Amunc Delegate Newsletter Issue 3

Asia-Pacific Model UN Conference The University of Queensland 12 – 17 July 2009 Newsletter 3 – Wednesday 27 May

Message Board Represent an NGO

Can‟t spare the entire week or the full conference fee? Try representing an NGO for a whole new MUN experience: http://amunc.net/Participate/A pplyto/RepresentanNGO.aspx

In this issue… Calling Assistant Directors! If you‟d like to attend AMUNC but can‟t commit the research and preparation time why not consider applying to be an Assistant Director? Brisbane residents only.

Speaker Announcements

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Message Board

2

Accommodation

2

Committee in Focus

3

International Press Gallery Social Event Feature

Delegate Training on the Sunday is COMPULSORY

When booking flights, be sure to arrive latest by midday, on Sunday 12 July.

International delegates check your visa situation now! Visit our informational webpage „Australian Visa‟ under the „About Brisbane‟ tab and email [email protected]

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Brisbane Live

June 1 Last Date to Register! 62 diplomatic positions left (and counting!)

Meet the Secretariat

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Welcome to Brisbane

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Post Conference Trips

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Sponsors

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Registration changes

If you would like to change your country or committee after you‟ve registered, pop an email to [email protected]

New Speaker Announcements We are delighted to announce the following keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony on Monday 13 July Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO Governor of Queensland and former Australian Ambassador to the United Nations

Penelope Wensley was born in Toowoomba and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours at The University of Queensland in 1967. In 1968, Ms Wensley joined the Australian Foreign service and pursued a highly distinguished career as a diplomat, representing Australia in a wide range of overseas posts and senior policy Page 1

positions until 2008, when she became Queensland's twenty-fifth Governor. Among her prestigious diplomatic appointments, she served as Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations for seven years, in both Geneva and New York, as Ambassador for the Environment, High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to France. She has been awarded honorary Doctorates by both The University of Queensland and Griffith University. In 1994, The University of Queensland named her as the first woman Alumnus of the year. In 2001, Penelope was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), for her distinguished contributions to Australia's international relations.

Mark your diaries! 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!

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009

Accommodation Kings College King‟s College boasts some of the best facilities of any Residential College in Australia. The on-campus location allows for easy access to University facilities and local necessities. A representative from AMUNC will always be contactable for questions and emergencies. The College provides a safe, secure, comfortable stay. Rooms include:  single bed, bed linen (unmade)  spacious cupboard and drawers, study desk and shelves, chair. Please note: You will need to bring your own towel Extra Inclusions:  Daily continental breakfast  Transport to and from most offcampus conference events College facilities  24/hr Computer Room  Gymnasium, Swimming Pool.  The common room includes, satellite television, table tennis table and a billiard table

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Check-In and Check-Out

   

7 nights: Sat 11 to Fri 17 July = $315 6 nights: Sun 12 to Fri 17 July = $270 Check out is Saturday 18 July. Please select this option during Registration

Can I stay additional days outside of these dates? Because there is another conference at the college the week prior to AMUNC, we cannot guarantee the availability of beds prior to 11 July or following 17 July. There may be limited rooms available on the 10th, which will be offered to Directors and international delegates as a first preference. If you require other accommodation, please check out nearby hostels: West End Backpackers, or TinBilly Backpackers.

ATTENTION! Limited rooms remaining! Book now and pay by 1 June to secure your room!

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009

Feature Committee International Press Gallery

Join AMUNC‟s first IPG and be provided with the opportunity and platform to write about international politics and issues of concern.

AMUNC 2009 will host the first International Press Gallery to be included in the conference. Delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region will represent major news agencies and publications such as The Australian, The New York Times, Xinhua, Al Jazeera and Afrol News to cover the course of the five day conference.

If you would like to become a member of the IPG, submit 250 words or less explaining your preferred committee and publication as well as an example of your previous work to [email protected].

A dedicated team of reporters, print and online editors, photographers and graphic designers will be responsible for two releases of The Working Paper, a 28-page glossy news magazine covering and commentating on AMUNC committee topics, debates and extra-curricular activities. Journalists will also be encouraged to contribute general conference news copy by covering the social events, guest speakers and committee sessions. Real-time updates will be published on an AMUNC news website and Twitter account.

Register now!

Prospective reporters from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply!

For further information visit http://amunc.net/Committees/Interna tionalPressGallery.aspx

Social Event Feature Brisbane Live! One of the many events to really start getting excited about is Brisbane Live, which promises to be an amazing night of music, comedy and performance from Brisbane‟s best. The MC for the night‟s festivities is internationally acclaimed Brisbane boy Josh Thomas; you may recognise him from any number of comedy festivals, appearances on Rove and Good News Week. Aged 22, Josh is already one of the country‟s best comics- despite his own claims that he is “not very good at things”, although he does add that he is “quite good at talking to large groups of people about genitals”. And the internationally renowned acts for the night don‟t stop thereindie pop band the Boat People, Didgeribone artist Tjupurru and

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contemporary circus act Circa will whip the audience up into a dancing frenzy or awe-inspired reverie. The night will also include up-and-comers Skinny Jean, who burst onto the scene as Triple J Unearthed „Featured Artist‟ in 2007. Brisbane Live is a huge event, open to the public as well as AMUNC attendees (who will of course get in free). It is therefore extremely important to bring your lanyard- you won‟t get in without it. It‟s also a strictly 18+ venue, so your ID is essential! Unfortunately, under-18 delegates will not be able to attend this event. Details, samples and photos of each act will be added to the AMUNC website. Keep checking for updates and sneak previews!

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009

Welcome to Brisbane! With its sub-tropical climate, casual backyard culture and laidback residents, you‟d be forgiven for first thinking Brisbane was a much smaller town. But with thriving local arts and music industries, a fantastic restaurant scene, buzzing CBD and exciting nightlife, Brisbane has plenty to offer!

South Bank Parklands.

Now 150 years since Brisbane was established as the capital of Queensland, our city is home to a thriving multicultural population with 20% of our residents having been born overseas. Celebrated in our local food and arts festivals, wide range of restaurants and the innumerable and vibrant leisure activities on offer, Brisbane is also a city of vast opportunity. Today, Brisbane is Australia‟s third most populous city, behind Sydney and Melbourne, and features its largest local government body.

Our convenient public transport network means you can get around town by bike, bus, catamaran or train all with ease. The University of Queensland‟s close proximity to both the CBD and our beautiful Brisbane River will give you an opportunity to see first hand why Brisbane is still Australia‟s largest growing city, and part of the second fastest growing region in the Western World. We look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane for the 2009 Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference and we‟re sure you‟ll be just as taken with our city as we are! Check out these websites www.experiencebrisbane.com www.ourbrisbane.com www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/ queensland/brisbane

Our Picks

Arts in Brisbane

Music Scene

Attractions

Urban Villages

The arts scene is thriving in multiethnic Brisbane, so come indulge in your creative side and soak up some culture!

Hailed by Billboard magazine as one of the world‟s top 5 hotspots in 2007, Brisbane promises good music wherever you go. All throughout winter, the Queensland Music Festival themed “Loud in the Valley” will have you grooving along to the eclectic beats of hip hop, jazz, rock and more!

Pulsating with nightlife, Brisbane after dark is definitely the place to be and be seen.

While you're here, check out what‟s going on in our buzzing urban villages.

 Gallery of Modern Art  Cultural Centre, Southbank  Brisbane Powerhouse  Riverlife Mirrabooka (Aboriginal culture)  Queensland Performing Arts Centre  Queensland Centre for Photography

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 Australian Busking Competition (11-26 July)  Battle City Hip Hop Dance-Off (24 July )  Fourplay String Quartet (25 July )

 Worldclass music venues: The Family, The Tivoli  Luscious cocktail lounges: Cloudland (newly opened!), Sling, The Bowery, Fringe Bar Other highlights:  Rockcliming, canoeing, seafood BBQs: Riverlife Adventure Centre  Story Bridge Climb

 Paddington: Browse through their many antique stores, you may find some treasure  Fortitude Valley markets: Bohemian tastes will be satisfied with the array of affordable trinkets, clothing and collectibles  West End: A haven for culinary connoisseurs with food from all over the world!

 South bank AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009

Meet the Host Team Social Events We sat down with the members of the Social Events team to find out just what makes these party animals tick! What’s the most interesting thing about working for the events portfolio? Clare: Trying to put yourself in the position of the people coming to the event, working out something that‟s enjoyable but also different from previous years. Michael: Working in events is like trying to plan the biggest party that you‟ve ever put on. We‟re trying to make this the best party that AMUNC has ever seen! How is AMUNC 2009 different from AMUNC 2008? Clare: We‟ve tried to make it such that it‟s not so much progressing from pub to pub each night, drinking more as you go. We actually have more variety; so a lot of people who come but don‟t drink will also get to have fun. Michael: We‟ve also tried to incorporate the conference theme to the social events, particularly the ideas of multiculturalism, a consciousness of world issues. For instance, the Global

Hunger Feast which emphasises sustainability. Clare: Our international party is on a boat cruise down the Brisbane River, with different types of food from all over the world, plus activities and performers from different regions of the world and it‟s a dress-up party as well. What are you most looking forward to, social events-wise? Kristelle: So many things! Probably the Floating Village, that‟s going to be pretty exciting, to see all the different countries and try out all the different activities. Aaron: I‟m looking forward to Monday night‟s dance festival, it will get people a bit more loose! Will social events overshadow committee sessions? Clare: They complement each other, we‟re just hoping people will look back on the week and see the social events as the highlight!

(L-R) Aaron, Michael, Aaron, Clare and Kristelle

Clare Brown Under-Secretary General Michael Pope Assistant-Secretary General Aaron Sparshott Entertainment Director Kristelle Eager Catering Director

Post Conference Trip Options After a week of socialising and getting to know your fellow delegates, chances are you won‟t be too keen to leave them and the whole AMUNC experience behind. Enter post conference tours! Whether you are an international delegate or a local resident, after conference activities are highly recommended. While you‟re free to embark on whatever adventure you want, we especially recommend three tours (and have organised AMUNC discounts on to boot): a day at Dreamworld, Lone Pine Sanctuary or a wine tour around Mt Tambourine. Dreamworld is one of Queensland‟s best and biggest theme parks. It is home to the famous Big 6 Thrill Rides, including the adrenaline packed Giant Drop and the Tower of Terror, as well as Tiger Island, where visitors can see the amazingly huge cats play with their (comparatively) amazingly small keepers. Page 5

Lone Pine Sanctuary is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. Visitors can cuddle one of over 130 koalas, feed the kangaroos and encounter a variety of Australian wildlife, all in lovely natural settings. The wine tour...well, is fairly self explanatory. But it‟s not just about drinking! The full day tour caters to wine AND food lovers, with visits to cheese and chocolate factories and local produce outlets as well as four different wineries and a vodka distillery. The tour takes place at Mt Tamborine, so you can enjoy the culinary experience amidst fresh country air and magnificent mountain scenery. Any one of these promises to be an excellent day out in beautiful Queensland, so don‟t miss out!

Koalas at Lone Pine Sanctuary

Psych yourself up! www.dreamworld.com.au www.koala.net www.tamborinemountain.net

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009

Stay in touch Flick us an email! [email protected]

Thank you to our generous sponsors Host Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Find us on Facebook Search Groups: „AMUNC 2009 Brisbane‟ or add us as a friend: „Amunc Secretariat‟ Follow us on Twitter: amunc2009

Silver Sponsors

Skype me! amunc2009 Check out our Blog! http://blog.amunc.net/

Bronze Sponsor

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Special Event Sponsor

AMUNC Delegate Newsletter – Issue 3 – Wednesday 27 2009