About AMUNC
What is AMUNC?
The Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference or ‘AMUNC’ is Model UN’s answer to the Australs Debating tournament. Bringing together over 600 of the brightest minds from the Asia?Pacific region and beyond, it allows delegates to grapple with the intricacies of international law, economics, security, human rights and culture in a week of intense debate.
The core activity of AMUNC is MUN itself, involving the simulation of various UN bodies from Security Council to UN Development Programme. Each AMUNC participant acts as a delegate to one of several UN bodies, representing a member state (a country with full voting rights), an NGO (non-government organisation such as the Red Cross) or an observer mission (for a group such as Palestine or the Vatican). MUN thus provides the unique opportunity to engage with international issues both in-depth and from all angles, bringing greater understanding of some of the globes most pressing challenges.
Ever wanted to be a UN, ambassador, preventing genocide in Darfur, defusing crises in Syria or improving education in the Pacific? AMUNC gives you the chance to do so whilst fostering highly prized debating, negotiating and diplomatic skills. Simulations take place in an inspirational environment of guest speakers, career fairs and panel debates involving academics, NGO representatives, and the region’s leading political figures and thinkers providing a unique opportunity cultural exchange that is not to be missed! On top of all this AMUNC provides an action packed social programme whether it be dining with your committee, an elegant ball or a cruise on world-famous Sydney Harbour, AMUNC certainly caters for the ever-effective after dark diplomacy!
Our History
Founded in 1995, AMUNC was created as a forum for Australian students to meaningfully engage with important global issues in the spirit of collaboration espoused by the United Nations. While early years of the conference had seen delegates travelling to universities in Sydney and Melbourne, by 2000 the Australian Model United Nations Conference had taken on a truly international dimension, with an increasing contingent of delegates hailing from outside Australia.
Thus in 2003, AMUNC was renamed the ‘Asia-Pacific’ Model United Nations Conference to reflect the growing diversity of its delegates – a trend which has increased exponentially. In 2009 AMUNC welcomed 600 delegates from over 24 countries and continues to state its claim as the premier Model United Nations conference in the Asia-Pacific region – a status reflected by its continuing patronage by high-profile speakers and official endorsement from those among the highest ranks of government and global leadership.
AMUNC 2010
In 2010, the AMUNC host team from the University of Sydney will continue to honour the rich tradition of quality debate and innovation held by its predecessors. AMUNC fosters a spirit of international exchange in knowledge, innovation, and culture. It aims to expand horizons in the spirit of diversity and tolerance as delegates build lasting relationships in dynamic committee sessions and social events. 2010 will see the introduction of three exciting new committees: UNICEF, the International Criminal Court and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
AMUNC 2010 will also see a fresh approach to training delegates and a renewed and revitalized conference program. One notable innovation of 2010 is “Diplomatic Discussions”: a program which will seek to narrow the gap between the idealistic world of MUN and real life diplomacy through face to face discussions with distinguished consular officials and academic experts. Finally AMUNC 2010 is dedicated to building an institutional memory for AMUNC, providing extensive support to make hosting and attending the conference more accessible for all universities, regardless of size.
Host Universities, 1999-present
1999 The University of Sydney
2000 Deakin University
2001 The University of Technology
2002 The University of Melbourne
2003 The University of Sydney
2004 James Cook University, Townsville
2005 University of New South Wales
2006 University of Western Sydney
2007 The University of Auckland
2008 The University of Adelaide
2009 The University of Queensland
2010 The University of Sydney
2011 YOU! ...?
