MUNA? This acronym stands for Model United Nations Assembly, an annual event organised by our District 9640. There were 25 teams, all Year 11 - 12 students, representing nations ranging from miniature states such as Liechtenstein, to majors such as China, Russia, US, UK, to extreme radicals such as North Korea, to middle level countries such as, yes, Australia. And just like is the case in a real-life General Assembly: there were some super eloquent speakers and others seriously need to work on their enunciation and delivery. Some made sense, some didn't. Some were super serious, some irreverent, some have obviously studied drama. But there is one thing you would seldom see at a real UN assembly: laughter. There was plenty of that too! MUNA is actually a United Nations initiative and MUNA events are held throughout the world. The winning team from our district competes in the MUNA Nationals in Canberra in August.Surfers Sunrise didn't enter a team; actually, as far as I know, we never ever have. So why do I post this blog on our club's website and bulletin, you ask? Simply because MUNA is good! No, not just good. Real good. And if you ever hear somebody whinging about today's youth being clueless, uninterested in current affairs, inarticulate, wouldn't know Sweden from Switzerland... put them into a headlock and drag them to attend next year's event! Our club has been strongly involved in just about every youth program and I think we must look for a team for next year's to fill the gap.
Expect a more detailed report in the April edition of the District Governor's Newsletter.
Photo: the winning team, from Trinity Lutheran College, representing China, with MUNA chairman Brian Meldrum (RC of Murwillumbah) and District Governor Karen Thomas