 schools who represented 40 Countries. Each team is allocated a UN member country - the countries represented included Australia, Germany, USA, South Korea, South Sudan, Italy, 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 Iraq. The debating was fast and furious, sometimes feisty, often passionate and with infusions of wit. Topics included violence against women, using drones and robots and renewable energy resources. Many delegates spoke very well and had clearly put a lot of preparation into the event. Murray Thompson MLA (State member for Sandringham) opened the event and was also awarded a Paul Harris Fellow with sapphire to recognise his long term support in advocating the use of Parliament House to hold the MUNA event. On Sunday, Bruce Atkinson MLC gave students a tour of the Legislative Council And the winners were: 1st Sri Lanka 2nd South Africa Best costume - Brazil Honourable mention: Student Choice: Sri Lanka Best resolution submitted: Lebanon |
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