Newcomers and seasoned MUN veterans put to the test at QUTUNSA’s ‘WebMUN’
QUTUNSA’s ‘WebMUN’ proved to be a dynamic opportunity for both MUN hacks and newbies alike to tackle topical real world issues in a fast-paced environment.
The 14 delegates who gathered at QUT for the mini-MUN on 8 September took on the roles of nations and tech giants in a Model United Nations simulation focussing on internet governance to combat security threats and cybercrime, whilst balancing the need to protect individual civil liberties.
Key players France, Canada, Japan and New Zealand advocated for strict frameworks to ensure governments retain metadata only for restricted periods and for the restricted purpose of managing suspected cybercrime and security threats.
This view was often at odds with global powerhouses China and Russia, who instead pushed for the right of nation states to exercise a broad ‘cyber sovereignty’ in policing the web and protecting citizens from national security risks, with China particularly touting the benefits of its firewall.
However, the morning spent productively negotiating nations’ positions and reducing them into working paper clauses on these key issues was tipped on its head when a series of damaging press releases sent the committee into a crisis council.
Delegates were put under pressure to think on their feet and be more strategic in this fast-paced format, as the unfolding global crisis saw allies and foes alike scrambling to recover from scandals and security compromises. China’s firewall was hacked, all of New Zealand lost its internet entirely, cryptic messages seemed to compare a certain Chinese leader to the iconic cuddly children's cartoon Winnie the Pooh, and Australia waged war against China for purportedly assassinating Netflix's rising star Noah Centineo.
The conference provided the perfect introductory taste of the dynamic nature of MUN, complete with a training session for newcomers at the conference’s start as an introduction to MUN formalities and conventions.
For students from other universities, QUTUNSA’s mini-MUNs often serve as a convenient format to practise and hone MUN skills regularly amongst the established MUN community.
“QUTUNSA runs some of the best model UN events in Brisbane. Their small weekend-based activities give me the opportunity to practise my skills and have fun with friends without having to give up almost an entire week at a conference. Short, sweet, interesting, and packed with good debate,” said University of Southern Queensland student and UN Youth Australia Queensland Communications Director Daniel Patava, a regular QUTUNSA mini-MUN attendee.
“It was a blast getting to know everyone and learning how other countries interact, debate and behave on international governance, along with spending a brilliant time with mates doing what we all love,” said Griffith University student and UN Youth Queensland Facilitator Andrew Doran.
QUTUNSA looks forward to hosting more MUN training sessions for new and curious students from all universities leading up to our first mini-MUN of Semester 1 2019 and BrisMUN 2019.
WebMUN was organised by the QUTUNSA Competitions portfolio, lead by coordinator Miranda Hickey and assisted by officers Lucy Coogan and Jeffrey Wang, who directed the committee.
Article by QUTUNSA Marketing and Publications Officer Ian Cheung.
