Experiencing a global parliament
Steering committee members Robert Lanyasunya, Addie Erwin, Gaby McFarlane-Smith and Deeptee Karlapu Bungaree with founder of Model Global Parliament Pera Wells (centre back row)
University students from around Victoria will take over Victoria’s Legislative Assembly this weekend to debate major issues facing the world today.
The second annual Model Global Parliament (MGP), this year organised by a team of Monash University Masters of Diplomacy and Trade students, will see nearly 100 students learn how to conduct debates, and to present, negotiate and vote on motions in accordance with formal parliamentary procedures.
Chair of the steering committee Gaby McFarlane-Smith said the concept of the MGP was developed in a response to the call by the Hon Bob Brown, former leader of the Greens Party in the Senate, for Australia to take the lead in promoting the need and value of creating a global parliament.
“Now in its second year, the purpose of the MGP is to enable engaged university students to debate the most pressing issues facing our world today,” Gaby said.
“We will be addressing issues such as peace and disarmament, food security, global communications, human rights and the globalisation of energy.
“The MGP aims to encourage university students to think creatively about the forms and functions, purpose and possibilities of a Global Parliament.”
Delegates will either represent geographical regions around the world or non-state organisations such as the International Conference of Trade Unions, Intergovernmental Organisations, the Olympic Federation, volunteers and the World Council of Indigenous Peoples.
With the first two MGPs being held in Victoria, the Monash steering committee is excited that both ANU and Griffith University have embraced the idea of a MGP and will be holding their own MGPs later in the year.
“We are very pleased at the interest from other Australian universities to run their own parliaments. We have also had a lot of interest from the US, Greece and India,” Gaby said.
The 2013 Model Global Parliament is supported by Monash University’s Faculty of Arts and the Global Interdependence Movement.
The Model Global Parliament will take place on Saturday 25 May at Parliament House, Spring St, Melbourne from 9.00am — 5.00pm.
For more information, visit the Model Global Parliament website.
For more information please contact Glynis Smalley, Monash Media & Communications + 61 3 9903 4843 or 0409 941 784.