After a two-year hiatus, the Western Sydney Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) provided inspiration to all.

Article by PDG Bob Aitken, Public Relations Chair, Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains, NSW

After a two-year hiatus, the Western Sydney Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) provided inspiration to all when staged in the magnificent new assembly hall at Kingswood High School, Penrith, NSW, on May 27-28-29, 2022.

Some 101 participants in 29 teams from 16 schools in Sydney’s west competed in the high-level debating competition and showed a maturity and understanding of world affairs beyond their years.

Most participants were colourfully fitted out in national dress which really added to the atmosphere.

The organising team from Lower Blue Mountains Rotary faced a number of challenges in re-establishing Western Sydney MUNA - last held in 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings.

It was difficult to re-establish links with teachers, as many had moved to new schools out of the 9685 area. Further, most NSW schools were affected by high student and staff absentee rates throughout the enrolment period which prevented 11 regular schools from participating this year.

MUNA aims to provide students in years 10-12 with a hands-on ‘United Nations experience’ modelled on the UN General Assembly. It enhances international understanding and goodwill, one of the main objectives of Rotary.

After an initial round of general policy statements and bloc meetings where participants forge alliances and strategies for debating matters of world importance - the South China Sea situation; aggression against Ukraine; Global Climate and Covid-19; Effects of universal sanctions; structural reform of the UN; and international co-operation on peaceful uses of science and technology.

Some teams even proposed their own resolutions for debate - modern day slavery and the exploitation of vulnerable workers; prevention of Youth Crime in less economically developed countries; and humanitarian concerns regarding aggression against occupied Palestine.

All teams came well prepared, so the quality of the debate was passionate and of a very high quality, making the adjudicators task extremely difficult.

Participants were fortunate to have Jack Maddock as a mentor. Jack was part of the successful MUNA team in 2019 that went on to win the National competition in Canberra, before travelling to New York to participate in a MUNA at the UN building.

The team representing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK - North Korea) won the best national dress competition. Matthew Connor, Ewan Tamsett and Isabel Turner representing Switzerland won the Peace Prize.

The best individual speaker was Lachlan Leith from the Saudi Arabian team. His team ultimately won the competition, with the team from Sri Lanka placed second. Both teams will be sponsored to attend the National MUNA to be held in the Old Parliament House, Canberra, August 19-21, 2022.

Past President Drew Fitzpatrick and his Lower Blue Mountains team did an excellent job pulling the weekend together. Rotary volunteers and friends served as adjudicators, general secretaries, runners and magnificent caterers for the weekend.

District 9685 Governor Lindsay May and Tania were special guests at the opening and closing ceremonies and showered warm praise on the young leaders taking part – along with the organising team of Rotarians.