Model UN
Welcome to the project "National Model United Nations" (NMUN) at the Center for the Study of Democracy!
Model United Nations (MUN) are simulations in which the participants play the role of delegates representing a foreign country at the United Nations. Participating students are required to simulate the work in international organisations and boards such as the UN-Security Council, the Human Rights Council or the General Assemply.
The National Model United Nations (short: NMUN) is the biggest simulation of the UN worldwide and takes place annually since 1946, always in the spring in New York City. It is organized in close cooperation with the UN and takes place in part at the original sites.
Every year more than 3000 students from all over the world take part in the NY conference. Each student delegation represents one UN-member state as well as one non-governmental organization (NGO) in different committees, like the General Assembly with its sub-committees, special organizations and branches (i.e. UNIFEM, UNEP or UNICEF).
During the conference week the students gain an insight into the UN system and get acquainted with the everyday diplomatic routine. At the same time they have to prove themselves in negotiations and succeed in ensuring "their" country's interests.
Work in the various UN bodies include formal debate on the basis of real negotiation rules that have been drafted according to the original UN rules as well as the UN Charta. At the same time there are informal working phases in which there can be more face-to-face negotiations and where joint proposals for resolutions can be drafted.
All of these activities provide the participants with invaluable insights into the actual working of multinational organizations and international politics as such. They learn to familiarize themselves in complex issues and train their rhetorical and intercultural skills.
The Leuphana University Lüneburg is participating in the NMUN project with an own delegation since 2008. The project is open to Leuphana students from all disciplines.
You find information about the activities this year, the Leuphana delegation 2010 and the country to be represented (all in German language) here.