MUNA Central Coast 2012

- Thursday 17th May 2012 -

Niagara Park Community Centre
16 Washington Avenue, Niagara Park

	1st Place Brisbane Water College, Woy Woy - Representing Australia
2nd Place Erina High School, Erina - Representing Egypt		3rd Place Gosford High School, Gosford - Representing Sweden
	Linda McLean Peace Prize 1st - MacKillop College - Representing Japan
	Best Costume Award Narara Valley High School - Representing Hungary

The Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) is part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to Youth Development.

What is MUNA?
MUNA aims to foster goodwill, World Peace and Understanding in the minds and hearts of our young people. The concept came out of the desire of young people to express their views on issues being debated in the United Nations General Assembly.  It started in Canada and was adopted in Australia at the Rotary Club of Lake Cargelligo, NSW in May 1980.
MUNA simulates the workings of the UN by having teams of three Year 9, 10, 11 or 12 students (two speakers and an advisor) who choose to represent member countries of the U.N.  They engage in debate on matters of world political and social concern and develop awareness of the U.N. and its workings.
MUNA provides students with the opportunity to develop their public speaking and debating skills through informed and researched comment on international issues.  It helps to foster self confidence and an understanding of other nations perspective on world issues.
The UN recognizes and supports this Youth Project.   It is also an ongoing part of the World Youth Activity Program for Rotary International.

What is Required of Schools:
Schools are invited to nominate a team of three Year 9, 10, 11 or 12 students. A school may nominate more than one team but acceptance of more than two teams will be subject to the total number of entries.
The students should have an interest in debating, be articulate and have confidence to express points of view in front of a peer group of 60 - 70 students.
Each team will represent a member nation of the United Nations. They will debate resolutions similar to those put forward at the UN representing their designated country's attitudes to those resolutions.
The students will need to familiarize themselves with the Country they represent by studying its history, population, culture and international alignments and its view on current world issues.

National Dress:
Student delegates are encouraged to dress in the national costume of the country they represent or a costume that depicts their country. This adds colour to the day’s activities and gives them a feeling of representation.

Prizes:
The team judged the 'Best on the Day' in the general debate are invited to go to Canberra to debate against teams from around Australia at National MUNA usually in September.  Trophies will be awarded to the second and third teams.  There is a trophy for the best national costume.  All participants will be given a Certificate of Attendance.
There is a special award in recognition of the best team debating the Linda McLean Memorial "PEACE Resolution”. This award is in memory of Linda McLean a Central Coast resident who was a lifelong advocate for peace and youth.

What are the costs?
A local Rotary Club will cover the team sponsorship fee of $250 for the first team and $150 for each team thereafter.  This covers catering costs for morning and afternoon teas and lunch, administration costs, prizes etc.
Teachers, parents and rotary club members are cordially invited to view the days proceedings, however, if they wish to stay for lunch a small donation would be appreciated (please advise numbers attending for catering purposes).

Registration:
Schools are encouraged to register early as participation is limited to only 25 teams.  Early registration makes it more likely that students are allocated their country of choice and gives teams the time to research the resolutions and the cultural and geopolitical attitudes of the country they are representing.