Michael Wright (11SR) was nominated by his Political and Legal Studies teacher to attend the State Youth Conference held by the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA) of Western Australia. Students from schools throughout the state were required to represent a designated country sitting on one of the UN committees.
Delegates debated resolutions in accordance with their country?s interests adhering to the formal conventions of the United Nations. At the conclusion of the three-day conference only ten students were chosen to represent Western Australia at the 44th United Nations Youth Association?s National Youth Conference (UNYC).

Michael was one of only two year 11 students to be nominated. The convener of the Conference stated that ?it is a major achievement to be selected in a state or territory delegation to attend UNYC 2005. The Conference requires research, academic commitment, public speaking and negotiation skills, and social maturity. The selection of students reflects their demonstration of these characteristics.? Each year more than 1500 students around Australia compete for a place.

UNYC took place in Adelaide from 10-17 July 2005. It is one of the most prestigious gatherings of young people on a national level and is endorsed by The Hon John Howard PM and His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC amongst others. The weeklong Conference brought together 83 secondary students from every Australian State and territory and included a small contingent from New Zealand. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the United Nations and so the theme of the Conference was the World at the Crossroads. Once again the delegates represented one of the 83 UN member states. The member states were then divided into six regional groupings or ?caucusing blocs?. Delegates participated in formal debates representing their country in the format of the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council and other committees, meeting with their caucusing blocs to lobby prior to debating sessions. A programme of keynote speakers supplemented the interactive problem solving and workshop discussions about important domestic and international issues as diverse as the environment, human rights and indigenous affairs. Prior to the Conference all delegates were required to submit resolutions for their committee or for the General Assembly, as these formed the basis for debate throughout the week. Michael?s resolution that addressed the need for changes to the International Criminal Court to ensure justice for citizens living in countries emerging from conflict was one of the few chosen for consideration by the students participating in the Security Council. At the conclusion of the Conference Michael was chosen as one of 17 students who will form the Australian Delegation to The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN).

THIMUN is the largest youth conference in the world and students from more than 90 countries will meet in The Hague from 22-27 January 2006. During this time Michael will stay with a family whose children attend the American or British School of The Hague. Once again the students from around the world will write the resolutions that will be debated during the weeklong simulation. All those that are passed in this reputedly highly competitive arena will be presented to the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a gauge of world youth opinion. Apparently THIMUN receives considerable media attention and Australian delegates in the past have featured on national radio, in national magazines, state and territory newspapers and in television news stories. The Hon John Howard PM wrote that ?the (THIMUN) experience will enhance their research, negotiation and leadership skills. It will also contribute to their personal and professional development and aid them in their future endeavours.?

Just days before attending the conference in Adelaide Michael was asked to submit a series of questions that he would like to pose to an international panel on the efficacy of the United Nations. On the basis of this submission and an endorsement from UNYA, Michael was chosen as the only Western Australian representative for the upcoming series of ?Talk Back Classroom?. The National Museum of Australia provides this radio interview based forum for secondary students. Michael flew to Canberra to work in a small group focussing on international issues and learning about interviewing techniques. The students will continue their research from their home bases before returning to Canberra in October to participate in videophone interviews with those willing and rash enough to submit themselves to the students? scrutiny. Possible interviewees include John Bolton and Hilary Clinton.