Communiqué of the

2013 National Student CHOGM

Commonwealth Youth New Zealand | Royal Commonwealth Society Wellington

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Head of the Commonwealth

His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma

Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

The Honourable Tony Abbott MP Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth

Contents

Acknowledgements 1

Message from the Conference Director 2

Participants 3

2013 Theme 3

The Royal Commonwealth Society 4

What is CHOGM? 4

Overview 5

Urgent Debate on Asylum Seekers 6

Plenary Session One - The World 6

Plenary Session Two – The Retreat 7

Plenary Session Three – Human Rights in Sri Lanka 8

Plenary Session Four – Setting the 2013 CHOGM agenda 8

Plenary Session Five – Youth Unemployment 9

Plenary Session Six – Future Membership of the Commonwealth 9

Crisis Session 10

Guest Speakers 11

Acknowledgements

Hosted by

The Honourable Peter Dunne

Member of Parliament for Ohariu Royal Commonwealth Society Wellington Honourary Member

New Zealand Student CHOGM Secretariat

Darryl Stevens MNZM Conference Director

Royal Commonwealth Society Wellington President

Aaron Hape Chloe Oldfield Deputy Conference Directors

Christian Hermansen

Media Coordinator

Planning and Conference Assistants Emma Stilwell Simon Lynch Harry Tothill Alex Bengree Samantha Knott Sam Arcand Sandra Ivanov Rhiannon Stannard Joel Rowan

Anita Jones Esther Kim Victoria Rea

Conference Observers Richard Brudvig-Lindner

Nelson College Karen Morine

New Plymouth Girls’ High School

Paul King Palmerston North Boys’ High

School

Bridget Anitelea St Kentigern’s College

Christopher Sibley Tawa College

Paul Foster-Bell MP National Party List Member

of Parliament

Dr Sean Palmer Chair, Monarchy New

Zealand

Hon Sir Doug Kidd KNZM Chair, Commonwealth

Monitoring Group

Janet Stribling RCS Wellington Vice-

President

Charlotte Darlow Unit Manager, UNHC

Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Special thanks to: Rt Hon David Carter MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Lithoprint Wellington

The Parliamentary Service

Epicure Catering

Soundtech Limited

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Message from the Conference

Director

Why a model Student CHOGM? We in the Royal Commonwealth Society take Commonwealth education seriously and for many years now have been able to promote the Commonwealth through this forum. The model Student CHOGM fulfils a number of roles and provides the delegates with some exciting opportunities. For two days they get to swap their current status as students and take on the roles of Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers and to learn something about their role and the issues they are confronted with as leaders.

Student CHOGMs sponsored by the RCS are and held in a number of Commonwealth countries. They provide an invaluable educational tool to learn something about the Commonwealth, about political leadership, decision-making and conflict resolution. They can also be fun and I hope delegates found participation both enjoyable and personally rewarding. My grateful thanks to my team and to everyone who made this conference possible. Darryl Stevens MNZM Conference Director and RCS Wellington President

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Student CHOGM Class of 2013

2013 Participants

Country School Head of Government Foreign Minister Australia St Kentigern College Darryn Ooi Sarah Bradley Bangladesh Darfield High School Luke Kingi Peter Spargo Belize St Kentigern College Alexi Carlier Mabel Ye Canada Palmerston North Boys’

High School Rubayet Arefin James Morse

India St Peter’s College Cambridge

Olivia Lynch Anna Sing

Jamaica New Plymouth Girls’ High School

Ellie Tvrdeich Lyna Luo

Malaysia Westlake Girls’ High School

Jenny Li

Malawi St Cuthbert's College Kellin Wang Sobitha Manoharan

Maldives Timaru Boys' High School

Tom Roberts Jeremy Milne

Mauritius Palmerston North Girls’ High School

Eilís Donnelly Tuzla Lathiff

New Zealand Wellington College Henry Shin Nicholas Baughen Pakistan Palmerston North Boys’

High School Liam Barber Matthew Atherton

Singapore St Peter’s College Cambridge

Emily Anselmi Danyon Thomas

Sri Lanka Nelson College for Boys Jack Houston Nick Somerville South Africa Darfield High School Henry Oliver Karina Pateman Trinidad & Tobago

Palmerston North Girls’ High School

Yige Cao Isobel Pepper

Tonga Tawa College Anaseini Nuku Sean Searle United Kingdom Nelson College for Boys Finn Whittington Patrick Gerard Vanuatu New Plymouth Girls’

High School Ashna Rai Isla Dunn

African Union

Palmerston North Boys’ High School

Seamus Barnett

Secretary-General

Timaru Boys’ High School

Dean Jackson

2013 CHOGM Theme – Opportunity Through Enterprise ‘Opportunity Through Enterprise’ our 2013 Commonwealth theme, encourages us all to celebrate the ways in which talent and innovation can be supported and put to the best use possible. In the words of Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamlesh Sharma, “this year’s Commonwealth theme encourages imagination, creativity and a positive attitude to grasp the opportunities of our time – at home or with partners beyond our borders”. “Enterprise is about creativity of the mind, as well as a positive attitude, industriousness and energy. National political and economic leadership should nurture it. The combination in enterprise of creativity and can-do-spirit creates opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods”.

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The Royal Commonwealth Society

The Royal Commonwealth Society is an education charity working to promote international understanding through the vehicle of the modern Commonwealth. Working to inspire and engage young people, the RCS encourages young people to develop their skills, to realise their ambitions and, with an increased awareness of their role as global citizens, to engage with key challenges facing the international community. Founded in 1868, the RCS runs a whole range of projects from high-profile public debates and young film-maker awards to the Commonwealth Essay Competition and an international Youth Leadership Programme. Through the wide range of youth projects, public events and debates, the RCS seeks to engage people in international affairs. Keep up-to-date with all our projects by becoming a fan of RCS Youth on Facebook! In Wellington, RCS The Commonwealth Society of Wellington, is apolitical and non-governmental and therefore free to serve the Commonwealth’s best interest. Its brief is to support and promote in New Zealand, the 1971 Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and further declarations as agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government; to promote ideas and understanding within a progressive Commonwealth Community; to foster links between members nations and provide an environment for the meeting of minds; and to emphasize “common” interests while learning of each other’s diverse backgrounds. As the agency for the RCS in Wellington, the Society manages an active education programme through the annual national Student CHOGM at Parliament under the auspices of Commonwealth Youth New Zealand and promoting the Young Commonwealth Competitions. In addition we work in partnership with the New Zealand Government with the Observance of Commonwealth Day, and agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British High Commission.

What is CHOGM?

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to decide on collective policies and initiatives. This year, CHOGM is taking place in Sri Lanka, the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years.

Every CHOGM is jointly organized by the host country and the Commonwealth Secretariat. These biennial meetings serve as the principal policy and decision-making forum to guide the strategic direction of the association.

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Overview

The 2013 New Zealand Student

CHOGM On 5 and 6 August 2013, the Royal Commonwealth Society Wellington celebrated the thirty-second anniversary of the National Student Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - Student CHOGM. This annual conference is held in the Legislative Council Chamber of Parliament Buildings in Wellington. Year 12 and 13 students from around New Zealand are invited to attend the two day conference, taking on the roles of Head of Government or Foreign Affairs Minister, representing one of fifty-four Commonwealth member states. Student CHOGM is modelled on the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Students can also apply for the position of Secretary-General, who presides over the debate between their peers during the conference. They are assisted by their advisor and members of the Student CHOGM Secretariat. Media delegates and

representatives of other non-government organisations are also present as observers. Previous themes for Student CHOGMs include “The Commonwealth at 60, Serving a New Generation”, “Science, Technology and Society”, “The Environment - Our Future”, and “Women as Agents of Change”. These topics are adapted from the Commonwealth Day theme and announced by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This year’s theme was “Opportunity through Enterprise”. This year, delegates discussed various topics over seven plenary sessions. Delegates also heard from Paul Foster-Bell, a Member of Parliament and former diplomat who had served New Zealand in many Commonwealth countries. The CHOGM was also addressed by Dr Sean Palmer, Monarchy New Zealand Chair, who discussed the changes to royal succession, and from Charlotte Darlow, one of the lead advisers for the New Zealand Government’s CHOGM 2013 preparations. At a state banquet, delegates were also addressed by Sir Doug Kidd, Chair of the Commonwealth Monitoring Group for the 2013 Pakistan Elections. ZZZIn a unique Crisis Session, delegates worked inside the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) model to identify a strategy for dealing with drug trafficking between numerous fictional Commonwealth countries.

Delegates in full flight debate during Plenary Session Two on issues facing the Commonwealth.

Hon Peter Dunne officially opens Student CHOGM 2013

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Urgent Debate

Asylum Seekers Delegates were immediately thrown into the deep end when the Student CHOGM Secretariat called for an urgent debate on asylum seekers seeking safe haven in Australia. The Australian delegation was the first to recognise, not only the threat that those asylum seekers faced, but also the threat that his country has had to deal with over the years, in terms of

rehabilitating, housing and educating asylum seekers that were deemed fit by the Australian Government to stay in their country. With this in mind, it was his opinion that the asylum seekers would be given medical aid and nourishment but they would then have to return to their country of origin. The Malaysian delegation agreed with this statement; however the New Zealand, Canadian, Papua New Guinean and Sri Lankan delegations took a different view; that the refugees should be housed in Australia and neighbouring countries until all necessary action could be taken to accommodate them in a safer environment than the one from which they had fled. After robust debate, a resolution was passed, stating that Australia would provide immediate humanitarian assistance and rescue the refugees, using the Royal Australian Navy. Australia would then provide temporary asylum until the status of the asylum seekers could be assessed. If they did not meet certain criteria, they would be returned to Indonesia.

Plenary Session One

The World After delegates were given a brief introduction to conference procedure and current issues facing the Commonwealth, the conference opened with a session called “The World”. Each country delegation was asked to deliver a one minute speech on two or three key issues facing their country, and to give a brief comment on a member country that they have some form of interaction with. Australia put a controversial idea to the CHOGM – setting up “charter cities” in Papua New Guinea. The idea came off the back of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s proposal to send all new illegal immigrants to Australia to holding facilities in Papua New Guinea. The idea was put that instead of sending people to these facilities, they would instead be housed in cities set up with funding by businesses and NGOs. This proposal was met with much support from the CHOGM and it was agreed that it be further investigated and costed.

James Morse gives Canada’s view on the issue of asylum seekers.

Emily Anselmi talks about Singapore’s hopes and aspirations for the future of the Commonwealth.

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The delegation from Malawi put forward its main issues: the county’s high rate of child labour, and its high rate of HIV/AIDS infection. They argued that as an African country, Lesotho is lucky to not be facing the problems that a majority of the African countries are; such as civil unrest and rebellions, political instability, or famine.. A resolution from Vanuatu, proposing that a medical taskforce be set up to teach less well-off countries how to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS, was passed, however the amendment that the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand contribute 5% of their GDP to the initiative failed. Mauritius pleaded the Commonwealth to invest in sustainable energy. The resolution for all members to input 0.5% of their GDP to research sustainable energy over the next 10 years was passed unanimously.

Plenary Session Two

The Retreat In this session, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers split into informal groupings to discuss the conference theme of “Opportunity through Enterprise”, how aid can be better managed and administered in the Commonwealth, and the use of sport as a development tool, and youth empowerment. Delegations proposed that the lack of infrastructure in some Commonwealth countries

hindered proper and sufficient aid being able to get to the right people. The inability to afford clean and safe healthcare also plays a large factor in this. It was proposed that all tariffs on medical supplies and contraceptives between Commonwealth countries be abolished. It was also proposed that a Commonwealth Youth Sports Development Centre be established to help young sports people excel in their chosen sporting fields. This would also be used as a training facility for those young people who aim to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

Informal groupings were made to discuss issues of great importance to the Commonwealth.

Mabel Ye, Belizian Foreign Minister, addressd the CHOGM on the topic of youth unemployment.

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Plenary Session Three

Human rights in Sri Lanka

The CHOGM turned to the issue of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, this year’s CHOGM host. With the country embroiled in civil war for over two decades, more than 64,000 people have been killed and over one million people have been displaced. The Chair noted that human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have expressed growing concern about the state of human rights in Sri Lanka. Both the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are accused of violating human rights.

Political killings, child recruitment into military settings, abductions, and armed violence have escalated in past years and have spread to all corners of the country. With Canada and India as sponsors, a resolution was passed outlining the need for the Commonwealth to take a stronger stance on the Sri Lanka issue. It was proposed that the Commonwealth condemn the actions of both the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; and that CHOGM 2013 be moved from Sri Lanka to India.

Plenary Session Four

Setting the CHOGM 2013 Agenda Following on from Plenary Session Three, delegations urged that Prime Minister John Key raise the issue of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka at the upcoming CHOGM. All delegations supported this motion. The delegation also discussed the idea of having a succession plan implemented for the role of Head of the Commonwealth. Currently the role does not directly pass to whoever becomes the next monarch of the 16 Commonwealth Realms. Delegations came to the conclusion that this should be the case and it should be raised by Mr Key during his deliberations. Foreshadowing the next plenary session, delegates also debated the need for the Commonwealth to take stronger action to lower youth unemployment, especially in less well-off member states. Delegates also proposed that the Commonwealth become more active in civic

Delegates vote on censuring Sri Lanka for the blatant human rights abuses

Alexi Carlier, Belizean Head of Government, talks on the future membership of the Commonwealth.

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education, especially around what role international actors can play in the internal affairs of member states. Plenary Session Five

Youth Unemployment Discussion around the need to lower youth employment was the main discussion topic of this plenary session. Given that 70% of Commonwealth countries are classified as having medium youth development, and 13% as having high youth development,

it is no surprise that this was a hotly debated issue. The delegation from Belize encouraged member states to implement a youth starting out wage. This would be similar to the New Zealand model where 16-17 year olds are employed at 80% of an adult wage, thereby lessening the financial burden on businesses while giving young people a foothold on the employment ladder and letting them access vital skillsets that they would otherwise not have at their disposal. The Singaporean delegation proposed the idea of creating an index of youth development. This index would show country rankings in education and employment and would be used to judge how well a country could deal with this growing problem. It is encouraging to see that the Commonwealth has now adopted a similar measure called the Youth Development Index (YDI) that offers an inter-country comparison for the environments for your people, aged from 19-25, across the areas of education, health, employment, civic participation, and political participation.

Plenary Session Six

Future Membership of the Commonwealth Delegates were asked to assess the applications of Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Madagascar and Algeria to join the Commonwealth. Delegates were informed of the updated criteria set in the 2007 Kampala Communiqué that state what an applicant state must do in order to be considered for membership. It was noted that Rwanda was admitted to join the Commonwealth in 2009 after it was deemed to have fulfilled the criteria. Delegates ably assessed each country against the six criteria, and deemed that none of them fulfilled all of the six criteria. Therefore, they decided to not admit any new members.

Anna Sing, Indian Foreign Minister, talks on youth unemployment.

The South African and New Zealand delegations engrossed in the debate.

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Crisis Session

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Auckland, in November 1995 to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Harare Declaration, which lays down the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.

The group is convened by the Secretary-General and

made up of Foreign Ministers of nine Commonwealth member countries, supplemented as

appropriate by one or two additional ministerial representatives from the regions concerned.

The composition, terms of reference, and operation of the group is decided and reviewed

every two years and Ministers generally serve two terms. CMAG was last reconstituted by

Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Perth, Australia, in November

2011.

CMAG had its thirty-eighth scheduled meeting on

28 September 2012. CMAG agreed to continue

to monitor the situation in Maldives, and to move

consideration of Maldives in future to its agenda

item “Matters of Interest to CMAG”. Ministers

looked forward to Maldives’ resumption of full

participation at CMAG’s next meeting, in the

absence of any serious concerns.

In a fictional scenario, the CHOGM/CMAG was tasked with assessing the nature of the

infringement and recommend measures for collective Commonwealth action aimed at the

speedy restoration of democracy and constitutional rule.

The Black Eagles, a drug trafficking ring based in Skaro, has been found to be using

Trenzalore, one of the Commonwealth’s smaller but more prosperous states, as a transport

hub to spread their drug trafficking network throughout the world.

The nation of Sontar has seen a major increase in illegal trade of narcotics within its borders

and pleaded with the Commonwealth to help Skaro

and Trenzalore combat this issue.

It was decided that the CHOGM would supply

necessary financial aid to Skaro and Trenzalore so

their crime fighting capabilities could be bolstered.

Skaro and Trenzalore militaries and police forces

would be given better training in dealing with and

detaining those caught trafficking drugs.

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The flag of Sontar

The flag of the Republic of Trenzalore

The flag of Skaro

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2013 Guest Speakers

Dr Sean Palmer Chair | Monarchy New Zealand Dr Palmer addressed the CHOGM on the Royal Succession legislation that is currently being passed by 16 Commonwealth Realms. The changes to the royal succession will remove gender discrimination by ensuring women have an equal right to the throne. He also talked about the value of the monarchy in New Zealand.

Paul Foster-Bell MP Member of Parliament | New Zealand House of Representatives Before entering Parliament, Mr Foster-Bell was a diplomat with extensive service in the Middle East. From 2007 to 2010 he was accredited as Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan and more recently he was held the role of Acting Deputy Director of MFAT’s Middle East and Africa Division.

Paul addressed the CHOGM on the New Zealand Government’s campaign to secure one of the non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council and also sharing some of his personal experiences while working for MFAT.

Hon Sir Doug Kidd KNZM Chair | Commonwealth Observer Mission for Pakistan Election 2013 Sir Doug delivered the keynote speech at the Student CHOGM mock state banquet. As Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Pakistan, Sir Doug offered some thoughts on how the Commonwealth can play a major factor in influencing democratic values and good governance.

Charlotte Darlow Unit Manager, UNHC Division | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlotte gave an inside view in what it is like to attend a real CHOGM. Charlotte holds the role as one of the New Zealand Government lead liaisons for CHOGM 2013 in Sri Lanka. Delegates were able to present Charlotte with a number of issues that they would like to see addressed by Commonwealth leaders

at this year’s summit, as well as hear about what kind of reforms and changes that the New Zealand Government will be pushing for.

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