Model United Nations

Delegates attending a committee
Delegates attending a Model United Nations committee session in Jakarta, Indonesia
Conference assembly
Conference assembly at the Turkish International Model United Nations in Istanbul, Turkey

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational model of the United Nations used for simulations in which students learn about diplomacy and international relations. At a MUN conference, each student works as the representative of a country, organization, or person, and must solve a problem with other delegates from around the world.[1][2]

MUN focuses on research, public speaking, debating, writing, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.[3][4] While MUN is typically used as an extracurricular activity, some schools also offer it as a class. MUN is intended to develop students' deeper understanding into current world issues and world politics.[5]

Delegates conduct research before conferences: they must formulate position papers, and create policy proposals that they will debate with other delegates in their committee.[1] At the end of a conference, delegates will vote on written policies (called draft resolutions), with the goal of passing them with a majority vote. The best-performing delegates in each committee, as well as delegations, are occasionally recognized with awards.

MUN organizations have conferences that accommodate students, from elementary school, all the way to college or university levels.[6] Most conferences will often cater to just one of these three levels.[7] Delegates usually attend conferences together, as delegations sent by their respective school or university's Model UN clubs, though some delegates attend conferences independently.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Model UN Ultimate Guide - Everything you need to know". MUNprep.org. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ MUNprep (1 August 2021). "MUN first glance - The most important fundamentals". MUNprep. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  3. ^ "What is Model United Nations?". Best Delegate. 4 November 2007.
  4. ^ "What does "Model United Nations" mean?". model-un.de. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Model UN – Courses – Winthrop University". Winthrop University. Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Model United Nations Conferences Database". Best Delegate Model United Nations. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  7. ^ "List of MUN Conferences by High School and College level". mymun.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  8. ^ "The Sudden Rise of Independent Model UN Teams: Homeschool, Community, and Private Travel Teams". Best Delegate. 29 February 2012.