Amunc Delegate Newsletter Issue 2

Asia-Pacific Model UN Conference The University of Queensland 12 – 17 July 2009 Newsletter # 2 – Friday 15 May

In this issue…

Diplomat for a week

Towards Global Civilisation 1

Leader for a lifetime

Speaker announcements!

2

Opening Ceremony Message Board

2

Committee in Focus

3

Pacific Islands Forum

In his address to the AoC, former Secretary General Kofi Anan pointed to “the need for a committed effort by the international community – both at the institutional and civil society levels – to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions and polarization” This initiative is composed of four key elements: media, migration, education and most importantly, youth participation. As AMUNC begins to truly realise its Asia Pacific potential, the future leaders of our region will have the opportunity to participate in cross cultural dialogue and develop lifelong friendships. By focusing

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Meet the Secretariat

4

Social Events Feature

5

Committee diners and

Towards Global Civilisation Initiated in September 2006, the „Alliance of Civilisations‟ (AoC) is a key cultural bridge-building institution within the United Nations. This project reflects the importance of inter-cultural exchange and engagement as a means of overcoming the most challenging issues facing the future of global multilateralism – a core ambition of the recent 2020 summit on Australia‟s engagement with the world.

Director Profile

Dance Fiesta on the common threads of humanity, our conference will be a catalyst for unity and understanding within the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Our theme „towards global civilisation’ reflects the fundamental underpinning of the UN; despite all of our differences, our future is dependent on realising our common humanity. Diversity, inter-cultural respect and breaking down misinformation are essential to overcoming the major challenges that we face today. Poverty, global hunger, climate change and terrorism are clearly problems that cannot be solved by acting alone. Throughout our conference, our theme will be the driving force behind every committee session, guest speaking opportunity, discussion panel, workshop and even our social events. In this regard we are working with the AoC Office in New York to integrate the principles and purposes of the AoC initiative into the conference.

Sponsors

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Mark your diaries! 16 May 100 new positions released. 19 May Round 2 International Scholarship applications due 26 May Round 3 International Scholarship applications due 1 June Last Date to Register! 12 June Last date to withdraw and get a full refund 11 July Director training day 12 July Delegate training day (compulsory) 13 – 17 July AMUNC 2009!

We want our delegates to feel that they have participated in creating change through regional engagement

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AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 2 – Friday 15 May 2009

New Speaker Announcements

Message Board

We are delighted to announce the following keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony on Monday 13 July Prof Ramesh Thakur Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs Former Vice-Rector of the United Nations University

Appointed September 1, 2008, Ramesh Thakur is the inaugural Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Dr. Thakur is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Previously, Prof. Thakur was Vice Rector and Senior Vice Rector of the United Nations University (and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations) from 1998-2007.

Educated in India and Canada, he was a Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago in New Zealand and Professor and Head of the Peace Research Centre at the Australian National University, during which time he was also a consultant/adviser to the Australian and New Zealand governments on arms control, disarmament and international security issues. Prof. Thakur was a Commissioner and one of the principal authors of The Responsibility to Protect (2001), and Senior Adviser on Reforms and Principal Writer of the United Nations Secretary-General's second reform report (2002). The author and editor of over thirty books and 300 articles and book chapters, he also writes regularly for quality national and international newspapers around the world.

100 new places will be released online on Saturday 16 May at midday (AEST)

Represent an NGO at AMUNC 2009! Flexible and affordable registration options available. Represent a choice of 3000 different NGOs including Oxfam, Amnesty, Red Cross Pay your registration and accommodation fees now! Due to the high demand for places, unpaid registrants will be reset each Friday at 8am (AEST). If you have special circumstances please notify us by email: [email protected]

More speaker announcements to follow… Watch this space!

Registration FAQ Can I change my country/committee after I’ve registered? Yes, subject to the availability of your preferred alternative country, you will be able to request a change to your country and committee.

You will need to send us an email (to [email protected]) with the following: 1.

Information on how to request a change to your position will be available on the Registration FAQs page: http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://am unc.net/Participate/RegistrationFAQs.as px Two documents will come online at midday Saturday 16 May: (1) an updated country matrix, showing ALL of the positions at the conference, whether filled or not, and (2) a spreadsheet showing all of the positions CURRENTLY TAKEN. From these two documents you should be able to ascertain which positions are still available. Page 2

2. 3. 4.

Your full name (that you entered into the registration system) The email you signed up with Your current country and committee Your top three preferred alternative countries and committees

Changes must be processed manually and may take some time, please be patient!

Second round of International Scholarships available! Successful applicants will be notified each Tuesday until the scholarship fund runs out http://amunc.net/Participate/Fina ncialSupport/Scholarships.aspx

Tell your friends about AMUNC Know anyone who might be interested or just want to introduce your friends to the wonderful world of MUN? Download ePosters and promo ideas from http://amunc.net/Interact/Tellyourf riendsaboutAMUNC!.aspx

Any other queries, please email us at [email protected]

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 2 – Friday 15 May 2009

Committee in Focus: Pacific Islands Forum

In Brief

What makes the Pacific Islands Forum special?

 An exciting new innovation at AMUNC 2009

“The Pacific Island‟s forum is totally different from other committees – it‟s based on group consensus not majority,” Michelle, Under-Secretary General for Committees noted. “It‟s more of a diplomatic challenge because you have get all of the different committee members on board,” she noted. “The PIF is important as a forum for regional cooperation and to assist in empowering smaller countries.” With only 16 members, it is also a small and intimate committee, which allows delegates maximum opportunities to participate.

 The main political and economic policy organization of the Pacific region  Made up of 16 independent and self-governing states in the Pacific, whose heads of state meet annually to develop collective responses to regional issues

The Pacific Islands Forum in the news The Pacific Island Forum has been in the news lately.

Topics

Fiji has been suspended from the Forum for refusing to return to a democratic government "in an acceptable time frame" said the body‟s chairman (ABC News).

A. On the question of the right to asylum of climate refugees

Want a piece of the action? Check out our website for more information on this exciting committee: http://amunc.net/Committees/ PacificIslandsForum.aspx

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B. The question of implementing the Vava'u Declaration on Pacific Fisheries Resources

Register Now

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 2 – Friday 15 May 2009

More delegate position are being released this Saturday 16 May!

Director Profile A memo from Co-Director of the Human Rights Council, Stuart La Brooy

Now there are MORE opportunities to engage at AMUNC 2009

Hi everyone and especially the honourable delegates of the Human Right Council! My name is Stu and I am a co-director on the HRC for the topic of human trafficking. I study a double degree in Arts and Business, majoring in French and International Logistics, at QUT in Brisbane.

Get into the global debate

After attending my first AMUNC in 2006 (Sydney), I became a huge fan and led my university as head delegate to AMUNC 07 in Auckland and most recently to Harvard WorldMUN in The Hague in March. The idea of bringing like-minded students from all over Australia and the world is what continues to impress me about MUN and I am glad to share this experience with you all this year, at what I think will be the best AMUNC yet!

Images courtesy of IRIN News

militarization of space – nuclear disarmament - world hunger – the Global Financial Crisis – the rights of climate refugees – fighting climate change – humanitarian intervention – Millennium Development Goals

Meet the Secretariat Committees We sat down and had a chat with Michelle Livock, USG (Committees), to discuss what she likes best about Model UN.

Q1. What is it about the Committees portfolio that attracted you? The committee sessions are the reason AMUNC exists. I love that I get to play such a big role in bringing about engaging committee experiences for delegates, and help to give university students a chance to excel. Q2. What is your favourite committee topic, and why? My favourite topic is 'The question of the right to asylum of climate refugees' on the Pacific Island Forum. As one of the largest power in the Page 4

Curriculum Vitae

Pacific region, I think this is an issue that is especially pertinent to Australians. What responsibilities do we have to our neighbours now that climate change is upon us? Q3. What’s been your favourite MUN experience? The river cruise at AMUNC 07 was pretty awesome. Q4. What are you most looking forward to of the social events? The Finale Ball, for sure. Although I think our cruise will be better than 07. But then again, we do have circus performers at our Tuesday night event, so it's a tough call. I'll get back to you.

Michelle Livock Under-Secretary General (Committees) Currently Studying Bachelor of Psychological Sciences Previous MUNs As a Delegate: AMUNC 2007 (Canada, HRC), AMUNC 2008 (USA, 1st GA) As a Director: BrizMUN 2008 (Security Council) Responsibilities as USG Committees With the help of the Committees, team, Michelle is involved in:  Selecting topics, coordinating preliminary research  Recruiting, selecting and supporting directors  Selecting special committee delegates  Drafting the Rules of Procedure  Compiling delegate preparation guides

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 2 – Friday 15 May 2009

Socials Feature Monday Dinners & Dance Fiesta Monday Dinners Monday Night! You‟ve survived your first full day in the committee rooms and now it‟s time to let your hair down and get to know your fellow delegates around the dinner table or on the dance floor. With the help of our Host team guides, delegates will catch a bus and train to end up at the vibrant Fortitude Valley (known to locals just as 'the Valley'), where we‟ll wine and dine and dance the night away. Dinner is on us; so join us for a culinary feast you‟re sure to love!

Nothing breaks the ice in a committee quite like challenging the honourable delegate for Saudi Arabia to a crazy dance-off When:

Monday 13th July

Time:

7pm- 9pm Committee Dinners

Dance Fiesta The Fringe Bar nightclub is the where the party is at, for a huge post Committee-Dinner celebration. We‟ve booked the place out for our AMUNC revellers, so go ahead and make the most of it! The music will be pumping and we‟ll have the friendly student instructors from UQ Dance on hand to lead anyone who‟s keen through jive, salsa, swing and more.

9pm till late – Dance Fiesta Fortitude Valley

Dress:

Smart casual

Stay in touch Flick us an email! [email protected] Find us on Facebook Search Groups: „AMUNC 2009 Brisbane‟ or add us as a friend: „Amunc Secretariat‟ Follow us on Twitter: amunc2009 Skype me! amunc2009 Check out our Blog! http://blog.amunc.net/

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For those who just want to chill out feel free to socialise while relaxing on one of their comfy couches.

Thank you to our generous sponsors

Location:

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AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 2 – Friday 15 May 2009