UNIS Vienna participated in a panel discussion on  "The UN and Austria - Past, Present and Future", organized by a Viennese high school and the Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs (Austria) which took place at their school in Vienna's 10th district on 3 May.

The representative of UNIS spoke about the Vienna International Centre (VIC) as the third UN headquarter, current and previous Organizations at the VIC, the UN keeping pace with global challenges and the excellent and cooperative relations with the host country. The representative of the Foreign Ministry spoke about Austria's membership in the UN and Austria's contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. The representative of the Defence Ministry further elaborated on Austria's participation in peacekeeping missions.  The representative of the Austrian UN Association spoke about the role of the UNA and the importance of the United Nations. 

Speakers at the panel discussion included Ms. Anneliese Heber, United Nations Information Service; Mr. Peter Huber, Department of International Organizations, Austrian Foreign Ministry; Mr. Peter Vorhofer, Austrian Defence Ministry; Mr. Karl Peterlik, President of the Austrian UN Association; and Michael Pfeifer, President of the Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs (Austria).

Questions on consequences of UN resolutions and sanctions imposed by the UN, the role of the Permanent Mission of Austria in the UN and job opportunities at the UN where answered by the panellists.

The event was attended by some 200 students and their teachers of the high school.