On Friday, September 13, Marist Regional College hosted the Northern Tasmania preliminary round of the 2024 United Nations Youth Evatt Cup. The competition involves students debating mock UN Security Council resolutions from the position of an assigned country. It provides a platform for students to develop their public speaking and negotiation skills in a non-teaching environment and to meet other like-minded students.
Ten teams from MRC and one team from Wynyard High School, in Years 9-12, participated in the round. In pairs, we debated, amended, and voted on three “resolutions” on behalf of our allocated countries: one regarding Kurdistan, another about Universal Healthcare, and an impromptu resolution about single-use plastics.
For many students, it was their first time, and they did not know what to expect. Penny and I held practice sessions to get people comfortable, and once they understood the process, it became plenty of fun. When you race to the Negotiation Room, scribbling a note to another country, or delivering a speech to convince the other delegates to vote for your amendment, you can certainly feel the adrenaline pumping!
A huge thanks to the team from UN Youth for running the event, having travelled from as far as the mainland and Hobart. Also, a massive thank you to Mrs Nicki Rogers and Mrs Tess McDonagh for working nonstop so that MRC students can have these wonderful opportunities.
The winners will be notified soon. The top two Tasmanian teams from each round will advance to the Evatt National Final.
Nicola Williams & Penny Tassicker
Year 12 Students