What is the UNYA National Youth Conference?

UNYC is one of UNYA Australia’s two premier national activities. Held each year in an Australian capital city, UNYC brings together over 130 young people from all Australian States and Territories, as well as New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. Delegates to UNYC are senior high school students chosen for their outstanding abilities by their UNYA division.

The 48^th UNYC will be held in Brisbane, Queensland from Sunday 5 July - Sunday 12 July 2009. Recent UNYCs have been held in Hobart (2008), Canberra (2007), Sydney (2006), Adelaide (2005), Melbourne (2004) and Perth (2003.)

UNYC is compromised of a series of activities designed to educate and engage delegates in a number of international issues that confront the world today. Model sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council and other United Nations bodies will give you first-hand experience at how the United Nations operates. You will also have the opportunity to listen to a variety of first class speakers, engage in youth policy sessions and compile a “Youth Declaration” which serves as a statement of the concerns and congratulations of delegates, to be and is presented to Australia governments and community leaders.

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to discuss the origins and solutions of problems the international community now faces. A broad range of topics will be canvassed, ranging from international and regional peace and security, Australia’s role in the international community, international trade and aid, human rights, the environment and sustainable development, as well as the role that youth play in addressing such issues.

The conference programme is designed not only to educate delegates, but also to prepare them for engagement with these issues when they return to their communities. UNYC fosters and develops qualities of leadership, participation, communication and self-confidence for life, in an accessible and enjoyable environment.

UNYC 2009: Facing the future: multilateralism and global co-operation

Each year, the UNYA National Youth Conference focuses on a set of issues particularly relevant to current international affairs.

UNYC 2009 will focus explore the concept of multilateralism as a response to both global problems and problems in local communities. As the Australian government attempts to reinvigorate its role in the United Nations and progress a multilateral global agenda, UNYC 2009 will focus on the impact of multilateral solution to the biggest problems that face humanity and examine where we can improve on inclusive and diverse policy-making both across the international sphere and within our own towns, cities, states and territories.

In particular, each day of the conference will focus on different ways the multilateral debate can be applied to issues like Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability; Conflict; Security and Peace; Poverty, food shortages and health; Democracy and Participation.

With a pressing need to move forward and proactively engage with these issues, there is no more fitting theme for UNYC 2009 than facing the future: multilateralism and global co-operation.