WHY MUN?

A MUN is a simulation of an actual United Nations conference, where students are tasked
with solving a global issue through research, drafting, lobbying and debate to pass a suitable
‘resolution’.

Students take on the roles of delegates, speakers, and chairs, representing different countries
and work together with other students from different backgrounds to take part in discussions
and reach a solution for the agenda they are assigned.

While the existence of MUNs can be traced back to the U.S. in 1949, in India they started
gaining popularity in 1996 and since then have been conducted on a regular basis at
international and national levels. United Nations Information Centre – New Delhi
collaborates with nearly 50 Model UN conferences per year in India, organised by schools
and universities.

The agendas or topics taken up during the MUNs are a reflection of real-world issues
discussed by the United Nations, and range from general topics such as rights of religious
minorities to specific topics such as improvement of accident safeguards surrounding nuclear
plants.

The entire process and discussion take place under formal ‘Rules of Procedure’ to truly
model the format of the UN.

Preparing and participating in a MUN helps students develop leadership skills, research,
writing, public speaking, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, coming up with solutions
that are acceptable to a majority of the representatives also inculcates skills of negotiation,
conflict resolution, and cooperation.

Keeping up with world affairs may get dull at times by simply reading news articles or
watching video news programmes. By participating in MUNs, your knowledge of the world
will increase tremendously as you represent a country at a ‘global’ level and interact with
other delegates representing other countries.

As a delegate, you will be required to research your allotted countries in-depth, analysing and
understanding their foreign policies and considering which factors would influence the
behaviour of the country at an international level. As you study the intricacies of the issue –
the background, history, treatment in the UN, and previous resolutions passed on it – you will
gain practical and thorough knowledge of world affairs.

A MUN involves meeting new people, interacting with unfamiliar faces, working in teams to
develop resolutions to assigned tasks and to express views in a self-assured manner. From
preparing for the MUNs to the discussions, debates, and resolutions made during the MUN,
the entire experience will serve to boost your confidence.

After participating in a MUN, you will feel much more comfortable about working with new
people and expressing yourself easily. The confidence gained will help you in future
interactions where you would need to express yourself in high-pressure situations.
 

Astute analytical ability is a trait that helps you at every stage of life as well as in any career,
by helping you solve problems through analysis. The MUN is an ideal place to hone
analytical skills, as in a simulated environment you will be challenged and required to solve
the task after examining the concerns of the other countries, past precedents and potential
solutions to come up with an acceptable resolution.

At its core, the MUN is based on problem-solving skills, as it places you at the centre of an
organization designated to resolving global issues (albeit simulated). Thus, problem-solving
is a skill that you will have to hone from the beginning of the MUN itself, learning how to
identify the key components of a topic, determining factors to be kept in mind while deciding
on the solution, and putting it all together to come up with a final resolution that satisfies all
concerned countries.

Diplomacy, or the art of negotiation, is not only restricted to conversations between two
countries, but pertains to any purposeful exchange between two groups, and thus, is a very
useful skill to possess. By practising diplomacy at the MUNs, you will become more
knowledgeable and experienced on how to conduct negotiations between two groups in a
tactful and result-oriented manner.

Apart from learning the skill of diplomacy, students aspiring to become professional
diplomats can practice and groom themselves for the field by participating in MUNs, which
are a real-life example of the life and work of professional diplomats.

Developing efficient public speaking skills takes practice, and the MUNs provide an ideal
platform where you can explore and improve your capabilities. Public speaking is an integral
part of the MUNs, as you express your views and debate in front of an audience. Since you
will make multiple speeches during the overall MUN event, you will have several
opportunities to improve your public speaking prowess.

There is a hefty amount of writing involved at MUNs, including writing for speeches, writing
position papers on the topic given for resolution, possible amendments, and finally, writing
the resolution itself. In comparison to the writing you do at school, the writing you will work
on in MUNs is a lot more disciplined and requires more creativity. Each writing piece
involves research and analysis and will serve to groom your writing skills, a useful skill for
college and professional life.

Considering all the benefits listed above, it is not a stretch to claim that your personality will
flourish at MUNs. The independence, challenges, and teamwork will surely serve to enhance
your leadership skills, as you take charge as a representative of a real-world country. You
will be encouraged to take decisions and work out solutions as a leader for the country.