The fourth annual New Zealand Model Security Council - the
first to be held in Dunedin - has attracted 60 participants
to discuss issues from women in conflict zones to
people-smuggling.
Conference co-ordinator Sarah Paterson said the conference,
which began on Saturday and ends tomorrow, was run by UN
Youth New Zealand, a national voluntary organisation of 15-
to 25-year-olds.
The idea of the conference was to "inspire global citizens",
and encourage young people to think about issues outside
their own lives, and get involved in international affairs.
The model council, held at the Hunter Centre at the
University of Otago, attracted university students from
around New Zealand. About 30 of the 60 participants came from
outside Dunedin.
The 60 split up into 15 teams of four, representing the five
permanent and 10 non-permanent member nations on the council.
They debated four issues: women in conflict zones; resource
conflict; people-smuggling and humanitarian intervention.
Tomorrow all 60 participants will get together to debate a
"fictional crisis", Ms Paterson said.
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