HUMANITIES

MODEL UNITED NATION CONFERENCE

On Wednesday the 2nd of August, Footscray City College hosted a Model UN Conference that was run by the United Nations Association of Australia - Victorian Division. As part of a government initiative to increase awareness of the global community and the work the UN does, the school hosted 60 students from our local area including both our Year 11 and Year 12 Politics classes.

The day was a wonderful insight into the way the UN general assembly goes about drafting, debating and voting on resolutions pertaining to global issues. Our focus for the day was a topic called Hear my Voice: Recognising the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Students were grouped in small delegations of three or four and represented nineteen countries from around the world. Ranging from Finland to Fiji, they presented their arguments for and against a draft resolution on the increased acknowledgment of Indigenous People Groups around the world.

All students presented extremely well researched and thoughtful arguments from the perspective of their designated country, and our acting Secretary-General for the day - Professor Ian Howie from RMIT - noted the high standard of presentation and discussion throughout the day. Despite some flaring tensions between members-states (We’re looking at you Australia and the United States!) the day was a complete success. It gave our students and those visiting a real taste for global politics and what it would be like to operate within an international decision making body like the United Nations.

We hope to be involved with the UNAA in future and eagerly look forward to the next Model UN Conference in Melbourne’s West.

Todd Loftis - Humanities Curriculum Area Leader