Please note: volunteering is only open to high school leavers and above.
WHAT IS NZ MODEL UN?
NZ Model UN (NZMUN) is UN Youth’s flagship Model UN conference. The event offers four days of thrilling debate, engaging guest speakers, and an all round inspiring experience. Through high quality educational content and facilitation, delegates interested in global affairs, debating, or civics have the chance to experience the Model UN format at its most premier level. Delegates at all skill levels are welcomed to join in on this immersive learning experience. Guaranteed to provide education, excitement, and fun, this event is not to be missed.
Hosted at Victoria University in the heart of Wellington, NZMUN offers secondary school students the chance to experience life as a diplomat. Between engaging problem-solving workshops, to simulated committee sessions, students will be given a platform to discuss important topics relevant to global affairs. In the process of debate, students will learn more about the world and their place in it as a global citizen. Furthermore, as a cohort of 280 like-minded individuals, students can band together, build friendships, and tackle the world - one problem at a time.
Delegates will emerge from NZMUN more equipped to make a difference in their communities, and more empowered to influence the decision making which affects them. NZMUN is an experience like no other, overflowing with benefits and opportunities for those who partake.
The theme chosen for NZMUN 2023 is UN+Conventional, to acknowledge the world we live in today. Emerging from a long battle with COVID-19 and its lockdowns, the way that rangatahi experience school and everyday life has changed drastically. But further from this, 2023 has also brought more unconventional civil, political and environmental issues. From erratic natural events to unpredictable world leaders, the year has certainly been unorthodox. NZMUN not only allows delegates to delve into civil and political topics in a safe environment, but also encourages delegates to listen to different perspectives, perhaps unconventional to them.
WHAT IS UN YOUTH?
We are a non-profit organisation that provides civics education outside the traditional classroom context. Through fun workshops and conferences, we engage youth in the most pressing affairs of their country and the international community. Our goal is to inspire young New Zealanders to be active, global citizens. Global citizenship exists in an incredibly diverse range of forms, and UN Youth provides opportunities for delegates to develop their own form of active citizenship. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged, and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Annually, over 3000 young New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event, run by a body of 150 volunteers across the country who dedicate many hours of their time to engaging young people and growing the organisation.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CONFERENCE
Committee Sessions
Each delegate will experience three committee sessions throughout the conference. These sessions are designed to encourage debate, critical thinking, and negotiation skills between delegates. There are also 3 special committees, in which select delegates are able to demonstrate a high level of in-depth problem solving as it pertains to certain UN bodies – such as the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and NZMUN Crisis Committees.
Workshops
Workshops feature engaging scenarios and formats which give delegates a chance to showcase and learn communication, creative thinking, and persuasive speaking skills. Separate from committee sessions, workshops do not require the delegates to be representing their countries while in them, but are rather a means of engaging delegates on an interactive level. Previous workshops have included Interactive Problem Solving (IPS) scenarios, ethics workshops, and negotiation based workshops.
Apart from the educational content, there are also many social aspects to NZMUN. Chiefly, the Opening Ceremony, Regional Group Dinners, and of course, the Gala – a highly anticipated cocktail-style evening event for delegates to dance and network at the end of what is sure to have been an invigorating conference!
ACCESSIBILITY
We aim to make our conference accessible to all participants, so if you have accessibility needs, we will do our best to accommodate those. Please let us know how we can help you!
If you have any questions or issues, please contact Grace at [email protected]
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATIONS
Volunteering at NZ Model UN will give you the opportunity to develop your leadership, communication and teamwork skills. It is a great chance to make new friends and to have a lasting impact on the youth of New Zealand. Below is an overview of the volunteer roles available.
Chair
The Chair controls the debate, determines speaking order, and overall sets the one in their committee. Usually our most experienced volunteers, chairs must bring forward a large amount of institutional knowledge and experience. They must be familiar with New Zealand Model UN protocols and procedures. They must also be able to lead a unit of other conference assistants and facilitate a strong and supportive environment of growth. Chairs at NZMUN 2023 will be expected to liaison heavily with welfare and other CA’s in their committees.
Secretary
The Secretary ensures that a committee is able to run smoothly. They receive amendments, make clarifications, and control AV systems in committees – essentially they’re the CA’s that make sure things happen. Secretaries also work closely with chairs, and later on, in the conference may have the opportunity to chair committees. We need someone who is able to process and understand multiple questions, queries, and submissions at any one time as well as someone who is confident with using a computer.
Special Rapporteur
Special Rapporteurs are each committee’s content expert. Their main responsibility is helping their committee reach a resolution by deciding which amendments will be debated and clarifying any queries on the discussion topic. Background knowledge is not essential if the applicant is willing to research and learn the committee topic. If you are accepted for this role, you will be required to write a short background briefing on your assigned topic for delegates before the conference.
Regional Group Facilitator
Regional Group Facilitators have the all-important task of leading a particular ‘Regional Group’ (a team of 30 delegates) throughout the conference. Regional Group Facilitators shape delegates’ experiences at NZ Model UN, motivating and inspiring each one to pursue their individual goals, whilst running fun social activities and thought-provoking workshops.
Press Delegate Facilitator
Press Delegate Facilitators will guide and mentor Press Corp in a wide range of activities personalised to their role. By facilitating unique workshops, assisting their Press Corp team in writing articles, and supporting them within committees, our ‘PDFs’ are essential to guiding press delegates through the world of investigative journalism.
Welfare Officer
Welfare Officers hold the essential responsibility of supporting the welfare of both delegates and volunteers at NZ Model UN. The ability to handle sensitive issues with a caring attitude and open ears are absolutely required as all Welfare Officers must constantly be approachable for unwell, stressed or upset participants. Welfare Officers with particular past experience or knowledge may be given certain specialisations, such as pastoral care, mental wellbeing, or first aid. A First Aid Certificate is required to be considered as a Welfare Officer.
Logistics Facilitator
Logistics Facilitators work behind the scenes to ensure that NZ Model UN runs as smoothly as possible. Logistics Facilitators are organised, balanced individuals with excellent time management. Without a strong Logistics team, NZ Model UN would never get off the ground. Their tasks will range from setting up catering, to helping lost delegates and keeping conference looking sharp (as well as always being the first ones to eat!).
Media Team
The media team, which consists of photographers and videographers, play a vital role in capturing the memories that delegates and CAs will love to revisit long after NZ Model UN 2023 is over. They are the ones responsible for truly making our conference unforgettable. Previous experience and skills will be essential, but the experience is certain to be rewarding. A small portfolio may be required on application.
Liaisons
As a conference, we strive to do our very best to be as equitable and inclusive as possible for all of our CAs and delegates. The liaison roles were created to allow students from varying communities to experience what can sometimes be a very monotonous conference experience, and as a liaison, you would have the freedom to explore how this experience can be best delivered.
MPI Liaisons
In the past, Māori and Pasifika liaisons have mentored delegates and provided them with guidance and opportunities to socialise with other like-minded people from similar backgrounds. Working with the Head MPI Liaison, the MPI Liaison team will deliver an MPI Program that is interwoven with the typical NZMUN delegate experience. This includes mentorship, running MPI lunches, and being available to MPI delegates and volunteers throughout the duration of the conference.
Note that this role is a standalone role. However, it is recommended that you still apply for another role.
Queer Liaisons
NZMUN is a learning environment that is unique to what most attendees experience in the classroom. Allowing our delegates and volunteers to express themselves as who they are is vital to meaningful engagement. The Queer Liaisons are important for visibility of queer people in our event. To make the conference as safe a space as possible, Queer Liaisons should be comfortable speaking up and empowering queer delegates, as well as being someone that everyone can come to for a kōrero.
Neurodiversity Liaisons
For the first time in 2023, NZMUN will be appointing a Neurodiversity Liaison (subject to interest). Similar to the Queer Liaison, the Neurodiversity Liaison is aimed at enhancing the educational experience of our conference by providing visibility and an explicit point of contact for any neurodiverse attendees. Neurodiversity Liaisons should be comfortable with engaging with people on specific issues that crop up that may impact neurodiverse people attending the conference, and being available for a chat.
Please note that the Queer and Neurodiversity Liaisons are not standalone roles. If you are offered the role of Queer or Neurodiversity Liaison, you will be offered another role alongside it.