Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference
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| Abbreviation | AMUNC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Education |
| Location | |
Secretary-General | Rida Ahmed |
Main organ | Secretariat |
| Website | www.amunc.net |
The Asia Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC) is an annual travelling Model United Nations conference for university students. Each conference is hosted in a different city within the Asia-Pacific region, attracting approximately 600 students from Asia, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand, making it one of the largest regional model UN conferences in the world. AMUNC is run entirely by student volunteers, usually coordinated through a relevant student association, with the support and backing of the host university.
The 21st edition of the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference will be held for the first time in the City of Perth (Western Australia), from 29th June to 4th July, 2015.
The conference typically takes place over a week in July, encompassing a variety of activities, including role-playing committees, guest speakers, career information stalls, and an extensive evening social activities program.
The History of AMUNC
Established in 2005 as the Australian Model United Nations Conference, the inaugural AMUNC was hosted by the University of New South Wales and consisted of only a single General Assembly. For the next few years, AMUNC was held alternately by universities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and gradually grew in size. The conference eventually left the south-eastern states in 2004 for James Cook University in Townsville in northern Queensland and was hosted overseas for the first time in 2007 by Auckland University in New Zealand.
As AMUNC grew, the increased number of foreign students and international standing warranted two amendments to its name to reflect the changed nature of the conference. After having changed name once already to the Australasian Model United Nations Conference, the conference changed again in 2003 to the current name.
The conference has been held at 16 other universities across Australia and New Zealand, the most recent being held in Brisbane in 2014. AMUNC 2015 will be held at the University of Western Australia in Perth.[1]
Activities
Committee Sessions
Delegates at AMUNC are assigned to represent countries, government and non-governmental organisations, or individuals within the United Nations and other regional or global organisations. Delegates are challenged to combine their personal talents and capacities with their ability to play their assigned role accurately.
Social Events
Evening social events are a major component of the AMUNC itinerary, and past conferences have included committee dinners, cocktail events, club nights, river cruises. AMUNC historically concludes with a gala on the final night of the conference.
Speaker Events
Previous speakers have included Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister,[2] Robert French, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia,[3] Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia,[4] and Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, [5] Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Laura John, the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The AMUNC conference is officially opened and closed by the host team, with the week's committee sessions culminating in a General Assembly session showcasing the achievements of the conference proceedings.
AMUNC Locations
| Year | Location | Host University | Secretary-General | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | ||
| 1996 | Melbourne | University of Melbourne | ||
| 1997 | Melbourne | Unknown | ||
| 1998 | Brisbane | University of Queensland | ||
| 1999 | Sydney | University of Sydney | ||
| 2000 | Melbourne | Deakin University | ||
| 2001 | Sydney | University of Technology, Sydney | Vasanthi Balachandran | |
| 2002 | Melbourne | University of Melbourne | Maun Suang Boey | |
| 2003 | Sydney | University of Sydney | Tharshan Wijeyamohan | United Youth, United Future |
| 2004 | Townsville | James Cook University | Alec McConnell | |
| 2005 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Alison Corkery | Participation in the Global Community |
| 2006 | Sydney | University of Western Sydney | Lisa Dale | Celebrating Diversity, Embracing Unity |
| 2007 | Auckland | University of Auckland | Mike Asplet | Unity of Purpose: Security Through Development |
| 2008 | Adelaide | University of Adelaide | Andrew Antennucci | Challenges and Change: A Time for New Thinking |
| 2009 | Brisbane | University of Queensland | Jo Sampford Hugh Jorgenson |
Towards Global Civilisation |
| 2010 | Sydney | University of Sydney | Anshu Wijeyeratne | We the Peoples |
| 2011 | Canberra | Australian National University High Court of Australia |
Alice Richardson | Common Bonds for a Common Endeavour |
| 2012 | Melbourne | La Trobe University | Caspar Roxburgh Chris Orchard |
Rights, Recognition, Responsibility |
| 2013 | Wellington[6] | Victoria University of Wellington | Alastair Espie Wilson Chau |
Breaking Barriers |
| 2014 | Brisbane | Griffith University Queensland University of Technology University of Queensland Bond University |
Kimberley McCosker (Griffith and QUT) Aaron Payne (Griffith) |
A Globe in Crisis |
| 2015 | Perth | University of Western Australia | Rida Ahmed |
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.amunc.net/
- ↑ "Professor the Hon Gareth Evans addressing the AMUNC 2011 Plenary Session". Australian National University. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ "Closing Address - Asia Pacific Model UN Conference - Final Plenary Session, Canberra, 15 July 2011" (PDF). High Court of Australia. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ "Student diplomats engage at Model UN". University of Sydney. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ "Hundreds gather for Asia-Pacific Model United Nations". Yahoo! New Zealand. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ "Hundreds gather in Wellington for Asia-Pacific Model UN". Scoop. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.