What is a model united nations?
A Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of different UN organs for high school or university students. In it, students assume the role of representatives of different countries. The aim of MUN differs from conference to conference, but generally it is to educate participants about the workings of an international organization such as the UN, to enhance a participants negotiating and oratory skills and to broaden the participants view and knowledge of the world. The structure of the conferences can differ in structure or programme. The sizes and the amount of participant depends on the conference. Some conferences only simulate a few councils, others simulate many.
Some MUNs even work with council sub structures such as the different advisory committees related to the UN General Assembly for example. Some MUNs simulate councils from different international organizations such as NATO, ASEAN or the European Union. However all MUNs share the same goal: to accurately portray the workings of the simulated councils. MUNs can vary in level from very simple MUNs for beginners, up to very high level MUNs for the veterans of the MUN world, where extra qualifications are asked. MUN participants commonly agree that there is a certain atmosphere which can be defined as the ‘MUN-feeling’. There are many MUN enthusiasts who travel the globe in search of exciting and challenging MUNs to participate in. This is one of the reasons why TEIMUN has been such a success over the last 20 years.
The MUN phenomenon started in the United States where simulations were being held even before the birth of the United Nations. Records indicate that as early as the 1920's simulations of the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations, were taking place. The oldest modern simulation (of the UN) is the Harvard Model United Nations, which was established in 1951. It's hard to say what the oldest MUN in Europe is, but it 
is safe to say that The Hague International Model United Nations is one of the oldest. This high school level MUN was established in 1968 and now hosts a conference for almost 4000 students and teachers from all over the world. The oldest university MUN in Europe is TEIMUN. TEIMUN was established by American exchange students in 1987 in The Hague. Not long after its foundation, TEIMUN became part of SIB-Groningen, which is why the board of directors has its office in Groningen. Only this year, the 21st year since our foundation, TEIMUN has become an independent foundation.
The Model United Nations phenomenon has grown so big, it is hard to keep track of all the different conferences worldwide, let alone all the abbreviations they use. AIMUN, GIMUN, LIMUN, RIMUN are but a few examples (try Googling 'Model United Nations' and see how many results come up!). Nearly every major university hosts a MUN once a year, however, most are not so well known outside their 
own city. There are only a limited number of MUNs which have international recognition. TEIMUN is one of those internationally renowned MUNs which attracts students from all over the world to participate. For this reason, if you want to have a true MUN experience, look for one which attracts students from all over the world. We at TEIMUN work hard to attract as many different nationalities as possible. Last year, 48 different nationalities were represented!
Participation in a MUN can be a very exciting, yet a challenging experience. You will be confronted with the need to set aside your personal opinion and take up the official policy of the country you have chosen to represent. This can be very difficult when you are discussing controversial topics or when the discussion becomes very heated. Furthermore, you will be faced with the very difficult dilemma
of choosing your country's position, or being part of a international cooperation. Will you adhere to your country's policy or serve the global good? Participation in a MUN requires strong debating skills but also a good knowledge of the topics to be discussed.
Do you think you have what it takes to convince the other delegates to follow your lead? Do you want to find out if you were born to be a diplomat? Or are you looking to have a fun and educational experience, meet lots of new people from all over the world, and have great time? Register now for TEIMUN and find out the answers to all these questions, and in short have the time of your life together with 220 other enthusiastic students.
If you want to get a better feel of what goes on at TEIMUN, check out the TEIMUN Archive.
If you want more information about TEIMUN look around our website or contact us. You can also find more information about MUNs in general at the Model UN Headquarters of the United Nations.
We hope to see you at TEIMUN!
