Students get a taste of international diplomacy

By FIONA ALLISON and KYLIE TANNAHILL

Secondary school students are debating international issues such as republicanism, debt relief and education at Auckland's first 'student CHOGM'.

Set up as a mini-Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – complete with conference table, microphones and flags – the two-day session is about identifying conflict and finding a resolution.

It involves 20 schools each sending two delegates who represent a Commonwealth country.

Conference director and chairperson Max Currie said students were raising issues similar to those addressed at official Commonwealth meetings.

Chris Lawrence, proceedings commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, spoke about racism, refugees, torture and discrimination against women. Students then mustered their diplomatic skills to address those problems.

The conference, part of the ignite2001 festival, will wrap up today.

* The authors are journalism students at Auckland University of Technology.

Feature: ignite2001 festival

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