Model United Nations
Encyclopedia
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.
The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of an organ (committee) of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. More recently, simulation of other deliberative bodies
Deliberative assembly
A deliberative assembly is an organization comprising members who use parliamentary procedure to make decisions. In a speech to the electorate at Bristol in 1774, Edmund Burke described the English Parliament as a "deliberative assembly," and the expression became the basic term for a body of...
, such as the United States National Security Council, has been included in Model United Nations, even if they are completely unrelated to the UN or international affairs as a whole.
Simulations
Most Model UNs are simulations of a body in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
system, such as:
- The General AssemblyUnited Nations General AssemblyFor two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
in both plenary form and within its functional committees - Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Economic and Social CouncilThe Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
and its specialized councils and agencies - Security CouncilUnited Nations Security CouncilThe United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
- International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
- United Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II...
- United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment ProgrammeThe United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
- United Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations Development ProgrammeThe United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Human Rights Council
- International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
- Disarmament Committee
- United Nations High Commission for Refugees
- World Food Program
- World Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
- World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
Many conferences simulate other IGOs including:
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- African UnionAfrican UnionThe African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
- Organization of American StatesOrganization of American StatesThe Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO
- Arab LeagueArab LeagueThe Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- South Asian Association For Regional Co-Operation
- Association of South East Asian Nations
- International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy AgencyThe International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
are often role played, with delegates role-playing specific people (e.g. the Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
or the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
) rather than representing countries. This may be taken one step further, having the delegate represent merely the interests of his or her office, or role-play a specific holder of the office (e.g. Hillary Clinton). Such committees are typically "crisis committees;" that is to say, they do not begin with a fixed topic but rather are forced to deal with issues as they come up. A team of conference organizers (known as a crisis staff) develops a simulated event which acts as a catalyst for a crisis. The staff continually inform the committees of changing events on the ground, to which the committee must respond; in addition, individual delegates are typically allowed to take certain actions on their own, without committee approval, subject to the interpretation and agreement of the crisis staff. However, the correspondence between single-country and crisis committees are not perfect; for instance, the UN Security Council and some NATO bodies are typically run as crisis committees, and some national cabinets are fixed-topic committees.
More unusual committees abound at the collegiate level; for instance, a college conference may simulate the Greco-Persian Wars
Greco-Persian Wars
The Greco-Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire of Persia and city-states of the Hellenic world that started in 499 BC and lasted until 449 BC. The collision between the fractious political world of the Greeks and the enormous empire of the Persians began when Cyrus...
via a committee of the Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
poleis
Polis
Polis , plural poleis , literally means city in Greek. It could also mean citizenship and body of citizens. In modern historiography "polis" is normally used to indicate the ancient Greek city-states, like Classical Athens and its contemporaries, so polis is often translated as "city-state."The...
, have a committee simulating the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's annual owners meeting, as held at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
MUN in 2009, or even have a committee simulating President David Palmer
David Palmer (24 character)
David Palmer, J.D. is a fictional President of the United States played by Dennis Haysbert as part of the television series 24. Palmer served as the show's second-most prominent protagonist, after Jack Bauer. Throughout the series, Palmer's ex-wife Sherry and brother Wayne are both key figures in...
's cabinet from the TV show 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, simulated by the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Model UN Conference in 2007.
Many conferences also run crisis simulations in which hypothetical real world factors are included in the simulation, including representatives from various groups such as member states thattopics for a crisis which can span all the committees of the conference.
Model UNs are often run using basic parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
. This allows all delegates to be active participants. Common activities in MUN involve giving speeches to the committee and writing resolutions concerning a given topic. Additionally, at the end of longer conferences, awards are commonly given to either individual delegates, delegations, or both. The judging of this varies. For example, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
conferences on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, such as BMUN, give delegates points for every action they perform, which are added. At the end of the conference, awards are given to the highest point scorer. On the other hand, conferences on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
such as the Harvard National Model United Nations, delegates are judged in a more holistic manner, but perhaps to the detriment of objectivity and transparency. Giving awards is less common at smaller conferences. In addition, many larger conferences do not give awards at all, feeling that competition detracts from the simulation experience. Model U.N Conferences are also held in countries like India where the scope and participation has expanded.
Participants
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
, conference, or class. A class can be a full semester class called "Model United Nations" or just one class period devoted to a short simulation; secondary schools may often incorporate the club of Model United Nations with the class of AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP Comparative Government and Politics
Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics is an examination given by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
. Meanwhile, a conference is a school-wide, local, regional or international gathering of Model United Nations students who come together over a period between one and five days. There are various formats which are followed in Model United Nations Conferences and the most widely used model was developed by Shivish Soni and has been adopted by various conferences all over the world.
An example of a one-day conference is a “scrimmage,” as created by Brian Ripley, Neal Carter and Andrea Grove. The key benefit of a one-day conference is the savings on lodging expenses “since it allows teams to travel to the host university without the need to pay for a hotel.”
In the early days of Model United Nations, participants were mostly students at select colleges in the United States of America. Today, Model United Nations has greatly matured and expanded. It is now practiced all over the world in classes, clubs, and conferences. Model United Nation participants are elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Recently even university alumni and professionals have taken part. Participants come from public and private schools and universities, and they live in city, suburban and rural areas.
Over 90,000 students take part in Model United Nations Conferences in the United States. The United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
(UNA-USA) has the most comprehensive calendar of Model United Nations conferences: the 2003-2004 edition lists 400+ conferences in 48 countries.
Some simulations are small, including members of only a single class. For example, 20 students can do a one-hour simulation of the (15-member) United Nations Security Council in their classroom. Other simulations can be very large, involving many committees and taking place over the span of several days. The majority of conferences generally involve anywhere from 50 to several hundred delegates, with most students living around that one region. The largest conferences can have thousands of participants from many different countries. Each simulation and conference varies greatly in number of participants and their involvement.
The concept of Model United Nations has grown substantially all across the world, with various third-world and traditionally non-English speaking nations joining in. One example of this is Pakistan where a number of universities have a Model UN program.
The Dominican Republic is the only country to have incorporated the concept of Model UN into its official high-school curriculum. This is in large part due to the efforts of the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic, which has harbored substantial support from the government despite being completely apolitical.
Position papers
A position paperPosition paper
A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion about an issue, typically that of the author or another specified entity; such as a political party. Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains....
(sometimes known as a Policy Statement) is an essay that is written by participants of some models. It describes the detailed position of a certain country on a topic or issue that the writer will debate in his or her committee. Position papers are not always required, but certain conferences mandate that each delegate send his own before the opening. It is also known as the (Foreign) Policy Statement or (F)PS.
Format
Conferences have different format and styles for position papers. Nevertheless, UNA-USA established a format that has been adopted widely throughout the Model UN community. However, in Latin America the alternative TINK format, developed by of Argentina, is used. in Either way, most position papers consist of a heading with committee, topic, country and delegate information and body which explains in detail the position of the author's country.The position paper usually includes several pages outlining:
- Background of the Topic
- UN Involvement
- Your Country's Positions
- Possible Solution
Purpose
Position papers should explain an issue from their country's point of view. It is also good practice that they include statistics about the issue that would support the cause they defend. The paper would also try to convince the other countries of the committee to their view of the issue. It would have ways to solve the situation.Many conferences require delegates to submit a copy of their position paper, as a means to ensure that the delegates research important topics and construct strong and well-informed positions on those subjects, yet presentation is still a valuable component.
History
Model and civic simulation education are older than the United Nations. Records indicate that as early as the 1920s students in the United States of America were participating in collegiate simulations of the League of NationsLeague of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
, the predecessor to the United Nations. The modern day National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) both began as simulations of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
in the 1920s. Though Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN), having been founded in 1955, often claims to be the world's oldest continuous College Model UN conference, the oldest continuous Collegiate Model UN conference is actually Model United Nations of the Far West, running annually since April 1951. The world's oldest continuous High School Model UN conferences are the Indianapolis Model United Nations and the Berkeley Model United Nations, both founded in 1952. The National Model United Nations is one of the world's largest conferences with over 5,000 participants and is most unique with a part of the conference held at the United Nations in New York City. While National Model UN hosts opening ceremonies at the UN, UNA-USA is the only organization to host actual sessions in UN committee rooms. UNA-USA As the League of Nations was dismantled and the United Nations was born in 1945, simulations of the League of Nations were transformed into Model United Nations. Some conferences still perform historical simulations, however, including League of Nations crisis situations. These simulations now have grown to over 3000 and 2000 annual participants. The largest conference to date is THIMUN, attracting over 4,200 participants each year. Vibgyor High School, Mumbai is the host school for the Model United Nations Conference 2011.
Model UN Conferences
Several Model UN conferences have been established in North America as well as worldwide. Well known MUNs in North America include NHSMUN (http://imuna.org/nhsmun/conference), as well as Vancouver Model United Nations, the largest Model UN conference in Western Canada. Both MUNs as well as several others are well established and accept delegates worldwide.Additionally, the National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
Conference held in New York City is the most revered conference for the Organization. During this conference, delegates in the General Assembly Plenary committees vote on their legislation inside the UN Headquarters in New York, which is intended to give conference participants a real-life feel for how policies are voted on within the United Nations system.
In Europe there are many MUN conferences organized at different level. One of the biggest ones (in terms of participants) is the Rome Model United Nations, held each March in Rome for college-level students (www.romemun.org)
Languages
While simulations are conducted in many different languages, there are six official languages of the UN. Generally, a simulation is conducted in the most spoken language or languages of the area in which the conference is being held.Support
Model UN is supported by many organizations, private groups, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations and national governments. United Nations Associations around the world and its international organization the World Federation of United Nations AssociationsWorld Federation of United Nations Associations
The World Federation of United Nations Associations was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples". Today it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations in over 100 member states of the United Nations...
(WFUNA) have supported MUNs for decades. WFUNA organized the first collegiate MUN in China and works with MUNs all over the world. In the USA the main support is given by UNA-USA's Global Classrooms program. Global Classrooms offers professional development workshops for educators and four curricula on peacekeeping, human rights, sustainable development, and the Economics of Globalization. UNA-Dominican Republic introduced MUN to the DR and now it is a part of the national education curriculum. In Europe the main support is from THIMUN, which has affiliate conferences throughout Europe and around the world. MUN International has just created a new global membership association to help "expand and increase MUN activities", the MUN International Network and has aided conferences in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the US. Rotary International chapters around the world support many MUNs, e.g. the first international MUN in Hong Kong was organized and funded by three local Rotary Chapters.
Many intergovernmental organizations also support MUN activities. The EU published a policy paper just for MUN participants. The OAS actually oversaw the earliest Model OAS conferences. NATO often provides speakers and experts to Model NATO conferences. The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) supports Model United Nations in four key ways:
- the Model United Nations Discussion Area on the United Nations Cyber School Bus
- the Public Inquiries Section in New York
- the United Nations of the United Nations conferences to use its rooms for committee space.
The CyberSchoolBus is the on-line education program created by the United Nations. It features a Model United Nations Discussion Area and a list of Model United Nations Experts who answer inquiries as well as excellent research tools for country research. UNA-USA offers an online guide to the UN CyberSchoolBus.
The Public Inquiries Section at UNHQ assists by helping Model United Nations groups to find speakers and it arranges briefings in its New York offices. UNICs in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
have been extremely involved in Model United Nations activities helping with research, Model United Nations support, and sometimes with facilities. United Nations offices in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
; Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
; Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
also support Model United Nations and serve as hosts for at least one conference each year.
The Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
has been involved from the very beginning in the support to international civic simulations. North Atlantic Treaty Organization annually supports the Model NATO conference in Washington, DC, USA, with speakers, consultations and advisers. Other IGOs provide research assistance to simulations, conferences and students. Additionally, many UN Missions and Embassies support Model United Nations activities. Many mission and embassy websites have recently added sections created specifically for Model United Nations. Embassies and Consulates will often invite groups to discuss country positions or send a speaker out to speak to Model United Nations clubs, classes, or conferences. The overall support of simulation education activities by the international community is increasing rapidly every year.
Additionally, national governments support or sponsor MUN programs. The US Department of State has been working in Washington, DC public schools for over 15 years as well as providing speakers to MUN conferences around the world. In the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
MUN is part of the national education curriculum. Embassies and UN Missions around the world have been providing consultation, speakers, research documents for over 40 years. Many have even reviewed student's MUN resolutions for policy accuracy.
Model UN Resources
{| class="wikitable"|-
! Conference !! Location !! Founded !! Details
|-
| Prague Student Summit (PSS) || Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
|| 1995 || Organized by the Association for International Affairs in Prague, the project comprises Model UN, Model NATO and Model EU. Five preparatory workshops take place on five weekends from October to February and the final four-day long conference takes place at the University of Economics, Prague
University of Economics, Prague
The University of Economics, Prague, is a public university located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the largest university in the field of economics, business and information technologies in the Czech Republic with almost 20,000 students in its bachelor, masters and doctoral programmes.-Schools...
, in March. Over 400 secondary school and college students participate in the project annually. The PSS aims at being one of the most professional and authentic models of the institutions it simulates in the world as it has close ties with professionals from the UN Office in Geneva and Vienna. Participants are chosen on the basis of merit.
|-
| Model United Nations of the University of Chicago || Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
|| 1988 ||The slogan for Model United Nations is PTFO Now in its 23nd year, the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC), staffed entirely by students and alumni from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, is one of the largest high school conferences in the country (attracting 2,500+ national & international students annually) and is widely considered among the most prestigious. Since its founding in 1988, MUNUC's purpose has been to educate high school students in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking; introduce high school students to the complex realities of international relations; and demonstrate the potential of the United Nations in resolving international problems while revealing its limitations.
|-
| Model United Nations of the Russian Far East || Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located some from the Chinese border. It is the second largest city in the Russian Far East, after Vladivostok. The city became the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia...
, Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. Population: -Early history of the region:The early residents of both sides of the Amur in the region of today's Blagoveshchensk were the Daurs and Duchers...
) || 2000 || Model United Nations of the Russian Far East is a non-governmental organization dealing with leadership development and annually organizing International Model UN Conferences and other, both local and international, events. MUNRFE mission: "We build institutions which equip students to: discuss societal problems through open forum debates, launch initiatives, which benefit broader community share knowledge, skills and best practices."
|-
| Berkeley Model United Nations || University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
|| 1952 || One of the first two high-school-level conferences to simulate the United Nations in the United States. Run by UC Berkeley undergraduate students.
|-
| Fazlani L'Academie Globale Model United Nations (FLAGMUN) || Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2007 || Hosted and annually held at the Fazlani L'Academie Globale. 180 Delegates from 20 different schools and colleges throughout the world.
|-
| Geneva International Model United Nations || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1998 || Held annually at the Palais des Nations. Guaranteed access to all UN offices and allowed to report to the UN Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
upon being granted Special Consultative Status.
|-
| George Watson's College Model United Nations || Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
|| 2007 || Held annually in March at George Watson's College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
, the largest independent school in the UK. With over 600 delegates, it has become one of the main conferences on the European high-school circuit and in recent years has attracted students from Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Canada, France, Portugal, Turkey and Iran.
|-
| Ghana Model United Nations ||Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana || 2004 || It is the largest and most prominent high school MUN in West Africa, held annually at the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping and Training Centre
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Based in Ghana, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre provides training and research in peacekeeping and peaceoperations. Established in 1998, it formally began operations in 2002...
and hosted by Lincoln Community School. High school students from Europe, Africa and Asia have come together in stimulating debates on global issues.
|-
| Global Model United Nations (GMUN) || New International City Each Year (Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
in 2010) || 2009 || GMUN is the only Model United Nations conference run by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
itself. The 2009 inaugural conference, held at the UN European Headquarters
United Nations Office at Geneva
The United Nations Office at Geneva is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations...
in Geneva, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
included over 600 university students selected from across the globe. Conference sessions often have translators so students can debate in their native languages. GMUN offers some of the most access to the UN diplomatic corps.
|-
| Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) || Boston, MA || 1954 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduates, HMUN is held annually in January at the Sheraton Boston. The conference draws over 2600 high school students from across the United States and around the world. HMUN is known for its realistic simulations of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council and for its complex and innovative crisis committees.
|-
| Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) || Boston, MA || 1955 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduate students, HNMUN is one of the largest, oldest, and most prestigious conferences of its kind. Held annually in February at the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, HMUN draws over 3000 university students from nearly 40 different nations. HNMUN hosts 27 committees within the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Specialized Agencies.
|-
| World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) || New International City Each Year (Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 2011) || 1991 || Sponsored by the Harvard & A Local Host Team (National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
in 2011). Hosted at a convention center at a new host city each year. The conference traditionally hosts 2,000 college and graduate students from around the world, and has been dubbed the "Olympics of Model United Nations" for its international diversity, high emphasis on social & cultural activities for delegates, and itinerant location.
|-
| Bremen International Model United Nations (BRIMUN) || Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
|| 2006 || It is organised by Jacobs University Bremen, held annually at the Jacobs University Bremen Campus, BRIMUN. It is one the biggest MUNs in Germany and one of the largest youth conferences in Europe. The sixth edition of BRIMUN, to be held from April 17–21, 2011 will be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the region. BRIMUN
|-
|SLMUN,Colombo,Sri Lanka||Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
||2008|| The biggest high-school conference in South- East Asia with over 1200 delegates as of 2011. Delegates participate from all parts of Sri Lanka, including from schools in the country's north, south and east. For the past few years it has been won by Colombo International School with Lyceum International School Nugegoda a close second while Gateway College Colombo has been in third.
|-
| NITMUN, Durgapur, India || Durgapur, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2011 || It is organised by Literary Circle of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
The National Institute of Technology, Durgapur , formerly the Regional Engineering College , Durgapur, was established under an Act of the Parliament of India in 1960 as one of the eight RECs...
, is held at Institute Seminar Halls. NITMUN is one the biggest MUNs to be organised in eastern India and one of the largest MUN conferences of India. This Model United Nations conference hosts hudreds of high school, college and graduate students from around the nation, including colleges like IITs, IIMs, NITs, XLRI Jamshedpur, Lady Shriram College, Delhi,Delhi University, KIIT Bhubaneswar, SRM University, Chennai, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Rajiv Gandhi Law College, Periyar University, Amity University amongst other top colleges . The second edition of NITMUN, to be held from September 17–18, 2011 promises to be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the nation. It will be simulating the operations of 4 United Nation Councils - General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC & Human Rights Council. This is the only MUN which has no registration fee for its delegates, despite its high stature and popularity. The motto of the organisers is to create an awareness of global dyanamics amongst the youth, and strive towards solutions that will lead to a violence-free world.
|-
| BITSMUN, Pilani, India || Pilani
Pilani
Pilani is a small town situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It is in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. It notable for being the home of a large number of education institutes for its size.-Etymology:...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2008 || It is organised by BITSMUN Society, held annually at BITS Pilani, Pilani & Hyderabad Campuses simultaneously, BITSMUN is one the biggest MUNs in India and one of the largest youth conferences of Asia. The third edition of BITSMUN, to be held from February 4–7, 2011 was the biggest youth conferences in the subcontinent.With the prize money over INR 3,50,000 (over USD 7500), BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus along with BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus is well on track for another successful event.
|-
| Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations is an annual Model United Nations conference hosted by the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem, the Latin school of Haarlem in the Netherlands. HMUN was founded in 1998 and was an initiative of the students of the Latin School. The MUN is held in the monumental building of...
HMUN|| Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1998 || HMUN is a high school MUN, organized by the students of the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
The Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem or the Latin School of Haarlem is an elite secondary school in Haarlem, The Netherlands. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious and academically rigorous schools in The Netherlands. The school was founded in 1389 and is therefore one of the oldest schools in...
, Latin School of Haarlem. HMUN is a THIMUN The Hague International Model United Nations affiliated conference. 2012 will be the 15th annual session of HMUN. The MUN is located in the monumental building of the Latin School of Haarlem in the old city center of Haarlem. As an international conference HMUN welcomes students from all over the world every year. Official website of the Haarlem Model United Nations
|-
| Havana Model United Nations HAVMUN|| Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
|| 1996 || Havana Model United Nations, HAVMUN is organized by the UNA Cuba, the University of Havana, the Union of Jurists of Cuba, the Caribbean Human Development Foundation and the Federation of University Students. Is also supported by the UN Sistem in Cuba. HAVMUN is staffed entirely by students of the University of Havana, and is the oldest and largest MUN in Cuba. http://www.acnu.org.cu
|-
| Ivy League Model United Nations Conference ILMUNC
ILMUNC
The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, or ILMUNC, is one of the largest Model UN conferences for high school students worldwide. It is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania's International Affairs Association. Penn's ILMUNC High School Conference, along with the conferences hosted by...
|| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
|| 1984|| Attracts around 2,000 delegates gathering for four days in the heart of Philadelphia. Run by University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
undergraduate students. Continuing its Franklin Legacy program, ILMUNC XXV is partnering with the World Food Programme
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
's Fill the Cup
Fill the Cup
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian aid agency. In 2009, WFP plans to feed over 100 million people in 77 of the world’s poorest countries. The ‘Fill the Cup’ campaign aims to use the symbol of the Red Cup to raise awareness of global hunger, specifically...
Initiative to provide meals to hungry children. Hosted by the International Affairs Association.
|-
| Kenya Model United Nations (KenyaMUN) || Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
|| 2001 || KenyaMUN is the benchmark of Model United Nations conferences in Africa. The conferences, held annually at the UN Headquarters
United Nations Office at Nairobi
The United Nations Office at Nairobi is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Nairobi, Kenya...
in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
have attracted much attention from other Model UN participants who have attended joint conferences with members of the Kenya Model United Nations the world over. KenyaMUN closely works with middle-level Moel UNs in the country, namely Middle School Model United Nations and East Africa Model United Nations.
|-
| Robert College International Model United Nations (RCIMUN) || Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
|| 2007|| Attracting around 750 high-school students every year, RCIMUN is a THIMUN-affiliated conference, notable for being the largest, and the second-best Model UN conference in Turkey after Turkish International Model United Nations
Turkish International Model United Nations
The Uskudar American Academy Model United Nations programme was first established in 1991 by Ms. Marie Gummersheimer. At that time, it was part of the English department curriculum but later became a club....
and one of the most prestigious conferences in Europe.
|-
| London International Model United Nations (LIMUN) || London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
|| 1999|| LIMUN is the largest annual university-based Model United Nations conference in Europe. It attracts around 800 delegates.
|-
| Montessori Model UN (MMUN) || New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005|| Attracts more than 1000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference which is held at the United Nations. Plus Regional and International Conferences; partnership conferences not limited to Montessori students. exclusively and includes social action projects. Based on a collaboration model as opposed to the standard competition model. Attracts more than 1,000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference held at the United Nations Headquarters with UN Ambassadors participating.
|-
| National High School Model United Nations || New York, New York || 1973 || Attracts over 2,600 participants. Run by a staff of 80-100 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, this conference hosts its opening and closing ceremonies in United Nations Headquarters. Its sponsoring entity, the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA) is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO).
|-
| Model United Nations of Lübeck (MUNOL) || Lübeck, Germany || 1998 || MUNOL is an annual conference organised by students of the Thomas-Mann-Schule Lübeck. This year's, 15th MUNOL conference, will be held from the 23rd to the 28th April. With 6 committees and 5 other forums, more than 350 delegates from 10 countries MUNOL is a small conference on an advanced level.
|-
| Regional High School Model United Nations || San Francisco, CA || 1998 || Started in 1998 as the sister conference of NHSMUN, run by the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA). Run by a staff of 30-40 undergraduate students from around the world. This conference used to be held in Salt Lake City, and will be moving to San Francisco, CA in December 2011.
|-
| National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
|| New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1923
|| Founded as a simulation of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
; adopted current form in 1946 after the founding of the United Nations. Opening Ceremony and Closing Session take place in the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
. While traditionally it is held in New York, three conferences took place out of United States: 2008 in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 2010 in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and 2010 at Palacký University in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
, the Czech Republic.
|-
| North American Invitational Model United Nations
North American Invitational Model United Nations
The North American Invitational Model United Nations, or NAIMUN, is one of the oldest Model UN simulations for high school students in North America. Since 1963, the conference has been a forum in which a dynamic range of young students come from around the world to seek, through discussion,...
|| Washington DC, Washington DC || 1963
|| NAIMUN attracts over 2800 high school participants. Traditionally held at the Hilton hotel in Washington DC in the month of February. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
|-
| Oxford International Model United Nations(OxIMUN) || Oxford, United Kingdom|| 2003 || This conference has a reputation for a high quality of debate. Over 500 students from around the world attend the programme, which is held over a weekend in Oxford, with debate usually taking place in various rooms spread across the University. There is also an active social programme.
|-
| Rutgers Model United Nations (RUMUN) || New Brunswick, NJ || 1992 || Sponsored by the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs, this conference traditionally hosts 1,000 high school students from around the world, and has been recognized for its emphasis on education. By taking a class at Rutgers University to prepare for their committees and write their topic briefs, RUMUN staff members are some of the most well-prepared committee directors of any conference. The staff's focus on encouraging participation, developing relevant skills, and building conceptual understanding is as evident as their focus on parliamentary procedure and debate moderation. This conference is also unique in that it focuses on a different theme each year.
|-
| Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC) || New Jersey, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
|| 2001
|| PMUNC attracts over 1000 students, is run by Princeton students, and Is held annually at the Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey
|-
| Sciences Po Paris - Euro-american campus of Reims || Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
|| 2012
|| The MUN of the euro-american campus of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
The Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
, also known as Sciences Po, will take place in Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
, traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France.
|-
| Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY) || New Haven, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
|| 1977
|| SCSY draws over 500 collegiate delegates every October to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
's historic campus for a four-day, vibrant simulation of international diplomacy. Yale International Relations Association
Yale International Relations Association
The Yale International Relations Association, Inc. is a registered, 501 non-profit student organization at Yale University. Founded in 1969 by a group of individuals who wanted to promote a better understanding of global affairs after the events of the turbulent 1960's, YIRA's mission is to...
sponsors SCSY to provide delegates the unique opportunity to contribute to and shape debate during intense, real-time crises in small 30 delegate committees. Past committees have included The War of the Roses and MI6:Secret Intelligence Service.
|-
| Southwest Florida Model United Nations || Fort Myers, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
|| 1994 || Sponsored by the Naples Council on World Affairs and held every March in conjunction with Florida Gulf Coast University, the two day conference is attended by 300+ delegates from high schools (public and private) in the five southwest Florida counties. It is one of the few conferences offering college scholarship awards to top delegates.
|-
| Students' League of Nations (SLN) || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1953 || SLN a Model General Assembly and the only such conference to take place entirely within the premises of the United Nations. It is held annually at the Palais des Nations
Palais des Nations
The Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, was built between 1929 and 1936 to serve as the headquarters of the League of Nations. It has served as the home of the United Nations Office at Geneva since 1946 when the Secretary General of the UN signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Swiss...
in Geneva
|-
| The Hague International Model United Nations || The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1968 || Attracts around 4,500 delegates. Held annually at the World Forum in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
; holds roster consultative status with UN ECOSOC. THIMUN is the largest MUN conference in the world.
|-
| UNA-USA Middle School Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. UNA-USA Middle School Model UN Conference is the largest and most diverse Model UN conference dedicated solely to Middle School students.
|-
| UNA-USA Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1999 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, as well as Saturday committee sessions in the UNHQ's various meeting rooms. The conference traditionally hosts 2,400 students from New York City public high schools, various High Schools in the Northeastern US, and numerous schools from around the world.
|-
| UNIS-UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1976 || Sponsored by the United Nations International School
United Nations International School
The United Nations International School is a private international school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 by families who worked for or were associated with the United Nations. The school was founded to provide an international education, while preserving its students' diverse cultural...
. Held annually in the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
Hall of the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
|-
| National Collegiate Security Conference || Washington DC || 1972
|| NCSC attracts over 500 college participants. Since 1972, NCSC has served as a dynamic forum for detailed debate on the world’s most serious crises. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
|-
| Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN) || Vienna
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
|| 1995 || Hosted and annually held at the United Nations Office at Vienna
United Nations Office at Vienna
The United Nations Office in Vienna is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Vienna, the capital of Austria, and is part of the Vienna International Centre, a cluster of several major international...
throughout the whole conference. 250 Delegates from 40 different Nations.
|-
| Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC) || Washington DC || 1999
|| WAMUNC, the annual high school conference hosted by the George Washington International Affairs Society (GWIAS) attracts close to 1,000 delegates each spring. In addition to the typical GA, ECOSOC, regional and historical committees, WAMUNC is one of the few conferences that regularly features joint crisis committees with three or more committees.
|-
| York Model United Nations (YMUN) ||Toronto, Canada || 1996 || Hosted annually as an international university level conference. The only MUN ever permitted into Queen's Park
Queen's Park
There are a number of places in the world called Queen's Park or Queens Park.- Australia :* Queens Park, New South Wales, suburb* Queens Park, Victoria ** Queens Park, Newtown, Victoria Queen's Park Golf Course...
, Ontario's legislative building.
|-}Ghana Model United Nations (GHAMUN)||Accra, Ghana ||2003||Hosted annually as an international high school level conference. The largest, most prominent conference in West Africa.
|-
| Vancvouer Youth Model United Nations (VYMUN) ||Vancouver, Canada || 2003|| The annual Vancouver Youth Model United Nations (Grade 7~10) held at the Graville Island Hotel
Granville Island
Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located in False Creek directly across from Downtown Vancouver's peninsula, under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge....
is a Model United Nations for both beginners and veterans.
|-
| European Model United Nations(EuroMUN) ||Maastricht
Maastricht
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border and near the German border...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 2008|| It takes place in May each year in the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC). EuroMUN has grown to be the second largest MUN on an university level in Europe. The conference is organized and hosted by UNSA Maastricht. In 2011, EuroMUN had 542 participants from over 50 countries and 110 universities and other tertiary educational institutions.
|-
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.
The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of an organ (committee) of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. More recently, simulation of other deliberative bodies
Deliberative assembly
A deliberative assembly is an organization comprising members who use parliamentary procedure to make decisions. In a speech to the electorate at Bristol in 1774, Edmund Burke described the English Parliament as a "deliberative assembly," and the expression became the basic term for a body of...
, such as the United States National Security Council, has been included in Model United Nations, even if they are completely unrelated to the UN or international affairs as a whole.
Simulations
Most Model UNs are simulations of a body in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
system, such as:
- The General AssemblyUnited Nations General AssemblyFor two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
in both plenary form and within its functional committees - Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Economic and Social CouncilThe Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
and its specialized councils and agencies - Security CouncilUnited Nations Security CouncilThe United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
- International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
- United Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II...
- United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment ProgrammeThe United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
- United Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations Development ProgrammeThe United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Human Rights Council
- International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
- Disarmament Committee
- United Nations High Commission for Refugees
- World Food Program
- World Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
- World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
Many conferences simulate other IGOs including:
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- African UnionAfrican UnionThe African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
- Organization of American StatesOrganization of American StatesThe Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO
- Arab LeagueArab LeagueThe Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- South Asian Association For Regional Co-Operation
- Association of South East Asian Nations
- International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy AgencyThe International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
are often role played, with delegates role-playing specific people (e.g. the Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
or the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
) rather than representing countries. This may be taken one step further, having the delegate represent merely the interests of his or her office, or role-play a specific holder of the office (e.g. Hillary Clinton). Such committees are typically "crisis committees;" that is to say, they do not begin with a fixed topic but rather are forced to deal with issues as they come up. A team of conference organizers (known as a crisis staff) develops a simulated event which acts as a catalyst for a crisis. The staff continually inform the committees of changing events on the ground, to which the committee must respond; in addition, individual delegates are typically allowed to take certain actions on their own, without committee approval, subject to the interpretation and agreement of the crisis staff. However, the correspondence between single-country and crisis committees are not perfect; for instance, the UN Security Council and some NATO bodies are typically run as crisis committees, and some national cabinets are fixed-topic committees.
More unusual committees abound at the collegiate level; for instance, a college conference may simulate the Greco-Persian Wars
Greco-Persian Wars
The Greco-Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire of Persia and city-states of the Hellenic world that started in 499 BC and lasted until 449 BC. The collision between the fractious political world of the Greeks and the enormous empire of the Persians began when Cyrus...
via a committee of the Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
poleis
Polis
Polis , plural poleis , literally means city in Greek. It could also mean citizenship and body of citizens. In modern historiography "polis" is normally used to indicate the ancient Greek city-states, like Classical Athens and its contemporaries, so polis is often translated as "city-state."The...
, have a committee simulating the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's annual owners meeting, as held at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
MUN in 2009, or even have a committee simulating President David Palmer
David Palmer (24 character)
David Palmer, J.D. is a fictional President of the United States played by Dennis Haysbert as part of the television series 24. Palmer served as the show's second-most prominent protagonist, after Jack Bauer. Throughout the series, Palmer's ex-wife Sherry and brother Wayne are both key figures in...
's cabinet from the TV show 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, simulated by the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Model UN Conference in 2007.
Many conferences also run crisis simulations in which hypothetical real world factors are included in the simulation, including representatives from various groups such as member states thattopics for a crisis which can span all the committees of the conference.
Model UNs are often run using basic parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
. This allows all delegates to be active participants. Common activities in MUN involve giving speeches to the committee and writing resolutions concerning a given topic. Additionally, at the end of longer conferences, awards are commonly given to either individual delegates, delegations, or both. The judging of this varies. For example, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
conferences on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, such as BMUN, give delegates points for every action they perform, which are added. At the end of the conference, awards are given to the highest point scorer. On the other hand, conferences on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
such as the Harvard National Model United Nations, delegates are judged in a more holistic manner, but perhaps to the detriment of objectivity and transparency. Giving awards is less common at smaller conferences. In addition, many larger conferences do not give awards at all, feeling that competition detracts from the simulation experience. Model U.N Conferences are also held in countries like India where the scope and participation has expanded.
Participants
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
, conference, or class. A class can be a full semester class called "Model United Nations" or just one class period devoted to a short simulation; secondary schools may often incorporate the club of Model United Nations with the class of AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP Comparative Government and Politics
Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics is an examination given by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
. Meanwhile, a conference is a school-wide, local, regional or international gathering of Model United Nations students who come together over a period between one and five days. There are various formats which are followed in Model United Nations Conferences and the most widely used model was developed by Shivish Soni and has been adopted by various conferences all over the world.
An example of a one-day conference is a “scrimmage,” as created by Brian Ripley, Neal Carter and Andrea Grove. The key benefit of a one-day conference is the savings on lodging expenses “since it allows teams to travel to the host university without the need to pay for a hotel.”
In the early days of Model United Nations, participants were mostly students at select colleges in the United States of America. Today, Model United Nations has greatly matured and expanded. It is now practiced all over the world in classes, clubs, and conferences. Model United Nation participants are elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Recently even university alumni and professionals have taken part. Participants come from public and private schools and universities, and they live in city, suburban and rural areas.
Over 90,000 students take part in Model United Nations Conferences in the United States. The United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
(UNA-USA) has the most comprehensive calendar of Model United Nations conferences: the 2003-2004 edition lists 400+ conferences in 48 countries.
Some simulations are small, including members of only a single class. For example, 20 students can do a one-hour simulation of the (15-member) United Nations Security Council in their classroom. Other simulations can be very large, involving many committees and taking place over the span of several days. The majority of conferences generally involve anywhere from 50 to several hundred delegates, with most students living around that one region. The largest conferences can have thousands of participants from many different countries. Each simulation and conference varies greatly in number of participants and their involvement.
The concept of Model United Nations has grown substantially all across the world, with various third-world and traditionally non-English speaking nations joining in. One example of this is Pakistan where a number of universities have a Model UN program.
The Dominican Republic is the only country to have incorporated the concept of Model UN into its official high-school curriculum. This is in large part due to the efforts of the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic, which has harbored substantial support from the government despite being completely apolitical.
Position papers
A position paperPosition paper
A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion about an issue, typically that of the author or another specified entity; such as a political party. Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains....
(sometimes known as a Policy Statement) is an essay that is written by participants of some models. It describes the detailed position of a certain country on a topic or issue that the writer will debate in his or her committee. Position papers are not always required, but certain conferences mandate that each delegate send his own before the opening. It is also known as the (Foreign) Policy Statement or (F)PS.
Format
Conferences have different format and styles for position papers. Nevertheless, UNA-USA established a format that has been adopted widely throughout the Model UN community. However, in Latin America the alternative TINK format, developed by of Argentina, is used. in Either way, most position papers consist of a heading with committee, topic, country and delegate information and body which explains in detail the position of the author's country.The position paper usually includes several pages outlining:
- Background of the Topic
- UN Involvement
- Your Country's Positions
- Possible Solution
Purpose
Position papers should explain an issue from their country's point of view. It is also good practice that they include statistics about the issue that would support the cause they defend. The paper would also try to convince the other countries of the committee to their view of the issue. It would have ways to solve the situation.Many conferences require delegates to submit a copy of their position paper, as a means to ensure that the delegates research important topics and construct strong and well-informed positions on those subjects, yet presentation is still a valuable component.
History
Model and civic simulation education are older than the United Nations. Records indicate that as early as the 1920s students in the United States of America were participating in collegiate simulations of the League of NationsLeague of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
, the predecessor to the United Nations. The modern day National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) both began as simulations of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
in the 1920s. Though Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN), having been founded in 1955, often claims to be the world's oldest continuous College Model UN conference, the oldest continuous Collegiate Model UN conference is actually Model United Nations of the Far West, running annually since April 1951. The world's oldest continuous High School Model UN conferences are the Indianapolis Model United Nations and the Berkeley Model United Nations, both founded in 1952. The National Model United Nations is one of the world's largest conferences with over 5,000 participants and is most unique with a part of the conference held at the United Nations in New York City. While National Model UN hosts opening ceremonies at the UN, UNA-USA is the only organization to host actual sessions in UN committee rooms. UNA-USA As the League of Nations was dismantled and the United Nations was born in 1945, simulations of the League of Nations were transformed into Model United Nations. Some conferences still perform historical simulations, however, including League of Nations crisis situations. These simulations now have grown to over 3000 and 2000 annual participants. The largest conference to date is THIMUN, attracting over 4,200 participants each year. Vibgyor High School, Mumbai is the host school for the Model United Nations Conference 2011.
Model UN Conferences
Several Model UN conferences have been established in North America as well as worldwide. Well known MUNs in North America include NHSMUN (http://imuna.org/nhsmun/conference), as well as Vancouver Model United Nations, the largest Model UN conference in Western Canada. Both MUNs as well as several others are well established and accept delegates worldwide.Additionally, the National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
Conference held in New York City is the most revered conference for the Organization. During this conference, delegates in the General Assembly Plenary committees vote on their legislation inside the UN Headquarters in New York, which is intended to give conference participants a real-life feel for how policies are voted on within the United Nations system.
In Europe there are many MUN conferences organized at different level. One of the biggest ones (in terms of participants) is the Rome Model United Nations, held each March in Rome for college-level students (www.romemun.org)
Languages
While simulations are conducted in many different languages, there are six official languages of the UN. Generally, a simulation is conducted in the most spoken language or languages of the area in which the conference is being held.Support
Model UN is supported by many organizations, private groups, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations and national governments. United Nations Associations around the world and its international organization the World Federation of United Nations AssociationsWorld Federation of United Nations Associations
The World Federation of United Nations Associations was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples". Today it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations in over 100 member states of the United Nations...
(WFUNA) have supported MUNs for decades. WFUNA organized the first collegiate MUN in China and works with MUNs all over the world. In the USA the main support is given by UNA-USA's Global Classrooms program. Global Classrooms offers professional development workshops for educators and four curricula on peacekeeping, human rights, sustainable development, and the Economics of Globalization. UNA-Dominican Republic introduced MUN to the DR and now it is a part of the national education curriculum. In Europe the main support is from THIMUN, which has affiliate conferences throughout Europe and around the world. MUN International has just created a new global membership association to help "expand and increase MUN activities", the MUN International Network and has aided conferences in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the US. Rotary International chapters around the world support many MUNs, e.g. the first international MUN in Hong Kong was organized and funded by three local Rotary Chapters.
Many intergovernmental organizations also support MUN activities. The EU published a policy paper just for MUN participants. The OAS actually oversaw the earliest Model OAS conferences. NATO often provides speakers and experts to Model NATO conferences. The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) supports Model United Nations in four key ways:
- the Model United Nations Discussion Area on the United Nations Cyber School Bus
- the Public Inquiries Section in New York
- the United Nations of the United Nations conferences to use its rooms for committee space.
The CyberSchoolBus is the on-line education program created by the United Nations. It features a Model United Nations Discussion Area and a list of Model United Nations Experts who answer inquiries as well as excellent research tools for country research. UNA-USA offers an online guide to the UN CyberSchoolBus.
The Public Inquiries Section at UNHQ assists by helping Model United Nations groups to find speakers and it arranges briefings in its New York offices. UNICs in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
have been extremely involved in Model United Nations activities helping with research, Model United Nations support, and sometimes with facilities. United Nations offices in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
; Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
; Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
also support Model United Nations and serve as hosts for at least one conference each year.
The Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
has been involved from the very beginning in the support to international civic simulations. North Atlantic Treaty Organization annually supports the Model NATO conference in Washington, DC, USA, with speakers, consultations and advisers. Other IGOs provide research assistance to simulations, conferences and students. Additionally, many UN Missions and Embassies support Model United Nations activities. Many mission and embassy websites have recently added sections created specifically for Model United Nations. Embassies and Consulates will often invite groups to discuss country positions or send a speaker out to speak to Model United Nations clubs, classes, or conferences. The overall support of simulation education activities by the international community is increasing rapidly every year.
Additionally, national governments support or sponsor MUN programs. The US Department of State has been working in Washington, DC public schools for over 15 years as well as providing speakers to MUN conferences around the world. In the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
MUN is part of the national education curriculum. Embassies and UN Missions around the world have been providing consultation, speakers, research documents for over 40 years. Many have even reviewed student's MUN resolutions for policy accuracy.
Model UN Resources
{| class="wikitable"|-
! Conference !! Location !! Founded !! Details
|-
| Prague Student Summit (PSS) || Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
|| 1995 || Organized by the Association for International Affairs in Prague, the project comprises Model UN, Model NATO and Model EU. Five preparatory workshops take place on five weekends from October to February and the final four-day long conference takes place at the University of Economics, Prague
University of Economics, Prague
The University of Economics, Prague, is a public university located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the largest university in the field of economics, business and information technologies in the Czech Republic with almost 20,000 students in its bachelor, masters and doctoral programmes.-Schools...
, in March. Over 400 secondary school and college students participate in the project annually. The PSS aims at being one of the most professional and authentic models of the institutions it simulates in the world as it has close ties with professionals from the UN Office in Geneva and Vienna. Participants are chosen on the basis of merit.
|-
| Model United Nations of the University of Chicago || Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
|| 1988 ||The slogan for Model United Nations is PTFO Now in its 23nd year, the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC), staffed entirely by students and alumni from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, is one of the largest high school conferences in the country (attracting 2,500+ national & international students annually) and is widely considered among the most prestigious. Since its founding in 1988, MUNUC's purpose has been to educate high school students in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking; introduce high school students to the complex realities of international relations; and demonstrate the potential of the United Nations in resolving international problems while revealing its limitations.
|-
| Model United Nations of the Russian Far East || Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located some from the Chinese border. It is the second largest city in the Russian Far East, after Vladivostok. The city became the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia...
, Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. Population: -Early history of the region:The early residents of both sides of the Amur in the region of today's Blagoveshchensk were the Daurs and Duchers...
) || 2000 || Model United Nations of the Russian Far East is a non-governmental organization dealing with leadership development and annually organizing International Model UN Conferences and other, both local and international, events. MUNRFE mission: "We build institutions which equip students to: discuss societal problems through open forum debates, launch initiatives, which benefit broader community share knowledge, skills and best practices."
|-
| Berkeley Model United Nations || University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
|| 1952 || One of the first two high-school-level conferences to simulate the United Nations in the United States. Run by UC Berkeley undergraduate students.
|-
| Fazlani L'Academie Globale Model United Nations (FLAGMUN) || Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2007 || Hosted and annually held at the Fazlani L'Academie Globale. 180 Delegates from 20 different schools and colleges throughout the world.
|-
| Geneva International Model United Nations || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1998 || Held annually at the Palais des Nations. Guaranteed access to all UN offices and allowed to report to the UN Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
upon being granted Special Consultative Status.
|-
| George Watson's College Model United Nations || Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
|| 2007 || Held annually in March at George Watson's College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
, the largest independent school in the UK. With over 600 delegates, it has become one of the main conferences on the European high-school circuit and in recent years has attracted students from Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Canada, France, Portugal, Turkey and Iran.
|-
| Ghana Model United Nations ||Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana || 2004 || It is the largest and most prominent high school MUN in West Africa, held annually at the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping and Training Centre
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Based in Ghana, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre provides training and research in peacekeeping and peaceoperations. Established in 1998, it formally began operations in 2002...
and hosted by Lincoln Community School. High school students from Europe, Africa and Asia have come together in stimulating debates on global issues.
|-
| Global Model United Nations (GMUN) || New International City Each Year (Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
in 2010) || 2009 || GMUN is the only Model United Nations conference run by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
itself. The 2009 inaugural conference, held at the UN European Headquarters
United Nations Office at Geneva
The United Nations Office at Geneva is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations...
in Geneva, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
included over 600 university students selected from across the globe. Conference sessions often have translators so students can debate in their native languages. GMUN offers some of the most access to the UN diplomatic corps.
|-
| Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) || Boston, MA || 1954 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduates, HMUN is held annually in January at the Sheraton Boston. The conference draws over 2600 high school students from across the United States and around the world. HMUN is known for its realistic simulations of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council and for its complex and innovative crisis committees.
|-
| Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) || Boston, MA || 1955 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduate students, HNMUN is one of the largest, oldest, and most prestigious conferences of its kind. Held annually in February at the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, HMUN draws over 3000 university students from nearly 40 different nations. HNMUN hosts 27 committees within the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Specialized Agencies.
|-
| World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) || New International City Each Year (Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 2011) || 1991 || Sponsored by the Harvard & A Local Host Team (National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
in 2011). Hosted at a convention center at a new host city each year. The conference traditionally hosts 2,000 college and graduate students from around the world, and has been dubbed the "Olympics of Model United Nations" for its international diversity, high emphasis on social & cultural activities for delegates, and itinerant location.
|-
| Bremen International Model United Nations (BRIMUN) || Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
|| 2006 || It is organised by Jacobs University Bremen, held annually at the Jacobs University Bremen Campus, BRIMUN. It is one the biggest MUNs in Germany and one of the largest youth conferences in Europe. The sixth edition of BRIMUN, to be held from April 17–21, 2011 will be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the region. BRIMUN
|-
|SLMUN,Colombo,Sri Lanka||Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
||2008|| The biggest high-school conference in South- East Asia with over 1200 delegates as of 2011. Delegates participate from all parts of Sri Lanka, including from schools in the country's north, south and east. For the past few years it has been won by Colombo International School with Lyceum International School Nugegoda a close second while Gateway College Colombo has been in third.
|-
| NITMUN, Durgapur, India || Durgapur, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2011 || It is organised by Literary Circle of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
The National Institute of Technology, Durgapur , formerly the Regional Engineering College , Durgapur, was established under an Act of the Parliament of India in 1960 as one of the eight RECs...
, is held at Institute Seminar Halls. NITMUN is one the biggest MUNs to be organised in eastern India and one of the largest MUN conferences of India. This Model United Nations conference hosts hudreds of high school, college and graduate students from around the nation, including colleges like IITs, IIMs, NITs, XLRI Jamshedpur, Lady Shriram College, Delhi,Delhi University, KIIT Bhubaneswar, SRM University, Chennai, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Rajiv Gandhi Law College, Periyar University, Amity University amongst other top colleges . The second edition of NITMUN, to be held from September 17–18, 2011 promises to be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the nation. It will be simulating the operations of 4 United Nation Councils - General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC & Human Rights Council. This is the only MUN which has no registration fee for its delegates, despite its high stature and popularity. The motto of the organisers is to create an awareness of global dyanamics amongst the youth, and strive towards solutions that will lead to a violence-free world.
|-
| BITSMUN, Pilani, India || Pilani
Pilani
Pilani is a small town situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It is in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. It notable for being the home of a large number of education institutes for its size.-Etymology:...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2008 || It is organised by BITSMUN Society, held annually at BITS Pilani, Pilani & Hyderabad Campuses simultaneously, BITSMUN is one the biggest MUNs in India and one of the largest youth conferences of Asia. The third edition of BITSMUN, to be held from February 4–7, 2011 was the biggest youth conferences in the subcontinent.With the prize money over INR 3,50,000 (over USD 7500), BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus along with BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus is well on track for another successful event.
|-
| Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations is an annual Model United Nations conference hosted by the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem, the Latin school of Haarlem in the Netherlands. HMUN was founded in 1998 and was an initiative of the students of the Latin School. The MUN is held in the monumental building of...
HMUN|| Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1998 || HMUN is a high school MUN, organized by the students of the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
The Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem or the Latin School of Haarlem is an elite secondary school in Haarlem, The Netherlands. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious and academically rigorous schools in The Netherlands. The school was founded in 1389 and is therefore one of the oldest schools in...
, Latin School of Haarlem. HMUN is a THIMUN The Hague International Model United Nations affiliated conference. 2012 will be the 15th annual session of HMUN. The MUN is located in the monumental building of the Latin School of Haarlem in the old city center of Haarlem. As an international conference HMUN welcomes students from all over the world every year. Official website of the Haarlem Model United Nations
|-
| Havana Model United Nations HAVMUN|| Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
|| 1996 || Havana Model United Nations, HAVMUN is organized by the UNA Cuba, the University of Havana, the Union of Jurists of Cuba, the Caribbean Human Development Foundation and the Federation of University Students. Is also supported by the UN Sistem in Cuba. HAVMUN is staffed entirely by students of the University of Havana, and is the oldest and largest MUN in Cuba. http://www.acnu.org.cu
|-
| Ivy League Model United Nations Conference ILMUNC
ILMUNC
The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, or ILMUNC, is one of the largest Model UN conferences for high school students worldwide. It is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania's International Affairs Association. Penn's ILMUNC High School Conference, along with the conferences hosted by...
|| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
|| 1984|| Attracts around 2,000 delegates gathering for four days in the heart of Philadelphia. Run by University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
undergraduate students. Continuing its Franklin Legacy program, ILMUNC XXV is partnering with the World Food Programme
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
's Fill the Cup
Fill the Cup
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian aid agency. In 2009, WFP plans to feed over 100 million people in 77 of the world’s poorest countries. The ‘Fill the Cup’ campaign aims to use the symbol of the Red Cup to raise awareness of global hunger, specifically...
Initiative to provide meals to hungry children. Hosted by the International Affairs Association.
|-
| Kenya Model United Nations (KenyaMUN) || Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
|| 2001 || KenyaMUN is the benchmark of Model United Nations conferences in Africa. The conferences, held annually at the UN Headquarters
United Nations Office at Nairobi
The United Nations Office at Nairobi is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Nairobi, Kenya...
in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
have attracted much attention from other Model UN participants who have attended joint conferences with members of the Kenya Model United Nations the world over. KenyaMUN closely works with middle-level Moel UNs in the country, namely Middle School Model United Nations and East Africa Model United Nations.
|-
| Robert College International Model United Nations (RCIMUN) || Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
|| 2007|| Attracting around 750 high-school students every year, RCIMUN is a THIMUN-affiliated conference, notable for being the largest, and the second-best Model UN conference in Turkey after Turkish International Model United Nations
Turkish International Model United Nations
The Uskudar American Academy Model United Nations programme was first established in 1991 by Ms. Marie Gummersheimer. At that time, it was part of the English department curriculum but later became a club....
and one of the most prestigious conferences in Europe.
|-
| London International Model United Nations (LIMUN) || London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
|| 1999|| LIMUN is the largest annual university-based Model United Nations conference in Europe. It attracts around 800 delegates.
|-
| Montessori Model UN (MMUN) || New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005|| Attracts more than 1000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference which is held at the United Nations. Plus Regional and International Conferences; partnership conferences not limited to Montessori students. exclusively and includes social action projects. Based on a collaboration model as opposed to the standard competition model. Attracts more than 1,000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference held at the United Nations Headquarters with UN Ambassadors participating.
|-
| National High School Model United Nations || New York, New York || 1973 || Attracts over 2,600 participants. Run by a staff of 80-100 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, this conference hosts its opening and closing ceremonies in United Nations Headquarters. Its sponsoring entity, the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA) is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO).
|-
| Model United Nations of Lübeck (MUNOL) || Lübeck, Germany || 1998 || MUNOL is an annual conference organised by students of the Thomas-Mann-Schule Lübeck. This year's, 15th MUNOL conference, will be held from the 23rd to the 28th April. With 6 committees and 5 other forums, more than 350 delegates from 10 countries MUNOL is a small conference on an advanced level.
|-
| Regional High School Model United Nations || San Francisco, CA || 1998 || Started in 1998 as the sister conference of NHSMUN, run by the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA). Run by a staff of 30-40 undergraduate students from around the world. This conference used to be held in Salt Lake City, and will be moving to San Francisco, CA in December 2011.
|-
| National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
|| New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1923
|| Founded as a simulation of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
; adopted current form in 1946 after the founding of the United Nations. Opening Ceremony and Closing Session take place in the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
. While traditionally it is held in New York, three conferences took place out of United States: 2008 in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 2010 in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and 2010 at Palacký University in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
, the Czech Republic.
|-
| North American Invitational Model United Nations
North American Invitational Model United Nations
The North American Invitational Model United Nations, or NAIMUN, is one of the oldest Model UN simulations for high school students in North America. Since 1963, the conference has been a forum in which a dynamic range of young students come from around the world to seek, through discussion,...
|| Washington DC, Washington DC || 1963
|| NAIMUN attracts over 2800 high school participants. Traditionally held at the Hilton hotel in Washington DC in the month of February. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
|-
| Oxford International Model United Nations(OxIMUN) || Oxford, United Kingdom|| 2003 || This conference has a reputation for a high quality of debate. Over 500 students from around the world attend the programme, which is held over a weekend in Oxford, with debate usually taking place in various rooms spread across the University. There is also an active social programme.
|-
| Rutgers Model United Nations (RUMUN) || New Brunswick, NJ || 1992 || Sponsored by the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs, this conference traditionally hosts 1,000 high school students from around the world, and has been recognized for its emphasis on education. By taking a class at Rutgers University to prepare for their committees and write their topic briefs, RUMUN staff members are some of the most well-prepared committee directors of any conference. The staff's focus on encouraging participation, developing relevant skills, and building conceptual understanding is as evident as their focus on parliamentary procedure and debate moderation. This conference is also unique in that it focuses on a different theme each year.
|-
| Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC) || New Jersey, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
|| 2001
|| PMUNC attracts over 1000 students, is run by Princeton students, and Is held annually at the Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey
|-
| Sciences Po Paris - Euro-american campus of Reims || Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
|| 2012
|| The MUN of the euro-american campus of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
The Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
, also known as Sciences Po, will take place in Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
, traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France.
|-
| Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY) || New Haven, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
|| 1977
|| SCSY draws over 500 collegiate delegates every October to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
's historic campus for a four-day, vibrant simulation of international diplomacy. Yale International Relations Association
Yale International Relations Association
The Yale International Relations Association, Inc. is a registered, 501 non-profit student organization at Yale University. Founded in 1969 by a group of individuals who wanted to promote a better understanding of global affairs after the events of the turbulent 1960's, YIRA's mission is to...
sponsors SCSY to provide delegates the unique opportunity to contribute to and shape debate during intense, real-time crises in small 30 delegate committees. Past committees have included The War of the Roses and MI6:Secret Intelligence Service.
|-
| Southwest Florida Model United Nations || Fort Myers, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
|| 1994 || Sponsored by the Naples Council on World Affairs and held every March in conjunction with Florida Gulf Coast University, the two day conference is attended by 300+ delegates from high schools (public and private) in the five southwest Florida counties. It is one of the few conferences offering college scholarship awards to top delegates.
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| Students' League of Nations (SLN) || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1953 || SLN a Model General Assembly and the only such conference to take place entirely within the premises of the United Nations. It is held annually at the Palais des Nations
Palais des Nations
The Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, was built between 1929 and 1936 to serve as the headquarters of the League of Nations. It has served as the home of the United Nations Office at Geneva since 1946 when the Secretary General of the UN signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Swiss...
in Geneva
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| The Hague International Model United Nations || The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1968 || Attracts around 4,500 delegates. Held annually at the World Forum in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
; holds roster consultative status with UN ECOSOC. THIMUN is the largest MUN conference in the world.
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| UNA-USA Middle School Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. UNA-USA Middle School Model UN Conference is the largest and most diverse Model UN conference dedicated solely to Middle School students.
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| UNA-USA Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1999 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, as well as Saturday committee sessions in the UNHQ's various meeting rooms. The conference traditionally hosts 2,400 students from New York City public high schools, various High Schools in the Northeastern US, and numerous schools from around the world.
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| UNIS-UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1976 || Sponsored by the United Nations International School
United Nations International School
The United Nations International School is a private international school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 by families who worked for or were associated with the United Nations. The school was founded to provide an international education, while preserving its students' diverse cultural...
. Held annually in the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
Hall of the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
|-
| National Collegiate Security Conference || Washington DC || 1972
|| NCSC attracts over 500 college participants. Since 1972, NCSC has served as a dynamic forum for detailed debate on the world’s most serious crises. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
|-
| Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN) || Vienna
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
|| 1995 || Hosted and annually held at the United Nations Office at Vienna
United Nations Office at Vienna
The United Nations Office in Vienna is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Vienna, the capital of Austria, and is part of the Vienna International Centre, a cluster of several major international...
throughout the whole conference. 250 Delegates from 40 different Nations.
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| Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC) || Washington DC || 1999
|| WAMUNC, the annual high school conference hosted by the George Washington International Affairs Society (GWIAS) attracts close to 1,000 delegates each spring. In addition to the typical GA, ECOSOC, regional and historical committees, WAMUNC is one of the few conferences that regularly features joint crisis committees with three or more committees.
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| York Model United Nations (YMUN) ||Toronto, Canada || 1996 || Hosted annually as an international university level conference. The only MUN ever permitted into Queen's Park
Queen's Park
There are a number of places in the world called Queen's Park or Queens Park.- Australia :* Queens Park, New South Wales, suburb* Queens Park, Victoria ** Queens Park, Newtown, Victoria Queen's Park Golf Course...
, Ontario's legislative building.
|-}Ghana Model United Nations (GHAMUN)||Accra, Ghana ||2003||Hosted annually as an international high school level conference. The largest, most prominent conference in West Africa.
|-
| Vancvouer Youth Model United Nations (VYMUN) ||Vancouver, Canada || 2003|| The annual Vancouver Youth Model United Nations (Grade 7~10) held at the Graville Island Hotel
Granville Island
Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located in False Creek directly across from Downtown Vancouver's peninsula, under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge....
is a Model United Nations for both beginners and veterans.
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| European Model United Nations(EuroMUN) ||Maastricht
Maastricht
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border and near the German border...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 2008|| It takes place in May each year in the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC). EuroMUN has grown to be the second largest MUN on an university level in Europe. The conference is organized and hosted by UNSA Maastricht. In 2011, EuroMUN had 542 participants from over 50 countries and 110 universities and other tertiary educational institutions.
|-
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.
The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of an organ (committee) of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. More recently, simulation of other deliberative bodies
Deliberative assembly
A deliberative assembly is an organization comprising members who use parliamentary procedure to make decisions. In a speech to the electorate at Bristol in 1774, Edmund Burke described the English Parliament as a "deliberative assembly," and the expression became the basic term for a body of...
, such as the United States National Security Council, has been included in Model United Nations, even if they are completely unrelated to the UN or international affairs as a whole.
Simulations
Most Model UNs are simulations of a body in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
system, such as:
- The General AssemblyUnited Nations General AssemblyFor two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
in both plenary form and within its functional committees - Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Economic and Social CouncilThe Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
and its specialized councils and agencies - Security CouncilUnited Nations Security CouncilThe United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
- International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
- United Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's FundUnited Nations Children's Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II...
- United Nations Environment ProgrammeUnited Nations Environment ProgrammeThe United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
- United Nations Development ProgrammeUnited Nations Development ProgrammeThe United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Human Rights Council
- International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
- Disarmament Committee
- United Nations High Commission for Refugees
- World Food Program
- World Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
- World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
Many conferences simulate other IGOs including:
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- African UnionAfrican UnionThe African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
- Organization of American StatesOrganization of American StatesThe Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO
- Arab LeagueArab LeagueThe Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- South Asian Association For Regional Co-Operation
- Association of South East Asian Nations
- International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy AgencyThe International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
are often role played, with delegates role-playing specific people (e.g. the Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
or the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
) rather than representing countries. This may be taken one step further, having the delegate represent merely the interests of his or her office, or role-play a specific holder of the office (e.g. Hillary Clinton). Such committees are typically "crisis committees;" that is to say, they do not begin with a fixed topic but rather are forced to deal with issues as they come up. A team of conference organizers (known as a crisis staff) develops a simulated event which acts as a catalyst for a crisis. The staff continually inform the committees of changing events on the ground, to which the committee must respond; in addition, individual delegates are typically allowed to take certain actions on their own, without committee approval, subject to the interpretation and agreement of the crisis staff. However, the correspondence between single-country and crisis committees are not perfect; for instance, the UN Security Council and some NATO bodies are typically run as crisis committees, and some national cabinets are fixed-topic committees.
More unusual committees abound at the collegiate level; for instance, a college conference may simulate the Greco-Persian Wars
Greco-Persian Wars
The Greco-Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire of Persia and city-states of the Hellenic world that started in 499 BC and lasted until 449 BC. The collision between the fractious political world of the Greeks and the enormous empire of the Persians began when Cyrus...
via a committee of the Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
poleis
Polis
Polis , plural poleis , literally means city in Greek. It could also mean citizenship and body of citizens. In modern historiography "polis" is normally used to indicate the ancient Greek city-states, like Classical Athens and its contemporaries, so polis is often translated as "city-state."The...
, have a committee simulating the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's annual owners meeting, as held at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
MUN in 2009, or even have a committee simulating President David Palmer
David Palmer (24 character)
David Palmer, J.D. is a fictional President of the United States played by Dennis Haysbert as part of the television series 24. Palmer served as the show's second-most prominent protagonist, after Jack Bauer. Throughout the series, Palmer's ex-wife Sherry and brother Wayne are both key figures in...
's cabinet from the TV show 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, simulated by the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
Model UN Conference in 2007.
Many conferences also run crisis simulations in which hypothetical real world factors are included in the simulation, including representatives from various groups such as member states thattopics for a crisis which can span all the committees of the conference.
Model UNs are often run using basic parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
. This allows all delegates to be active participants. Common activities in MUN involve giving speeches to the committee and writing resolutions concerning a given topic. Additionally, at the end of longer conferences, awards are commonly given to either individual delegates, delegations, or both. The judging of this varies. For example, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
conferences on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, such as BMUN, give delegates points for every action they perform, which are added. At the end of the conference, awards are given to the highest point scorer. On the other hand, conferences on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
such as the Harvard National Model United Nations, delegates are judged in a more holistic manner, but perhaps to the detriment of objectivity and transparency. Giving awards is less common at smaller conferences. In addition, many larger conferences do not give awards at all, feeling that competition detracts from the simulation experience. Model U.N Conferences are also held in countries like India where the scope and participation has expanded.
Participants
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
, conference, or class. A class can be a full semester class called "Model United Nations" or just one class period devoted to a short simulation; secondary schools may often incorporate the club of Model United Nations with the class of AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP Comparative Government and Politics
Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics is an examination given by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
. Meanwhile, a conference is a school-wide, local, regional or international gathering of Model United Nations students who come together over a period between one and five days. There are various formats which are followed in Model United Nations Conferences and the most widely used model was developed by Shivish Soni and has been adopted by various conferences all over the world.
An example of a one-day conference is a “scrimmage,” as created by Brian Ripley, Neal Carter and Andrea Grove. The key benefit of a one-day conference is the savings on lodging expenses “since it allows teams to travel to the host university without the need to pay for a hotel.”
In the early days of Model United Nations, participants were mostly students at select colleges in the United States of America. Today, Model United Nations has greatly matured and expanded. It is now practiced all over the world in classes, clubs, and conferences. Model United Nation participants are elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Recently even university alumni and professionals have taken part. Participants come from public and private schools and universities, and they live in city, suburban and rural areas.
Over 90,000 students take part in Model United Nations Conferences in the United States. The United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
(UNA-USA) has the most comprehensive calendar of Model United Nations conferences: the 2003-2004 edition lists 400+ conferences in 48 countries.
Some simulations are small, including members of only a single class. For example, 20 students can do a one-hour simulation of the (15-member) United Nations Security Council in their classroom. Other simulations can be very large, involving many committees and taking place over the span of several days. The majority of conferences generally involve anywhere from 50 to several hundred delegates, with most students living around that one region. The largest conferences can have thousands of participants from many different countries. Each simulation and conference varies greatly in number of participants and their involvement.
The concept of Model United Nations has grown substantially all across the world, with various third-world and traditionally non-English speaking nations joining in. One example of this is Pakistan where a number of universities have a Model UN program.
The Dominican Republic is the only country to have incorporated the concept of Model UN into its official high-school curriculum. This is in large part due to the efforts of the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic, which has harbored substantial support from the government despite being completely apolitical.
Position papers
A position paperPosition paper
A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion about an issue, typically that of the author or another specified entity; such as a political party. Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains....
(sometimes known as a Policy Statement) is an essay that is written by participants of some models. It describes the detailed position of a certain country on a topic or issue that the writer will debate in his or her committee. Position papers are not always required, but certain conferences mandate that each delegate send his own before the opening. It is also known as the (Foreign) Policy Statement or (F)PS.
Format
Conferences have different format and styles for position papers. Nevertheless, UNA-USA established a format that has been adopted widely throughout the Model UN community. However, in Latin America the alternative TINK format, developed by of Argentina, is used. in Either way, most position papers consist of a heading with committee, topic, country and delegate information and body which explains in detail the position of the author's country.The position paper usually includes several pages outlining:
- Background of the Topic
- UN Involvement
- Your Country's Positions
- Possible Solution
Purpose
Position papers should explain an issue from their country's point of view. It is also good practice that they include statistics about the issue that would support the cause they defend. The paper would also try to convince the other countries of the committee to their view of the issue. It would have ways to solve the situation.Many conferences require delegates to submit a copy of their position paper, as a means to ensure that the delegates research important topics and construct strong and well-informed positions on those subjects, yet presentation is still a valuable component.
History
Model and civic simulation education are older than the United Nations. Records indicate that as early as the 1920s students in the United States of America were participating in collegiate simulations of the League of NationsLeague of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
, the predecessor to the United Nations. The modern day National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) both began as simulations of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
in the 1920s. Though Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN), having been founded in 1955, often claims to be the world's oldest continuous College Model UN conference, the oldest continuous Collegiate Model UN conference is actually Model United Nations of the Far West, running annually since April 1951. The world's oldest continuous High School Model UN conferences are the Indianapolis Model United Nations and the Berkeley Model United Nations, both founded in 1952. The National Model United Nations is one of the world's largest conferences with over 5,000 participants and is most unique with a part of the conference held at the United Nations in New York City. While National Model UN hosts opening ceremonies at the UN, UNA-USA is the only organization to host actual sessions in UN committee rooms. UNA-USA As the League of Nations was dismantled and the United Nations was born in 1945, simulations of the League of Nations were transformed into Model United Nations. Some conferences still perform historical simulations, however, including League of Nations crisis situations. These simulations now have grown to over 3000 and 2000 annual participants. The largest conference to date is THIMUN, attracting over 4,200 participants each year. Vibgyor High School, Mumbai is the host school for the Model United Nations Conference 2011.
Model UN Conferences
Several Model UN conferences have been established in North America as well as worldwide. Well known MUNs in North America include NHSMUN (http://imuna.org/nhsmun/conference), as well as Vancouver Model United Nations, the largest Model UN conference in Western Canada. Both MUNs as well as several others are well established and accept delegates worldwide.Additionally, the National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
Conference held in New York City is the most revered conference for the Organization. During this conference, delegates in the General Assembly Plenary committees vote on their legislation inside the UN Headquarters in New York, which is intended to give conference participants a real-life feel for how policies are voted on within the United Nations system.
In Europe there are many MUN conferences organized at different level. One of the biggest ones (in terms of participants) is the Rome Model United Nations, held each March in Rome for college-level students (www.romemun.org)
Languages
While simulations are conducted in many different languages, there are six official languages of the UN. Generally, a simulation is conducted in the most spoken language or languages of the area in which the conference is being held.Support
Model UN is supported by many organizations, private groups, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations and national governments. United Nations Associations around the world and its international organization the World Federation of United Nations AssociationsWorld Federation of United Nations Associations
The World Federation of United Nations Associations was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples". Today it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations in over 100 member states of the United Nations...
(WFUNA) have supported MUNs for decades. WFUNA organized the first collegiate MUN in China and works with MUNs all over the world. In the USA the main support is given by UNA-USA's Global Classrooms program. Global Classrooms offers professional development workshops for educators and four curricula on peacekeeping, human rights, sustainable development, and the Economics of Globalization. UNA-Dominican Republic introduced MUN to the DR and now it is a part of the national education curriculum. In Europe the main support is from THIMUN, which has affiliate conferences throughout Europe and around the world. MUN International has just created a new global membership association to help "expand and increase MUN activities", the MUN International Network and has aided conferences in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the US. Rotary International chapters around the world support many MUNs, e.g. the first international MUN in Hong Kong was organized and funded by three local Rotary Chapters.
Many intergovernmental organizations also support MUN activities. The EU published a policy paper just for MUN participants. The OAS actually oversaw the earliest Model OAS conferences. NATO often provides speakers and experts to Model NATO conferences. The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) supports Model United Nations in four key ways:
- the Model United Nations Discussion Area on the United Nations Cyber School Bus
- the Public Inquiries Section in New York
- the United Nations of the United Nations conferences to use its rooms for committee space.
The CyberSchoolBus is the on-line education program created by the United Nations. It features a Model United Nations Discussion Area and a list of Model United Nations Experts who answer inquiries as well as excellent research tools for country research. UNA-USA offers an online guide to the UN CyberSchoolBus.
The Public Inquiries Section at UNHQ assists by helping Model United Nations groups to find speakers and it arranges briefings in its New York offices. UNICs in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
have been extremely involved in Model United Nations activities helping with research, Model United Nations support, and sometimes with facilities. United Nations offices in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
; Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
; Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
also support Model United Nations and serve as hosts for at least one conference each year.
The Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
has been involved from the very beginning in the support to international civic simulations. North Atlantic Treaty Organization annually supports the Model NATO conference in Washington, DC, USA, with speakers, consultations and advisers. Other IGOs provide research assistance to simulations, conferences and students. Additionally, many UN Missions and Embassies support Model United Nations activities. Many mission and embassy websites have recently added sections created specifically for Model United Nations. Embassies and Consulates will often invite groups to discuss country positions or send a speaker out to speak to Model United Nations clubs, classes, or conferences. The overall support of simulation education activities by the international community is increasing rapidly every year.
Additionally, national governments support or sponsor MUN programs. The US Department of State has been working in Washington, DC public schools for over 15 years as well as providing speakers to MUN conferences around the world. In the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
MUN is part of the national education curriculum. Embassies and UN Missions around the world have been providing consultation, speakers, research documents for over 40 years. Many have even reviewed student's MUN resolutions for policy accuracy.
Model UN Resources
{| class="wikitable"|-
! Conference !! Location !! Founded !! Details
|-
| Prague Student Summit (PSS) || Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
|| 1995 || Organized by the Association for International Affairs in Prague, the project comprises Model UN, Model NATO and Model EU. Five preparatory workshops take place on five weekends from October to February and the final four-day long conference takes place at the University of Economics, Prague
University of Economics, Prague
The University of Economics, Prague, is a public university located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the largest university in the field of economics, business and information technologies in the Czech Republic with almost 20,000 students in its bachelor, masters and doctoral programmes.-Schools...
, in March. Over 400 secondary school and college students participate in the project annually. The PSS aims at being one of the most professional and authentic models of the institutions it simulates in the world as it has close ties with professionals from the UN Office in Geneva and Vienna. Participants are chosen on the basis of merit.
|-
| Model United Nations of the University of Chicago || Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
|| 1988 ||The slogan for Model United Nations is PTFO Now in its 23nd year, the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC), staffed entirely by students and alumni from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, is one of the largest high school conferences in the country (attracting 2,500+ national & international students annually) and is widely considered among the most prestigious. Since its founding in 1988, MUNUC's purpose has been to educate high school students in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking; introduce high school students to the complex realities of international relations; and demonstrate the potential of the United Nations in resolving international problems while revealing its limitations.
|-
| Model United Nations of the Russian Far East || Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located some from the Chinese border. It is the second largest city in the Russian Far East, after Vladivostok. The city became the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia...
, Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk
Blagoveshchensk is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. Population: -Early history of the region:The early residents of both sides of the Amur in the region of today's Blagoveshchensk were the Daurs and Duchers...
) || 2000 || Model United Nations of the Russian Far East is a non-governmental organization dealing with leadership development and annually organizing International Model UN Conferences and other, both local and international, events. MUNRFE mission: "We build institutions which equip students to: discuss societal problems through open forum debates, launch initiatives, which benefit broader community share knowledge, skills and best practices."
|-
| Berkeley Model United Nations || University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
|| 1952 || One of the first two high-school-level conferences to simulate the United Nations in the United States. Run by UC Berkeley undergraduate students.
|-
| Fazlani L'Academie Globale Model United Nations (FLAGMUN) || Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2007 || Hosted and annually held at the Fazlani L'Academie Globale. 180 Delegates from 20 different schools and colleges throughout the world.
|-
| Geneva International Model United Nations || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1998 || Held annually at the Palais des Nations. Guaranteed access to all UN offices and allowed to report to the UN Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
upon being granted Special Consultative Status.
|-
| George Watson's College Model United Nations || Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
|| 2007 || Held annually in March at George Watson's College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
, the largest independent school in the UK. With over 600 delegates, it has become one of the main conferences on the European high-school circuit and in recent years has attracted students from Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Canada, France, Portugal, Turkey and Iran.
|-
| Ghana Model United Nations ||Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana || 2004 || It is the largest and most prominent high school MUN in West Africa, held annually at the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping and Training Centre
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Based in Ghana, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre provides training and research in peacekeeping and peaceoperations. Established in 1998, it formally began operations in 2002...
and hosted by Lincoln Community School. High school students from Europe, Africa and Asia have come together in stimulating debates on global issues.
|-
| Global Model United Nations (GMUN) || New International City Each Year (Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
in 2010) || 2009 || GMUN is the only Model United Nations conference run by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
itself. The 2009 inaugural conference, held at the UN European Headquarters
United Nations Office at Geneva
The United Nations Office at Geneva is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations...
in Geneva, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
included over 600 university students selected from across the globe. Conference sessions often have translators so students can debate in their native languages. GMUN offers some of the most access to the UN diplomatic corps.
|-
| Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) || Boston, MA || 1954 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduates, HMUN is held annually in January at the Sheraton Boston. The conference draws over 2600 high school students from across the United States and around the world. HMUN is known for its realistic simulations of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council and for its complex and innovative crisis committees.
|-
| Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) || Boston, MA || 1955 || Sponsored by the Harvard International Relations Council
Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of International Relations. It is composed as several semi-independent but centrally funded programs, which each promote awareness of international relations in different ways...
and run entirely by Harvard undergraduate students, HNMUN is one of the largest, oldest, and most prestigious conferences of its kind. Held annually in February at the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, HMUN draws over 3000 university students from nearly 40 different nations. HNMUN hosts 27 committees within the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Specialized Agencies.
|-
| World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) || New International City Each Year (Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 2011) || 1991 || Sponsored by the Harvard & A Local Host Team (National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
in 2011). Hosted at a convention center at a new host city each year. The conference traditionally hosts 2,000 college and graduate students from around the world, and has been dubbed the "Olympics of Model United Nations" for its international diversity, high emphasis on social & cultural activities for delegates, and itinerant location.
|-
| Bremen International Model United Nations (BRIMUN) || Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
|| 2006 || It is organised by Jacobs University Bremen, held annually at the Jacobs University Bremen Campus, BRIMUN. It is one the biggest MUNs in Germany and one of the largest youth conferences in Europe. The sixth edition of BRIMUN, to be held from April 17–21, 2011 will be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the region. BRIMUN
|-
|SLMUN,Colombo,Sri Lanka||Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
||2008|| The biggest high-school conference in South- East Asia with over 1200 delegates as of 2011. Delegates participate from all parts of Sri Lanka, including from schools in the country's north, south and east. For the past few years it has been won by Colombo International School with Lyceum International School Nugegoda a close second while Gateway College Colombo has been in third.
|-
| NITMUN, Durgapur, India || Durgapur, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2011 || It is organised by Literary Circle of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
The National Institute of Technology, Durgapur , formerly the Regional Engineering College , Durgapur, was established under an Act of the Parliament of India in 1960 as one of the eight RECs...
, is held at Institute Seminar Halls. NITMUN is one the biggest MUNs to be organised in eastern India and one of the largest MUN conferences of India. This Model United Nations conference hosts hudreds of high school, college and graduate students from around the nation, including colleges like IITs, IIMs, NITs, XLRI Jamshedpur, Lady Shriram College, Delhi,Delhi University, KIIT Bhubaneswar, SRM University, Chennai, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Rajiv Gandhi Law College, Periyar University, Amity University amongst other top colleges . The second edition of NITMUN, to be held from September 17–18, 2011 promises to be one of the biggest and the most awaited youth conferences in the nation. It will be simulating the operations of 4 United Nation Councils - General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC & Human Rights Council. This is the only MUN which has no registration fee for its delegates, despite its high stature and popularity. The motto of the organisers is to create an awareness of global dyanamics amongst the youth, and strive towards solutions that will lead to a violence-free world.
|-
| BITSMUN, Pilani, India || Pilani
Pilani
Pilani is a small town situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It is in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. It notable for being the home of a large number of education institutes for its size.-Etymology:...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
|| 2008 || It is organised by BITSMUN Society, held annually at BITS Pilani, Pilani & Hyderabad Campuses simultaneously, BITSMUN is one the biggest MUNs in India and one of the largest youth conferences of Asia. The third edition of BITSMUN, to be held from February 4–7, 2011 was the biggest youth conferences in the subcontinent.With the prize money over INR 3,50,000 (over USD 7500), BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus along with BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus is well on track for another successful event.
|-
| Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations
Haarlem Model United Nations is an annual Model United Nations conference hosted by the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem, the Latin school of Haarlem in the Netherlands. HMUN was founded in 1998 and was an initiative of the students of the Latin School. The MUN is held in the monumental building of...
HMUN|| Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1998 || HMUN is a high school MUN, organized by the students of the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem
The Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem or the Latin School of Haarlem is an elite secondary school in Haarlem, The Netherlands. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious and academically rigorous schools in The Netherlands. The school was founded in 1389 and is therefore one of the oldest schools in...
, Latin School of Haarlem. HMUN is a THIMUN The Hague International Model United Nations affiliated conference. 2012 will be the 15th annual session of HMUN. The MUN is located in the monumental building of the Latin School of Haarlem in the old city center of Haarlem. As an international conference HMUN welcomes students from all over the world every year. Official website of the Haarlem Model United Nations
|-
| Havana Model United Nations HAVMUN|| Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
|| 1996 || Havana Model United Nations, HAVMUN is organized by the UNA Cuba, the University of Havana, the Union of Jurists of Cuba, the Caribbean Human Development Foundation and the Federation of University Students. Is also supported by the UN Sistem in Cuba. HAVMUN is staffed entirely by students of the University of Havana, and is the oldest and largest MUN in Cuba. http://www.acnu.org.cu
|-
| Ivy League Model United Nations Conference ILMUNC
ILMUNC
The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, or ILMUNC, is one of the largest Model UN conferences for high school students worldwide. It is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania's International Affairs Association. Penn's ILMUNC High School Conference, along with the conferences hosted by...
|| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
|| 1984|| Attracts around 2,000 delegates gathering for four days in the heart of Philadelphia. Run by University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
undergraduate students. Continuing its Franklin Legacy program, ILMUNC XXV is partnering with the World Food Programme
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
's Fill the Cup
Fill the Cup
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian aid agency. In 2009, WFP plans to feed over 100 million people in 77 of the world’s poorest countries. The ‘Fill the Cup’ campaign aims to use the symbol of the Red Cup to raise awareness of global hunger, specifically...
Initiative to provide meals to hungry children. Hosted by the International Affairs Association.
|-
| Kenya Model United Nations (KenyaMUN) || Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
|| 2001 || KenyaMUN is the benchmark of Model United Nations conferences in Africa. The conferences, held annually at the UN Headquarters
United Nations Office at Nairobi
The United Nations Office at Nairobi is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Nairobi, Kenya...
in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
have attracted much attention from other Model UN participants who have attended joint conferences with members of the Kenya Model United Nations the world over. KenyaMUN closely works with middle-level Moel UNs in the country, namely Middle School Model United Nations and East Africa Model United Nations.
|-
| Robert College International Model United Nations (RCIMUN) || Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
|| 2007|| Attracting around 750 high-school students every year, RCIMUN is a THIMUN-affiliated conference, notable for being the largest, and the second-best Model UN conference in Turkey after Turkish International Model United Nations
Turkish International Model United Nations
The Uskudar American Academy Model United Nations programme was first established in 1991 by Ms. Marie Gummersheimer. At that time, it was part of the English department curriculum but later became a club....
and one of the most prestigious conferences in Europe.
|-
| London International Model United Nations (LIMUN) || London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
|| 1999|| LIMUN is the largest annual university-based Model United Nations conference in Europe. It attracts around 800 delegates.
|-
| Montessori Model UN (MMUN) || New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005|| Attracts more than 1000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference which is held at the United Nations. Plus Regional and International Conferences; partnership conferences not limited to Montessori students. exclusively and includes social action projects. Based on a collaboration model as opposed to the standard competition model. Attracts more than 1,000 student delegates, teachers and parents from around the world at its annual conference held at the United Nations Headquarters with UN Ambassadors participating.
|-
| National High School Model United Nations || New York, New York || 1973 || Attracts over 2,600 participants. Run by a staff of 80-100 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, this conference hosts its opening and closing ceremonies in United Nations Headquarters. Its sponsoring entity, the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA) is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO).
|-
| Model United Nations of Lübeck (MUNOL) || Lübeck, Germany || 1998 || MUNOL is an annual conference organised by students of the Thomas-Mann-Schule Lübeck. This year's, 15th MUNOL conference, will be held from the 23rd to the 28th April. With 6 committees and 5 other forums, more than 350 delegates from 10 countries MUNOL is a small conference on an advanced level.
|-
| Regional High School Model United Nations || San Francisco, CA || 1998 || Started in 1998 as the sister conference of NHSMUN, run by the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA). Run by a staff of 30-40 undergraduate students from around the world. This conference used to be held in Salt Lake City, and will be moving to San Francisco, CA in December 2011.
|-
| National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is an international, college-level Model United Nations conference run by the National Collegiate Conference Association, a small non-profit based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA...
|| New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1923
|| Founded as a simulation of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
; adopted current form in 1946 after the founding of the United Nations. Opening Ceremony and Closing Session take place in the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
. While traditionally it is held in New York, three conferences took place out of United States: 2008 in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, 2010 in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and 2010 at Palacký University in Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
, the Czech Republic.
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| North American Invitational Model United Nations
North American Invitational Model United Nations
The North American Invitational Model United Nations, or NAIMUN, is one of the oldest Model UN simulations for high school students in North America. Since 1963, the conference has been a forum in which a dynamic range of young students come from around the world to seek, through discussion,...
|| Washington DC, Washington DC || 1963
|| NAIMUN attracts over 2800 high school participants. Traditionally held at the Hilton hotel in Washington DC in the month of February. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
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| Oxford International Model United Nations(OxIMUN) || Oxford, United Kingdom|| 2003 || This conference has a reputation for a high quality of debate. Over 500 students from around the world attend the programme, which is held over a weekend in Oxford, with debate usually taking place in various rooms spread across the University. There is also an active social programme.
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| Rutgers Model United Nations (RUMUN) || New Brunswick, NJ || 1992 || Sponsored by the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs, this conference traditionally hosts 1,000 high school students from around the world, and has been recognized for its emphasis on education. By taking a class at Rutgers University to prepare for their committees and write their topic briefs, RUMUN staff members are some of the most well-prepared committee directors of any conference. The staff's focus on encouraging participation, developing relevant skills, and building conceptual understanding is as evident as their focus on parliamentary procedure and debate moderation. This conference is also unique in that it focuses on a different theme each year.
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| Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC) || New Jersey, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
|| 2001
|| PMUNC attracts over 1000 students, is run by Princeton students, and Is held annually at the Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey
|-
| Sciences Po Paris - Euro-american campus of Reims || Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
|| 2012
|| The MUN of the euro-american campus of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
The Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
, also known as Sciences Po, will take place in Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
, traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France.
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| Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY) || New Haven, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
|| 1977
|| SCSY draws over 500 collegiate delegates every October to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
's historic campus for a four-day, vibrant simulation of international diplomacy. Yale International Relations Association
Yale International Relations Association
The Yale International Relations Association, Inc. is a registered, 501 non-profit student organization at Yale University. Founded in 1969 by a group of individuals who wanted to promote a better understanding of global affairs after the events of the turbulent 1960's, YIRA's mission is to...
sponsors SCSY to provide delegates the unique opportunity to contribute to and shape debate during intense, real-time crises in small 30 delegate committees. Past committees have included The War of the Roses and MI6:Secret Intelligence Service.
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| Southwest Florida Model United Nations || Fort Myers, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
|| 1994 || Sponsored by the Naples Council on World Affairs and held every March in conjunction with Florida Gulf Coast University, the two day conference is attended by 300+ delegates from high schools (public and private) in the five southwest Florida counties. It is one of the few conferences offering college scholarship awards to top delegates.
|-
| Students' League of Nations (SLN) || Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|| 1953 || SLN a Model General Assembly and the only such conference to take place entirely within the premises of the United Nations. It is held annually at the Palais des Nations
Palais des Nations
The Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, was built between 1929 and 1936 to serve as the headquarters of the League of Nations. It has served as the home of the United Nations Office at Geneva since 1946 when the Secretary General of the UN signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Swiss...
in Geneva
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| The Hague International Model United Nations || The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 1968 || Attracts around 4,500 delegates. Held annually at the World Forum in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
; holds roster consultative status with UN ECOSOC. THIMUN is the largest MUN conference in the world.
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| UNA-USA Middle School Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 2005 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. UNA-USA Middle School Model UN Conference is the largest and most diverse Model UN conference dedicated solely to Middle School students.
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| UNA-USA Model UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1999 || Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
, with opening and closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, as well as Saturday committee sessions in the UNHQ's various meeting rooms. The conference traditionally hosts 2,400 students from New York City public high schools, various High Schools in the Northeastern US, and numerous schools from around the world.
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| UNIS-UN || New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
|| 1976 || Sponsored by the United Nations International School
United Nations International School
The United Nations International School is a private international school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 by families who worked for or were associated with the United Nations. The school was founded to provide an international education, while preserving its students' diverse cultural...
. Held annually in the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
Hall of the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
|-
| National Collegiate Security Conference || Washington DC || 1972
|| NCSC attracts over 500 college participants. Since 1972, NCSC has served as a dynamic forum for detailed debate on the world’s most serious crises. Sponsored by the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA). Run by students from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
|-
| Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN) || Vienna
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
|| 1995 || Hosted and annually held at the United Nations Office at Vienna
United Nations Office at Vienna
The United Nations Office in Vienna is one of the four major UN office sites where several different UN agencies have a joint presence. The office complex is located in Vienna, the capital of Austria, and is part of the Vienna International Centre, a cluster of several major international...
throughout the whole conference. 250 Delegates from 40 different Nations.
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| Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC) || Washington DC || 1999
|| WAMUNC, the annual high school conference hosted by the George Washington International Affairs Society (GWIAS) attracts close to 1,000 delegates each spring. In addition to the typical GA, ECOSOC, regional and historical committees, WAMUNC is one of the few conferences that regularly features joint crisis committees with three or more committees.
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| York Model United Nations (YMUN) ||Toronto, Canada || 1996 || Hosted annually as an international university level conference. The only MUN ever permitted into Queen's Park
Queen's Park
There are a number of places in the world called Queen's Park or Queens Park.- Australia :* Queens Park, New South Wales, suburb* Queens Park, Victoria ** Queens Park, Newtown, Victoria Queen's Park Golf Course...
, Ontario's legislative building.
|-}Ghana Model United Nations (GHAMUN)||Accra, Ghana ||2003||Hosted annually as an international high school level conference. The largest, most prominent conference in West Africa.
|-
| Vancvouer Youth Model United Nations (VYMUN) ||Vancouver, Canada || 2003|| The annual Vancouver Youth Model United Nations (Grade 7~10) held at the Graville Island Hotel
Granville Island
Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located in False Creek directly across from Downtown Vancouver's peninsula, under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge....
is a Model United Nations for both beginners and veterans.
|-
| European Model United Nations(EuroMUN) ||Maastricht
Maastricht
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse river in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border and near the German border...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
|| 2008|| It takes place in May each year in the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC). EuroMUN has grown to be the second largest MUN on an university level in Europe. The conference is organized and hosted by UNSA Maastricht. In 2011, EuroMUN had 542 participants from over 50 countries and 110 universities and other tertiary educational institutions.
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See also
- Global civicsGlobal civicsGlobal civics suggests to understand civics in a global sense as a social contract between the world citizens in the age of interdependence and interaction...
- Model CongressModel CongressModel Congress gives students a chance to engage in a role-playing simulation of the United States Congress. Such events are hosted by the Congress itself, Rutgers University, American International College, Columbia University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, The...
- Mock TrialMock trialA Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
- Model Crime InvestigationsModel Crime InvestigationsStarted in 2008, Model Crime Investigations is a student-associated international conference. Model Crime Investigations usually holds in South Korea annually so it is usually known as KMCI. MCI is an extracurricular activity where students gather to learn how a criminal justice and police...
- Model Arab LeagueModel Arab Leagueis a multi-regional model competition in which high school and university students from across the world learn about and compete as representatives from Member States of the Arab League. Participants are encouraged to use the experience to hone their skills in public speaking and diplomacy, in...
External links
- United Nations Cyberschoolbus
- Model UN General Information, World Federation of United Nations AssociationsWorld Federation of United Nations AssociationsThe World Federation of United Nations Associations was created in 1946, inspired by the opening words of the United Nations Charter "We the Peoples". Today it is a global network of people linked together through United Nations Associations in over 100 member states of the United Nations...
- United Nations Association of the USA - Model UN
- The MUN Manifesto Guide to Model United Nations
- Model United National Research from UCB Libraries GovPubs
- Model UN Conference Directory from MUNWorld