
What is MUN?
Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation for students that imitates the United Nations in its General Assembly, Security Council and International Court of Justice. This activity encourages thinking and working internationally, in roles that takes students ouside themselves, to consider the problems of others from others’ points of view. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, as delegates, ambassadors or judges, they debate issues on the international agenda. MUN students research problems, plot strategy, prepare resolutions negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, issue judgments, while correctly navigating the UN's procedures – cooperating with others to resolve problems besetting any on our planet. They devise well-informed propositions, commanding majority support, on issues concerning for example:
peace and security
fundamental rights
the environment
health and welfare
economic and social development
international collaboration
For over 50 years, teachers and students around the world have benefitted from learning through MUN activity, thus strengthening signficant life-skills, such as:
Communicating internationally through the medium of a second language
Independent, in-depth research on issues of concern
Team work and leadership
Working to deadlines
Speaking and writing to persuade and convince
Formal public speaking
Detailed discussion and debate, focusing on decision-making for problem solving
Democratic consensus building
Conflict resolution and the maintenance of peace
Chairing meetings structured by an agreed agenda and timetable
Public relations and journalism
What is JMUN?
The Hisar School JMUN has been the first of its kind in the world.
This conference is a special, junior version of MUN, which is more usually dedicated to university-level and high-school students. It is a three-day event for inexperienced youngsters from the 11 to 14 age group. JMUN provides a series of introductory workshops, training pre-lycée students in all the skills and knowledge required for successful participation in a simplified, mini-MUN conference that follows. No prior knowledge is needed, be it of the United Nations or conference procedure, UN rules and language or the topics for debate.
All communication is in English, with structured support constantly available from teacher-advisors and student organisers. JMUN an intensive, immersion activity, that provides excellent opportunities for rapid language development, with substantial gains to be made in confidence. As such, it is suitable for students whose English is at the Council of Europe’s ‘B’, or intermediate levels of language proficiency.
Besides this, commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to work in an international context with other students, in teams, is all that is needed.
All workshops and conference events are organised and run by experienced, committed MUN student enthusiasts, from lycée clubs in our own and other internationally-minded MUN schools of high standing.
Hisar School JMUN is affiliated to THIMUN, the world’s senior MUN conference in The Hague, Netherlands. THIMUN is itself, officially affiliated to the United Nations in New York. (See: www.thimun.org)
