United Nations Youth Association of Australia
Encyclopedia
UN Youth Australia is one of Australia
's largest youth organisations, and is part of the global network of United Nations Youth Associations
. UN Youth is an independent arm of the United Nations Association of Australia
(UNAA). UN Youth is a not-for-profit community organisation run entirely by youth volunteers (aged 24 and under).
The national structure of UN Youth comprises eight divisions; one for each State or Territory
represented in Parliament
. Divisions meet twice a year with the National Executive in sessions of National Council. Each division is run independently of each other, and collaborate together to undertake national events and programs, such as the UN Youth National Conference.
At a national level, UN Youth is represented by a National Executive and various national office bearers. These members are responsible for the day-to-day representation of the divisions at a national level, and the running national events and resources.
. While these aims are similar to that of conventional United Nations Associations
in advocating the United Nations Charter
and educating young people about the structure and functions of the United Nations, UN Youth is also committed to the task of advocating the role of young people in domestic affairs, and of young people playing an active part in the democratic process.
UN Youth Australia also has a significant regional focus, and runs a number of events in regional locations, including the annual UN Youth Regional Youth Summit (UNRYS) held in Albury, New South Wales
. Significant conferences typically take the form of a youth summit combining educational workshops, speakers, issue-based discussion, policy drafting, and mock United Nations committee or assembly debate similar in format to a Model United Nations
conference.
Divisional bodies of UN Youth also coordinate events in their State or Territory, such as annual State Conferences and Security Council competitions. Educative and participatory youth events, such as speakers forums, are routinely convened by divisional bodies.
UN Youth is the only youth-run organisation on the National Representative Council of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
, is represented on the steering committee of the Australian Youth Forum, and consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) on a number of different concerns including human rights. Further, UN Youth Australia works with DFAT to support an Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations General Assembly
each year, and has also sent two representatives to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
as part of Australia's delegation.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's largest youth organisations, and is part of the global network of United Nations Youth Associations
UNYA
United Nations Youth Associations are youth-led NGOs entirely consisting of young volunteers. These associations are supporting the goals and pronciples of the United Nations Charter and it is their aim to promote these principles and the work of the United Nations among their national civil...
. UN Youth is an independent arm of the United Nations Association of Australia
United Nations Association of Australia
The United Nations Association of Australia is a non-profit, non-government, membership-based, community organization working to promote the aims and ideals of the United Nations, and seek support for the UN, its programs and agencies. It has divisions within all of the States and Territories of...
(UNAA). UN Youth is a not-for-profit community organisation run entirely by youth volunteers (aged 24 and under).
Structure of UN Youth
Established around 1970, UN Youth has developed into a national organisation, with regional divisions, and associations with many other Australian youth organisations.The national structure of UN Youth comprises eight divisions; one for each State or Territory
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
represented in Parliament
Parliament of Australia
The Parliament of Australia, also known as the Commonwealth Parliament or Federal Parliament, is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It is bicameral, largely modelled in the Westminster tradition, but with some influences from the United States Congress...
. Divisions meet twice a year with the National Executive in sessions of National Council. Each division is run independently of each other, and collaborate together to undertake national events and programs, such as the UN Youth National Conference.
At a national level, UN Youth is represented by a National Executive and various national office bearers. These members are responsible for the day-to-day representation of the divisions at a national level, and the running national events and resources.
Aims of UN Youth
UN Youth Australia seeks to promote the ideals and the work of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. While these aims are similar to that of conventional United Nations Associations
United Nations Association
The United Nations Associations are non-governmental organizations that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of a member state and the United Nations, raise public awareness of the UN and its work, promote the general goals of the UN and act as an advisory body...
in advocating the United Nations Charter
United Nations Charter
The Charter of the United Nations is the foundational treaty of the international organization called the United Nations. It was signed at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in San Francisco, United States, on 26 June 1945, by 50 of the 51 original member countries...
and educating young people about the structure and functions of the United Nations, UN Youth is also committed to the task of advocating the role of young people in domestic affairs, and of young people playing an active part in the democratic process.
Activities of UN Youth
UN Youth holds two annual national multi-divisional events: the UN Youth National Conference and the United Nations Security Council Competition — the Evatt Trophy, named after Dr H.V. Evatt. These national conferences attract interest, participation and support from young individuals and youth-oriented organisations, as well as publicity and media attention. Both conferences are held in Australian capital cities designated on a rotational system. In addition to this, UN Youth also run two international multi-divisional events. The "Pacific Project" which focuses on building Australia's role in the Pacific, in particular Timor Leste. UN Youth Australia also send a delegation to the prestigious THIMUN competition.UN Youth Australia also has a significant regional focus, and runs a number of events in regional locations, including the annual UN Youth Regional Youth Summit (UNRYS) held in Albury, New South Wales
Albury, New South Wales
Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...
. Significant conferences typically take the form of a youth summit combining educational workshops, speakers, issue-based discussion, policy drafting, and mock United Nations committee or assembly debate similar in format to a Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
conference.
Divisional bodies of UN Youth also coordinate events in their State or Territory, such as annual State Conferences and Security Council competitions. Educative and participatory youth events, such as speakers forums, are routinely convened by divisional bodies.
UN Youth is the only youth-run organisation on the National Representative Council of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition is the national peak body for youth affairs in Australia, representing young people and the services that work with them....
, is represented on the steering committee of the Australian Youth Forum, and consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
(DFAT) on a number of different concerns including human rights. Further, UN Youth Australia works with DFAT to support an Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
each year, and has also sent two representatives to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights was a functional commission within the overall framework of the United Nations from 1946 until it was replaced by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2006...
as part of Australia's delegation.