Conference
What is MUN?
Model United Nations (or MUN) is an interactive form of debate between students which gives them the chance to work within the protocol of the United Nations. Participants act as delegates to UN bodies, known as committees. Usually, they represent a particular country, although they can also represent a non-government organisation, observer mission (such as Palestine), media organisation, or specialist position (such as a judge or a UN representative), or even an intelligence officer. During committee sessions, delegates discuss a topic of international concern, and work to produce a solution or agreement (in the form of a resolution) that embodies as many of the perspectives of the participants as possible. Model UN gives participants the opportunity to apply their research, public speaking skills and their knowledge of international governance issues in discussion and debate. It also affords students the chance to gain skills in negotiation and diplomacy providing an insight into the complexities of bringing together differing positions of the international community.
What is AMUNC?
The Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference is an annual event bringing together students from all over the region to participate in a Model UN. Each year roughly 25 committees (based on real UN committees such as the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) sit down to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues from breaches of human rights law to climate change, monetary policy and UN institutional reform through a mix of debate, negotiation and resolution formation.
AMUNC is the largest regional Model UN in the world and is run through the Harvard University system. What distinguishes AMUNC most from other Model UN conferences is its committee sizes. Committees at AMUNC are smaller than in many others, often as low as 25 – 30 members. Countries are represented by individual delegates rather than in groups. This means that each individual is given a much greater opportunity to engage in committee sessions and play a larger role in forming resolutions.
AMUNC has grown over the years to incorporate other forums of global negotiation beyond typical committees. In the Crisis Council, historical events are recreated for delegates to act out in real time. The International Criminal Court gives delegates opportunities to play characters on trial and prosecute international leaders in past, present or potential future scenarios. This year’s AMUNC is continuing the trend of attempting to incorporate new bodies into Model UN by hosting a World Regional Forum comprised of supranational bodies such as the European Union, African Union and the Arab League.
Along with the committee sessions, the conference boasts amazing social nights, engaging speaker events and memorable ceremonies. It is not only a chance to engage academically, delegates will form friendships and networks with like-minded individuals from around the region. It lasts for 6 days and takes place during the winter, non-teaching semester break in early July (in 2012 8th – 13th) at the host university. AMUNC is run entirely by students, for students and has been since its creation in 1995 by the University of New South Wales Model UN Society.