These four DP1 students rose to the challenge and were selected as inaugural Westbourne delegates at the 2024 Harvard Model UN Conference to be held at UTS in June!
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The challenge: Adopt a position for one of the topics below and submit the response via video to College Principal. Students can argue for, against or a moderation of this issue.
Topic: Protection of Coral Reefs
You are speaking on behalf of an impoverished nation who has abundant coral reefs but lacks the infrastructure to create eco-tourism. You have discovered that under one of your reefs, amounting to 20% of the total reef area, is a significant deposit of rare earth minerals that will provide a significant and long-term boost to your economy. Mining these minerals will cause local destruction but you have a plan to rehabilitate the area post-mining. There is a proposal from developed nations calling for a blanket ban on all mining on coral reefs.
Topic: Use of drones for military purposes
You are speaking on behalf of a wealthy, advanced nation with a large conventional military force. There is a proposal from a collection of smaller nations who have small defence forces but see in drone manufacturing a chance to improve their security. They want the removal of all restrictions associated with the use of drones, including any limiting their military use.
Topic: Cyber Security
You are speaking on behalf of a nation who has benefitted from the digital age. Your nation is not well developed in a traditional sense, but you have used your position on the globe tactically to increase you investment in ICT infrastructure and it has enhanced your GDP and provided a better future for your citizens. You are aware that cyber crime and cyber scams exist in your nation but they are not sanctioned and your legal system is doing what it can to limit the impact on others around the world. There is a proposal from a group of advanced nations to limit the issue of cyber crime but it will severely impact on your economy as it will restrict the access to global ICT communication channels for nations who do not do enough to restrict illegal cyber practices.