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The format

Five days at the United Nations

What a Model United Nations is, why the format works as political education, and how our conferences work.

What is a MUN?

A simulation game that follows its model.

Model United Nations conferences are simulations in which participants take on the roles of international diplomats. In simulated committees, they debate current global political issues, negotiate compromises, and adopt resolutions. They represent the official position of a UN member state or a non-governmental organization as realistically as possible, without expressing their own opinions.

The work in the committees consists of formal debates based on rules of procedure modeled on actual UN procedural rules and the UN Charter. It also includes informal working sessions in which diplomatic dialogue takes place and joint draft resolutions are developed. NGOs and the press are also involved in such a conference.

Delegates are prepared through position papers, handbooks, and preparatory support. During the conference, a chair for each committee, a conference secretariat, a simulated press team, and an awareness team ensure the smooth operation of the event. All these roles are filled by volunteers, most of whom started out as delegates themselves.

Didactics

Three things that this format achieves that a classroom discussion cannot.

  • 01

    Perspektivwechsel unter Zwang

    Wer eine fremde Staatsposition überzeugend vertreten muss, kann sie nicht ablehnen, ohne sie zuerst verstanden zu haben. Das ist eine andere Übung als eine Pro-Contra-Debatte, in der man die eigene Meinung behalten darf.

  • 02

    Verfahren als Erfahrung

    Geschäftsordnung, Mehrheiten und Vetorecht bleiben abstrakt, solange man sie erklärt bekommt. Wer eine Resolution durch drei Lesungen bringen will, erlebt, dass Verfahren keine Formalität sind, sondern Macht verteilen.

  • 03

    Sprechen, schreiben, verhandeln

    Vor vierhundert Menschen eine Rede halten, einen Antragstext formulieren, eine Koalition in der Kaffeepause organisieren: Fähigkeiten, die sich nur im Ernstfall trainieren lassen — und der Ernstfall ist hier folgenlos.

Voices

Between the state parliament presidium and the participants' bench

Our conferences are being discussed by state politicians and business leaders — and by those who attended them.

"A prime example of successful political education."

Torsten Gerds former President of the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament

"A wonderful idea has become established."

Annette Schavan Former Minister for Education, Youth and Sport of Baden-Württemberg

"These projects are a unique opportunity to exemplify fair treatment of those with differing opinions and an unprejudiced engagement with their viewpoints."

Dr. Lothar Ulsamer Former Head of Federal and Municipal Projects, Daimler AG

"Putting oneself in the shoes of a foreign country teaches tolerance towards other viewpoints, countries, cultures and people."

Dr. Nils Schmid Former Minister of Finance and Economics of Baden-Württemberg

"DMUN shows that politics combined with youth and fun is not as far-fetched as one might otherwise think."

Dominik Harsch Participants MUNBW
Our projects

Two conferences

Kiel · Schleswig-Holstein

MUN-SH

MUN-SH premiered in October 2005, when the United Nations was simulated for the first time in the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament. Since then, over 400 young people and young adults have gathered in Kiel every year to participate in shaping global politics as delegates from UN member states, representatives of non-governmental organizations, or journalists.

They represent the interests of their respective state or non-governmental organization in eight different United Nations bodies. Meanwhile, two press teams monitor the debates and report on the conference events from a journalistic perspective in a daily newspaper and evening television news broadcasts.

In addition to the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament as a co-organizer, the project receives significant support from the Office of the State Commissioner for Civic Education. MUN-SH takes place annually in the spring at the State Parliament building in Kiel.

Seit
2005
Teilnehmende
over 400
Ort
Landeshaus Kiel
Visit the MUN-SH website
Stuttgart · Baden-Württemberg

MUNBW

Model United Nations Baden-Württemberg (MUNBW) is a long-established institution for political youth education in Stuttgart. Since 2002, around 300 young people and young adults have experienced the United Nations firsthand each year—as delegates of a self-chosen state, working for non-governmental organizations, or as part of the diverse press landscape.

Over the years, the conference has grown steadily and, in doing so, has also committed itself to new objectives: An educational program accompanies participants beyond the conference week, a contribution to environmental protection is made with a focus on sustainability, and multimedia content provides interested parties with information about the conference and the United Nations throughout the year.

MUNBW is supported by, among others, the Ministries of Education, Youth and Sport, and of the Environment, Climate and Energy of the State of Baden-Württemberg, as well as by the Baden-Württemberg State Association of the German Association for the United Nations. MUNBW takes place annually in early summer at the Hospitalhof or the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg.

Seit
2002
Teilnehmende
about 300
Ort
Stuttgart
Visit the MUNBW website

Would you like to participate with a whole class?

Schools can register delegations; individual registrations are also possible. Registration takes place via the respective conference website; the conference team will answer any questions directly.

Apply now About the association