More Interest In U.N.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31991, 19 May 1969, Page 1

More Interest In U.N.

The extension departments of United States and Canadian universities were far more concerned with international affairs and the work of the United Nations than were New Zealand universities, the national president of the United Nations Association (Dr L. R. Bedggood) said in Christchurch yesterday.

This was a trend which had been developing for a number of years, he said. Dr Bedggood, a lecturer in education and international relations for the extension department of Auckland University, returned recently from study leave in America where he visited Canadian and United States universities. He is on a South Island tour of United Nations Association branches.

He said that although New Zealand universities were well behind in promoting a better understanding of world affairs, there was a slow but steady increase in interest among members of the community generally. This was heightened by such issues as apartheid, the Omega station, and Vietnam. There was a growth of interest among the principals of schools, and many United Nations or international affairs clubs had been formed in secondary schools. International affairs were also studied by many sixth formers in the course of their liberal studies. “Sixth form pupils are much more knowledgeable on these matters than they were in my time,” Dr Bedggood said. He said that there was a need for greater understanding in New Zealand of the role of the United Nations;

and for support of its activities. It was at work 24 hours a day in the interest of economic and social progress as well as in its role of peace keeping, but it was only as strong as its members would allow it to be. Dr Bedggood said that New

■ Zealand had already elimini ated the main causes of stu- ■ dent unrest which had be- > come common overseas by • providing for consultation be- > tween students and the uniI versity authorities at most levels, and student represen- ' tation on councils.