UN+ YOUTH
TABLE OF CON Overview
pg. 4
The Value of Model UN
pg. 6
Regional Activities
pg. 8
National Programmes NZMUN Youth Declaration NZMSC
pg. 12 pg.14 pg. 16
International Programmes UNYC THIMUN
pg. 20 pg. 21
Our Volunteers
pg. 22
Organisational Structure
pg. 24
How you can get involved
pg. 26
Alumni Interviews
pg. 28
Delegate Interviews
pg. 30
Teacher Testimonials
pg. 32
Contact Us
pg. 33
NTENTS
UN Youth Review Created: July 2011 Prepared by Chloe Muggeridge and Ben Land-Maycock Designed by Alliv Samson Images by Hayden Ng, Raewyn Seto, Megan Newby, Nigel Smith, UN Media, and various UN Youth members
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
OVERVIEW 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). 04
INSPIRING GLOBAL CITIZENS 05
THE VALU OF MODE 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.
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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 futurefocused issues such as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise and globalisation.
UE EL UN 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.
UN is a fun, “ Model interactive way to
“
educate young people about global issues.
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REGIONAL ACTIVITIES 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.
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ES
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.
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NATIONAL PR
New
High Schools
New Zealand Model United Natio Youth Declaration
ROGRAMMES Universities
w Zealand Model Security Council
ons
New Zealand Model United Natio The 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.
12
ons
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. 13
Youth Declaration Youth 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. 15
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. 17
INTERNATION PROGRAMME
High Schools
The Hague International Model U UN Youth Conference, Australia
As
NAL ES
UN
Universities
sia-Pacific Model United Nations
UN Youth Conference, Australia Each year, the United Nations Youth
We send a delegation of New Zealand
Association of Australia hosts the UN Youth
high school students to UNYC each year.
Conference (UNYC), a week-long conference,
Our delegates contribute a valuable New
bringing together over 150 passionate young
Zealand perspective to UNYC and leave the
people from every Australian State and
conference equipped with a sense of both
Territory, as well other Asia-Pacific countries.
the common issues facing the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
UNYC aims to educate young students about important international issues facing
UNYC is a fantastic opportunity for young
today’s world. Delegates participate in a
New Zealanders to engage with our
range of inspiring exercises, ranging from
immediate neighbours and further their
Model United Nations debate and interactive
knowledge of the global community,
speaker’s forums to outreach programmes
generate discussion and dialogue around
such as wheelchair basketball and refugee
issues, and cultivate qualities of leadership.
tutoring. These outreach programmes encourage delegates to think about creating positive change in their own communities.
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The Hague International Model UN 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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OUR VOLUNT 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,
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TEERS
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.
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NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
Members: President and 5 Vice-Presidents Role: Provides strategic direction and leadership for the organisation and monitors programmes on a day to day basis Meets: Weekly Elected by: AGM
NATIONAL COUNCIL
Members: National Executive, Regional Presidents, + 1 Regional Rep Role: Holds the National Executive, Regional Councils and Program account; discusses substantive policy and strategic plans. Meets: 4 times a year around New Zealand
REGIONAL COUNCILS
PRO COOR
Regions: • Auckland • Wellington • Canterbury • Otago Role: Organise regional events, interact with members and provide opportunities
Events: • New Zea • New Zea Council • Youth D Role: Coordina
ORGANISATIONAL STRUC
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Members: • National Design Team • Webmaster • Newsletter Editor Role: Implement brand, maintain website, release newsletter, design resources and promote opportunities.
presentative mme Coordinators to
OGRAMME RDINATORS
aland Model UN aland Model Security
Declaration ate specific programmes
CTURE
DELEGATION DIRECTORS Delegations: • The Hague International Model UN (THIMUN), • Australian UN Youth Conference (UNYC) • Asia-Pacific Model UN Conference (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: • Attend our events; • Offer to coordinate or support an event; • Stand for election as an office-holder regionally or nationally; • Join UN Youth for free by signing up at unyouth.org.nz; • Join our social networks on Facebook and Twitter; • View our website at unyouth.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 president@unyouth.org.nz. We are willing to work with potential donors and sponsors to create a package giving both parties a fulfilling and unique partnership.
We value any contribution you can make to UN Youth, so please get in touch. 27
elped shape v nvolved aware elationships de arned teamwo ositivity dream chievements r onour gratitud nowledge frien 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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views inspired e understand t ecisions awar ork network h ms reality sha recognitions a de experience nds work frien 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 Allan
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elped shape vi volved aware lationships de arned teamwo ositivity dream chievements r onour gratitud nowledge frien DELEGATE INTERVIEWS
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
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 y understanding of how the world works. A delegate to THIMUN I can attest to the pla attending Model United Nations events ca get you, and to the regard that it is held in By all means get involved!
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’.
Bre
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Matt Dobbs
iews inspired understand t ecisions award ork network h ms reality sha recognitions a de experience nds work frien year a t s o r alm nowledge o f h t k n ou ls and he passio UN y l i k h t s i w d .T ng olved y debati rocketed atched an ble v n i been at time m ave sky unm compara e s i v a h m h n Ih ring t l relations Youth tea that are i mazing u d d an tial ea nts UN iona n t e m e e v a t h e n n t o r e f p d e v f the ng of int dication o organise th has gi o e e zi om ou sly and d in flawles ype. UN Y eyes to s is an ama ture t y th ts the fu resul hing of its opened m . UN you n i f d yt ow art o to an unities an could foll to be a p e rt tI oppo aths tha would lov rp tI caree ation tha is organ
d!). your As a aces an n.
Jason Armishaw
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.�
endan Madley
Sylvie Admore
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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 of the main Achievement Objectives in reading, writing, listening and spea conference begins, students research the historical, social and economic b their assigned country. They then begin to form the texts they will present Assembly. This gives them an authentic and meaningful context in which Processes and Strategies they will use to get their meaning across, and th 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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TEACHER TESTIMONIALS
CONTACT US For general enquiries email info@unyouth.org.nz or visit our website at www.unyouth.org.nz. To contact someone in your region email:
Auckland: auckland@unyouth.org.nz
Wellington: wellington@unyouth.org.nz
Canterbury: canterbury@unyouth.org.nz
Otago: otago@unyouth.org.nz
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www.facebook.com/unyouthnz
BE THE DIF
FFERENCE.
CONTACT US M: +64 4 496 9638 E: info@unyouth.org.nz PO Box 24494, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand www.unyouth.org.nz www.facebook.com/unyouthnz
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)