The future leaders of Tauranga got to strut their stuff in the halls of power impressing the organiser of today's Model United Nations Security Council.

United Nations Association, Tauranga Branch vice president Doug Barnes says the secondary school students from various school from throughout the Bay of Plenty held a mock United Nations Security Council meeting today at the Tauranga City Council Chambers.

Delegates of Nigeria Euan Robinson, 15, Emma Jackson, 15, and Maria Trass, 15, from Rotorua Lakes High. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Doug says the topic talked about was the question of the refugee crisis and the increasing number of internally displaced people worldwide, especially from Syria.

The students got to dress in the native countries they represented and debated the issues refugees had to face in today's society. Doug says the students got a lot out of today's debate.

'They (students) need to find out about the countries they represent before they come. That's really important. So they expand their knowledge. But they also have to do a lot of reading and research about the particular subject. About the crisis and what's going on.”

Doug says the other important thing the students needed to learn was to learn to get on and negotiate with the other groups in the council so they could get a resolution.

'One of the things I believe is important is that everyone has fun at the end of the day.”

The students have been in the session since 9am are expected to come back with a resolution by the end of the day.

Doug says there are prizes up for grabs for the team who can come up with an agreed resolution as well as other prizes for best dressed team and most popular team.



Cathrine Grobler, 16, Jonathan McLeay, 15, and Mia Pugh, 15, from Bethlehem College representing Uruguay.

Otumoetai College students George Robinson, 15, and Ben Kennerley, 15, representing Senegal.

Bethlehem College students Phillip Smith, 18, Hamish Duncanson, 17, and Calvin Joubert, 18, representing Syria.

Runners Shub Singh, 11, and Saptrishi Sharma, 11, helping out for the day.

Malaysia and Syria in discussions.