What is UN4MUN?
Let's start with the obvious. Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations. Therefore, this simulation should be accurate. If you're active in the Model UN community, you must have encountered the question: What is UN4MUN? We're here to clarify that. What is UN4MUN? It is a program introduced by the United Nations Department of Global Communications in 2009 with an intention to bring Model UN simulations closer to how the real UN functions. The term symbolizes accurate simu
United Ambassadors & the Real UN: Track Record in Model UN
How much do you know about the history of UN4MUN? The work of United Ambassadors? Or better yet, the history of Model United Nations? Here is the complete story. In 2009, the United Nations Department of Global Communications discovered discrepancies between the real UN, and how it is simulated worldwide in Model UN conferences. The UN DGC organized three Global Model UN (GMUN) conferences in Geneva (2009), Kuala Lumpur (2010) and Incheon (2011). www.outreach.un.org. Today, U
The Evolution of UN4MUN
If you're active in the Model UN Community, you must have encountered the question: What is UN4MUN? We're here to clarify that. UN4MUN is a program introduced by the United Nations Department of Global Communications in 2009 with an intention to bring Model UN simulations closer to how the real UN functions. The term symbolizes accurate simulations of the UN, ie: Rules of Procedure which accurately reflect the decision-making process of the real UN. The leadership of the prog
The Leadership Difference at UA-MUNC
What makes the United Ambassadors MUN Conference special? Why should you choose it from a wide array of Model UNs in every corner of the globe? The obvious response would be “because it offers the world’s most accurate simulation of the United Nations.” But what does that mean for you? And why should you care? Here's why. Because the world’s most accurate simulation of the UN offered at UA-MUNC enables you to develop the leadership skills needed for success in college, caree
Mastering Model UN Research Skills
Embarking on research assignments for a Model United Nations (MUN) conference can be an incredibly daunting task. Granted, understanding the background, current stance and prospects of a UN Member State is nothing short of complex. Adding the multifaceted global issues delegates find solutions for in MUN to the above mix, it is safe to say that research can inspire a plethora of attitudes on delegates (discouragement and intimidation included). In response to such feelings, w
Mastering Model UN Debate
Ask any delegate about the skills that they would like to improve through Model United Nations (MUN) and, chances are, most would mention “debating skills.” But before we go into detail on how to master the art of debate, let us begin by asking ourselves the following question, what is debating? Debating is the skill developed when two (or more) parties orally engage with each other’s ideas, arguments, and policies on a particular issue, aiming to convince others to favor the
Preparing for Negotiations in the Model UN Committee Room
It is as hard to master the arts of public speaking and debating, as it is to master the subtleties of negotiation. To the mere observer, a Model United Nations (MUN) delegate who excels at public speaking can steal the show, but both chairs and delegates know that it is negotiations where MUN’s most significant challenges lie. In fact, during committee negotiations, even the most experienced MUNers will find it difficult to meet their country’s interests, precisely as planne
Public Speaking - Conquering the Stage Fright Monster
Standing in a committee room cramped with delegates staring at you and somehow your peripheral vision keeps getting narrower, your voice shakes, your palms get sweaty, and your thoughts begin to scatter as you try to remember the exact words of the speech that is supposed to mesmerize the UN’s Secretary-General. It is almost as if you were in an out-of-body experience watching down on yourself from the deepest corners of your worst nightmare. Well, that might be a bit extreme
Press Release - MUN-YA 2017 Day 2 - Committee 3 on Global Citizenship
23 August 2017-The committee commenced its session with an impactful word from Ms. Antje Watermann, UN Academic Impact and Education Outreach Division, at the United Nations’ Department of Public Information, New York. As part of the SDG’s action plan of Fostering Global Citizenship, Ms Antea highlighted the grave importance of Multilingualism in the United Nations and its pivotal role in ensuring global mindedness and policy of inclusion. Additionally, the pivotal role of ed
Secrets to Running Great MUN Sessions
A big number of MUNs around the world follow the simple form of delegates applying, being informed of their respective case, delegation and council/committee, and then the actual conference. This is mostly suitable for delegates with experience prior to the application, whether through previous MUN conferences or through related studies in their respective majors, but what if the delegate applying is neither experienced nor in any way familiar with anything related to the MUN
Using MUN to change the world - by Afolabi Adekaiyaoja
My first MUN experience was in Abuja, Nigeria. There we had to apply to be chosen to represent our school at the conference and most of us were just glad to leave school during the term. During the first session my shoes were torn and I had no way of getting a replacement. I was Uganda in the Food and Agricultural Organisation. I was scared of speaking to other people, let alone in front of the entire conference. We represented a myriad of countries and were a bit confused by
Game ideas to improve your public speaking skills
Model UN is meant to be fun and enriching. Enriching how? Personally, I’ll never get tired of droning on about the way it forces you to open yourself to new realities and new points of view. It’s like a dose of unadulterated empathy straight to the brain. But there are also other more practical benefits. Namely, Model UN, along with debating tournaments, are probably the best way of improving your public speaking skills. There is always a couple of very brave people that go t
The Tireless Work of Amendments
Model United Nations and its bigger, real-life counterpart, the actual United Nations, are worlds that revolve around diplomatic cooperation. The exchange of ideas, the measuring of beliefs, and the notion of compromising. In Model United Nations, (notably: Traditional/ North American Style MUN Conferences), sometimes it goes this way, and other times, everyone is out for their own, trying to pass their document or get on with their own agenda. But not everyone can always win
Taking on specialized committees - for delegates
Model United Nations started as a simulation of the United Nations only. Originally, it included mainly General Assembly Committees and other main organs of the Organization. Over the course of years, and as the needs of the global community expanded, conferences decided to expand their spectrum of committees not only for academic but for marketing reasons as well. And this is how specialized committees came to life. To simplify, I have divided them into actual and fictional
Model UN Possibilities - From MUN to the United Nations
20 years ago, my community preferred to educate boys over girls, because they believed that girls wouldn’t return the investments back to their parents. They believed girls would, at the end of the day, get married and end up being housewives, while boys would work and return back the investment - even if they were married. It took a lot of courage and hard work to prove the opposite in those years. Few educated parents treated their kids equally and took both genders to scho
