Have you ever wondered how the United Nations work and how countries negotiate issues with each other? If so, the National Model United Nations (NMUN) is an opportunity to get first hand experience in this field.
The NMUN is the largest simulation of United Nations negotiations for students. Every year about 5000 students from all over the world attend the conference. The different delegations each represent a country or a non-governmental organization. The conference takes place every year in spring in New York. The opening and closing ceremonies are held at the UN headquarters. The rest of the conference will take place at the New York Sheraton Hotel (811 7th Ave.), where we will also lodge.
Next year’s conference will be held from Friday, April 11, 2014 to Sunday, April 20, 2014.
After the success of the delegations of the Swiss Study Foundation at NMUN 2007 through 2012 (and after a break in 2013) the Swiss Study Foundation will once more delegate a group of 10 to 12 students to represent a country at NMUN 2014. We will represent the respective country in five to six committees, amongst which the General Assembly Plenary and several of its sub-committees.
Participiants from all fields of study who are interested in international relations and diplomacy are encouraged to apply.
In charge:
Prof. Dr. Cla Reto Famos, Director of the Swiss Study Foundation
Nesa Zimmermann, Master en droit, LLM in Public International Law (head delegate)
Number of participants: 10 to 12
Working language: English for both conference and preparatory meetings. Good English skills are therefore required from all applicants.
Preparation:
During the run-up to the conference in April, the delegation will prepare itself to represent the country as realistically as possible. The preparation will be at times quite intensive, including at least four meetings, participation at which is mandatory.
– The first meeting will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 13:00 to 17:00 in Olten. This meeting is meant for the delegates to get to know each other and to get introduced to what lies ahead of them. During this meeting, the dates of following meetings will be fixed.
– A two-day meeting will be held on Saturday & Sunday, February 22 & 23, 2014 . During this meeting a small-scale simulation of the NMUN will be carried out to make the delegates become acquainted with NMUN proceedings.
– In addition to those two meetings, there will be at least two more meetings, the dates of which will be determined at the first meeting.
Costs: Each delegation member will have to pay CHF 500. The costs for meals and any other expenses have to be paid individually. Costs for flight, rooms and tuition fees are paid by the Swiss Study Foundation and external sponsors.
Special conditions: Swiss nationals need a passport 03 issued before October 26, 2006 or a new passport 06 with electronically readable data.
Closing date: September 1, 2013
Place: New York City, USA
