Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference
The Asia Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC) is an annual travelling model United Nations conference for university students. Each conference is hosted in a different city within the Asia-Pacific region, attracting approximately 600 students from Asia, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand, making it one of the largest regional model UN conferences in the world. AMUNC is run entirely by student volunteers, usually coordinated through a relevant student association who has been licensed with the right to host AMUNC by Asia-Pacific MUN Conference Limited, with the support and backing of the host university. The conference takes place over a week in July, encompassing a variety of activities, including role-playing committees, guest speakers, career information stalls, and an evening social activities program.
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| Abbreviation | AMUNC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Education |
| Location | |
Main organ | Secretariat |
| Website | www.amunc.co |
History
Established in 1995 as the Australian Model United Nations Conference, the inaugural AMUNC was hosted by the University of New South Wales and consisted of seven committees. For the next few years, AMUNC was held alternately by universities in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane, and gradually grew in size. The conference eventually left the south-east in 2004 for James Cook University in Townsville in northern Queensland and was hosted overseas for the first time in 2007 by Auckland University in New Zealand.
As AMUNC grew, the increased number of foreign students and international standing warranted two amendments to its name to reflect the changed nature of the conference. In 1997 the conference became the Australasian Model United Nations Conference, and the conference changed name again in 2003 to its current version. Despite the name changes, AMUNC remained the largest conference in Australia, becoming a fixture of the Australian Model UN circuit.
The twenty-fifth session of AMUNC, to be held at Resorts World Sentosa from 7–13 July 2019[1] was cancelled.[2]
The conference has been held at numerous universities across the Asia-Pacific, the most recent being held by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Activities
Committee sessions
Delegates at AMUNC are assigned to represent countries, governments, non-governmental organisations, or individuals within the United Nations and other regional or global organisations. Delegates are challenged to combine their personal talents and capacities with their ability to play their assigned role accurately.
Social events
Evening social events are a major component of the AMUNC itinerary, and past conferences have included committee dinners, cocktail events, club nights, and river cruises. AMUNC historically concludes with a gala on the final night of the conference.
Speaker events
Previous speakers have included Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister,[3] Robert French, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia,[4] Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia,[5] and Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former Prime Minister of New Zealand,[6] Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Laura John, the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations.
Opening and closing ceremonies
The AMUNC conference is officially opened and closed by the host team, with the week's committee sessions culminating in a General Assembly session showcasing the achievements of the conference proceedings.
Controversy
2017
AMUNC 2017, hosted by the University of Hong Kong, was the subject of severe backlash from Australian and Islamic Model UN communities, as the selected dates clashed with the final semester exams of numerous Australian universities, as well as Eid al-Fitr. In response, the Secretariat cut short the conference to make way for Eid al-Fitr, and promised to prioritize Australian applications.[7]
2019
As of 27 June 2019, the conference was cancelled due to internal factors.[8]
Locations
| Year | Location | Host(s) | Secretaries-General | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Joachim Delaney Benjamin Zipser |
|
| 1996 | Melbourne | University of Melbourne | ||
| 1997 | Canberra | Australian National University | Fleur Just | |
| 1998 | Brisbane | University of Queensland | Sylvia Song | |
| 1999 | Sydney | University of Sydney | Catherine Chang | |
| 2000 | Melbourne | Deakin University | ||
| 2001 | Sydney | University of Technology, Sydney | Vasanthi Balachandran | |
| 2002 | Melbourne | University of Melbourne | Maun Suang Boey | |
| 2003 | Sydney | University of Sydney | Tharshan Wijeyamohan | United Youth, United Future |
| 2004 | Townsville | James Cook University | Alec McConnell | |
| 2005 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Alison Corkery | Participation in the Global Community |
| 2006 | Sydney | University of Western Sydney | Lisa Dale | Celebrating Diversity, Embracing Unity |
| 2007 | Auckland | University of Auckland | Mike Asplet | Unity of Purpose: Security Through Development |
| 2008 | Adelaide | University of Adelaide | Andrew Antennucci | Challenges and Change: A Time for New Thinking |
| 2009 | Brisbane | University of Queensland | Jo Sampford Hugh Jorgensen |
Towards Global Civilisation |
| 2010 | Sydney | University of Sydney | Anshu Wijeyeratne | We the Peoples |
| 2011 | Canberra | Australian National University High Court of Australia |
Alice Richardson | Common Bonds for a Common Endeavour |
| 2012 | Melbourne | La Trobe University | Caspar Roxburgh Chris Orchard |
Rights, Recognition, Responsibility |
| 2013 | Wellington[9] | Victoria University of Wellington | Alastair Espie Wilson Chau |
Breaking Barriers |
| 2014 | Brisbane | Griffith University Queensland University of Technology University of Queensland Bond University |
Kimberley McCosker (Griffith and QUT) Aaron Payne (Griffith) |
A Globe in Crisis |
| 2015 | Perth | University of Western Australia | Rida Ahmed | |
| 2016 | Kuala Lumpur | Taylor's College | Xiandi Ooi Zi Jing Ooi |
Connect |
| 2017 | Hong Kong | University of Hong Kong | Daniel Chan | |
| 2018 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Ben Nicols Rachael Lee |
|
| 2019 (CANCELLED) | Singapore | National University of Singapore | Yushan Deng | |
| 2021 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Lara Trieu Rhys O'Connor |
|
| 2022 | Sydney | University of New South Wales | Jafrin Kabir Naomi Stephens |
Rethinking Diplomacy |
References
- "AMUNC". www.amunc.co. Asia Pacific MUN Conference. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
AMUNC 2018 HAS CLOSED, THANK YOU DELEGATES SEE YOU IN SINGAPORE
- "Hundreds of students left in the dark after conference called off". The New Paper. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- "Professor the Hon Gareth Evans addressing the AMUNC 2011 Plenary Session". Australian National University. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Closing Address - Asia Pacific Model UN Conference - Final Plenary Session, Canberra, 15 July 2011" (PDF). High Court of Australia. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Student diplomats engage at Model UN". University of Sydney. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Hundreds gather for Asia-Pacific Model United Nations". Yahoo! New Zealand. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
- Tan, Adeline (5 July 2019). "Singapore student conference cancelled after organiser becomes uncontactable". Singapore student conference cancelled after organiser becomes uncontactable. The New Paper. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- "Hundreds gather in Wellington for Asia-Pacific Model UN". Scoop. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.