What is MUN?
Model United Nations (MUN) is an authentic simulation of specific UN organs, committees or conferences such as the General Assembly or Commission on Sustainable Development. In MUN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors of UN Member states to debate current issues on the organization’s vast agenda. These simulations allow students to improve their political and academical skills. Participating successfully in a model United Nations requires a good preparation, which includes a in depth study of international politics, along with a profound study of the topics which will be debated. The variation of topics that participants will encounter, will provide them with a broader knowledge and area of interest. Furthermore, participants to a model United Nations improve skills such as public speaking, debating and negotiating. Additionally, students participate in these conferences all around the world, allowing them to meet people from all continents and discover a wide variety of cultures and opinions.
Delegates and resolution writing
A simulation of different UN institutions allows participants to gain valuable insight into the policies and thematic priorities of the United Nations. While engaging in realistic negotiations, young “delegates” assume the role of a foreign diplomat and are not permitted to represent their home country. In order to influence the course of negotiations, participants must develop a deeper understanding of complex political issues and be able to state “their” national policies in a diplomatic manner. Against this background, it is a precondition for participants to be flexible in negotiations and show the willingness to compromise with others. In order to guarantee political debates on a professional level, most conferences adopt at least some of the official working languages and rules of procedure used by the United Nations. By this means, MUN conferences provide young people with the opportunity to develop and refine both their knowledge of international politics and their professional skills. During a MUN conference, resolutions can be passed as a result of constructive and cooperative debate. These MUN resolutions are written in a standard format and are usually very similar to resolutions passed by the United Nations.