United Nations National Conference
Between the 4th and 6th of July, I was privileged to represent St Andrew’s and the NSW/ACT delegation in the United Nations National Conference in a virtual setting. I was honoured to be one of the 10 delegates who were selected from more than 250 students at the NSW State Conference. The event was mainly focused on sustainability and the environment with the theme of “from the ground up”. We started the conference with a presentation from Dr Anabelle Workman from the University of Tasmania, a PhD researcher inquiring into the various global climate agreements around the world as well as their history. Her presentation was very insightful and motivating as we discussed the prospect of climate policy and implementation at a macro level. As well as this, we participated in an interactive problem-solving activity that involved the 2019 Brumadinho dam disaster in Brazil in the January of 2019. Along with the NSW/ACT delegation, we represented the Brazillian National Opposition Party intending to overthrow the current government and solve the dam’s structural issues as well as assisting affected locals. The conference also consisted of a research activity and debate into the Michigan water crisis which recently ended in 2019. We delved into the economic, social, and political impacts the crisis had on the population. In addition, we discussed the impact of art and its effectiveness in raising climate awareness. Moreover, we talked about indigenous people around the world and their sustainable approaches toward the environment. We also discussed native title, land rights and management and what we as a nation can learn from First Nations people about environmental sustainability.
Toward the conclusion of the event, we engaged in two MODEL UN Debates. The first debate was in the format of the UN Environment Assembly where we debated the ‘The Question of the Demand for Sand’. Following this, we participated in the UN General Assembly, debating the ‘Question of Artificial Islands’. In both these debates, I was asked to represent the Federal Republic of Germany as the Chancellor. The debates were extremely intense and of a high standard.
To conclude the conference, the final activity comprised of a discussion of the issues the youth in Australia face today. My team discussed the lack of youth employment and financial insecurity, especially with the rising house prices making it difficult for young people to own a property in the near future. Our ideas and solutions were collated to be presented at the UN General Assembly in New York by Australia’s Youth Representative.
Overall, the experience was extremely insightful and I cannot be any more thankful to have been selected to represent NSW at this event. The conference was great for making new connections and being informed of the challenges the youth of today face. I thank St Andrew’s for supporting me in this endeavour and I hope to see more of our students participate next year!
Wasim Farah
Year 11 Student