On Friday 22 September, Marist Regional College hosted the Northern Tasmania preliminary round of the 2023 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, as well as to meet other like-minded students.
Thirteen teams from MRC and one team from Launceston Church Grammar School participated in the round, from Years 9-12. In pairs, we debated, amended, and voted on three “resolutions” on behalf of our allocated countries: one regarding social media, another about military exercises, and an impromptu resolution about illegal fishing.
For many of us, it was our first time and did not know what to expect, but once we understood the process, it was plenty of fun. When you are racing 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!
We were also privileged to be joined by Imogen Kane, the 2023 UN Youth Representative for Australia, for a Q&A Zoom session. Imogen is currently representing Australian youth at the UN General Assembly in New York City and was able to give us insight into her role, her journey to becoming a representative, and some of the issues facing youth that she will soon voice at the Assembly.
A huge thanks to the team from UN Youth for their running of the event, having travelled from as far as the Mainland and Hobart. Also, thanks to Aaron Woo and Liam Weber, ex-Marist students and members of UN Youth, for kindly volunteering their time to assist for the day. Thank you to Imogen Kane for sharing her experiences with us, despite it being past midnight in New York! And most of all, a big thank you to Mrs Nicki Rogers and Mrs Tess McDonagh for working non-stop so that MRC students can have these wonderful opportunities.
The winners will be notified soon. The top teams of the round will move to the National Final. Stay tuned for more!
Xander Power and Elizabeth Ettlin, Year 10
