Download - UN Youth Review
UN+YOUTH
TABLE OF CONTENTSOverview
The Value of Model UN
Regional Activities
National Programmes NZMUN Youth Declaration NZMSC
International Programmes UNYC THIMUN
Our Volunteers
Organisational Structure
How you can get involved
Alumni Interviews
Delegate Interviews
Teacher Testimonials
Contact Us
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TABLE OF CONTENTS UN Youth ReviewCreated: July 2011
Prepared by Chloe Muggeridge and Ben Land-Maycock
Designed by Alliv SamsonImages by Hayden Ng, Raewyn Seto,
Megan Newby, Nigel Smith, UN Media, and various UN Youth members
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
UN Youth New Zealand inspires young New Zealanders to be global citizens. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Our organisation provides young people with the necessary educational and social skills to excel. Annually, over 1000 New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event.
We are a registered charity run by young volunteers and form the youth branch of the United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ). As one of many UN Youth Associations around the world, we are part of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
OVERVIEW
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INSPIRINGGLOBAL CITIZENS
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Our Model UN and educational programmes aim to inspire global citizens. Through Model UN, we encourage young people to identify with communities beyond national borders and to respect other cultures. Acting as delegates for different countries, young people learn to be open-minded and to appreciate and respect the value of other perspectives.
Model UN is a fun, interactive way to educate young people about global issues. Delegates discuss and debate the pressing global issues of our time, ranging from internet governance and global financial regulation to climate change and refugee migration.
Through Model UN, young people learn the art of persuasion, as they lobby other delegates to adopt a particular solution to an issue. They learn to negotiate with delegates whose positions are contrary to their own. They experience first-hand the dynamics of international relations and the challenges of achieving global compromise.
UN Youth creates Model UN resources for office-holders and interested people to run Model UN events around the country. The programme supports the vision, value and principles of the New Zealand Curriculum. Model UN encourages students to engage in their communities as international citizens, to practice critical and creative thinking, to become informed decision-makers and to look to the future by exploring future-focused issues such as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise and globalisation.
THE VALUE OF MODEL UN
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UN Youth is always seeking new ways to engage with teachers, including running a teachers’ conference alongside the students’ conference at New Zealand Model UN. UN Youth is also developing the Model UN in the Classroom project aimed at providing teachers with resources to run a Model UN for a classroom of students.
THE VALUE OF MODEL UN
Model UN is a fun, interactive way to
educate young people about global issues.
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UN Youth operates in four regions - Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Each region is administered by a Regional Council.
Regional Councils organise
opportunities for members within
their region. These include university
and high school Model General
Assembly and Model Security Council
events, simulations on specialist UN
bodies, and social events such as
movie nights and quizzes.
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
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Regions provide the organisation with the
most effective means to interact with members
within their locality. They often serve as the first
interaction members have with the organisation
and, accordingly, play a large role in training and
educating our members. Regional Councils foster
important relationships with schools and teachers,
keeping them up-to-date with current activities
and implementing our educational programmes.
Direct involvement with a Regional Council
also offers members practical skills in project
coordination and event management, as well
as great exposure to and enjoyment with their
immediate peers.
While each region is based in a particular city,
UN Youth also tries to reach members in more
remote and rural locations. Most regions run outreach
programmes, bringing the Model UN programme
to students that might not otherwise have the
opportunity to participate in our events. Examples
of outreach include West Coast Model UN, New
Plymouth Model UN and Central Otago Model UN.
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
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NATIONAL PROGRAMMES
New Zealand Model United Nations
Youth Declaration
New Zealand Model Security Council
High Schools
NATIONAL PROGRAMMES
New Zealand Model United Nations
New Zealand Model Security CouncilUniversities
New Zealand Model United NationsThe New Zealand Model United Nations conference (NZ Model UN) is New Zealand’s premier Model UN conference. Held in Wellington, NZ Model UN brings together over 200 students from all around New Zealand for three days, to debate, lobby and learn about United Nations issues and international topics.
New Zealand Model UN is one the most multifaceted educational experiences available to high school students. While representing an allocated country, delegates develop analytical skills through researching their country and its policies, learn public speaking skills through committee debate and develop problem solving and interpersonal skills through lobbying and negotiating with other delegates. All the while, delegates are increasing their knowledge of international affairs and important global issues.
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Beyond its educational value, New Zealand Model UN presents an unrivalled opportunity for young people to meet and socialise with like-minded young people from around the country. NZ Model UN is a great forum that sparks inquiry and intelligent conversation.
New Zealand Model United Nations
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Youth DeclarationYouth Declaration is one of UN Youth’s major national conferences for Years 11-13 students. At the conference, delegates explore a range of civic issues such as youth justice and the environment - issues that impact not just their peers, but the entire New Zealand population. Through discussion in focus groups, delegates produce the Youth Declaration, a document outlining their own combined opinions on the topics debated.
The Youth Declaration document is presented to representatives of both governmental and non-governmental organisations. In the past, Youth Declarations have been received by the Governor-General Anand Satyanand and Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland.
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Youth Declaration gives budding young leaders the opportunity to influence national policy. We believe that young people are entitled to influence decision-making where such decisions affect their lives and communities. The Youth Declaration aims to eliminate misconceptions about youth and prove that young New Zealanders care. Ultimately, the Youth Declaration is the product of youth from all walks of life, learning about, contesting and articulating a bold vision for our country.
Youth Declaration
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NEW ZEALAND MODEL SECURITY COUNCIL
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New Zealand Model Security Council (NZMSC) brings together university students interested in international affairs, discussion, debating and lobbying. The event simulates the Security Council, with fifteen delegations playing the role of diplomat in committee sessions and a final plenary session, attempting to find solutions to global issues. NZMSC also introduces a competitive element to Model UN, seeking to extend and challenge tertiary students further.
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INTERNATIONALPROGRAMMES
The Hague International Model UN
UN Youth Conference, Australia
Asia-Pacific Model United Nations
High Schools
INTERNATIONALPROGRAMMES
The Hague International Model UN
UN Youth Conference, Australia
Asia-Pacific Model United NationsUniversities
Each year, the United Nations Youth
Association of Australia hosts the UN Youth
Conference (UNYC), a week-long conference,
bringing together over 150 passionate young
people from every Australian State and
Territory, as well other Asia-Pacific countries.
UNYC aims to educate young students
about important international issues facing
today’s world. Delegates participate in a
range of inspiring exercises, ranging from
Model United Nations debate and interactive
speaker’s forums to outreach programmes
such as wheelchair basketball and refugee
tutoring. These outreach programmes
encourage delegates to think about creating
positive change in their own communities.
We send a delegation of New Zealand
high school students to UNYC each year.
Our delegates contribute a valuable New
Zealand perspective to UNYC and leave the
conference equipped with a sense of both
the common issues facing the Asia-Pacific
region and the world at large.
UNYC is a fantastic opportunity for young
New Zealanders to engage with our
immediate neighbours and further their
knowledge of the global community,
generate discussion and dialogue around
issues, and cultivate qualities of leadership.
UN Youth Conference, Australia
The Hague International Model UN
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The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) is one of the world’s largest Model
UN conferences, attracting over 4,500 delegates from all over the globe to The Hague in
January. Every year, UN Youth selects the best delegates from New Zealand Model UN to
attend THIMUN. In the past, the New Zealand Schools THIMUN Delegation has represented
Italy, Myanmar and the United Nations Drug Control Programme amongst others.
Led by UN Youth-appointed staff, the New Zealand Schools Delegation to THIMUN
engages in an extensive study tour before the conference, visiting and learning about global
institutions to provide context for the trip. During the three weeks away, delegates learn
about historical forces that shaped the modern world and resulted in the formation of the
United Nations.
THIMUN is a peerless experience in learning about diplomacy, global solutions and the
world at large. By exposing students to a genuine international conference we are inspiring
global citizens.
UN Youth Conference, Australia
The Hague International Model UN
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Being an officeholder in UN Youth is a rewarding and extending experience. Those organising our conferences develop wide ranging and transferable expertise in areas ranging from sponsorship to budgeting and in event management generally.
The officeholders accompanying our delegations abroad are responsible for complex travel arrangements, for the pastoral care of young people on the other side of the world and the stewardship of budgets reaching over hundreds of thousands. All of our officeholders - and in particular those responsible for educational resource development - are engaged in the pedagogy and curriculum values of our work, developing an understanding of education and youth development.
In all of this work, our officeholders are responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders – with sponsors,
OUR VOLUNTEERS
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schools and educational partners, other organisations in the NGO and development community and with government agencies. This is true both nationally and internationally. We have close relationships with UN Youth Associations and UN agencies abroad, with officeholders regularly travelling to maintain those relationships and all that they give us.
We actively seek out opportunities to equip our officeholders and further them personally. As an example of such opportunities, our officeholders regularly attend seminars and conferences in the education and NGO sectors and intern with partners such as the National Commission for UNESCO. Among other travel, officeholders have recently attended meetings with the World Federation of UN Associations in South Korea and Argentina, with the UN Department of Public Information in Melbourne and with our Australian counterparts in Canberra. Our volunteers are passionate about UN Youth’s work, which in turn enriches and extends them.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
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NATIONAL EXECUTIVEMembers: President and 5 Vice-PresidentsRole: Provides strategic direction and leadership for the organisation and monitors programmes on a day to day basisMeets: WeeklyElected by: AGM
Members: National Executive, Regional Presidents, + 1 Regional RepresentativeRole: Holds the National Executive, Regional Councils and Programme Coordinators to account; discusses substantive policy and strategic plans. Meets: 4 times a year around New Zealand
NATIONAL COUNCIL
Events: • NewZealandModelUN• NewZealandModelSecurity Council• YouthDeclarationRole: Coordinate specific programmes
PROGRAMMECOORDINATORS
Regions: • Auckland• Wellington• Canterbury• OtagoRole: Organise regional events, interact with members and provide opportunities
REGIONAL COUNCILS
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
Members: National Executive, Regional Presidents, + 1 Regional RepresentativeRole: Holds the National Executive, Regional Councils and Programme Coordinators to account; discusses substantive policy and strategic plans. Meets: 4 times a year around New Zealand
NATIONAL COUNCIL
Members: • NationalDesignTeam• Webmaster• NewsletterEditorRole: Implement brand, maintain website, release newsletter, design resources and promote opportunities.
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
Events: • NewZealandModelUN• NewZealandModelSecurity Council• YouthDeclarationRole: Coordinate specific programmes
PROGRAMMECOORDINATORS DELEGATION DIRECTORS
Delegations: • TheHagueInternationalModelUN (THIMUN), • AustralianUNYouthConference(UNYC)• Asia-PacificModelUNConference (AMUNC)Role: Organise delegation to overseas conferences
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HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
UN Youth is an entirely voluntary operation. We are always
looking for new members to join existing office-holders.
There are a number of ways you can get involved.
If you are a young person, you can:
•Attendourevents;
•Offertocoordinateorsupportanevent;
•Standforelectionasanoffice-holderregionallyornationally;
•JoinUNYouthforfreebysigningupatunyouth.org.nz;
•JoinoursocialnetworksonFacebookandTwitter;
•Viewourwebsiteatunyouth.org.nz
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If you would like to consider supporting UN Youth’s work
financially, either as an individual or corporate, get in touch with
us at [email protected]. We are willing to work with
potential donors and sponsors to create a package giving both
parties a fulfilling and unique partnership.
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We value any contribution you can make to UN Youth,
so please get in touch.
helped shape views inspired involved aware understand teamworkrelationships decisions awards learned teamwork network helpedpositivity dreams reality shapeachievements recognitions awahonour gratitude experienceknowledge friends work friendsdifference dreams reality inspiration
ALUMNI INTERVIEWS
I was in Year 12 when I first became involved with UNYANZ. Three classmates and I represented the Russian Federation at a regional Model UN, and we arrived to the event in my friend’s 1970s Lada that he’d bought for $50 at an auction. Four ugly young men in black suits stepping out of a Lada to represent Russia... we were the real deal. It all started there! The people I met in that first year of UNYANZ alone have become long term friends.
Last year I completed a BA/BCom conjoint degree at the University of Auckland, majoring in Economics, Finance, and International Business. I’m currently working for an Investment Bank in Sydney. I often have friends from UNYANZ come through town and I find myself talking with them about nuclear disarmament, the Taiwan question, forced migration... topics I never talk about with anyone else! It keeps my eyes up to the issues of the world and I’m grateful for that.
Last year I was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study for an MPhil in Development Studies at Oxford University. UNYANZ definitely helped craft in me a yearning to understand how the world works from multiple perspectives - for me, it meant considering economics and finance through a more “human” lens. After Oxford, I’d like to work in an industry that necessitates decisions impacting the world’s poorest people in a tangible and positive way. Without a doubt, UNYANZ helped shape that desire. I can’t think of another youth-led organisation that does as much to teach young Kiwis about the issues of our world.
Richard Higgins
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helped shape views inspired involved aware understand teamworkrelationships decisions awards learned teamwork network helpedpositivity dreams reality shapeachievements recognitions awahonour gratitude experienceknowledge friends work friendsdifference dreams reality inspiration
I can’t imagine where I’d be without UNYANZ. It’s helped shape how I view the world, what I do, who I spend time with, and even where I studied. Model UN helped me understand the politics and complexities of international diplomacy, and the value of making friends. As President of UN Youth, I learned what teamwork is all about, how important preparation is, and, again, how important personal relationships are. Above all, I had a great time with truly outstanding people, many of whom are still among my best friends. These people helped to shape my political beliefs and opened my eyes to what is possible, no matter how young or old you are.
Recently I received a Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship, so I’m heading up to California to start my MBA (Master of Business Administration) at Berkeley. Prior to this I managed strategy for NDA Group, a private equity-owned business, and was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, a global management consultancy.
Robbie Allan29
helped shape views inspired involved aware understand teamworkrelationships decisions awards learned teamwork network helpedpositivity dreams reality shapeachievements recognitions awahonour gratitude experienceknowledge friends work friendsdifference dreams reality inspiration
DELEGATE INTERVIEWS
Matt Dobbs
Brendan Madley
Model United Nations events are a great opportunity to meet new people from all around New Zealand (and even the world!). They also build your self-confidence and your understanding of how the world works. As a delegate to THIMUN I can attest to the places attending Model United Nations events can get you, and to the regard that it is held in.
By all means get involved!
The first time I heard of the UN Youth of New Zealand was in 2009, during my last year of high school, for their annual Youth Declaration conference. Initially, I saw this as an opportunity to develop leadership skills, practice debating and learn about local policy. But UN Youth offered much more than that. At this event, we discussed national policy and empowered students from across New Zealand, giving voice to our views and the ideas of the youth who are often affected
more potently than what government leaders might think.
UN Youth of New Zealand has been great to me. It has given me a lot of confidence as it is a group that not only starts in high school but supports you through into University, developing and progressing as you do. I have met a fantastic bunch of new friends who never fail to inspire me to reach new heights and pursue what many once deemed ‘impossible’.
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helped shape views inspired involved aware understand teamworkrelationships decisions awards learned teamwork network helpedpositivity dreams reality shapeachievements recognitions awahonour gratitude experienceknowledge friends work friendsdifference dreams reality inspiration
Brendan Madley
Sylvie Admore
Jason Armishaw
Model United Nations events are a great opportunity to meet new people from all around New Zealand (and even the world!). They also build your self-confidence and your understanding of how the world works. As a delegate to THIMUN I can attest to the places attending Model United Nations events can get you, and to the regard that it is held in.
By all means get involved!
I have been involved with UN youth for almost a year
and during that time my debating skills and knowledge
of international relations have sky rocketed. The passion
and dedication of the UN Youth team is unmatched and
results in flawlessly organised events that are incomparable
to anything of its type. UN Youth has given me amazing
opportunities and opened my eyes to some of the potential
career paths that I could follow. UN youth is an amazing
organisation that I would love to be a part of in the future
It’s often easy to consider a problem from just one side, but as a MUN delegate something as everyday as water can take on new meaning when representing a North African country plagued by desertification.As part of the 2011 THIMUN delegation I was astounded by the international appeal of such conferences. This truly global initiative must be one of the best ways to promote mutual understanding and respect for other nations and cultures in future generations. The friends I have made through my involvement in UN Youth will no doubt be long-lasting. It has been a great opportunity to meet people with a similar interest in global issues and the way they
are addressed. I like to think that we might someday be the ones making those decisions. With international relations, as with many other things, practice makes perfect. We may not have changed the world yet, but given a chance, hopefully we have learnt enough to change it for the better.”
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TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
MUN can be easily integrated across several areas of the New Zealand Curriculum. These include Social Sciences; English; Mathematics and ICT.
Students attending the Model United Nations are required to think on a Global scale. Each participant represents a country of the United Nations. Students need to think about issues relating to their country in addition to how these issues have an impact on a global level. They get to hone their problem solving skills whilst trying to create solutions to global issues and they learn to reflect on their ideas and assumptions of global issues such as environmentalism, war, finance and terrorism, thus helping them to become more informed global citizens.
- Angela Basher, Buller High School
In the English Curriculum, participating in MUN develops and extends skills related to each of the main Achievement Objectives in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Before a conference begins, students research the historical, social and economic background of their assigned country. They then begin to form the texts they will present in a General Assembly. This gives them an authentic and meaningful context in which to focus on the Processes and Strategies they will use to get their meaning across, and the Structures and Language Features they will use to make their arguments convincing.
As Teacher in Charge of Model United Nations, I have found working with MUN events to be incredibly rewarding. My students have learned and developed skills which carry across into my classroom and inter-school debating teams, I have built stronger relationships with these students, and I have witnessed them build positive and lasting friendships with students from other schools. I would highly recommend MUN as a valuable learning tool for all schools.
- Sian Evans, Christ’s College
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CONTACT US For general enquiries email [email protected] or visit our website
at www.unyouth.org.nz.
To contact someone in your region email:
Auckland: [email protected]
Wellington: [email protected]
Canterbury: [email protected]
Otago: [email protected] the English Curriculum, participating in MUN develops and extends skills related to each of the main Achievement Objectives in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Before a conference begins, students research the historical, social and economic background of their assigned country. They then begin to form the texts they will present in a General Assembly. This gives them an authentic and meaningful context in which to focus on the Processes and Strategies they will use to get their meaning across, and the Structures and Language Features they will use to make their arguments convincing.
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BE THE DIFFERENCE.
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND (UNITED NATIONS YOUTH ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND BRANCH), INC IS THE YOUTH ARM OF THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND, A MEMBER OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATIONS (WFUNA)
CONTACT US
M: +64 4 496 9638E: [email protected] Box 24494, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealandwww.unyouth.org.nzwww.facebook.com/unyouthnz