SCHOOL NEWS - MCKINNON MODEL UN 2023

2023 MCKINNON MODEL UN 

On Friday 19 May 2023, McKinnon hosted for the eighth time a Model UN conference for secondary students on the topic Zero Hunger: Addressing Global Poverty and Universal Food Security.

This nearly annual event (we only missed 2020 due to the pandemic) was organised in collaboration with UNAA and we welcomed Wellington Sec College, Shelford Girls' Grammar, Caulfield Grammar School - Wheelers Hill, Glen Eira College, St Leonard's College, Kilbreda College, Camberwell Girls Grammar School and Brighton Grammar with their teams. 

This Model UN Conference runs over a full school day and is a creative simulation of the United Nations General Assembly in which students represent Member States of the UN in role play and debate. 

After a warm welcome by our Principal, Mr Kan, and an opening address by Professor Ian Howie (Adjunct Professor in International Studies School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University, Melbourne and Associate Professor Nossal Institute for Global Health University of Melbourne) who acted as General Secretary of the day, students stepped into the shoes of diplomates.

All teams had prepared position papers for the country they represented, which included thorough research and formal writing skills considering the country’s position they represented. 

They drew on diplomacy skills to ensure their views were heard and 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. 

In this conference, students learned about international relations, the UN system and a burning global issue, which kept all participants highly engaged. They rose to the occasion, using required public speaking skills and were congratulated for their impressive performance by Professor Howie and the UN team. 

I would like to thank all McKinnon participants for their outstanding effort preparing for this event and for their excellent contribution on the day. Thank you to all participating school teams and their teachers for preparing them so well which made this event an enjoyable experience for all.

Thank you also to the UNAA team led by Sally Northfield and Professor Ian Howe for the excellent cooperation and provision of this program on the day. 

A big thank you also to our facilities team and tech team for setting up the Hall and Tania Burnell, who organised a wonderful morning tea and lunch for 150 students and staff. 

Andrea Fowler

Global Citizenship Coordinator