What is MUNA in Rotary?
M.U.N.A. simulates the workings of the U.N. assembly by having teams of two students represent a particular U.N. country. Topics are debated on matters of world political and social concern. It is held over a week-end to give sufficient time for all participants to become involved. The main aim is to develop an awareness of the United Nations in students as well as international situations of other countries and to encourage students to study topics from another country’s perspective.
The objective is to encourage young people to learn respect and tolerance for people of all races, religions and nationalities. They do this by debating U.N. topics from their given countries perspectives.
In the past Hawthorn Rotary has been involved, both as co-coordinating club for the District 9800 event, usually in May, but mostly by supporting teams. Youth Director Kevin Rose has got in early this time and through youth committee member David Rosback invited schools in our area to nominate a team of two students for consideration. Two teams came forward and were asked to present their case for HRC support at our recent lunch meeting.
Two young ladies from Carey Grammar Isobel Coleman and Lauren Moloney , came along with teacher Cathy Ferella.
In the short time allocated they outlined in a well prepared address ,interest in the UN, its importance , and
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concern for getting young people involved in voicing solutions to world problems. They saw MUNA as a wonderful opportunity to personally develop their own skills in negotiating, and debating, and gain insight into the UN process. Both girls had personal objectives to "make a difference in the world", one saw a medical career the other human rights law.
The two from Camberwell High School were Alex Rolaff and David Kavangh. .JPG)
Again demonstrating a passion for a better and peaceful world and a drive for the youth of today to be involved, we got a personal insight as to why they thought that they would be good representatives for HRC at the event. Each modestly but cleverly extolled the attributes of each other as appropriate for the task, and highlighted the capacity to complement each other in a team environment.
Questions to, and the responses by both teams were fascinating. A particularly curly one posed was how would they would represent a country which we in the developed West consider hostile?
Both teams showed a political skill and awareness to the problems in that they skillfully parried the question without overtly accepting that they may have to argue a case contrary to all their past held views of "right". Carey acknowledged the importance of seeing the position from another perspective and suggested that when they were assigned a country they would hope to make contact with people from it as a means of understanding. The Camberwell High boys spontaneous yet innovative thoughts showed an understanding of the different drivers and pressures which a country can face in forming a position for or against a UN resolution.
Chairman Kevin Rose in adjudicating showed the greatest political skill of all. He could not distinguish the two teams so Hawthorn Rotary will support both. Well done.
Later, the President for the day, Henry Drury, summed up all our thinking "great kids who will be great contributors to MUNA and be a credit to Hawthorn Rotary while having a unique and enjoyable experience."
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Remember Christmas Party for Tuesday December 1. Here is the detail...
