Geelong to Host Model UN Conference
August 2008
It gives me great pleasure to announce that in conjunction with Darren Cheeseman, the Federal member for Corangamite, the United Nations Association of Australia and Deakin University I will be hosting a model United Nations Conference for secondary students from across the region.
It has been agreed that the topic for the conference will be ‘Climate Change and Environmental Refugees – the Challenges to Human Security’. It is felt this topic has particular relevance to the younger generation as it will be an issue of increasing importance as they embark on the adult period of their lives.
The conference is scheduled to be held on Friday 17 October, and is open to secondary students from years ten and/or eleven.
Relevant details on how students can be involved have been forwarded to each of the Principals from Greater Geelong’s twenty-three secondary schools. So if you are in year ten or eleven and would like to get involved please contact your school Principal.
(Photo L-R: Darren Cheeseman MHR, Professor David Lowe - Deakin University, Richard Marles MHR)
Richard Marles Launches Democratic Information Brochure in Vanuatu
August 2008
Richard Marles spoke at the launch of a political parties and groupings of Vanuatu information booklet in Port Vila on Monday 18 August. The following are excerpts of that speech:
"On the 2nd of September, in just over two weeks, this country will engage in the momentous act of democracy. It is special and precious".
"From democracy comes stable government. From democracy comes human rights. From democracy comes peace and prosperity. And from democracy comes a fundamental belief that we have in place a system of government that will deliver for our children tomorrow an even better world than we have enjoyed today".
"Democracy places at the centre of its picture the people. And it is so important that people have a clear idea of which candidates are standing for public office and what these candidates stand for. To educate the voters is to empower the populace".
"This election, in fact any election anywhere in the world, ought to be about visions. It should be a great national contest of ideas. Indeed the quality of an election is not only judged by its processes and outcomes but also by the quality of the national debate it ferments".
"These two ideas – empowering the people through voter education and promoting a national debate – are the inspiration for the booklet we are launching today: The Political Parties and Groupings of Vanuatu which is a joint initiative of the Australian Labor Party and the Pacific Institute of Public Policy".
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