Model United Nations Assembly

Developing as global citizens

Year 10 students Nicholas Michele and Kenneth Yeung recently joined 44 other delegates from 15 schools across Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT to participate in a Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) in the historic House of Representatives Chamber in Canberra’s Old Parliament House (now the Museum of Australian Democracy).

The participants engaged in real-world, high-stakes debates, advocating with knowledge and authority on behalf of their assigned countries.

Our students had the not-so-easy task of representing the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan. Nicholas and Kenneth were impressive in their ability to adopt the Afghani political persona and defend their country’s national interests with remarkable passion and conviction.

A particularly memorable moment from the weekend came when they made a powerful statement by throwing down the Afghan flag in protest against the perceived colonisation of Western values being thrust onto the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan.

This symbolic act drew attention and sparked significant discussion among the delegates, marking a defining moment in the debates.

The Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise facilitated the event, and District Governor Rob Uhl and Canberra Sunrise President Peter McDermott officially opened the MUNA event.

The students also heard from Lorraine Finlay, Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Air Commodore Jarrod Pendlebury AM from the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF), and Dr Stephanie Smith, the Learning Manager of the Museum of Australian Democracy.

 Ms Finlay shared an important message with the delegates that resonated well with Brighton Grammar’s emphasis on treating others with kindness. She demonstrated the importance of everyone upholding human rights in the way they interact with kindness and compassion in all interactions with others.

We are proud of Nicholas and Kenneth’s representation of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, especially their bold statement against cultural impositions and ethnocentric value systems.

We look forward to seeing how they continue to make their mark on the world as they continue to hone and develop their voice as global citizens and world leaders.

Kirsten Dunsby
Head of Public Speaking & Debating