MUNA

Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

 

"On Friday 6 September we travelled to Dromana Secondary collage to take part in a Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). In our group of six students we represented two countries: Egypt and Venezuela.

 

Autumn Murray, Sophie Easterbrook and myself were part of the Venezuelan team while Bella Wingate, Adi Johansjah and Acalia Bleazby were part of the Egypt team. 

 

After having multiple meetings in the lead-up to the event, we had prepared a position statement about how our country felt about the topic: "Asylum Seekers and Refugees". The whole day consisted of three parts, beginning with the position statements where every country stood and made an opening speech to the rest of the assembly allowing fellow delegates from each country to identify who could be trusted to second a potential amendment or a country with opposing views may be. 

Following a break for morning tea, we proceeded to hold a moderated caucus overseen by the Secretary General to discuss proposed amendments or to pose questions to the delegates of another country. During this time, we were able to make our own statements to the assembly and listen to others do their own. Towards the end of the caucus session, an unmoderated caucus was called for, meaning delegates freely roamed to talk in person with other countries of note. On the Venezuelan team we talked to Columbia and together we discussed how refugees could be safely repatriated.

 

Finally, we held an amendment session where during lunch proposed amendments were entered and a selection of amendments were chosen. As each improvement of the different clauses discussed at the beginning the country who proposed each one stood and named other delegates who seconded the alteration, removal, or creation of a clause, sparking debates over the reasoning and thoughts behind the decision. After that a vote was held, with delegates opting to vote for, against or abstain the amendment.  A final vote was held to confirm all changes made were agreed to by the majority.

 

Overall, the whole experience was fun and it was amazing to get involved with other schools and learn about different occurrences and what is happening in the world. 

 

Thank you to Mrs Kim Drever and Mrs Sarah Bahramis for helping us prepare and Mr Anthony Keane for taking us on the excursion."

 

Archie Frew, Year 9 SLC member