Former President Ravi Chandra with the Evatt Trophy, 2005
The Evatt Trophy Competition, named after Dr H.V. Evatt, is Australia's premier secondary schools' debating competition and one of UNYA Australia's principal multi-divisional activities. Hundreds of school students across Australia compete in divisional rounds by negotiating, lobbying, debating and speaking on a wide range of issues in the style of the UN Security Council. The winners of each round invited to compete in the national final of the Evatt Trophy, held in a different Australian capital each year.
The 8th Evatt Trophy will be held in Melbourne, VIC, in December 2009. The Evatt Trophy has previously been held in Sydney (2008), Adelaide (2007), Melbourne (2006), Perth (2005), Brisbane (2004), Tasmania (2003) and Canberra (2002).
The Evatt Trophy is named after Dr Herbert Vere Evatt. An Australian jurist, politician and writer popularly known as "Doc", Evatt remains the only Australian to preside over the United Nations General Assembly. A leader founder of the United Nations, Evatt became a champion of small and middle powers and a noted opponent of the Great Power Unanimity or veto power that characterises the Security Council.
In 1948 Evatt was elected as the President of the United Nations General Assembly's third session. During his year-long term, he oversaw the passage of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In tribute to his tireless diplomatic efforts, and honorable commitment to the United Nations, the Evatt Trophy is a symbol of his ongoing legacy and an inspiration to young Australians.