HUMANITIES

2024 MCKINNON MODEL UN

On Friday 10 May, sixty students from Years 9 - 12 participated in our annual Model United Nations along with students from Oakleigh Grammar, St Leonard’s College, Dromana College, OLSH, and Caulfield Grammar. This year’s topic was “Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development: Harnessing the Benefits - Safeguarding Human Rights.” 

The acting General Secretary for the day was Professor Ian Howie, an Associate Professor at the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, and Adjunct Professor at RMIT University, Melbourne, and has spent more than 35 years working for the UN in the field of international development both here and overseas.

Students stepped into the shoes of diplomats to represent a UN Member State to prepare position statements in response to a draft resolution on the topic. They interacted with other delegates during the caucus sessions moving amendments to a Draft UN Resolution and finding support through negotiation. During the sessions, Professor Howie introduced students to the procedures in the different sessions of the assembly and added valuable information on the international situation. 

Here are some of the reflections from students who participated:

This year, I took part in Model UN on the topic of Artificial Intelligence as a representative delegate for Japan. I enjoyed the event so much and after the initial nervousness wore off, I loved speaking and debating on the pressing global topic of AI. Not only did I gain a much deeper understanding of the United Nations, my team and I also bonded with different delegates during break times and experienced the comradery between private and public schools. 

It was insightful to discover the different clauses and articles discussing human rights and even more exciting to form arguments and convince other member states to support our country.

Eden Sullivan, Year 9

A highly educating and enlightening experience, the Model UN 2024 offered an unparalleled event for me. Representing The Republic of Argentina, my team and I took on the role of being Argentine delegates and learnt of the standpoint of the Argentine government on the discussion topic of the ever-growing implications of AI and human rights. Having publicly spoken countless previous times, yet only with mostly familiar crowds, the Model UN set me up to speak in front of many unfamiliar faces, a challenge that surged my confidence. 

The day also taught me of the many different standpoints of other countries and nations on the rights of an individual and AI and how the United Nations committee is really set up and functioned. Overall, the day was an eye-opening experience where I learnt lots and bonded with many others.   

Ria Anand, Year 10

The Model UN 2024 was definitely a highlight of my year, where my team and I represented The Republic of Chile. This year, the overall topic of discussion was AI and human rights, which I found to be deeply interesting and very fun to debate about. I had an absolute blast discussing a range of material as if I was really a delegate from Chile! 

Not only did my public speaking skills and knowledge of global actors improve, I made many friends with the students visiting from other schools. 

Amelie Ciddor, Year 10

During the 2024 Model UN, I represented our own country, Australia, where we discussed the beneficial and harmful applications of AI, and how it can affect countries globally. Throughout the day it was very intriguing to hear from other schools on their thoughts on the topic of AI, representing their countries and brainstorming various amendments to the proposed resolutions. 

Throughout taking part in this global process of the United Nations, I was able to further my understanding of how the United Nations adopts proposed resolutions.

Shauri Pedavalli, Year 11

For the many students across a wide variety of schools that participated, the Model UN of 2024 provided an authentic and practical insight into the atmosphere of attending a meeting of the United Nations. I, alongside my group, were tasked with researching as well as representing the Republic of Iraq and their stance on the use of Artificial Intelligence, learning all about their intentions of harnessing AI in the future of the medical field.

A highlight which I and many others shared was overcoming the initial sense of anxiety while speaking over the microphone to a large, previously intimidating audience.

Alex Gardiner, Year 12

Many thanks to the UNAA Victoria team led by Fanny Rios and Professor Howie. Programs like these have an enormous impact on the development of our students as global citizens and provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase their public speaking and negotiating skills. 

I would also like to thank the school council and leadership team for their ongoing support for the program, as well as the support from Andrea Fowler, the AV and facilities teams and Tania Burnell for catering the event. This program could not have happened without their help.

Mr William Lee

Politics and History Teacher

YEAR 9 CITIES OF THE FUTURE FIELDWORK

On Friday 24 May, the Year 9 Cities of the Future class attended the Metro Tunnel HQ.

We began our excursion, by walking to the McKinnon station where we caught the train into Swanston Street and walked to the HQ.

Here we enjoyed a presentation from staff about what the new Metro tunnel looks like and the reasoning behind the multibillion-dollar construction. We learnt how this new line includes twin 9km tunnels with five new stations, allowing for less congestion along the city loop. We had the opportunity to explore 3D models of Melbourne and the tunnels through VR headsets and immersive footage of the construction. 

Similarly, we enjoyed a careers presentation that outlined the various jobs and fields that had been involved in the designing, construction, and promotion of the Metro Tunnel. We were given the opportunity to explore our own attributes/interests and how these may align with potential career opportunities. For example, working with people, creating media using different platforms and using leadership skills - may see someone suitable for a Media development coordinator.

Overall, the excursion provided us with an insight into how Melbourne is planning and designing new infrastructure to accommodate the city’s growing population. 

Aadhav Malavarayar Karthikeyan

Year 9 Student