Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference

Last updated

The Asia-Pacific Model
United Nations Conference
AbbreviationAMUNC
Formation1995
TypeNGO
PurposeEducation
Location
Main organ
Secretariat
Website www.amunc.co

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 who has been licensed with the right to host AMUNC by Asia-Pacific MUN Conference Limited, with the support and backing of the host university. The conference takes place over a week in July, encompassing a variety of activities, including role-playing committees, guest speakers, career information stalls, and an evening social activities program.

Contents

History

Established in 1995 as the Australian Model United Nations Conference, the inaugural AMUNC was hosted by the University of New South Wales and consisted of seven committees. For the next few years, AMUNC was held alternately by universities in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane, and gradually grew in size. The conference eventually left the south-east 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. In 1997 the conference became the Australasian Model United Nations Conference, and the conference changed name again in 2003 to its current version. Despite the name changes, AMUNC remained the largest conference in Australia, becoming a fixture of the Australian Model UN circuit.

The twenty-fifth session of AMUNC, to be held at Resorts World Sentosa from 7–13 July 2019 [1] was cancelled. [2]

The conference has been held at numerous universities across the Asia-Pacific, the most recent being held by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Activities

Committee sessions

Delegates at AMUNC are assigned to represent countries, governments, 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, and 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, [3] Robert French, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, [4] Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, [5] and Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, [6] 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.

Controversy

2017

AMUNC 2017, hosted by the University of Hong Kong, was the subject of severe backlash from Australian and Islamic Model UN communities, as the selected dates clashed with the final semester exams of numerous Australian universities, as well as Eid al-Fitr. In response, the Secretariat cut short the conference to make way for Eid al-Fitr, and promised to prioritize Australian applications. [7]

2019

As of 27 June 2019, the conference was cancelled due to internal factors. [8]

Locations

YearLocationHost(s)Secretaries-GeneralTheme
1995 Sydney University of New South Wales Joachim Delaney
Benjamin Zipser
1996 Melbourne University of Melbourne
1997 Canberra Australian National University Fleur Just
1998 Brisbane University of Queensland Sylvia Song
1999 Sydney University of Sydney Catherine Chang
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 WijeyamohanUnited Youth, United Future
2004 Townsville James Cook University Alec McConnell
2005 Sydney University of New South Wales Alison CorkeryParticipation in the Global Community
2006 Sydney University of Western Sydney Lisa DaleCelebrating Diversity, Embracing Unity
2007 Auckland University of Auckland Mike AspletUnity of Purpose: Security Through Development
2008 Adelaide University of Adelaide Andrew AntennucciChallenges and Change: A Time for New Thinking
2009 Brisbane University of Queensland Jo Sampford
Hugh Jorgensen		Towards Global Civilisation
2010 Sydney University of Sydney Anshu WijeyeratneWe the Peoples
2011 Canberra Australian National University
High Court of Australia 		Alice RichardsonCommon Bonds for a Common Endeavour
2012 Melbourne La Trobe University Caspar Roxburgh
Chris Orchard		Rights, Recognition, Responsibility
2013 Wellington [9] 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
2016 Kuala Lumpur Taylor's College Xiandi Ooi
Zi Jing Ooi		Connect
2017 Hong Kong University of Hong Kong Daniel Chan
2018 Sydney University of New South Wales Ben Nicols
Rachael Lee
2019 (CANCELLED) Singapore National University of Singapore Yushan Deng
2021 Sydney University of New South Wales Lara Trieu
Rhys O'Connor
2022 Sydney University of New South Wales Jafrin Kabir
Naomi Stephens		Rethinking Diplomacy

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References

  1. ↑ "AMUNC". www.amunc.co. Asia Pacific MUN Conference. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018. AMUNC 2018 HAS CLOSED, THANK YOU DELEGATES SEE YOU IN SINGAPORE
  2. ↑ "Hundreds of students left in the dark after conference called off". The New Paper. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "Professor the Hon Gareth Evans addressing the AMUNC 2011 Plenary Session". Australian National University. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Closing Address - Asia Pacific Model UN Conference - Final Plenary Session, Canberra, 15 July 2011" (PDF). High Court of Australia. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "Student diplomats engage at Model UN". University of Sydney. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Hundreds gather for Asia-Pacific Model United Nations". Yahoo! New Zealand. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  8. ↑ Tan, Adeline (5 July 2019). "Singapore student conference cancelled after organiser becomes uncontactable". Singapore student conference cancelled after organiser becomes uncontactable. The New Paper. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  9. ↑ "Hundreds gather in Wellington for Asia-Pacific Model UN". Scoop. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
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