Like most year 12 students, Jeevan Haikerwal is preparing for when he completes VCE in November.
But unlike his peers, the Westbourne Grammar School student is planning a visit to The Hague, where he will take part in a United Nations youth conference.
Jeevan, 17, is one of 17 Australian students chosen to take part in the five-day conference next January. They will be joined by more than 3500 students from 100 countries.
Jeevan was selected after representing Victoria at a national United Nations youth conference in Canberra during the July school holidays.
While at the United Nations event, Jeevan will debate resolutions which, if passed, will be shown to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
“We will be debating like the UN does,’’ Jeevan said. ‘‘I will learn the tools of international diplomacy.”
He will join other delegates on a European tour before the conference, taking in cities including Berlin, Sarajevo, Paris and Geneva.
While at The Hague, Jeevan will visit the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and embassies, and will hear presentations from officers at Interpol.
Jeevan hopes the trip will set him up for a career with a UN agency.
He has already secured a scholarship to the Australian National University in Canberra, where he hopes to study for a double degree in politics and arts.
“It will really set me up for university. Spending time with 3500 of the brightest minds will open my eyes to the world,” Jeevan said.
“Helping people and international relations is very important to me. I believe diplomacy can create a harmonious world.’’
