What is Model UN?

Introduction:

Model United Nations (better known as Model UN or just MUN) is one of those activities that sounds super intimidating and serious at first. It has the word United Nations in it, people wear blazers, and there are formal terms like “yield to the chair” or “point of inquiry.” But once you get past the fancy terminology, you’ll realize that MUN is basically a roleplay game for high schoolers acting as fancy world-changers. As a matter of fact, it’s  fun, challenging, and it just might even be the most underrated things you do in high school!

I’m part of my school’s Model UN team and I absolutely love it. We go to conferences, we prepare for our own conference, and I have an amazing group of friends that make the whole process so much fun. In this blog post, I’ll be talking about what Model UN is because it turns out that a lot of people don’t actually know what it is!!

But What Even Is Model UN?

Model UN is basically a simulation of the United Nations, where students take on the roles of country delegates and debate real-world issues. These issues are a variety of things spanning a variety of topics, including things like nuclear disarmament, refugee crises, climate change, or even historical conflicts that we act as if they were happening in the present. Each student represents a country and is expected to advocate for that country’s stance during debates, propose solutions, and work with others to draft a resolution.

Now delegates don’t always represent countries, sometimes they represent people/characters too! These are usually special committees called a “Crisis Committee”. These committees are a lot more exciting and fast-paced because they usually model movies or other exciting stories and they are filled with plot twists and exciting events! Crisis committees are usually for intermediate-advanced level delegates because it’s so fast-paced. 

Regardless of what committee you’re in, you’ll research, write, negotiate, make alliances, and maybe even start drama!!

The MUN Experience: What Happens at a Conference

A typical MUN conference is honestly a crazy experience. It usually spans one to three days and involves opening ceremonies, multiple committee sessions, and resolution writing. Committees can be based on anything from the UN Human Rights Council to a crisis simulation of the Cold War. Some are super formal and structured, while others are fast-paced and dramatic. 

Basically, you start by giving an opening speech, then launch into moderated and unmoderated caucuses. A moderated caucus is basically a super structured discussion while an unmoderated caucus is a very free and open discussion where delegates can get out of their seats and talk with others about the issue at hand. You’ll work with other delegates to create a draft resolution (aka a proposed solution to the issue), and by the end, the committee votes on which resolutions pass.

Model UN is also pretty competitive as many conferences give out awards for Best Delegate, Most Diplomatic, and a bunch more. But it’s not just about winning, so make sure to enjoy the whole experience!

Why You Should Join:

You’re already balancing school, sports, and other extracurricular activities, but here are some reasons you might consider joining!

• It builds real skills: Public speaking, teamwork, research, writing, leadership. MUN hits pretty much every checkbox universities (and employers) love.
• You’ll become globally aware: You’ll learn about countries you’ve never thought about, and issues that actually shape people’s lives across the world.
• It looks great on applications: Whether you’re applying to university, scholarships, or summer programs, MUN signals you’re both a thinker and a do-er.
• The community is awesome: You’ll meet students from all over the city who care about the world and want to make an impact. You will also form a super close bond with your own Model UN team from your school (just like I did). 

MUN Is for Everyone

You don’t need to want a career in politics or law to join MUN. Some of the best delegates are future scientists, engineers, business leaders, or artists. If you care about the world, like discussing new ideas, or want to challenge yourself to grow, I can guarantee that you’ll love MUN!

Sources: 1, 2