The University of Queensland was recently awarded hosting rights to the largest and most prestigious model United Nations conference in our part of the world.
The Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC), which has been held annually for the last 14 years, is a leading international event for tertiary students in the region.
It promotes an understanding of the United Nations and its values, as well as an opportunity for students to enhance their communication skills and expand their social networks, and will take place at UQ from July 12-17 next year.
AMUNC 2009 has received substantial support and sponsorship from UQ's School of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), as well as the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
“It is a great opportunity for the school to support our students in a simulation of the processes which occur in international organisations such as the United Nations,” said the Head of POLSIS Associate Professor Gillian Whitehouse.
“This is after all what many of our students are studying and it fits with their career plans too. An opportunity to host the AMUNC will certainly be of benefit to our students.”
AMUNC 2009 has also been endorsed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Green Cross Australia CEO Mara Bun.
The Model United Nations conference engages students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to address the globe’s most pressing issues through debate and negotiation.
AMUNC 2009 will be organised by a team of UQ students under the leadership of Hugh Jorgensen and Jo Sampford, who is also the President of the United Nations Student Association at UQ.
“UQ has a great reputation as being one of the largest and most diverse universities in Australia and combined with our great location, I think we have a real opportunity to turn AMUNC 2009 into a truly Asia-Pacific event,” Mr Jorgensen said.
The event will address issues such as the militarisation of space, the global food crisis and the international emergence of Sharia Law.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure that AMUNC 2009 will be a fantastic experience. There is no doubt in my mind that students will meet some really incredible people and establish lifelong friendships during AMUNC,” Mr Jorgensen said.
“We also plan on making the event a sustainable success and trust that our hosts, UQ and the City of Brisbane will give us their full support in this matter.”
UQ provided the second largest delegation at this year’s AMUNC which was held in Adelaide recently, with several UQ students picking up delegate awards for their involvement.
AMUNC 2009 will be held from July 12-17 at UQ and is expected to bring together over 500 university students from around the Asia-Pacific region.
The University will also provide a range of guest speakers for the conference, showcasing UQ's reputation in the field of International Relations.
Media: Hugh Jorgensen (0413 235 541) or Charu Agarwal (0403 559 467)
