Here is the
official definition of Model UN from the
United Nations Association of the United States of America:
(http://www.unausa.org/)
"
Model United Nations is an
authentic simulation of the
UN General Assembly,
UN Security Council, or other
multilateral body, which
catapults students into the world of
diplomacy and
negotiation.
In Model UN,
students step into the shoes of
ambassadors of UN
member states, from
Afghanistan to
Zimbabwe to debate
current issues on the
Organization's
vast agenda.
The students, better known as "
delegates" in Model UN, prepare
draft resolutions, plot
strategy, negotiate with
supporters and
adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN's rules of procedure-all in the interest of mobilizing "
international cooperation" to resolve problems that
affect almost every country on
Earth. Before playing out their ambassadorial
roles in Model UN, students do
research on the particular
global problems to be addressed. The problems are drawn from today's
headlines. Model UN "delegates" also look closely at the needs,
aspirations, and
foreign policy of the country they will "represent" at the event."
Having attended six MUN
conferences myself, and been one of the
principal organisers of one, I'd say that the above write-up is a better description of
MUN as it exists at some levels.
However, it is important to realise what the
aims are: to encourage
students to think about the
needs and
views of people who may hold
fundamentally opposed views to their own, and to make them
argue for those
people. When done
properly, MUN can be one of the most
eye-opening experiences available. Even when done badly, it is at the very least great great
fun!