MUNA 2012

District 9670 MUNA delegates and Secretary-General  2012

Congratulations to all delegates. 

Special Award - Timor Leste ( Merewether High School) 

Commendation - Cyprus ( Newcastle High School) 

Peace Prize : Russia (Warner Bay High School) 

Coming soon : Secretary General's report. 

It's MUNA time again

Model United Nations Assembly in District 9670 is on again - April 27-28 in Muswellbrook, NSW.   I am honoured to be have been asked again to be the Secretary -General . Tonight, I have just completed writing the resolutions and I heard that there are already 20 teams registered. Well done District 9670 MUNA committee! 

Keep watching this space for MUNA 21012 updates! 

Congratulations 2011 MUNA

Congratulations to all participants of MUNA 2011 in  Rotary District 9670 - an excellent event - you positively changed the world !

Special congratulations to the Israeli delegation from Mudgee High School, who were commended for their overall excellent efforts during the assembly and were awarded the honour of representing the District in Canberra , and also to the Newcastle High School delegates representing the Russian Federation who were awarded the 2011 Peace Prize.
Many thanks to the organisers, especially Megan, Helen and Julie from the Rotary Club of Newcastle Sunrise and Phil and his team from the Rotary Club of Muswellbrook.
best wishes from Secretary General 2011,

Watch this space for photos from MUNA 2011.
Your feedback re: MUNA 2011 would be most appreciated via a comment on this blog, or by contacting one of the orgnaising committee.

Count Down to MUNA

MUNA Program 13th and 14th May, 2011

Friday, 13th May – John Hunter Motel
5.30pm Registration

6.30pm MUNA Dinner and Guest speaker – Jill Emberson – ABC Radio

8.30pm Students assemble for MUNA briefing and Bloc meetings



Saturday, 14th May
7.00am Breakfast at John Hunter Motel
7.45am Book out of Motel
Own transport to Council Chambers
8.15am Muswellbrook Council Chambers
Announcements/introduction of Secretary General
Acknowledgement of Press Corps
8.45am Opening of MUNA – Martin Rush, Mayor of Muswellbrook
9.00am ASSEMBLY IN SESSION
(Secretary-General will address the assembly before the first resolution)
10.15am Progress adjudication – tips and pointers
10.30am Morning Tea/Team meetings
11.00am ASSEMBLY IN SESSION
12.30pm Lunch
1.00pm ASSEMBLY IN SESSION
3.30pm Afternoon tea
3.45pm Adjudication

Presentations

MUNA 2011 Photograph

Closing of MUNA 2011

May Update on MUNA

Here are some updates:
1. The North Koreans are no longer able to attend the Model United Nations.
2. You may all have been waiting fpr the usual  memo from the Secretary-General ... it was prepred sometime ago, but there was a delay in dispatch. I am publishing it here for particpants' information.

MUNA Model United Nations 2011 Memo


To: MUNA 2011 Participants - Rotary District 9670:
From: Secretary General
I have attempted to propose some interesting and challenging resolutions for this year’s MUNA, but I encourage all participants to think about proposing a resolution to be considered for inclusion to the following list of resolutions. Note: Our resolution format has been modified and simplified from the strict United Nations format, for ease of reading, so there is no need to be concerned about the format of your proposal. Please submit proposed resolutions to me before MUNA.
• Please address any queries about resolutions to the Secretary General via the comments sections at the end of each blog post . MUNA blog : http://muna9670.blogspot.com/
• Recommended as part of preparation :

a) UN website www.un.org – the news service is particularly useful and couched in accessible language.

b) MUNA website www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/modelun

c) Our own MUNA blog http://muna9670.blogspot.com/

 • Here are some guidelines about debating the resolutions at Rotary District 9670 MUNA.
 1. RESOLUTIONS

1.1 The order of resolutions for debate is at the discretion of the Secretary- General.

1.2 One topic MAY be compulsory for all member state to speak. This will be finalized and announced at the Friday night briefing.

1.3 Counsellors may send messages in writing to the team to support the discussion, only before and after the debate on a resolution. Messages will not be passed during debate. Communication between counsellors and team members is by note, passed by the assembly staff. Diplomatic messages may be passed between member states via MUNA staff only.

1.4 Each resolution is read out by the Secretary-General. Any nation team may then move the motion. The mover may speak briefly before a seconder is found.

1.5 Additional resolutions may be foreshadowed and presented to the Secretary-General. It will be the Secretary-General’s decision whether to include an additional resolution on the agenda.

1.6 Additional resolutions must be presented to the Secretary General in writing, with a proposer and a seconder identified before a time decided by the Secretary General.



2. RESOLUTION DISCUSSION: The rules for discussion are:

2.1 The mover and the seconder will speak to the motion.

2.2 The next speaker will speak against the motion.

2.3 Following speakers will then alternate between speakers for and against the motion.

2.4 An amendment may be proposed and seconded during the discussion of a resolution. There will be a limit on the number of speakers during an amendment debate – to be decided by the Secretary General.

2.5 Except for the mover (who has the final right of reply), member nations may speak only once to each motion and each amendment.

2.6 If a member wishes to speak a second time, it may request another nation to move to this effect. A seconder is required. The motion is put without discussion. A simple majority is required to pass it.

2.7 The Secretary –General will rule on the time limit for speakers.(usually 1- 3 minutes)

2.8 The last speaker in the discussion of a resolution will be the mover as his/her right of reply after which the motion is then put. A simple majority is required to pass it.



3. BLOC MEETINGS: A bloc meeting (a group of countries with shared interests) may be held to discuss mutual standpoints on issues.

3.1 Prior to discussing a motion, a bloc meeting may be called by the Secretary General or requested by member nations.

3.2 Blocs may request a short meeting time during the assembly to discuss certain positions and motions and/or to determine international alignments and agreements.

3.3 The calling of these bloc meetings is treated as a motion with proper procedures applying. A motion calling a bloc meeting must be passed by two-thirds of the assembly.

3.4 Counsellors may observe bloc meetings and may advise their teams, after the bloc meeting and before the assembly debate resumes.



Other Notes

4. During the course of the Assembly, it will be expected that both members of the team will address the Assembly during resolutions discussions, but it is not compulsory for every team to debate every resolution.

5. Teams are encouraged to use notes appropriately when speaking, but not to be over dependent on notes or read prepared speeches.

6. Teams are encouraged to dress appropriately, representing the member nation. National dress is welcomed enthusiastically.

7. An adjudicating team (not including the Secretary General) will decide on a winning MUNA team, and will also present a Peace Prize if appropriate. The adjudicators’ decision is final.

8. Student teams will be accompanied by an adult “counsellor” (teacher, parent or Rotarian from the sponsoring Rotary club ).

9. Permission will be sought for photographs of MUNA proceedings to be used in media releases.

10. Any participant who engages in inappropriate behaviour will be required to leave MUNA as directed by the secretary general or any person on the organising committee.

Please contact me if you have any concerns or questions about MUNA
Secretary General 2011 

Please remember to bring your signed consent form to allow your MUNA photograph to be published in the media.

MUNA 2011 Applications Closing Soon

 Model United Nations Assembly MUNA 
 Rotary District 9670, 2011
When: Friday (evening), 13th May 2011 and Saturday, 14th May, 2011
Where: The Assembly will take place at the Muswellbrook Council Chambers, Muswellbrook on Saturday, 14th May, 2011.
Accommodation and Conference Dinner on Friday night, 13th May, 2011 will be organised by the Rotary Club of Muswellbrook
Summary of the Model United Nations Assembly
MUNA promotes international understanding and goodwill – one of the objects of Rotary International. In 2002, Rotary District 9670 held its first MUNA in Muswellbrook. Since then, the annual assembly has given high school students from years 10 to 12 the opportunity to enhance debating skills, appreciate another culture, improve higher order thinking skills, hear inspiring speakers and enjoy the company of other students in the district.
Each school team, sponsored by a local Rotary club, represents a country of the United Nations. Having researched the country and its culture, the students will discuss and debate the resolutions at the MUNA from the point of view of the country they represent. The resolutions are based on real international issues debated at the UN: e.g. “That this Assembly supports the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and their distinctive cultural and religious life”. Students gain informed knowledge of the country they represent and other countries from many regions of the world.
In partnership with local high schools, individual Rotary Clubs promote international understanding and world peace by participating in MUNA 2011.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE TO BE RETURNED BY 14 MARCH...please contact for more information:  
  Helen Griffin ( Rotary Club of Newcastle Sunrise) 
 Megan Valentine (Rotary Club of Newcastle Sunrise)
or the MUNA Secretary General

MUNA 2010 District 9670

Rotary District 9670

Model United Nations Assembly

7-8 May 2010

The first team has registered - so please check where the registration forms are in your school for Model United Nations Assembly, 2010 Rotary District 9670  in Muswellbrook.
Not sure what country you'd like to represent?
Check out the member nations at this site - United Nations Press Release with updated information

To all Rotary clubs in District 9670, please be ready to sponsor your local school's team.

Stay informed about this year's Model United Nations Assembly - check this blog regularly.

Model United Nations Assembly( MUNA) in Canberra

The General Assembly:

• Strongly condemns the ongoing systematic violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rightsof the people of Myanmar
• Strongly calls upon the Government of Myanmar to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to protect the inhabitants of the country…

This is only part of Resolution 4 at the National Model United Nations Assembly held in the House of
Representatives Chamber, Old Parliament House, Canberra 14th to 16th August 2009. In all there were six resolutions:

• Towards a new international economic order;

• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban treaty;

• Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

• Situation of human rights in Myanmar;

• Protection of migrants; and

Security implications of climate change.

The two winning teams from the District 9670 MUNA held in Muswellbrook in May this year participated in thisnational event. James and Tristan , from St Phillip’s Christian College, Port Stephens and Nilarni  and Alexander  from Merewether High School spent an action filled weekend in Canberra.

James and Tristan represented Israel while the Merewether team represented the United Kingdom.

Over the weekend, the program included some exciting guest speakers, one of note being the Counsellor to theTurkish Embassy, Tuna Yucel and Christopher Woodthorpe, Director of the United Nations Information Centre.

The young people were also treated to afternoon tea with the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.

The students commented that it was a really difficult task to prepare and debate these resolutions as they weremore detailed and complicated than those at MUNA in Muswellbrook. This national event however did haveteams from all over Australia (East Doncaster, Sale, Southport, Wagga Wagga, to name a few areas), as well asteams from Rotary District 9710.

The students found the weekend and thecompetition most enjoyable. The thrill of debating in
the beautiful building of Old Parliament House andthe thought that in years gone by, people like Sir
Robert Menzies and Gough Whitlam wereprominent speakers in the same chambers, madethe journey south very worthwhile.
Our team of Nilarni and Alexander  representing the United Kingdom received the Totenhofer Peace Prize. The adjudicators determined this prize that is awarded to the teamthat makes the most significant contribution to issues concerned wit the promotion of world peace. Well done, Nilarni and Alex!

Congratulations to both teams for a great result and for their diligence over the weekend and the lead up to theNational MUNA. A big thank you also to their supervisors/counsellors for the event.

Sincere thanks is extended to the Rotary Clubs of Salamander Bay and Newcastle Enterprise for their

sponsorship of this event. 

For more information, contact Pam Wellham or Wilma Simmons, Rotary Club of Wallsend-Maryland via comments on this blog post

MUNA District 9670

Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) in Rotary District 9670 will be held in Muswellbrook on 8th and 9th May 2009.

What is MUNA?

MUNA stands for Model United Nations Assembly, which simulates the workings of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly by having teams of two or three senior students represent a particular U.N. country in debates on matters of world political and social concern. Rotary Model United Nations Assembly is all about building bridges of goodwill for world peace and understanding in the minds of our youth.. The main aims are

-to develop in students an awareness of the United Nations and the international situation of other countries in the world;
-to enable students to improve their public speaking and debating skills;
-to encourage them to make empathetic and informed comments on world problems;
-share their opinions and friendship with students from other schools and
-to lay the foundation for the free sharing of ideas across national boundaries which is the essence of a truly open society tolerant to differences of race, religion, and political opinion

What is MUNA's history?

MUNA as a concept arose in North America from the desire of young people to simulate the great debates of the United Nations Assembly. MUNA was first conducted as a Rotary activity by the Rotary Club of Winnipeg in Canada, and introduced to Australia by the Rotary Club of Lake Cargelligo in 1980. (Note: Chris Budden who was responsible for introducing MUNA in Lake Cargelligo was the Secretary-General of the first MUNA held in District 9670)

In 1988 Forbes Rotary Club realised the potential for Rotary to spread MUNA more widely and undertook MUNA 88 - a Rotary Bicentennial Project for Youth. The challenge issued by Forbes has been taken up by many Rotary districts so that now MUNA has spread throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and world wide. The first National MUNA was held in the Australian Parliament House in August, 1997
The United Nations has given enthusiastic support for the ongoing growth of this very worthwhile project for youth.
In 1989 President Royce Abbey of Melbourne placed MUNA on the World Youth Activities Committee Agenda for Rotary International, and it was fitting that MUNA was included as part of the Rotary International Conference conducted in Melbourne in 1993.
In June, 1995 a MUNA delegation of five students representing Australia attended the Rotary/United Nations Presidential MUNA celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the U.N. Charter in San Francisco.

MUNA is now conducted in all five continents of the world and aims to operate in each of the existing 518 Rotary Districts world wide. Rotary International,with over 28,000 clubs in over 154 countries,has over 1.2 million membership committed to service and has the unique potential to bring the message of world peace and understanding to youth through MUNA. It encourages them to communicate their knowledge and idealism by the shared exhilaration of researching, understanding and debating significant social and political issues.