Seminar abroad | National Model United Nations, New York

Good Friday, March 26, 2027 – Saturday, April 3, 2027 (Arrival in Zurich on Sunday, April 4, 2027)

How do countries negotiate global challenges within the United Nations? How does diplomacy work in practice? And what does it mean to represent a country’s interests in a multilateral setting?

National Model United Nations New York (NMUN•NY) is a student simulation conference that models negotiations within the United Nations. Each year, around 5,000 participants from around the world represent UN member states or non-governmental organizations in simulated UN committees. The conference addresses current issues on the international agenda through the procedures, negotiation formats and institutional framework of the United Nations.

The Swiss Study Foundation offers students from across Switzerland the opportunity to take part in NMUN•NY as an interdisciplinary delegation representing an assigned UN member state or non-governmental organization. The conference concludes with the closing ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters. As part of the program, the delegation also visits the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations.

Before the conference, the delegation meets four times to study the assigned country or organization, prepare the committee topics and become familiar with UN procedures and negotiation formats. These meetings are an essential and mandatory part of the program.

The conference will be held from Friday, March 26 – Sunday, April 4, 2027.

Participants from all fields of study who are interested in international relations and diplomacy are encouraged to apply.

In charge:
Dr. Klara Sekanina, Director of the Swiss Study Foundation
Sophia Krähenmann (head delegate) & Christian Valmaggia (head delegate), students of the Swiss Study Foundation

Number of participants: 16 to 20

Working language: English for both the conference and preparatory meetings. Good English skills are therefore required from all applicants.

Preparation:
During the run-up to the conference in March/April, the delegation will prepare itself to represent the chosen country as realistically as possible. The preparation will be at times quite intensive, including at least four meetings, participation at which is mandatory.

1st meeting: Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 13:00 to 18:00 in Zurich. This meeting is meant for the delegates to get to know each other and to get an idea of what lies ahead of them.

2nd meeting: Friday, November 6, 2026, from 11:00 – Saturday, November 7, 2026, until 18:00 in Geneva. If possible, a visit to the UN in Geneva will be included.

3rd meeting: Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 13:00 to 18:00, (location to be determined)

4th meeting: Saturday, March 6, 2027, from 09:00 to 18:00 in Bern. During this day, a small-scale simulation of the NMUN will be carried out to make the delegates become acquainted with NMUN proceedings.

Costs: Each delegation member contributes CHF 600 towards the overall costs of participation. Meals, local transportation and other personal expenses are to be covered individually. Delegation members should budget accordingly, as costs in New York City are comparatively high. Travel, accommodation, selected activities and conference fees are covered by the Swiss Study Foundation and external sponsors.

Place: New York City, New York Hilton Midtown (6th Ave. at 53rd St.)

Anmeldeschluss: Sonntag, 9. August 2026