Our event is a pragmatic take on a ‘Model United Nations’ style conference, focusing only on countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In this way, our activities take place in the context of young people by allowing them to bring their lived experiences when discussing topical issues that affect the Asia-Pacific region.
Our draft runsheet:
1. Amazing Race-style Introduction: taha tinana (physical health) is foundational to rangatahi feeling confident at our event by producing endorphins. To begin Model Asia Pacific Forum, we’ll have a relaxed scavenger hunt around our venue where students work together to find facts about their assigned country. From the past we’ve found students can feel overwhelmed when preparing for ‘Model United Nations’ style events. As such, this activity aims to mitigate our students’ nerves through teamwork and learning about their countries together.
2. Committee Sessions: As the name states, Model Asia Pacific Forum is going to focus on pressing matters in the Pacific regions and Asian continent and how cultural norms influence the action take on such matters. Students will choose and be split into committees on their preferred issue eg Indigenous Reparations, Climate Change, Privacy and Surveillance, Emerging Economies. They will learn to debate and submit amendments to the pre-existing Resolution Document. These committees aim to increase our rangatahi’s confidence, critical thinking, problem-solving and ultimately, leadership skills as they explore their and their peers’ opinions on issues affecting our geographic neighbourhood.
3. Speaker Panel: we plan to invite a speaker panel to discuss and show differing viewpoints on a topic affecting the Asia-Pacific region. While we have not yet decided a theme, UN Youth has a policy of ensuring our student demographics are represented in our panel. Furthermore,
4. Plenary: Plenary is a larger version of committee sessions with the aim of giving rangatahi a larger stage. Ultimately, we hope our rangatahi feel more comfortable voicing their thoughts for a better Asia-Pacific region. We endeavour to shape our activities in a way that ALL youth, new or experienced, can feel comfortable in their own skin by coming as they are.