2004 Winning team from Kincumber High
School,
Garry Hayduk and Tommy Gains
"2002 Winning Debating Team - China"
David Barrow, Georgina Macneil & Joshua Glover
Central Coast Grammar School
The winning Debating Team 2001- Vietnam. Joanne Salama, Heidi Warren,
Jackson
Stace & Bernie Howitt
General View of the debating hall
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Sara Lee Bakery is a major sponsor for this Rotary youth project, since its inception on the Central Coast in 1999.
Each year, Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) - Central Coast is held at the Central Coast Campus (Ourimbah) of the University of Newcastle and debating teams from Central Coast schools are sponsored by local Rotary Clubs to this event.
The concept is that participating schools select at least two Year 10, 11 or 12 students, each pair (or team) to represent a Nation at a simulated "Model United Nations Assembly". They debate topics of international concern such as the Palestine/Israel conflict, ethnic cleansing in Eastern Europe, whaling for "scientific purposes", treatment of women in some Middle East countries, drug production in the Golden Triangle and South America etc. Before attending, they are expected to familiarise themselves with the nation they represent by studying its history, politics, economics, people, international alignment and real life stance on world affairs. Teams are encouraged to wear the national dress of their allotted country wherever possible and flags and other artefacts are provided. The chairman "Secretary General" feeds some information and news snippets to the participants to assist and promote discussion.
The benefits of this annual event are that the students develop an awareness of the country they represent. They have an opportunity to practice and develop their public speaking and debating skills as well as their understanding of the international position of other countries. They dress up, debate, argue, laugh, socialise and interact with students from other schools.
The standard of debate at MUNA is high. A counsellor/adviser (perhaps, a teacher or senior student) is permitted to attend and coach the student team.
Two teams from the Central Coast MUNA are selected to represent the Central Coast at the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) held in Sydney in June each year.
The Rotary Club of Ourimbah sincerely thanks Sara Lee Bakery for its generous support for this Rotary youth project. Youth Director Alan Evans 0402 100 839.
For more details www.rotaryourimbah.org.au
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