2022 National Model United Nations Assembly

The 2022 National Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) was conducted by the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise, ACT, at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on August 19-21.

A full program was organised to deliver an experience the student delegates will never forget. Participants were provided the opportunity to learn, make friends, and have fun. Everyone in the House of Representatives Chamber abided by the heritage rules of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House – where laws were debated, and history made.

The objective of MUNA is to provide secondary school students with a hands-on experience of UN-style debating and to increase the students’ sense of international understanding and goodwill.

Dressed in the national costume of the country they were representing, student delegates debated typical UN resolutions from the perspectives of Australia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine, UK and USA. Some 45 enthusiastic students participated.

Student participation and collaboration are the key focus, together with raising the profile of Rotary International as a community organisation and a real engagement with youth and world peace. Rotary President Margaret Atkin, and former MUNA Coordinator Dr Garth Britton made prize presentations to:

• Oxley College, NSW, representing India – Sponsor D9705
• Balwyn High School, Vic, representing Australia –Sponsor D9800
• Trinity Lutheran College, Qld, representing Ukraine – Sponsor D9640.
• Totenhofer Peace Trophy: St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee NSW representing Sweden – Sponsor D9705

Keynote speakers included Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay, who has specialised in human rights and public law and was Senior Human Trafficking Specialist with the Australian Mission to ASEAN; former senior Australian public servant and diplomat Ric Smith AO PSM, who served as the Australian Ambassador to China, and to Indonesia during the time of the 2002 Bali Bombings; and Dr Kim Huynh, who arrived in Australia as a Vietnamese refugee in 1979, and lectures in political science and international relations at the Australian National University.

The Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise members acknowledge the assistance of the Rotaract Club of Canberra, the Rotary Clubs of Canberra Sundowners, Woden Daybreak and Canberra Burley Griffin, and the Museum of Australian Democracy OPH.

For more information, visit the MUNA Facebook page.