Delegates at Harvard University, Boston, MA
Delegates outside the US House of Representatives, Washington DC
Patriotism at HNMUN, Boston, MA
Delegates with Australian Ambassador to the UN, Robert Hill, New York, NY
Meeting with diplomats, senators and UN officials and debating with students from across America on StatesMUN was incredibly exciting and an eye opening experience - Tim Mason, StatesMUN 2009 Delegate
The inaugural StatesMUN delegation attended the Harvard National Model United Nations in February of 2009.
Meeting up in Washington DC, the first activity for the group was a visit to rural America: country Virginia institution, James Madison University. Using the facilities of JMU, the delegation received training on Model UN debating on the international stage, in a picturesque setting. Not to mention the famous, "southern hospitality".
The next day it was a shuttle back to Washington DC to begin the meetings and consultations which form the educational aspect of StatesMUN. The students met with the staff of Senator Brownback of Kansas, and were able to question the intricacies of American politics. The delegation was also invited by his office on an exclusive tour of the Capitol Building.
As part of preparation for the Harvard debate, the delegation attended a meeting with the Australian Embassy to the United States, and received a briefing from the economic and political head of the embassy - getting a quick lesson in the realities of diplomacy! Finally, the research for the delegation's assigned country was given a shot in the arm with an extremely insightful meeting with the Consul-General of the Embassy of Malaysia, which included a lengthy Q&A session with the senior country representative.
A visit to Ivy League Georgetown University, with meetings with the Centre for Australia and New Zealand Studies as well as the Georgetown University International Relations Association, rounded off the groups time in DC. Not to mention copious amounts of museums, monuments and dodgy Chinese restaurants!
Next stop, the delegation experienced campus life up-close and personal, with a dorm-stay arrangement at another Ivy Leaguer - the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. As well as exploring the sights of Philly and partying with frat kids, the delegation was invited to debate the prestigious Philomathean society on the topic, "Australia is the best former colony of Britain"... arguing the negative in front of UPenn's finest!
New York was an unforgettable experience for the 17 students. From basketball at Madison Square, to a tour of Harlem, to the Staten Island ferry, the delegation sucked the marrow out of the greatest city in the world! The meetings were some of the most amazing opportunities available: including discussions with the World Federation of United Nations Associations, the international NGO Human Rights Watch and an exclusive meeting with the office of UNICEF in New York. Sitting across from the UN building , discussing career opportunities and the realities of life working for the UN, the UNICEF meeting was a highlight for many on the delegation.
Once again, the Australian Government kindly hosted the delegation at the Australian Mission to the UN, with the students talking with the ambassador, Robert Hill. The embassy sponsored the delegation to take a guided tour of the UN building, stopping for lunch at the famous "Delegates' Buffet" where they munched on a delicious meal cheek-to-cheek with diplomats and UN staff. Finally, a Broadway performance of the Lion King rounded out the experience of StatesMUN in New York and it was off to Boston.
The delegation stayed in the prestigious Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, quickly growing accustomed to their luxurious surroundings! The Australian delegation threw themselves wholeheartedly into the Harvard debate, along with 2000 other students from around the world. Every day the StatesMUN group would debate and discuss for eight hours, before breaking for a meal together and a dissection of what exactly is wrong with American university students! The social life at Harvard was a highlight, with the Australian group proving they are to be feared on the dance floor as well as in the committee room!
Being the first year that Australia attended the conference, there were no expectations on the delegation. However the StatesMUN 2009 group proved the intelligence and ability that Australia has to offer, wowing the conference with an impressive number of awards for a small unknown delegation, including a "Best Delete Award" from one committee. Rest assured that in 2010 the Australian delegation will be keenly anticipated.
StatesMUN was one of the most amazing experiences of university life, and provides opportunities for learning and growth beyond any other programme on offer in Australia. I strongly encourage any student to apply.
Joe Rafalowicz
StatesMUN 2009 Director