FRENCH MODEL UN CONFERENCE
The first French Model United Conference was held in Melbourne on Monday 19 May. Organised by the DEECD and the UNAA Victoria, it was a first of its kind, as the entire conference was in French; a challenge that six of our Year 12 students of French decided to take up: Nick Parkinson, Sophie Higham, Rachel Walker, Nadia Elkin, Sara Cooper and Ruby Willis. Divided into two groups of three, they represented two francophone countries: Guinea and Morocco. The topic of the ‘resolution’ discussed at the conference was refugees and displaced populations due to conflicts or climate change.
First, they had to prepare for the conference with the resource pack provided by the UNAA Victoria.
They spent lunchtimes and late nights studying, analysing and discussing the history of the countries they represented, as well as their current social and political issues in regards to the questions of refugees.
Their first aim was to write their introductive speech to be delivered at the opening session of the conference. Set in the formal setting of the Treasury Building Lecture Theatre, approximately 30 francophone countries were represented by a variety of Melbourne schools such has Eltham College, MacRobertson Girls High, Elwood College, Glen Eira College or Melbourne Girls.
The debates were moderated by Diane de Saint Léger (Associate Lecturer at the University of Melbourne) in the role of the secretary general. Students discussed the situation of their respective countries in their regional and international context. Climate change, the gap between rich and poor countries as well as the responsibility of former colonial powers were debated over, sometimes with passion. The conference closed with the students voting on a resolution after voting for or against amendments. The Minister for Education, Martin Dixon, officially closed the session in a speech where he stressed the importance of languages in a world which is becoming more ‘global’ and noted the large number of francophone countries.
Frau Fowler and I were very pleased with the contribution of McKinnon students in the complex discussions that took place during the conference.
There is also an article on The Age's website discussing the French Model United Conference.
Pierrick Hubert
Languages Assistant KLA