Intern Debate: "That the Security Council works as intended"

The UN Security Council (UNSC) is an organ of the United Nations with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Established to ensure 'prompt and effective' action, the UN Charter created the Security Council as its central body in 1945. It has 15 Members, and 5 Permanent Members. Under the Charter of the UN, all member states are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

In the intervening years since 1945 much has changed. Conflict following WWII has shifted from inter-state to intra-state conflicts over self-determination, and interventions in other states to counter widespread abuses of human rights. As a result of this growing acceptance of 'humanitarian intervention', the doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was formally adopted in 2005.

Today the critics argue for the need to reform the UNSC to meet the changing needs of the global community. Some argue it has never been able to meet its post-war expectations and is poorly adapted for the modern world in which we live. In light of those concerns, on Tuesday September 6th, the AIIA NSW interns will delve through the history books to debate the proposition that 'The UN Security Council works as it was intended to'.

On Tuesday, September 6, our current interns will debate the proposition "That the Security Council works as intended".

The affirmative case will be put by first speaker, Grace Papworth, second speaker Antony Murrell and third speaker Teague Mirabelle; the negative by first speaker Ashrika Paruthi, second speaker Oliver Owens and third speaker Ralph Housego.

Ralph Housego is a fourth-year student at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations, Political Economy).

Teague Mirabelle is a fourth-year student at Macquarie University undertaking a double Masters in cyber-security analysis and international affairs.

Antony Murrell is a fourth-year student at the University of New South Wales, studying a Bachelor of Arts (History/Spanish and Latin American Studies) and a Bachelor of Laws.

Oliver Owens is a recent graduate from the Australian National University where he studied a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and a Bachelor of Visual Arts with a major in ceramics.

Grace Papworth is in her fourth-year undergraduate law degree and has a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in politics at the University of Sydney.

Ashrika Paruthi is a third-year Dalyell Scholar and Vice Chancellor's International Scholar, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies, majoring in International Relations and Politics, at the University of Sydney.

(For more information, go to the Internships page​)

Dr Robert Howard, one of our councillors, will moderate the debate. Dr Howard researches aspects of the history of international relations in the twentieth century, with special reference to developments in international security. He is currently focusing on international security issues in the post-Cold War era and the role, at this time, of the United Nations. Dr Howard is also interested in developments in the international economy since 1945 and the impact of these on domestic economies and polities. Other interests include international relations theory and developments in contemporary Australian politics and society. He is a former editor of the Current Affairs Bulletin. Dr. Howard's research interests are Australian politics, Contemporary Australian politics and society, Developments in the International Economy and Security, History of IR in the Twentieth Century, International relations, International security, and United Nations.

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, September 6

We will have space for a limited number of participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid (all in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or hold a valid exemption). Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door.

Refreshments will be served.

This event will also be streamed online via Zoom. Register by clicking the "get tickets" button below. Once you have registered, you will receive a follow-up confirmation email on the day of the event (Tuesday, September 6) containing details of the Zoom link and how to join the event.

The Zoom event will start at 6.30pm AEST (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time).

For further information please email: nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au

Photo from left to right: Antony, Grace, Ashrika, Teague, Ralph and Oliver