Attending the Model European Union at the University of Canterbury has become an Avonside tradition. Every year students from a range of year groups take on the roles of Members of the European Parliament or Heads of State. After preparing for their roles, they spend two days discussing and debating the theme of the year with students from as far away as Auckland. This year eleven Avonside students joined over 150 students who had gathered to talk about the challenges of maintaining human rights while fighting climate change. Students also heard keynote speeches from Nina Obermaier, the EU Ambassador to New Zealand, and Kevin O'Connell, Political Counsellor and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to New Zealand. As well as giving students an insight into the EU's stance on world issues, this introduced them to the world of diplomacy as a career. The event was wrapped up with an awards ceremony in which Aurora G, Year 11, received a Best Delegate Award in recognition of her contributions to the party group and committees which she was part of. This award gives Aurora a scholarship to take the university course EURA101 - Global Europe through the University of Canterbury next year.

The photo above shows Aurora G receiving her award from Professor Martin Holland, Director of the National Centre for Research on Europe.  A clip of the Model EU can be watched here:  https://youtu.be/s-kfSijfPpE