Oratory Article
Cranbrook at the Harvard Sydney Model UN Conference
Over four days from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 June, Cranbrookians Plai Garnjana-Goonchorn, Alex Hong, Oscar Deutsch, Daniel Li, and Gus Robinson attended the Harvard Sydney Model UN Conference at the University of Technology. The conference attracted interest from all over Australia, New Zealand, and even as far away as Brazil, with student delegates forming various committees that would craft and debate important resolutions. The committees that met included:
- Disarmament and International Security
- Economics and Finance
- Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural
- World Health Organisation
- Legal Committee
- Human Rights Council
- Trade and Development
- Environmental Programme
- Designated Survivor
- Conflicts and Interactions Between BRICS and G7
Cranbrook’s delegation was the Russian Federation, which gave it clout as a ‘P5’ member of the UN Security Council but also presented some challenges when working with other countries in committee rooms. Over the course of the conference, delegates helped to ideate and form language that would eventually transform into significant resolution documents that they then had to revise and refine through the experience of negotiating. Mimicking real life dealing in international relations, negotiations often spilled out into the corridors and during breaks.
Gus Robinson shares his reflections of the four days spent at UTS:
“Being a member of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural committee, it was my job to thread the needle between catering to the naturally progressive stance of many members of the committee, and accurately representing the position which the Russian Federation might take in regard to propositions brought forward by the different Blocs. Moreover, it was the obscure nature of many of the issues I found myself dealing with, that proved to be the most engaging aspect of my four days at the conference, allowing me to come out of the process feeling as if, despite all the compromise and backroom dealing between members, our committee had accomplished something worth celebrating.”
Student Head of Model UN, Alex Hong, recounts how MUN events are more than just tough negotiations, they’re a lot of fun with plenty of comic moments:
“I represented the Russian Federation in the second committee of the UN General Assembly, Economic and Financial matters. My committee focused on the role of technology in the world economy, and how we could more equitably distribute it. The most memorable moment, and my favourite memory, was probably running around on the last day feeding all the Harvard facilitators Vegemite. I had the (somewhat unfortunate but self-inflicted) role of demonstrating eating a spoonful of Vegemite and must have ended up having at least 7 or 8 in the span of a couple of minutes. Overall, it was a great experience, that was guided but allowed my fellow delegates and myself to decide the issues we wanted to tackle and how we would do so.”
Numerous friendships were made during the conference, which is perhaps the most valuable benefit in students attending such events. During the closing ceremony, during which Cranbrook received two outstanding delegate awards, the General Secretary of Harvard MUN noted that the relationships forged through MUN is invaluable and that many people she has met over the years have been instrumental in her growth and personal successes. Harvard MUN students were terrific ambassadors for their institution and country, providing lively socials on the Friday and Saturday evenings, and being open to talking about the American college experience.
While long days, conference events are well worth students’ time and we will continue to promote opportunities as they arise.
International Relations guest speaker visit
On Wednesday afternoon, students involved with Model UN and Debating were invited to hear from Dr Charlie Garnjana-Goonchorn, the Deputy Consul General in Sydney for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand. He presented on the topic of Multilateral Negotiations: Principles and Real World Tips. Students who attended learned about hard vs soft bargaining, principled negotiation, and being situationally aware when going in to deal with others. Drawing on his work at the United Nations, Dr Garnjana-Goonchorn also applied theory and practice to everyday life experiences, providing helpful guidance for successfully managing group negotiations in a variety of circumstances. Our thanks to Dr Garnjana-Goonchorn for his time, insights, and for the engaging presentation and Q&A opportunity.
ISDA Grand Final at Cranbrook this Friday 14 June
We wish our Senior A debaters good fortune against Sydney Grammar in the Grand Final of the ISDA Competition, hosted out of Packer Theatre this Friday night:
- Caspar Nicholson
- Robert Wyer
- Angus Malcolm
- Alex Hong
- Jack Stone
Free tickets for this debate ‘sold’ out in just over 24 hours last week. Due to capacity limits, if you do not have a ticket we unfortunately cannot grant entry on the night.
Competition Debating remaining this term
Competition debating continues until the penultimate week of Term 2:
| Week | Date | Debating that night |
| 7 | Friday 14 June | CAS trial debates (3.30-6.15pm) and ISDA Grand Final (Home) |
| 8 | Friday 21 June | CAS pre-season training evening |
| 9 | Friday 28 June | No debating due to end of Term 2 |
Term 3 competition debating dates will be confirmed next week.
Public Speaking Showcase
Family and friends of students involved with our Monday afternoon Public Speaking Club are invited to a small showcase of speeches developed this term between 6-8pm on Tuesday 18 June, hosted in the Mansfield Room. Click here to indicate attendance.
Upcoming oratory events
- Model UN on lunchtimes Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June
- Mock Trial and Social Debating 3.30-5.30pm Thursday 13 June
- CAS competition debate trials, followed by the ISDA Grand Final on Friday 14 June
- AMEB Voice and Communication group from 3.30-5.00pm Friday 14 June
- Public Speaking Club 3.30-5.30pm Monday 17 June
- NSW Evatt Competition Grand Final at State Parliament 9.00am-3.00pm Tuesday 18 June
- Public Speaking Showcase 6.00-8.00pm Tuesday 18 June
Annual House Debating Competition finalists
House Debating continues into the Semi Final and Grand Final rounds over the coming week. In the junior division, the following houses face off this Friday lunchtime:
| Houses | Sides |
| Davidson | Affirmative |
| Hone | Negative |
| Chelmsford | Negative |
| Perkins | Affirmative |
Their topic is: ‘Alex is a Year 12 student in Mr Johnson’s History class. At the start of the lesson the day before a big examination, Alex challenges Mr Johnson to a game of Fortnite with the class. As Mr Johnson, this house would agree to play Fortnite instead of teaching the planned lesson.’
In the senior division, powerhouses Strickland and Northcott will oppose each other in the Grand Final next Wednesday lunchtime! Their final topic: ‘That, as the Australian government, this house would launch a military strike against the aliens. Three days ago, an enormous alien ship appeared over Sydney, casting a shadow over Double Bay and Point Piper, and sending waves of panic through the population. The appearance has provoked curiosity from other cities and nations, none of which have ships hovering above. Authorities have scrambled to understand the extraterrestrial visitors’ intentions. The ship remains ominously silent, neither attacking nor communicating. As anxiety grows, the Australian government faces a critical decision.’
It’s sure to be an out-of-this-world event and we expect both houses will fill Packer Theatre to capacity.
Oratory programmes sign up for Semester 2 now open
Students interested in signing up for one or more oratory programmes on offer for Semester 2 have received an email inviting them to sign up. Programmes on offer include:
- Public Speaking every Monday 3.30-5.30pm
- Social Debating every Thursday 3.30-5.30pm
- Legal Debating every Thursday 3.30-5.30pm
- Model UN during lunchtimes and extra coaching opportunity available (timing TBC)
There will also be additional opportunities to participate in debate training workshops and external competitions throughout Semester 2, including the International Debating Championships in Term 4. Details will be passed onto students directly and published in these weekly updates. Please note that we do not accept parent sign ups on behalf of students.
Contact
Should you or your son have any further questions about any of Cranbrook’s oratory programmes, you are welcome to reach out to the Head of Oratory and Student Journalism, Mr Benjamin Smith, at bsmith@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au. In the first instance, students should be making contact about getting involved.
Essential information and highlights for parents will be posted here on Cranbrook Connect as part of the Thursday Link. Students involved in oratory programmes will receive updates via their respective Canvas or TEAMS channels.
Benjamin Smith
Head of Oratory & Student Journalism