Honourable delegates!
Join the movement that is exciting, educational and one of the best experiences you can have engaging with like minded students from around the country. With roots as far back as 1946, the United Nations Association of New Zealand has grown in leaps and bounds to encompass a plethora of avenues for youth participation. Today, UNYANZ consists of over 400 individual members under 25 years from around New Zealand and our Model UN Programme annually reaches around 1000 secondary school students through Model UN.
So what is a Model UN?
It is a conference that simulates the real working of a United Nations assembly. At a Model UN students assume the roles of Ambassadors to the United Nations and seek ways, through the means of diplomacy and negotiation, for the world community to find solutions to global concerns, while speaking from the viewpoint of the member state they are representing. This is a great chance to experience first-hand the diplomatic and decision-making processes that guide international relations.
Why do you want to be involved?
If you enjoy socialising with like minded individuals who care about the global issues, you will enjoy the challenge and rewarding experience of attending a Model UN. Not only do you get to take on a diplomatic persona, and defend the policies of the country you are representing but you also get to discuss and learn about real international issues. The invaluable experience of learning about the factors that influence the outcome of international political deliberations will help you develop skills such as independent research skills, debating and negotiating skills, and expanding your knowledge base on international relations. . So if you have an enquiring mind, enjoy intelligent conversation and like to have fun, Model UN is perfect for you.
Where can Model UN take me?
All over the world! The Hague International Model United Nation is an international Conference that brings together thousands of high school students from around the world to Den Hague, the Netherlands each year. New Zealand sends one delegation of students to represent a member state in January each year. All students need to do is apply and be selected at the National Model United Nations Conference held in Wellington in June/July. It is a truly amazing experience to travel around the world with passionate students, visiting embassies, UN headquarters, and getting a taste of European culture whilst on route to the Netherlands.
Similarly, other international conferences where UNYANZ send youth delegations to is the United National Youth Conference in Australia (UNYC). This is a residential conference held annually, with a high calibre of debating and plenty of opportunities for students to socialise and make friends across the Tasman.
So what are you waiting for? UNYANZ welcomes all to this organisation that strives to develop youth potential in New Zealand. We hope that more of you will take advantage of the exciting opportunities available!