The Central Coast Model United Nations Assembly (CCMUNA) will be held at the Erina Centre on Thursday, May 18, and will see 23 teams from local high schools debate current global issues.
The CCMUNA is organised by the combined local Rotary Clubs and is part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to youth development.
MUNA aims to nurture goodwill, world peace and understanding through modelling the debates of the United Nations General Assembly.
The concept emerged from a need for young people to express their views on significant and timely international issues in an internationally recognised forum.
The combined Rotary Clubs of the Central Coast, with the assistance of the University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus, hosts the CCMUNA annually.
The unique, one-day event simulates the workings of the UN General Assembly by having teams of school students represent member nations of the UN.
Students engage in informed and cordial debate on matters of world political and social concern.
Schools can enter at least one team and a second team can be entered at the committee’s discretion.
Each team is comprised of three students from years 9-12, consisting of two speakers and an adviser.
CCMUNA provides students with the opportunity to develop their public speaking and debating skills through informed and researched comment on international issues.
Preparing for and participating in the event helps young people to foster an empathetic understanding of other nations’ perspectives on global issues.
This year’s issues will focus on sustainable tourism and development goals, the refugee crisis, climate change, a proposal to move the UN headquarters out of the USA, and each team will address a peace resolution.
Central Coast Council’s administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, will officially open the event and Rotarian, Bruce Larkin, will present the winner’s trophy aided by the UONCC.
Source:
Newsletter, Apr 21
Rotary Club Northlakes Toukley