UN+ FORGETTABLE
POST CONFERENCE BOOKLET NZ MODEL UN 2013 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON 5-8 JULY 2013 WWW.UNYOUTH.ORG.NZ
INTRODUCTION Kia ora honourable delegates, I hope you enjoyed NZ Model UN. By now you’ve had an opportunity to sift through the endless photos on Facebook, read and reread the blog and recover from your Model UN-withdrawal symptoms! But as I alluded to in my closing speech, the conference is only the beginning of something so much larger. This booklet is your official post-conference handbook. This publication will help you relive the memories from NZ Model UN - the debate, the social events, the friendships. It captures the experience so that you can share it with your family, friends and teachers. My thanks to Xindi Zhang, communications officer, Leilani Fatupaito, post-conference publications editor and Henrietta Hitchings, our design guru, for your work in making this happen. My thanks again to the whole conference publications team for all the photos and your work throughout the conference - you guys did an excellent job. Even if the event is done and dusted, I hope the spirit of the conference lives on, whether it be the public speaking and lobbying skills, an appreciation of the work of the United Nations, an understanding of the international community’s future priorities, or the excitement from meeting like-minded students from around New Zealand. Most importantly though, I hope you’ve come to realise how you, as a global citizen, can change the world. This year’s theme was ‘Looking Beyond the Millennium Development Goals’. I hope you managed to do just that while you were here in Wellington. From the beginning of the conference, I stressed the important decision the world has to make going forwards - do we leave UN member states to act autonomously? Or do we impose expectations and requirements on states in order to prosper as an international community? You had many an opportunity to reflect on that - in your committees, in the Sustainable Development Goals goal-setting exercise and plenary session, and around the dinner table in your regional groups. It’s the age-old question that is the crux of international decision-making, and lies at the heart of our theme this year. Regardless of your answer to that question, it’s essential we act, either as a global force or individually. Your response to that challenge might shape the way you go about effecting change. Remember back to Think Tank, the outreach programme we pioneered at this conference. Is your idea, or another idea you discussed, able to be implemented locally? I encourage you to consider Think Tank as the beginning of something more, and ask yourself can you change your community? I assure you that you can. Stay in touch, stay involved, and keep challenging the way things are. Nga mihi Harry Tothill NZ Model UN 2013 Coordinator
DAY ONE - FRIDAY ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION The foyer was buzzing with excitement as Delegates completed registration. Conference Assistants handed out delegate packs, that contained the essential memorabilia.
WELCOME #NZModelUN tweets were displayed on the twitter feed as Delegates entered the lecture theater. Harry Tothill, NZ Model UN Conference Coordinator, gave the welcome address and introduced the NZ Model UN Committee. A viewing of the NZ Model UN video subsequently followed, giving a snapshot of what the conference was going to entail. It was enlightening to see the progress since 2000, regarding the 8 Millennium Development Goals. However, there is much more to be done, hence giving emphasis to this year’s theme: “Looking Beyond the Millennium Development Goals”.
REGIONAL GROUPS After feeling motivated and empowered to make a difference in the world, delegates were separated into their respective Regional Groups. Regional Group Coordinators opened up their sessions with an icebreaker to help delegates learn each other’s names and get more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. The opportunity for future friendships had begun.
RULES OF PROCEDURE Eve Bain gave the delegates a rundown of the rules that must be adhered to in Committee Sessions. There was a lot of information to take in given all the technical jargon delegates were expected to remember. A number of Conference Assistants performed a skit in the hopes that key rules of procedure would be remembered.
NEGOTIATION Guest Speaker; Troy Pickard Taylor, (BA/LLB Student at Victoria University of Wellington) presented the Negotiation Workshop. Delegates learned effective techniques and types of negotiation and some difficulties that may potentially be encountered and ways to avoid them. Delegates had the opportunity to put these skills into practice by negotiating “Whaling” from the perspectives of an assigned Country or Non-Government Organisation. It was an excellent opportunity for Delegates to practice public speaking and critical thinking in establishing their proposed clauses and resolutions.
SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOAL: GOAL-SETTING Regional Groups completed the task of writing targets regarding a Sustainability Development Goal for the upcoming Plenary Session. Delegates were advised to think “globally”. Many Regional Groups worked well in dividing the work between them in the drafting stage. Negotiation skills came into play when determining which target should be submitted to the Plenary Session.
AMAZING RACE Teams were seen competing around the Wellington CBD in the 2013 NZ Model UN Amazing Race. Delegates got to experience Windy Wellington’s finest features; Parliament, Te Papa, Bucket Fountain and the Cable Car.
OPENING CEREMONY Distinguished guest; the Honourable Phil Goff urged Delegates to continually rise to the challenge of ensuring a better world for all. Delegates were also addressed by Harry Tothill, NZ Model UN Conference Coordinator; Anton Smith, National President of UN Youth NZ and Susan Harper, Associate Director of Student Recruitment, Admission & Orientation of Victoria University of Wellington. The presentation of Scholarship Award Recipients brought the opening ceremony to a close. SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Ashley Stuart Lawson Davison Kaitlyn White Annie Huang Savannah Adams Stephanie McAlister Harrison Cunningham Faline Zhou Dushanka Govender Sati Ravichandiren Ashera Gunatilake Matthew Bilton Loren McCarthy A special thank you to all the Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates who generously provided scholarships and made this possible.
DAY TWO - SATURDAY ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATIONS Delegates were dressed for the occasion as they promptly arrived for Day 2 of the NZ Model UN Conference. Those who had taken the challenge to wear the national dress of their country stood out amongst the crowd.
COMMITTEE SPEAKERS Delegates had the privilege of hearing from distinguished speakers who were experts in their field. Some Delegates were surprised on how close in proximity the ‘wealthy’ and the ‘slums’ and others were impressed by the technological progress that has enhanced education in less developed countries.
REGIONAL GROUP: COMMITTEE SESSION BRIEF Regional Groups met with their Regional Group Coordinators to be briefed on the upcoming committee sessions for the day. Delegates were given the opportunity to lobby other delegates who were in their Committees in order to gain to support for their respective amendments. Delegates proposed to strike, change or ratify clauses were heard amongst the discussion. Delegates were able to discover possible conflicts with one another as they expressed the needs and wants of their countries. Negotiations took place in trying to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome prior to going into the First Committee Session. General Assembly 1: Refugee Repatriation Rates General Assembly 2: Accessibility of Technology General Assembly 3: Universal Access to Education General Assembly 4: Improving the Living Conditions of Slum Dwellers World Health Assembly: Provision of Maternal Healthcare United Nations Environment Program: Biodiversity Loss Security Council 1: Situation in Libya Security Council 2: Gender Equality in UN Peacekeeping Forces Security Council 3: Situation in Isreal and Palestine Plenary: Sustainable Development Goals Summit
FIRST COMMITTEE SESSION Delegates took their place behind their placards, which identified the country they were representing. The Chair introduced themselves as well as the Secretary, Special Rapporteur and Notepassers. The Chair then called the delegates to order and the Committee Session commenced. Nerves slowly ebbed away as Delegates came to the podium to put forth their position regarding the relevant topic they were to be discussing. Delegates were given the chance for moderated caucus at the Chair’s discretion, which gave ample opportunity for them to further negotiate. Notes could be seen passing frantically before the final vote to be cast. The sound of applauding signaled the end of the First Committee Session after the respective amendment had passed or failed.
SECOND COMMITTEE SESSION A different Committee Session called for a different topic to be debated. Delegates were more confident in putting forth their positions in this session. More use of the Notepassers occurred as Delegates tried to lobby for further support. This was particularly essential where the Chair held they would only entertain amendments with a certain majority.
REGIONAL GROUP: COMMITTEE SESSION REFLECTIONS Delegates had the opportunity to reflect with each other about the strengths and weaknesses of their Committee Sessions after debate.
REGIONAL DINNER Conference Assistants joined delegates for dinner at local Wellington CBD restaurants that served their particular Regional Group’s cuisine, Many delegates enjoyed the chance to socialise and enjoy each other’s company. Delegates then gathered at the renowned Bucket Fountain on Cuba Street to depart for walking buses to their respective accommodation.
DAY THREE - SUNDAY
THIRD COMMITTEE SESSION The atmosphere was livelier than the previous sessions as Delegates were more determined and confident when communicating to the Assembly. Higher levels of conviction reflected their passion on debated topics as they urged other Delegates to support their Amendments. Voting on Amendments and the Resolution as a whole was vigorous.
THINK TANK Delegates heard from Guest Speaker: Toby Jordan, Founding Ambassador at World Merit* and Deputy Secretary General-International at Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference. Toby shared his experiences of social entrepreneurship, which measures how people are impacted by an innovative solution. Toby advised: “If you have a great idea, just go for it!”. Delegates heard about various projects Toby is involved in which provide promising entrepreneurs opportunities. Toby’s closing remarks were: “The more people you tell about your ideas, the more you can refine your idea into being something truly awesome”.
REGIONAL GROUP COLLABORATION Delegates were set the task of creating a sustainable development proposal regarding their assigned Millennial Development Goal. A Roaming Discussion Panel consisting of professionals and students were lead by Hayden Montgomerie, National Youth Participation Advisor at New Zealand Ministry of Youth Development, to aid Delegates by providing them with their expertise in relation to the Millennial Development Goals. Delegates at first struggled with the distinction between “business” and “charity”, but with the help of their Regional Group Coordinators and the Roaming Discussion Panel, they were well on their way to creating a feasible proposal. Delegates worked well together in brainstorming ideas and encouraged each other to think outside the box. The time came for Delegates to present their proposals to their Regional Group Coordinators, who would then select the top three to go forward to the NZ Model UN Committee for judging.
KYCOM Michael Cropp and Amelia Lamb hosted the 2013 NZ Model UN Quiz – “KYCOM“ (Know Your Cuts of Meat). Delegates divided themselves into teams of four or five. Answers were submitted to a panel of Conference Assistants.
THE BALL The highly anticipated event of the 2013 NZ Model UN Ball was held at the Amora Hotel, Wellington. Delegates arrived in their finest attire and were greeted by Conference Assistants who directed them to the ballroom. After Delegates had checked in their coats and bags, they were seated at their tables according to their Amazing Race Teams. Chatter of recent events amongst each table of Delegates subsided as Harry Tothill, 2013 NZ Model UN Coordinator welcomed distinguished guests; Hayden Montgomerie, National Youth Participation Advisor at New Zealand Ministry of Youth Development, Anton Smith, National President of NZ Youth UN, the AMUNC Committee, and the Conference Assistants and Delegates.
DAY FOUR - MONDAY
WELCOME Here, all Delegates would be participating in putting forward their position to the resolution. Delegates had the pleasure of hearing from NZ National Party List MP, Paul Foster-Bell who discussed New Zealand’s efforts in campaigning to gain a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Paul advised the Delegates that New Zealand’s interest in conflicts is only to resolve them and that the approach would be to take an even ambit and balance of both sides. Furthermore, Paul pressed that New Zealand would be able to represent similar views of the Pacific Nations, thus giving them a far greater chance to be heard.
NZ MODEL UN: GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY SESSION Given the General Assembly consisted of all 240 Delegates, there was naturally a rush to the Chair to put be the first Proposer and Seconder of the Resolution regarding the Sustainable Development Goals. The Chair advised that Amendments were to be passed by single majority by placard and that the Resolution as a whole was to be passed by two-thirds majority by roll call.
THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WERE ADDRESSED: 1. Achieve global food, water and energy security 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender, racial and religious equality 4. Address population dynamics responsibly 5. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases 6. Ensure environmental sustainability 7. Reduce conflict and fragility 8. Promote accessibility and responsible governance
Throughout the resolution, Delegates more persuasive in communicating their country’s position. Delegates made use of Notepassers to try and gain alliances, as the opportunity for a moderated caucus was limited given the number of Delegates in session. The majority of clauses within the Resolution were ratified. Only one clause was struck out entirely, whilst there were a few clauses that were amended. The General Assembly implemented a 9th Sustainable Development Goal to “Address the Rise of Human-caused Health Problems” with additional clauses. Delegates made the most out of the last moderated caucus to gather support from other Delegates. The Resolution passed with 95 votes for, 31 votes against and 66 abstentions.
Delegates had the opportunity to think creatively as they debated on clauses regarding “Promotion of Ecotourism for Poverty Eradication and Environmental Protection” based on a Zombie Apocalypse context. The Resolution was passed with amended clauses to accommodate the “Zombies” in the world. It was a light-hearted and humourous way to end the intensive past four days
CLOSING CEREMONY The final event for the 2013 NZ Model UN Conference. Winners of the Amazing Race, Think Tank and KYCOM were announced and congratulated. Andrew Chen and Anton Smith, National President of UN Youth NZ announced upcoming events of UN Youth NZ, notable the new online “Diplomacy Competition” which is open to all New Zealand High School students. More details of events and competitions can be find on the UN Youth NZ website
THIMUN The THIMUN selection of Delegates took place and we wish all the best for the successful applicants as they travel abroad. Harry Tothil, NZ Model UN Coordinator wished Delegates all the best in their future endeavours and officially declared the 2013 NZ Model UN closed.
DELEGATES
EMILY MOON
SACHIN SONI
JAMES BAYLY
JULIA YAN
JACK KERKVLIET
DANIEL HAMILTON
GEMMA ENGBERS
MONA YANG
MATTHEW BILTON
ASHERA GUNATILAKE
LOREN MCCARTHY
JONAH TAN
DANIEL KIM
ABIGAIL HART
TARIQ KADER
HELEN ZHAO
BILLIE GILL
SARAH WIKES
IAN ROBERTSON
NADYA FAUZIA
EMILY BOTES
MATHEW CLARKE
LAURA CHAPMAN
GERALDINE ROCHE
SAMUEL MCCABE
TAMER BARNES
MEGHAN LAING
JESSICA KWON
YEONJOO REW
ISABELLA NICHOLSON
CHRISTINE LI
SAMUEL KIRK-REEVE
SYLVIA SONG
REVATHI NISHTALA
ABBY JOHNSTON
ISABELLE KWEK
LANCE QIAN
LARS THOMPSON
JAY EVETT
AMELIA RETTER
HARRY BELL
SARAH HYLAND
BRONWYN TILNEY
ALISON BALL
CAMERON SMITH
LOVELY DIZON
LAWSON DAVISON
KATE APPLETON
ALEXANDRA DOGGETT
WIL UNDY
CHRIS YANG
DANIEL WRIGHT
GUL AGHA ALIZANDAH
PEITIAN XIONG
AASTHA OBEROI
SAMMIE FUNG
HANBEE JEONG
JESSICA RICHARDS
LOUIS ZABALA
HAYLEY BENNETT
WILLIAM GUY
SATI RAVICHANDIREN
CHRIS HAGAN
MACKENZIE EDWARDS
JAMES MELVIN
BLAKE MCALEVEYSCURR
PETER MCKENZIE
JAMES PEARCE
JENNIFER ZHAN
AARON WONG
WILLIAM WARREN
MARCUS NOAKES
IAIN MILLER
ERIN SHEN
NOAH JARRAH
SAM ANDRIST
MICAH HILL-SMITH
JAKE WANG
JONATHAN BRUMLEY
LUCY TOTHILL
PATRICK COSTLEY
ELLIE BISHOP
SUKEY ALLEN
MEGAN WOODHEAD
NAZIA AHMED
HARRISON CUNNINGHAM
ANTHONY YELAVICH
LUCY PEEBLES
JEONGWOO LIM
SOPHIE DYHRBERG
DANIELLE ROLLS
LINGSHU LIU
NOAH JARRAH
DUSHANKA GOVENDER
KAITLYN WHITE
EDEN BROWN
KEVIN HOWE
REBECCA READ
AMANDA NGO
MATTHEW SELL
ASHEER AHMAD
ELLA WILLIAMS
KERRY MCNULTY
ANNIKA BESS
ANDRES CANNON
ISABEL KELLY
NATASHA BAILEY
ELEANOR GREEN
NICOLE TILL
JOANNA DARGIE
GRACE COLLETT
MARTIN LUK
LUCY WOODS
LEON HU
NAMITA SAGGER
ELISE KEALL
MARTIN NEUMANN
MATTHEW MOORE
SEBASTIAN HALLUM CLARKE
ANNALISA JEFFRIES
GEORGIE DOWD
SINA ETE
ALLICE CONNORS
RASYAD CHE ISMAIL
ASHLEY STUART
LUKE GELLEN
WILL COADY
SOPHIE VILES
HENRY THOMPSON
MAISIE PRIOR
MADELEINE BELL
SARAH JACKSON
KEVIN LEE
LEE RICHARDSON
AMY DAVIES
ISLA TOBIN
ANKITA KAW
RHAZ SOLOMAN
ANGUS ALLAN
STEPHANIE MCALISTER
ELISE BATT
BEN ROBERTS
EMILY NARBEY
JACOB BARKER
ROLAND EVELEENS
CHRIS GOLLIN
JAKE MCGREGOR
TIM PATERSONCATTO
CAMERON HAWORTH
MAGGIE LIU
KIERAN METHERELL
LOGAN VAN RYNBACH
BLAISE TURNBULL
EDWARD ROCHE
SAMANTHA TULETT
JESSIE MAO
SARAH SUTCLIFFE
EMMA ALLEN
SAM MYTHEN
SAVANNAH ADAMS
HILARY SPENCER
CHRISTEY BLYTHEN
DANIEL MAIER-GANT
TE TIRA O TE RANGI NIKORA
JACK GRADWELL
WILLIAM FULTON
HANNAH MONIGATTI
WENDY LEE
NAA-EUN KIM
BRIDGETTE ELLIS
XAVIER MUAO BREED
CONOR O’HANLON
ADAM CAMERON
GRACE TITTER
ADITI GORASIA
ALEX MCHUGH
SYLVIA DUNCAN
SHIRLEY ZHANG
ROSE OAKLEY
SAMUEL PORTA
FALINE ZHAO
JESSIE FENTON
EMMA PAIRMAN
DIANA QIU
JASON GUAN
HIBA HUSSAIN
SHAANIL SENERETHDASSANAYAKE
EMMA GAMSON
MICHAEL LOUGH
CELESTE ALLAN
MICHELLE HUANG
CAROLINE HOPE
SOPHIE THOMSONWEBB
BEN COLGAN
GEORGIA LALA
RICHARD TUCK
JENNY LI
ANNIE HUANG
ROWAN BIGGS
PATRICK SAVILL
GEORGE FITZGERALD
JULIET BRUCE
JOSHUA ALACH
LUCY ROBERTSON
ISABELLA RADOVANOVIC
LAUREN HOLLOWAY
VICTORIA HOLYOAKE
KAYLA POLAMALU
GABRIEL STEWART
AMARIND HUN ENG
WILLIAM BRISCOE
SAMIYA FARAH
JOSHUA WALKER
BESS SCHNIOFFSKY
MADISON HUGHES
BENJAMIN AYTO
JACOBI KOHU-MORRIS
EMILY ANSELMI
RUPAL MADAAN
JESSICA RAMAMURTHY
BETHANY DAVEY
MATHEW NICHOLSON
LIAM RAWLINGS
JOSEPH PLUNKET
SAFFRON HUANG