From the 4th to 7th of July this year, over 300 high school students and 100 tertiary volunteers journeyed to Wellington from across the motu to take part in New Zealand Model United Nations 2024, UN Youth’s flagship event.
Held at Victoria University of Wellington’s Pipitea campus, the event offered students the chance to assume the roles of UN diplomats representing a chosen country or to serve as press delegates associated with major global news outlets. We had 8 different committees for students to take part in, each focusing on different current affairs and providing students with the opportunity to become global citizens. All week, against the backdrop of the beehive, students engaged in dynamic debates surrounding critical global issues such as transnational crime, cultural heritage protection and AI in education. These discussions were supported and facilitated by our tertiary volunteers, who guided the students in submitting and voting on amendments to various resolutions. The conference fostered a collaborative environment which allowed students from all backgrounds to come together, learn from one another and work towards shared goals.
At our parliament opening ceremony, students heard from UN Youth’s very own alumnus, Carl Bates (MP for Whanganui) and Nicola Willis (Minister of Finance). It was also an opportunity for students to network and kōrero with our esteemed guests which included several ambassadors from different embassies and representatives from the Ministry of Youth Development.
Several of our students had the opportunity to visit embassies, where they engaged with distinguished ambassadors and gained valuable insights into the nuances of diplomacy and the diverse cultures of their represented countries.
Over the week we also had two insightful speaker panels discussing climate action and conflict resolution. These discussions were led by various educators and professionals in the fields, namely Dr Cathy Downes, John Borrie, Victoria Brownlee, Dr Judy Lawrence, Professor Richard Levy, Catherine Leining, Maria Bargh.
The success of the event is a testament to the dedication of the organising committee, the support of the National Executive, and the unwavering commitment of the tertiary volunteers who generously gave their time to offer rangatahi this invaluable experience. Both the volunteers and delegates alike will undoubtedly leave this experience with cherished memories and a profound sense of personal growth. NZMUN 2024 not only provided an enriching educational experience but also inspired a new generation of global citizens, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Grace Chen, NZMUN 2024 Coordinator
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