Hero photograph
William Wray  10NTEM and E Wen Wong 11WTAW chair the Burnside Model United Nations.
 
Photo by Sandra Pooch

2018 BHS Model United Nations

Mrs Pooch —

Burnside Students experience the United Nations


Over 70 Burnside students and a further 15 from across Canterbury were welcomed to the Aurora Centre on Friday 6 July for the 2018 BHS Model United Nations. In a jam-packed day of debate, discussion and thought-provoking questions, these students confronted a selection of the most pressing international affairs. This year’s conference was themed ‘UN+Secure’, with the discussion based around Cybercriminal activity, Net Neutrality, Climate Change and a Nuclear Crisis. Within the three committee sessions, each delegate represented a UN Member State and debated from that nation’s perspective on the aforementioned topics.

We were fortunate enough to kick off the day with an inspiring keynote speech from UN Youth Canterbury President Sam Walker, before ending it in equally memorable fashion with a Political Debate. Among the topics discussed were youth engagement, education and pop culture, which were debated on by political figures such as Andrew Falloon (MP for Rangitata) and Duncan Webb (MP for Christchurch Central). Despite this conference being the first for many of the delegates, in no way did this dampen the success of what was an engaging, fun-filled and worthwhile event for all involved.

E Wen Wong 11WTAW