Kia Ora, and welcome to the third edition of UNYANZ Communiqué.

In case you haven't heard already, UNYANZ turns ten this year. And we're gonna celebrate!

Head on over to the tenth birthday section at the website and have a look at what we're planning. We will have events for our high school members, our more mature members, and a special celebration for those among you who have held office in the organisation and helped make it what it is today.

And what is UNYANZ like today?

We are an organisation that runs fantastic events like the New Zealand Model UN, the tenth annual instance of which is coming up this year. If you have the opportunity, be involved in this event as a delegate or as a conference assistant. You won't regret it!

UNYANZ also holds events at a University level, the flagship of which is our Model Security Council Competition, which is to be held this year for the second time. The event will be run in Auckland and promises to be the premier event of its type to be held in New Zealand. If you are interested in becoming a practitioner of international relations, this event is certainly one for you.

In short, we are an organisation that brings together some of New Zealand's best and brightest young people to discuss and debate issues of real importance, like we do with Youth Declaration. We provide opportunities for young people to realise their full potential and mix it up with the best that the international sphere has to offer, as with our delegations to The Hague International Model UN and Harvard World Model UN.

So read on, and get into all that we have to offer.

Cheers,

Matt McGrath
National President

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---- FEATURES ----

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UNYANZ President - Matt McGrath

Matt is currently the UNYANZ President. He is in his second term in this role.

He first became involved in UNYANZ in 2003, when he attended the Canterbury Regional Model UN. Since then he has been a delegate at NZ Model UN, The Hague International Model UN, and the NZ Model Security Council. He is currently studying at Victoria University in Wellington, where he has completed his Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, Political Sciences and International Relations, and an Honours degree in Asian Studies. He is currently completing his Law degree.

Matt has had dreams of joining New Zealand's foreign service but given his interest in strategic issues (particularly in South East Asia) he is currently considering a career in the military. Rest assurred, if New Zealand is ever invaded, 'Matt Fantastic' will be there to save us.

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On the 2nd of February, fifteen students and three staff returned to NZ, exhausted, considerably poorer, but having had the best time of our lives on our trip to The Hague International Model United Nations. During our three week diplomatic study tour, our team of 18 visited six countries, stayed in three hotels, visited two United Nations offices, had receptions at three New Zealand Embassies, met one international judge, attempted to converse in five different languages, took thousands of photos and made lifelong friends.

Our first stop was Bangkok where we toured temples and city sites, and visited the giant reclining Buddha. On the second day we drove the 80 or so kilometers north that it takes to reach Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam. Ayutthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 (hence the move of the capital south to Bangkok) and is host to spectacular ruins of temples and palaces. While the historical significance of Ayutthaya was not lost on the delegates, the highlight of the day in terms of excitement value was the elephant rides that we took during the late afternoon. Our third morning started at 0650 hours with a trip to the floating markets outside Bangkok. While the clamouring vendors were a tad energetic for most of us, the boat ride around the canals of this 'Venice of the East' was spectacular.

We were lucky to be on the receiving end of some remarkable Thai hospitality; we had three knowledgeable and passionate tour guides and were greeted with smiling faces wherever we went. The friendliness of the locals was particularly obvious with the hotel singers, who dedicated every second song to 'the New Seelanders.' Another theme was been the ability of delegates to get rid of Thai Bhat. While a number of our delegation took advantage of the traditional THIMUN tailor, others shopped themselves out at the markets. The staff should disclaim at this point that we made every effort to curb spending!

Our next stop was three fabulous days in Paris. On the first day we spent an afternoon wandering the beautiful backstreets of Montmartre and exploring Sacre Couer. Our second day began at the Pompidou Centre, before embarking on a "Greatest Hits" tour of the Louvre led by expert art historian and Assistant Director Kitaj. Following crepes and cafe au lait in a typical French creperie, we headed to the New Zealand Embassy for our first European formal reception. While the delegates appreciated the insights of practising diplomats, our hosts were particularly impressed by the delegates' sophisticated questions and comments on international relations. We spent dusk exploring the Arc de Triomphe. From both the ground and the terrace, the delegates enjoyed some of the best views in Paris. To complete an amazing day of sightseeing, we ascended the Eiffel Tower to the very top and enjoyed breathtaking views on an exceptionally crisp and clear evening. On our final day, the delegation was able to enjoy more fine art at the Musee d'Orsay, followed by a brief stop at Paris' exclusive department store Galeries Lafayettes. To wrap up our Parisian experience, we ventured to the spiritual heart of Paris, Notre Dame de Paris.

We then embarked upon a whirlwind tour of Geneva. The highlights of Day One were a guided tour of the United Nations Office of Geneva and a reception at the New Zealand Consulate-General. On our next day, we woke to snow settling around us, providing a stunning backdrop to another varied day. We visited the International Red Cross Museum, an informative yet sobering experience for all. We were also lucky enough to view a temporary exhibition of photography documenting various walls between divided nations, including North and South Korea. On our final afternoon, we wandered the streets of the Old Town, with some content to window shop, and others indulging in Swiss chocolate!

We then moved on to a week of lobbying and socializing in The Hague. The delegates were all rather surprised to be bombarded with eager lobbyists bearing signs and resolutions as soon as we sat down, but quickly found themselves to be particularly well-prepared for the conference.

On our free afternoon, we were lucky enough to have a guided tour of the International Court of Justice, followed by a personal talk from Sir Kenneth Keith. Sir Kenneth is the first New Zealander to sit on the ICJ, a great honour for him but also for New Zealand. We were able to sit in the Red Room, just opposite the Chamber, and hear Sir Kenneth's thoughts on a variety of really interesting international law topics. This was followed by a reception at the New Zealand Embassy, where the delegates were able to meet not only the Embassy staff, but also New Zealanders working for the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. This was an incredible opportunity for the delegates to learn how to network with some exceptionally highly qualified and interesting people.

The actual conference was particularly successful for the NZ delegation. Karl Moresi and Rosie Wall were successful in having their resolutions passed, while Hannah Brown, Brierley Penn and Rupert Morris had amendments passed. Hannah also helped to prepare the only resolution to be passed by the GA Plenary.

The 2009 trip was particularly successful for all involved. UNYANZ looks forward to selecting a new 2010 delegation at the National Model United Nations 2009.

Hannah Stallard
THIMUN Director 2009

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"Taking IT Global" is a website for youth aimed at raising awareness and discussion on a number of global issues and encourages youth to take action that affects their local and global communities. It does through a range of discussion forums on various youth issues in civil society and with a truly enormous database of civil society organizations around the world and all the events and opportunities they offer. Have a poke around and if you like what you see, register yourself.

Find it at www.tigweb.org

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---- AHEAD IN UNYANZ ----

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On the 30th of May 2009, the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand will turn 10. This is an incredible milestone, and we want people to be able to celebrate it with us! To this end, over the next couple of months we will be getting in contact with everyone who has gone through our organisation - as members, participants, affiliates, or office holders - so that you can all come and witness the birthday celebrations for yourselves.

There are three separate events for UNYANZ Alumni, members, affiliates - well, anyone!

High School Students
An event is being held in conjunction with the United Nations Association of New Zealand's (UNANZ) Annual conference. This is being held in Wellington on Friday the 22nd of May at Parliament. It is a small celebration of UNYANZ, with other NGO's and diplomats. More details about this will be forthcoming, as it is not being directly run by UNYANZ.

Formal Event for Former Office Holders (by invitation only)
A formal event is being held in the at the Oriental Thai Restuarant, Cnr Cambridge and Vivian Streets, Wellington at 530pm, on Saturday 30th May. All food and non-alcoholic beverages will be paid for by UNYANZ. The venue is licensed and is also BYO.
The purpose of the event will be to for office holders to get together and have some fun, as well as to announce some exciting future developments!

Birthday Party (by invitation only)
A Birthday Party is being held for up to 150 people on Saturday 30th May, at Macs Brewery Bar in Wellington. It will start at 8:30pm. If there happens to be upwards to 100 people RSVPing for the event, then a $10 charge will be instituted to cover basic costs. If this occurs you will be notified by email.

You have to be aged 18 years and over to attend. This will be less formal and will provide an opportunity for people to catch up with each other and have a good night. To RSVP please email 10birthday@unyanz.co.nz.

Presidential Lunch
All former UNYANZ Presidents will be invited to attend a Lunch on Saturday 30th May, at 12:30pm at Great India (Wellington). These people will be contacted individually about this lunch, and given further details.

UNYANZ AGM
The UNYANZ AGM for 2009 will take place on Sunday the 31st May, at the Centre for Global Action in Wellington (Time TBA).

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the above events, please email Gina Manning.

People are also reminded to sign up for their 2009 UNYANZ Membership. Please click here to download the Individual Membership form.

Lastly, anyone who is no longer an UNYANZ member is asked to fill out the form on the Alumni page in order to join the Alumni network.

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Nominations for National Executive positions are now open. The National Executive is the administrative body of UNYANZ. On it sits the National President, up to three Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President.

A dedicated and capable National Executive is integral to the functioning of the organisation as a whole. If you think that you can commit to one of these positions for the 2009-2010 term, you will find the nomination form by clicking here.

If you want more information about the roles, or what it means to sit on the National Executive, please contact Matt McGrath, National President, at president@unyanz.co.nz.

Nominations are due by 5pm on Friday 1st May 2009. You can send these to:

National Executive Nominations
PO Box 24494
Wellington

Or email a scanned version of your form to secretary@unyanz.co.nz.

Please be aware that the AGM is being held on Saturday 31st May, the Centre for Global Action in Wellington (Time TBA).

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Applications are now open for the THIMUN Director for 2010.

The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) is held in The Hague in January of each year. It is the largest Model UN in the world, bringing together approximately 3,800 students from around the world. UNYANZ has been sending a THIMUN Delegation since 2001, and the delegation has represented states such as Thailand, Italy, Lebanon, and in 2009, the Republic of Korea.

The role of the THIMUN Director is very important. Supported by two other staff, you are in charge of the planning and preparation of all aspects of the trip. The New Zealand Schools' Delegation (between 12-16 high school students) in total spends approximately 3 weeks overseas, spending the 2 weeks prior to THIMUN undergoing a study tour with the delegation.

For more information about this role, please thoroughly read the application. If you need more information, free free to contact Matt McGrath, National President, at president@unyanz.co.nz.

Applications close on Friday 17th April at 5pm. No late or incomplete applications will be considered. You can find the applications by heading to this page on the UNYANZ website..

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Registrations are now open!

With a total of 224 spaces at New Zealand Model United Nations this is a great year to apply to be a delegate whether you've been before or you're interested in registering for your first time. The conference is from the 4th to the 7th of July, and this will be during school holidays so you won't have to worry about it interfering with your study. It also gives you a fantastic opportunity to spend some time having a look around the capital if you've never done so before.

If you're interested in being a delegate click the link here to download a form. To apply for the conference all you need is to fill out a basic form, along with a short essay, and send this off to us to arrive by the 8th of May.

We also have a number of scholarships available. Victoria University of Wellington is kindly sponsoring full conference fees for ten people - five of Maori descent and five of Pacific Island descent - from the Wellington Region. We have also arranged for various Embassies in New Zealand to sponsor delegates of academic merit based on essays about the UN. The form for the Victoria University Scholarships can be found here and the forms for the Embassy scholarships are here and here.

In the event that we have too many registrations we may have to cut applications, but sending in an early delegation may help so get in quick!

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Make sure you keep on a eye on the website. All the documents linked to here can be found on the New Zealand Model UN page of the website, just move the mouse to the over the title menu 'National' and click on NZ Model UN 2009.

There are also the forums on the website. It appears that when we tried to encourage everyone to get on them last time there was a problem with the forums which made it impossible for anyone to post. This is now fixed! So I urge everyone to get onto the forums and make a post about themselves or ask a question. If enough people start using the forums we can work towards making them an invaluable resource for delegates.

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University students, does being part of New Zealand’s most prestigious Model UN event, leading, inspiring and empowering young people from New Zealand and Australia sound like you? Apply to be a Conference Staff for NZMUN 2009!

We are looking for a team of conference staff assistants to participate in a variety of roles: from chairing MUN committees, organising regional group activities to writing for and editing the conference newspaper and magazine. Facilitators must be available for the entire conference in Wellington including the training day on July 4th. Not to worry however, this will be during the holidays for between trimesters for all universities so you won't be thinking about that essay due next week.

Please provide us with the following: a completed application form (available online) and a concise letter detailing any skills/experience (e.g. chairing experience, Model UNs attended etc), your preferred roles and why you think you would be good for those roles. Only electronic copies of applications will be accepted. Please send these to nzmun.castaff@unyanz.co.nz by 5pm, Monday 4 May.

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If you have any questions or enquiries about delegate registration or scholarships please do not hesitate to contact Aidan Beckett at nzmun.registrations@unyanz.co.nz

If you have any questions or enquiries about being a Conference Assistant please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth Chan at nzmun.castaff@unyanz.co.nz

Any questions which don't fit in the above two catergories should be sent to the NZ Model UN Coordinator, Nigel Smith at nzmodelun@unyanz.co.nz

Or, if you want to ask something that you want answered by other experienced delegates or others interested in applying, try making a post on the forums as outlined above.

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Preparations for New Zealand’s second national Model UN Security Council are well underway. The Conference will be held in Auckland from 4-6 September 2009. The organising committee is currently approaching sponsors and booking venues, with a view to opening registrations for conference assistants and delegates at the start of May.

The conference will begin with an opening breakfast, before launching into two days of committee sessions, followed by a plenary session. Each session will operate as a simulation of All Member State will be represented by four delegates, working as individuals in committee, and as a team in the plenary. We will of course have a dense lineup of guest speakers and evening events. Once again, the event will be a competition, with prizes for best delegate and best delegation overall, as well as four prizes for the best delegates from each committee.

This will be UNYANZ’s leading university event for 2009. We expect to attract 60 university students as competing delegates, and 20 more as conference assistants.

Each committee will write and debate a resolution on one issue of international security. We will not be providing delegates with written resolutions in advance. Rather, delegates will be expected to draft them, through a process of lobbying and negotiation, over a period of two days. Because this a simulation of the Security Council, we will be setting topics very shortly before the event. This way, they’ll definitely be fresh and relevant in September.

To give experienced Model UN delegates a little more challenge, and to accurately reflect the speed at which security issues can develop, one committee will be responding to a crisis. In the Crisis Committee, delegates will receive a briefing paper at the last minute before the conference, outlining the context of the crisis. During the two days of committee sessions, we will periodically interrupt the committee with fictional developments in the crisis, forcing delegates to think on their feet and adapt to changing circumstances.

We’re certain that this will be a highlight of UNYANZ’s calendar for 2009.

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Youth Declaration 2009 is here! Youth Declaration is a gathering of senior high school students to discuss and formulate a comprehensive youth statement of what they believe across a number of topics. The inaugural Youth Declaration was held in 2008 and saw over 130 students formulate a Youth Declaration that was presented to the Governor General, the Honourable Anand Satyanad. Building on the success of Youth Declaration 2008, more students, more topics for discussion, and more guests will characterise an exciting Youth Declaration 2009. By adding your voice to Youth Declaration 2009 you can ensure that New Zealand takes notice of what young people think.

It will take place on April 18 and 19 at the University of Auckland. Register now at www.unyanz.co.nz under the “Youth Declaration” section. Speak up and be heard at Youth Declaration 2009! If you have any questions or enquiries please contact Zebedee Stone at youthdeclaration@unyanz.co.nz.

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UNYC 2009, the Australian United Nations Youth Conference, is off to a flying start! Congratulations to the six delegates who will represent New Zealand this year. They are Ferne Cheetham (Wanganui), Kurt Purdon (Dunedin), Caleb Dawson-Swale (Alexandra), Linda Li, Harry Lusk and Meaghan Li (Auckland). Erin Jackson has been appointed as the assistant facilitator. Plans for a very exciting conference are underway, with flights being booked in the next couple of weeks. We are all eagerly awaiting the conference packs from Brisbane where we will learn the conference theme and the countries the delegates will be representing in Model UN.

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---- REGIONS ----

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In just a couple of days, Auckland will be hosting its Regional Model UN. New additions to the event include the Model International Court of Justice, where delegates will be required to deliver a legal opinion on the Iraqi conflict as well at regional dinners at six different restaurants. We look forward to welcoming 160 delegates to lobby, discuss and debate at the University of Auckland. Delegate kits, training information and resolutions are all available online. For late registrations and other enquiries please contact Bradley Scott at aucklandmun@unyanz.co.nz

Nick Masters is organising the University of Auckland’s delegation to the AMUNC conference in July. Those interested can come along to an information session at Shads between 2pm – 5pm on Wednesday 25 March. Enquiries can be made to aucklandamunc@gmail.com.

The Auckland AGM will also be coming up in May. Details about the AGM will be available online. We are always looking for new blood on the council so please come along!

If you have any questions or enquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Elizabeth Chan at auckland@unyanz.co.nz.

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The year is now well under way for Wellington UNYANZ, with a handful of events under our belt. Our AGM attracted around 40 people on the 16th of March, as a new regional council was ushered in. The 2009 Regional Council consists of: Mark Mulholland (President), Alex Sinclair (VP - Universities), Mary Davies-Colley (VP - High Schools), Frances Ratner (Treasurer), Aidan Beckett (Secretary), Ben Land-Maycock, Scott Summerfield and Zara Brouwers (Ordinary Members). Congratulations to the new council!

A quiz night was held for university members on Friday the 27 March. Around 40 members attended, with a great time had by all. The final round, the UN round of doom, will go down as one of the hardest quiz rounds in UNYANZ history.

The Wellington Model UN was held on the 1st April at Victoria University. The event attracted 140 high school students from as far away as Palmerston North. Delegates launched enthusiastically in to debate in the first session, successfully producing a resolution on the World Food Crisis. Local Wellington Central M.P. Grant Robertson gave a stimulating speech after lunch about his involvement with the UN and his view of New Zealand's role in the UN. The entertaining final session of the day involved an emergency resolution about a global virus pandemic threatening all countries. Delegates were unable to pass a resolution on the topic, despite fierce debate. At the conclusion of the event, a Special General Meeting was held to elect a High School representative onto the council. Congratulations to Ben Issacs for being elected!

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Following the success of the Canterbury Regional Model United Nations Conference, the Canterbury Region has set itself up for another marvellous year! This conference saw a greater range of students from Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region in attendance, and this poses not only an exciting prospect for the year ahead, but also the stirring challenge of expanding our operations to reach that untapped youth that has yet to experience a MUN event!

Canterbury is in restructuring mode after another terrific Conference, and a new Regional Council has taken the reins for what will be a very busy year: Anton Smith (President), Richard Evans (VP for Universities), Charlotte Falloon (VP for Schools), Kirsty Herbert (Treasurer), Greta Talbot-Jones (Secretary), Rupert Morris, Alexander Baird, Adam Hayes, Stephanie Gates and Thomas O’Brien.

Spreading the word to the next generation of school students about UNYANZ and its opportunities is very important to the new team, and we expect a consolidated effort will achieve great strides in this direction.

Canterbury has recently witnessed the stepping down of our Regional President Erin Jackson. What a stellar effort from a truly wonderful and committed manager and friend. Erin will be missed at the helm, but she will remain an essential member of UNYANZ for our region and for the organisation at a national level. It is the new Council’s job to take up the gauntlet and continue her hard work! The new Council will be holding its first meetings in the subsequent weeks, and we will be working hard to develop new ideas to promote UNYANZ, and to bring more national and international United Nations opportunities to young Cantabrians!

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The Otago region is busy organising the exciting events we have planned this year. The first is a ‘welcome back’ event for university students on April 3 at Copa in Dunedin, and will be a fun way to catch up with other members or learn more about UNYANZ activities.

Next, we plan to hold a medical-themed university committee on 10 May. The specific committee is yet to be decided, but debate will be centred around the ethics of stem-cell research. With a large amount of health-science and medical students at the University of Otago, we hope to get a wide range of debate and opinions.

We are also gearing up for our annual high-school Model United Nations, which takes place on 16/17 May. This event is always fun for all involved, and looks to be especially good this year with the regional council thinking up contentious resolution topics. Also, it will be a good opportunity for newer members to try chairing the debate.

Finally, at the end of May, we will hold a movie night at Academy cinema for all members and interested people. This will be a good opportunity for members to catch up with friends and people they may have met at the aforementioned events. The film is yet to be decided but will no doubt have a strong United Nations theme.

For more information on current Otago events, make sure to check out our web page at http://www.unyanz.co.nz/Regional/Otago.aspx or email otago@unyanz.co.nz.

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---- OPPORTUNITIES ----

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To acknowledge the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration, the Human Rights Commission has sponsored a contemporary art exhibition entitled Article 27, developed by independent curator Richard Dale on behalf of the Commission.Title says art 47, says art 27 here - is this an error?

The exhibition features seven Auckland-based artists: Xin Cheng, Kah Bee Chow, Majlinda Hoxha, Tui Kerehoma, Jasmine Lockhart, Christina Read and Daniel Webby.

This is a show of some of Auckland’s emerging art talent. The participating artists usually exhibit in alternative art spaces.

Christchurch-based Commissioner Richard Tankersley said, “It’s one of the roles of the artist to challenge society’s conventions. I am confident that Christchurch audiences will find this a thought-provoking exhibition.”

Mr Tankersley extended the Commission’s thanks to The Physics Room director Kate Montgomery for including Article 27 in the gallery’s 2009 programme.

"It's great to see a contemporary art space acknowledge the significance of human rights in all our lives."

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific achievement and its benefits.”

Article 27 runs until April 19, The Physics Room, 2nd floor, Old Central Post Office Building, 209 Tuam Street, Christchurch.

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A speaker evening with Dr Kate McMillan, Senior Lecture, Political Science & International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington. Thursday 23 April 2009 5.00 - 7.00 pm in the MacMillan Brown Centre at the University of Canterbury.