Current Law and International Relations student Gordon McBain (better known as Connor) has won the prize for 'Best Individual Essay' and 'Best Delegate' on his committee at the Model NATO Youth Summit in Belgium.
The event was held from 8 - 13 July in Brussels, and aims to promote an interest in NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - among university students and to foster an understanding and appreciation of the Alliance's role in regional and global politics.
The summit attracted over 200 delegates split over six committees.
Preparation for delegates was significant as each committee had two topics to present. Connor’s committee dealt with Security Council Resolution 1325 and the role of gender in conflict; in addition to Terrorism and the Partnership for Peace. The chairs provided substantial introductory material on each topic, and then each committee was required to research their assigned country's national position on each topic. Connor was assigned Sweden, who is quite prominent in regard to the first topic.
Following the week-long event, Connor spent six days in Scotland visiting family before returning to Australia.
Connor commenced at Bond in 2011 and is due to graduate in 2015. Prior to attending the Model Youth NATO Summit, he was involved in Law Student Association (LSA) competitions and was on the Legal Committee while part of Bond's delegation to the World Model United Nations Conference in March 2013. Connor was also on the Kirby Contracts Moot Team last year, and this year is on the World Human Rights Moot Team with a view to apply to be a Chair for Model NATO Youth Summit in 2014.
Connor lives on campus and following graduation aims to study a Masters in International Law (with a specific focus on International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law). After also gaining some work experience via an internship, he intends to go to the Bar in London and practice in public law.
Â