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| Local Students Unite for Global Awareness |
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By Natalie Alexander
The many challenges facing the globe today are a reminder that our world is in need of cross-cultural solutions and understanding, something two students at QUT are determined to share with their peers.
Leah Dwyer and Stuart Labrooy began the United Nations Student Association at QUT this semester, a club that promotes a greater understanding of the work of the United Nations and a deeper awareness of global issues.
The pair was inspired to begin the QUT branch after attending the Asia Pacific Model United Nations Association in Sydney last year.
“We realised that getting students involved and interested in international issues and diplomacy at a community level was important to raise awareness of the world outside QUT and one’s own personal niche,” Leah said.
The club is already gaining a solid base of members, giving students the opportunity to become involved in both on-campus and cross-campus events relating to the United Nations and global issues.
“In week one of the year we were frantic there would be no interest from students,” Leah said.
“However, the club has managed to provide members with cross campus student collaboration with such events as the mock Security Council with the University of Queensland, and we've also had a guest speaker come and talk about human rights abuses in the Sudan and Sri Lanka.”
They are now planning a major event in Semester Two concerning the issue of mass human displacement due to climate change, Leah said.
“We're inviting someone from the Refugee Council to come and talk to students about refugees in Australia,” she said.
“This event will provide an insight into the daily life of a Refugee in Australia, andalso give students the opportunity to donate food or bathroom necessities to the Refugee Council.”
The club is also heading to the international field, sending a delegation to New Zealand for the annual Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference in July.
“AMUNC brings together students from across the Pacific region to debate and develop resolutions on current issues of real significance,” Leah said.
The international event is now in its 13th year, uniting 500 tertiary students from 13 nations.
For one week students will represent a designated country on a specific United Nations committee, such as the Security Council and the Human Rights Council, where they will debate two global issues, Leah said.
“They will be required to develop alliances between other students representing nation states and be prepared for some very tense debating,” she said.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Unity of Purpose: Security Through Development’.
“The conference provides students with real insight into the global importance of multilateral diplomacy and how in most situations, compromise and arduous negotiation skills are essential,” Leah said.
“It is a fantastic way to develop important life skills in negotiation and leadership, whilst reaffirming the hard work that multilateral bodies like the UN undertake every day.”
Leah believes gaining a greater awareness and understanding of global concerns is an important opportunity to offer to students through the club.
“Taking part gives students the opportunity to develop and nurture a capacity for international political criticality, human empathy and compassion,” she said.
“We're apolitical, so people are encouraged to critically assess all forms of government and their response to global events and crises.”
"And, it also demonstrates that many young people do have an interest in being a part of finding solutions to the world’s challenges," she said.
“Clubs like the United Nations have a role in bringing together like-minded and considerate individuals to convey the message that the student population is concerned about different global issues, and that our voice and the voice of the United Nations is one of informative and multilateral based decision-making, critical assessment and awareness-raising.”
Students interested in more information or in joining the United Nations Student Association are encouraged to contact Leah or Stuart. |
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