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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“

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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 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.


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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



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.



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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.



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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

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 25

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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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


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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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.

www.facebook.com/unyouthnz

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

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