IBEIMUN

Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals





ESPAÑOL | ENGLISH
MUN PROJECT TEAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE INTERNAL STRUCTURE


1- What is a Model United Nations?

 

A Model United Nations is a simulation of the system of international relations within the framework of the United Nations (UN) with its structure, protocol and real way of functioning. This authentic simulation of the General Assembly, the Security Council and other multilateral committees and agencies that belong to the UN introduces students to the world of diplomacy and negotiation. Students take the seats of the embassadors of the member state that they are representing and discuss topics that are currently on the agenda of the UN, passing resolutions, thinking of argumentative strategies, negotiating with their allies and adversaries, and finding solutions to conflicts using the normal procedure applied by the UN.

2- Objecive


The essential goal of the event is to provide each participant with critical knowledge about the international reality, the diversity of ideas and cultures, tolerance by means of negotiation practices and decision-making by consensus as well as public speaking skills, self analysis and the ability of making decisions.

3- Beneficios


For over 50 years now, students and professors have been benefitting from this unique experience enjoying interactive activities that will not only give young people the opportunity of studying and discussing global issues, but will also enhance abilities valuable for them for all their life:

- Participants of the conference will have the opportunity to gather valuable practible experience in the world of diplomacy;

- They will gain a better understanding of how the UN works internally;

- They will enhance their ability of investigation and analysis;

- They will enhance their negotiation skills;

- Public speaking and debating skills and improvement of their professional vocabulary;

- Team work experience and improvement of summarizing and evaluation skills;

- They will learn to be objective and to criticize constructively;

- Development of leadership abilities.

 

A Model United Nations is therefore considered to be an important educational tools and the popularity of the Model United Nations has contributed to its fast expansion in the last decades. According to calculations, more than 200.000 students take part in UN Models every year. Some of the simulations are held within the classroom, others are organized for different schools to participate. The Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) can be considered to be the oldest and most prestigious simulation of its kind, with more than 3000 participants from over 30 countries.


4- Structure


Every UN member state is represented by a group of delegates that will discuss important issues in international relations that often come up in the councils and committees of the UN. Every delegate participates individually in a committee discussing previously determined topics with delegates representing other states.

Once the simulation has begun, the delegates have to have a profound knowledge of the necessities, objectives and foreign policy of the country they represent. In addition, knowledge of history, geography, mathematics, science, economy, and culture will contribute to the success and authenticity of the simulation, and will lead to an unforgettable experience for the participants. This way participants will learn how the international society acts when facing important issues such as peace and security, human rights, the environment, hunger and poverty, economic development and globalization.