MUN

MUN stands for Model United Nations and it is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. It is normally a 3-day event and participants role-play diplomats, representing a nation for 3days. Each participant represent one country and it has to be different than their own. This way, participants have chance to search and have wide knowledge about a country rather than their own. Next, there are numerous committees with different subjects. Mainly these committees are listed as: The General Assembly Economic and Social Council Security Council International Court of Justice UN Children's Fund UN Environment Programme UN Development Programme UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Human Rights Council Disarmament Committee United Nations High Commission for Refugees World Health Organization World Trade Organization

As it can be understood from the committee names each committee discusses related current topics.During a conference, participants must employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills in order to represent the policies of their country. These skills include public speaking, group communication, research, policy analysis, active listening, negotiating, conflict resolution, note taking, and technical writing. Each delegate come from different countries so besides representing a country people have a chance to interact with people with different nationalities. I have had a chance to represent The Democratic Republic of Congo in a session in Cambridge/England in 2010. My committee was 'United Nations Enviormental Committee' where we discussed all the enviormental problems. It was my first experience in a conference like this and it was a huge gain. Secondly, in 2011 I have attended to a conference in New York City and represented Luxembourg in 'United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime'

On the last day of these conferences, once everything is discussed and solved a 'Resolution Paper' is prepared. This paper is actually the summary of what has been discussed over 3 days. Every committee gathers in a same room and starts voting for these resolution papers. If it gets votes in favor more than rejection the resolution passes and goes to actual United Nation Offices. At first people don't expect a lot from these conferences but once you live the experience you realize that it is a serious event that should be taken seriously. Besides the things I have learnt about the world and actual problems that nations are facing, the most important thing I have experienced was visiting the actual United Nations Headquarters. .