Around The College 

German Model UN 

On Monday the 18th of July, a small group of year 11 and 12 students studying VCE German at Brentwood participated in a Model UN conference held by the United Nations Association of Australia. Model UN conferences are conducted across the world, in which delegates (students) debate for the best interests of their nominated country, in order to simulate the real pressures and processes of United Nations conferences. However, this particular conference was conducted almost entirely in German! The topic of the conference was sustainable development goal 11: sustainable cities and communities, and Brentwood was lucky enough to be representing the countries of France, Mexico, and Kenya.

The conference was composed of three sections: the position statements, the caucus, and the amendment. Students from schools across Victoria presented 3 minute position statements, explaining their countries stance on the issue, and expression their perspectives on the eight resolution clauses. The caucus involved both mediated and non-mediated debates on the resolution amendments put forward by each country, resulting in diplomatic conversations and passionate debates on the sustainability of our world. The last and final section was comprised of voting on the amendments put forward; Brentwood was able to put forward and successfully pass three amendments for the resolution!

The event was a challenge to say the least, but one that we students took on with great determination and effort. Not only did we improve our German speaking and communication skills in a formal setting, but we learnt to work effectively and under pressure in a team of our peers. The one-of-a-kind experience gave like-minded students a forum in which to express their ideas and was great preparation for our future language studies.

By Tara Metaxas and Anesshae Prekkash

Frau Exton and Frau Bruns, as the teachers in charge, would like to congratulate the following students for the successful preparation in this event: Jacinta Adams, Aisha Dalip, Brendan Davies, Ariel Fu, Tanya Hidellaarachchi, Erin Ibrahim, Tara Metaxas, Ella Nebel-Jacobsen, Anesshae Prekkash, Ryan Shaw, Lucinda Stephenson, and Owini Wijayasekara. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr Yona Nebel-Jacobsen for attending on the day.