Model United Nations

A Model United Nations Conference in Stuttgart, Germany in action.

Model United Nations (also Model UN or MUN) is an academic simulation of the United Nations 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, 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

A Model United Nations in Norfolk, Virginia

Turkish International Model United Nations in Istanbul, Turkey

During a conference, participants must employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills in order to represent the policies of their country. These skills include public speaking, group communication, research, policy analysis, active listening, negotiating, conflict resolution, note taking, and technical writing. However, school delegation formats vary from region to region.

Most Model UNs are simulations of a body in the United Nations system, such as:

• The General Assembly in both plenary form and within its functional committees
• Economic and Social Council and its specialized councils and agencies
• Security Council
• International Court of Justice
• United Nations Children's Fund
• United Nations Environment Programme
• United Nations Development Programme
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• Human Rights Council
• International Monetary Fund
• Disarmament Committee
• United Nations High Commission for Refugees
• World Food Program
• World Health Organization
• World Trade Organization

Many conferences simulate other IGOs including:

• European Union
• African Union
• Organization of American States
• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO
• Arab League
• Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
• South Asian Association For Regional Co-Operation
• Association of South East Asian Nations
• International Atomic Energy Agency

A Model United Nations in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

In addition, solely national organizations such as the United States National Security Council are often role played, with delegates role-playing specific people (e.g. the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense) 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 via a committee of the Greek poleis,^[1] have a committee simulating the National Football League's annual owners meeting, as held at George Mason University MUN in 2009, or even have a committee simulating President David Palmer's cabinet from the TV show 24, simulated by the University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference in 2007.^[2]

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. 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 conferences on the West Coast, 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 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

Negotiations at a Model United Nations conference (unmoderated caucus).

Model United Nations groups are usually organized as either a club, 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. 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.”^[3]

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.^[4] The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) has the most comprehensive calendar of Model United Nations conferences: the 2003-2004 edition lists 400+ conferences in 48 countries.^[5]

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 paper (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.^[6]

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:

1. Background of the Topic
2. UN Involvement
3. Your Country's Positions
4. 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.^[7]

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 Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations. The modern day National Model United Nations in New York City and Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) both began as simulations of the League of Nations 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.^[8] The world's oldest continuous High School Model UN conferences are the Indianapolis Model United Nations^[9] 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 CAHSMUN (http://www.cahsmun.org/), the biggest 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 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 Associations (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.^[10] 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, Mexico, Panama, and the UK 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, Netherlands; Nairobi, Kenya; Istanbul, Turkey; Vienna, Austria, and Geneva, Switzerland, India also support Model United Nations and serve as hosts for at least one conference each year.

The Organization of American 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 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

• United Nations Cyberschoolbus
• Model UN General Information, World Federation of United Nations Associations
• 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

References

1. ^ "Historical Crisis Committee - Spartan Council". Boston Model United Nations Conference. BosMUN. 2007. http://www.bosmun.org/bosmun.php?cat=com&focus=content&id=20. Retrieved 2008-04-04. 
2. ^ "UPMUNC>Committee". UPMUNC. Penn International Affairs Association. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20071013023540/http://www.upmunc.org/committees.html. Retrieved 2008-04-04.  Archived July 1, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ Ripley, Brian, Neal Carter, and Andrea K. Grove. "League of Our Own: Creating a Model United Nations Scrimmage Conference." Journal of Political Science Education. 5.1 (2009): 55-70.
4. ^ "Aktuell: DGVN - Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen e.V". Dgvn.de. http://www.dgvn.de/pdf/MUN.pdf. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
5. ^ Model UN Calendar | UNAUSA.org
6. ^ UNA-USA: Position Papers
7. ^ UNA-USA: How to write a position paper
8. ^ Model United Nations of the Far West: Archive
9. ^ http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/modelun/about
10. ^ UNA-USA: Global Classrooms
11. ^ "Prague Student Summit". Association for International Affairs. 2011. http://www.studentsummit.cz/en/. Retrieved 2011-05-28. 
12. ^ "About MUNUC". Model United Nations of the University of Chicago. 2011. http://www.munuc.org/welcome. Retrieved 2008-04-24. 
13. ^ "MUNRFE official web site". Model United Nations of the Russian Far East. 2011. http://www.munrfe.ru. Retrieved 2011-10-05. 
14. ^ "Recommandation du Comité chargé des ONG (French)". Comité chargé des ONG. http://www.un.org/News/fr-press/docs/2007/ECOSOC6248.doc.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-26. 
15. ^ "NGO-Status". GIMUN. http://www.gimun.org/index.php/xsl/1/yLgR0e.html. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
16. ^ WorldMUN
17. ^ BITSMUN-Pilani: BITSMUN
18. ^ "ILMUNC XXV's Franklin Legacy: A Commitment to Environmental Sustainability". The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference. 2008. http://www.ilmunc.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02. 
19. ^ "LIMUN y". London International Model United Nations. 2011. http://www.limun.org.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
20. ^ Maria Montessori. "Montessori Model United Nations : Montessori MUN : MMUN". Montessori MUN. http://www.montessori-mun.org. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
21. ^ MUNOL Website
22. ^ "Annual Report|2002-2003" (PDF). The National Collegiate Conference Association. 2002. Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20080627054400/http://www.nmun.org/download/ncca_02_03_ar.pdf. Retrieved 2008-04-11. 
23. ^ (Czech) http://www.zurnal.upol.cz/video/clanek/univerzita-palackeho-hostila-simulovane-zasedani-osn/ Univerzita Palackého hostila simulované zasedání OSN
24. ^ "NAIMUN". GIRA. 2009. http://naimun.modelun.org. Retrieved 2009-05-18. 
25. ^ [1]
26. ^ [2]
27. ^ ^{a b c} "International School of Geneva - Students' League of Nations". Ecolint. http://www.ecolint.ch/ecolint/ch/en-ch/index.cfm?page=/ecolint/home/school_life/slnm. Retrieved 2010-12-05. 
28. ^ UNA-USA: UNAUSAMUN
29. ^ "NCSC". GIRA. 2011. http://ncsc.modelun.org/. Retrieved 2011-06-23. 
30. ^ "WAMUNC". GWIAS. http://www.wamunc.gwias.com/. Retrieved 2011-07-6. 
31. ^ www.ymun.org

Ananya

Conference	Location	Founded	Details
Prague Student Summit (PSS)	Prague, Czech Republic	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, 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.[11]
Model United Nations of the University of Chicago	Chicago, Illinois	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, 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.[12]
Model United Nations of the Russian Far East	Russia (Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk)	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."[13]
Berkeley Model United Nations	University of California, Berkeley	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, India	2007	Hosted and annually held at the Fazlani L'Academie Globale. 180 Delegates from 20 different schools and colleges throughout the world.[citation needed]
Geneva International Model United Nations	Geneva, Switzerland	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 upon being granted Special Consultative Status.[14][15]
George Watson's College Model United Nations	Edinburgh, Scotland	2007	Held annually at George Watson's College, the largest independent school in Europe. It has become one of the main conferences on the European high-school circuit and annually attracts students from Greece, Switzerland, Poland, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Canada, France and Iran.
Ghana Model United Nations	Accra, 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 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 in 2010)	2009	GMUN is the only Model United Nations conference run by the United Nations itself. The 2009 inaugural conference, held at the UN European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland 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 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 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 in 2011)	1991	Sponsored by the Harvard & A Local Host Team (National University of Singapore 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.[16]
Bremen International Model United Nations (BRIMUN)	Bremen, Germany	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, Sri Lanka	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	2011	It is organised by Literary Circle of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, 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, India	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.[17]
Haarlem Model United Nations HMUN	Haarlem, Netherlands	1998	HMUN is a high school MUN, organized by the students of the Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem, 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, Cuba	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	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	1984	Attracts around 2,000 delegates gathering for four days in the heart of Philadelphia.[citation needed] Run by University of Pennsylvania undergraduate students. Continuing its Franklin Legacy program, ILMUNC XXV is partnering with the World Food Programme's Fill the Cup Initiative to provide meals to hungry children.[18] Hosted by the International Affairs Association.
Kenya Model United Nations (KenyaMUN)	Nairobi, Kenya	2001	KenyaMUN is the benchmark of Model United Nations conferences in Africa. The conferences, held annually at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya 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, Turkey	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 and one of the most prestigious conferences in Europe.
London International Model United Nations (LIMUN)	London, United Kingdom	1999	LIMUN is the largest annual university-based Model United Nations conference in Europe. It attracts around 800 delegates.[19]
Montessori Model UN (MMUN)	New York, New York	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.[20] 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.[citation needed] 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).[citation needed]
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.[21]
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	New York, New York	1923	Founded as a simulation of the League of Nations; adopted current form in 1946 after the founding of the United Nations. Opening Ceremony and Closing Session take place in the United Nations Headquarters.[22] While traditionally it is held in New York, three conferences took place out of United States: 2008 in Xi'an, China, 2010 in Quito, Ecuador and 2010 at Palacký University in Olomouc, the Czech Republic.[23]
North American Invitational Model United Nations	Washington DC, Washington DC	1963	NAIMUN attracts over 2800 high school participants.[24] 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.
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. [25]
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.[26]
Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC)	New Jersey, New Jersey	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	2012	The MUN of the euro-american campus of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, also known as Sciences Po, will take place in Reims, traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France.
Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY)	New Haven, Connecticut	1977	SCSY draws over 500 collegiate delegates every October to Yale University's historic campus for a four-day, vibrant simulation of international diplomacy. Yale International Relations Association 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	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, Switzerland	1953	SLN a Model General Assembly and the only such conference to take place entirely within the premises of the United Nations.[27] It is held annually at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
The Hague International Model United Nations	The Hague, Netherlands	1968	Attracts around 4,500 delegates.[27] Held annually at the World Forum in The Hague; holds roster consultative status with UN ECOSOC.[27] THIMUN is the largest MUN conference in the world.
UNA-USA Middle School Model UN	New York, New York	2005	Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters, 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.[citation needed]
UNA-USA Model UN	New York, New York	1999	Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Hosted at the United Nations Headquarters, 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.[28]
UNIS-UN	New York, New York	1976	Sponsored by the United Nations International School. Held annually in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters
National Collegiate Security Conference	Washington DC	1972	NCSC attracts over 500 college participants.[29] 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.
Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN)	Vienna, Austria	1995	Hosted and annually held at the United Nations Office at Vienna 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.[30]
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, Ontario's legislative building.[31]
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 is a Model United Nations for both beginners and veterans.
European Model United Nations(EuroMUN)	Maastricht, Netherlands	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 53 nationalities and 92 universities and other tertiary educational institutions.