Students from Eurobodalla’s high schools got a taste of being part of the United Nations (UN) Assembly over the weekend when they travelled to Canberra.
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Three students from each of the schools took on roles of UN delegates to debate resolutions ranging from the situation in the Ukraine, human rights and terrorism, the Syrian crisis, to the return of cultural property.
Batemans Bay High School represented India, Carroll College was Jordan, Moruya High School Argentina, Narooma High Brazil and St Peter’s Anglican College was Japan.
The teams were sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma.
The students arrived on Friday to take a tour of the University of Canberra and experience a mini-lecture.
On Saturday, the first of the resolutions were debated and in the afternoon, the teams were given a tour of Government House, followed by a formal dinner in the evening at Bruce Hall at the University.
Sunday saw the final debates and the presentation of awards. The winner was Hunter School of Performing Arts, which took on the role of Cuba.
Moruya High School teacher Peter Massey said the experience for local students was positive.
“Our kids did really well from this area because most of them were year 10 and 11 students; some of the kids from other places were in year 12,” Mr Massey said.
“As well as that, this is the first time I have been involved in it and it was a rushed event.
“They performed really well.”
To get prepared to argue their position on a range of topics, Moruya High School students researched previous positions which Argentina had taken.
“We looked up Argentina’s position on a number of the issues given to us,” Mr Massey said.
“One thing as Argentina that we focussed heavily on was the necessity to return the Malvinas Islands to Argentinean control, which Britain controls even though they are off the coast of Argentina.
“It has been a major cause of concern for Argentina and that was one of the strongest positions the students took in debate.”
Although none of the schools from the Eurobodalla placed, Mr Massey was positive Moruya High School would win next year.
“It will probably be a different group of kids next year but I now know the procedures and exactly what is called for and how it operates. I think we have a good chance,” he said.
“Some of the kids there were some of the most gifted speakers I have seen in a long time.
“The students are really talented.”
