What is MUN?

Brief Introduction:

Imagine being a diplomat or working for the United Nations. Imagine dealing with key, confrontational issues in today's world and addressing the emerging challenges of poverty, world conflicts, nuclear disarmament, the environment and education.

Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations incorporating lobbying, drafting resolutions and debating. In Model UN, participants take on the role of a diplomat of a country and represent their country’s policies and aims. The conference centres on key international issues such as the use of force, human rights, poverty in third world countries etc.

The aim of the activity is to pass a resolution which has the support of the majority of the committee. Compromise and consensus-building are crucial, so Model UN also gives you an excellent opportunity to build these skills.

In Model United Nations, there are usually different groups you can choose to participate in. These include:

• General Assembly 1 (Disarmament and International Security)
• General Assembly 2(Economic and Financial Committee)
• General Assembly 3 (Social Humanitarian and Cultural)
• General Assembly 4 (Special Political and Decolonisation)
• General Assembly 5 (Administrative and Budgetary)
• General Assembly 6 (Legal)
• Security Council
• United Nations Human Rights Council
• World Trade Organisation
• International Court of Justice
• United Nations Development Programme
• International Monetary Fund
• UNESCO
• World Trade Organisation

You may participate in Model United Nations through differing levels:

• SydMUN (Sydney Model United Nations hosted by Sydney University)
• AMUNC (Asian Model United Nations hosted by a chosen Asia-Pacific University)
• WorldMUN (World Model United Nations, organised by Harvard University, hosted by a chosen destination)

Sound interested? Want to get involved?

The best way is through joining our mini Model United Nations sessions held at university! Look below for more information.

Internal Model United Nations

Model UN at UNSW:

At UNSW, the conferences run for two hours and participants are given a relatively smaller international issue compared to those ordinarily given at the competitions. As such, the atmosphere is relaxed and easy and is a great way for newcomers to learn the rules of procedure.

Participants are ordinarily sent a briefing of their country and stance on that particular issue 2-3 days before the session. From there, they are expected to do further research in order to involve themselves as much as possible in debate and represent their countries faithfully.