Charles Darwin University students have taken up the opportunity to step into the shoes of United Nations ambassadors and gain first-hand experience of international relations.
The Casuarina campus has just hosted a Model United Nations (CDU MUN) event for the first time, which has been hailed by participants as a resounding success.
Delegates took on the role of a UN diplomat, representing a member nation of the UN, and engaged in a day of negotiation, debate and discussion with the aim of finding suitable solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.
CDU MUN coordinator Kevin Kadirgamar said the model General Assembly started the day with debating a mock resolution on “counteracting Obamania“ and went on to discuss the complex issues of religious freedom as a human right and the humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka.
“After intense debate, negotiation and compromise, the Assembly passed resolutions on both issues,” Kevin said.
“The inaugural CDU MUN turned out to be a great success and was, hopefully, the first of many to come. Plans are already under way for another CDU MUN in second semester,” he said.
“Special thanks must go to Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover and LBA Acting Dean Professor Phil Bretherton for their generous contributions to the event.”
Support also came from CDU’s Community Engagement Coordinator Linda Cuttriss, facilitators from the United Nations Youth Association NT Division, and CDU lecturers.
CDU MUN is a CDU Talloires project. For information about CDU Talloires, contact Linda Cuttriss E: linda.cuttriss@cdu.edu.au or to become involved in CDU MUN, E: cdumun@gmail.com.