What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educationally riveting simulation and/or academic competition in which students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN involves and teaches researching, public speaking, debating and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork and leadership abilities. Usually an extracurricular activity, some schools,colleges also offer MUN conference. Participants in Model UN conferences, known as delegates, receive an alloted committee and country or occasionally other organizations or political figures, along with a topic called agenda in MUN jargon. During the days of the conference, they are a representative of that country and have to propose their country's point of view and solutions on the issue being discussed in their committee. Countries which are allies in the real world often form alliances or countries with a similar mind set for the topic work together. The outcome is a resoluton or a formally written solution paper which the entire committee votes on based on whether they agree to the points or not. They are presented with their assignments in advance, along with the topic or topics that their committee will discuss. Delegates conduct research before conferences and formulate points that they will then debate with their fellow delegates in the committee, staying true to the actual position of the member they represent. At the end of a conference, the best performing delegates in each committee as well as delegations are recognized with awards.