THE UNITED NATIONS YOUTH ASSOCIATION
For Youth, By Youth, With Wonderful Success
- Daniel Miller
UNYA (WA) is the Western Australian Division of the United Nations Youth Association of Australia, a national, community-based, not-for-profit NGO run entirely by and for young people, with Divisions in each state and territory. It is without doubt that the WA Division of the Association has been amongst the most successful in recent years, and it continues to expand its activities and reach more and more young people in its calendar of events.Membership of UNYA is open to young Australians aged between 15 and 24, fitting the UN definition of Youth. UNYA has several hundred members nationally, and UNYA (WA) has a membership of around fifty. Typically, members are senior high school students or tertiary students, and have become involved with the organisation after coming into contact with UNYA as a school student. Each Division is organised differently, but in Western Australia a State Executive of thirteen members is elected each year to facilitate the running of the Association. Five portfolio executive officers (Education, Promotions, Membership, Publications and Regional) head committees to carry out their various roles.
The aims of UNYA are, broadly speaking, to educate young people about the role of the United Nations in international affairs, and the importance of the ideals of the UN in solving conflict and other world problems. Through our events and activities we also seek to empower young people and inspire them to become invovled with their community and the wider world, and through our policy aims the organisation attempts to influence governmental policy-making at a local, state and national level.
Delegates at State Conference 2004
UNYA carries out its aims through its vast array of activities on a national and Divisional level. Nationally, the premier event is the UNYA National Youth Conference, held in a different capital city each year and attracting over 120 students from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim. UNYC regularly attracts high-profile speakers and guests and receives wide community support and recognition. UNYC 2003 was hosted successfully by UNYA (WA) in Perth, and UNYC 2004 will be held in Melbourne in July 2004. The annual Evatt Trophy is another of UNYA's large-scale national events, and is a UN Security Council competition for high school teams selected at their respective state competitions. The competition was first held in 2002, and will be held in December 2004 in Brisbane. In both years of the competition, a Western Australian team has won the competition, and UNYA (WA) is confident that its success will continue in coming years.
The Association, on a national level, is also responsible for the selection of the Youth Representative in Australia's Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, each year in September-October. This position is made available by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the selection process is administered by UNYA Australia. UNYA's policy platforms also play a vital role in the organisation, and more information about UNYA policy can be found in Natalie Garcia de Heer's article in this newsletter.
In Western Australia, the WA Division works hard to reach as many young people as possible at its events and activities. Its premier event is its State Conference, held each year in late February or early May, which regularly attracts around 100 students from across the state. The weekend-long camp exposes students to high-class speakers, discussion groups, model UN debate sessions, and a wonderful social environment. The Hammarskjöld Trophy Competition (a UN Security Council competition) is UNYA (WA)'s largest event, attracting over 200 teams each year, with rounds held in Perth and in the South-West region. The competition is a prestigious debating-style event amongst many Western Australian schools, and plays a vital role in developing students' awareness of international issues.
UNYA (WA)'s Education Programme is a cornerstone of its activities, allowing friendly and comfortable education to other young people (mostly secondary students) about international affairs and offering a great addition to schoolteachers' curricula. Sid Chakrabarti's article in this newsletter gives a greater insight into the importance of the programme. The organisation also runs other events throughout the year, including day forums on important international issues, and is always looking to expand, particularly into regional areas.As a voluntary association run entirely by young people who, by and large, have many other commitments, UNYA (WA) has been extraordinarily successful in achieving its educational aims in Western Australia. The continued dedication of its members to ensure that many more young people are made aware of, and are inspired to consider further, international affairs, cannot be underestimated, and should not be undervalued by the community at large. The Association plays a vital role in the Western Australian community, and indeed it is true that UNYA (WA) is for youth, by youth, and enjoys wonderful success.
UNYA members hard at work
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For more information about UNYA, UNYA (WA) or its activities, visit the UNYA website at www.unya.asn.au, and follow the relevant links. Any queries about UNYA (WA) can be directed to its President, Daniel Miller, by email at wapres@unya.asn.au.
Articles
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Profiles
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“I am proud to support such a worthy event that engages, educates and encourages young people to become effective decision-makers and leaders.
I commend the initiative of the United Nations Youth Association and for your personal contribution in convening the conference. Your commitment to young people through your work with the UNYA is exemplary.”
The Hon. Sheila McHale MLA, Minister for Youth (WA), October 2003.
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