By Michelle Lim and Harrini Ratnanesan –
If we were to define it strictly, Model United Nations, or MUN as it is affectionately called, is geopolitical roleplay – a simulation of the various bodies and organs of the UN. More often than not however, MUN goes beyond this to become synonymous with lifelong friendships, incredible experiences and an invaluable learning opportunity.
The structure of a MUN is fairly simple. You come in dressed in your best business wear to represent a country in a UN chamber and debate a set topic over a number of days. Or, excitingly with the expansion of MUN over the recent years, you could find yourself in a crisis or historical committee, representing a historical character and facing the exciting prospect of changing the entire course of history itself. There are so many committees and topics to choose from that almost every student from every discipline can find a topic closely aligned with their degree, making the competition a truly universal one.
At its heart, MUN is about learning, providing participants with a chance to not only develop and strengthen skills and intellect but also develop and grow as an individual. The very nature of the competition means that participants are given an opportunity to acquire instrumental life skills in negotiation, debate, public speaking and research. Many shy and timid students go through the learning channels of Model UN to become confident and assertive young people with an arsenal of practical skills that can assist them not only in their studies but also their future careers and lives. MUN provides participants with the opportunity to learn about real world issues, to become immersed in real life debate on hard-hitting topics; from the conservation of the Arctic to the status of the South China Sea; almost anything and everything you see on TV can be up for debate. However, it also provides the competitors with different kind of learning opportunity; the opportunity to grow and develop as a person, to make long lasting friendships and become a responsible global citizen. Model UN exists to help people gain a deeper understanding about current world issues and inspire them to actively take this understanding and passion to do something real and impactful.
In a MUN, you could find yourself passionately debating for the conservation of the Arctic as Sweden or instead planning backroom deals as the United States in the Security Council, but often you find that the debate doesn’t stop on the last day of the conference – many delegates take the experiences they’ve had, the ideas they’ve created and actually make a change in addressing real world problems. Whilst MUN is often jokingly said to be accurate because just like the UN ‘no one really gets anywhere’ you’ll find that the opposite is true. Here, we come to crux of MUN. Whilst this is largely a tertiary (and high school) competition, it can (and has) quite literally inspire future world leaders. Countless former MUNners have gone to work for amazing NGO’s, UN-affiliated bodies, and even the UN itself. Whilst MUN is not prominent in Australia yet, it is almost reverently worshipped in places like the United States and Europe, where students are trained from high school in the art of MUN and sent to various domestic and international competitions to achieve incredible results. It serves as a fantastic way, in these countries, for students to pad their resumes and is an extracurricular activity that many employers keep a keen eye out for largely due to the many qualities and skills the word ‘MUN’ generally encompasses. MUN is the perfect trifecta of the tertiary experience – amazing socials, a great learning opportunity and the chance to develop as a person – it’s an experience that no University student should go without.
Now for those studying International Relations, or even just those who just know the United Nations by name. Why should we care? Why should we care about another ‘failing’ multilateral organisation in the face of populist rebellion? It is known by popular fact that there has been strong criticism about the efficacy of the UN, from failing to intervene in genocides to the bureaucracy of decision making appealing to Western-centric principles and the models it’s based around. Many of these criticisms are true, but we also forget that without the UN we would not have established norms of peace.
We live in the most peaceful era of our times, according to American psychologist Steven Pinker. Many may not agree. A rise in terrorist attacks, outbreaks of famine and disease, large movements of refugees fleeing violence and rapid changes in climate change is evidence that we may not live in peaceful times. But it is evidence that our generation has to work harder in maintaining the peace within the UN and the world. There is no doubt that peace does not exist without the hard work of UN officials, governments, politicians, experts, activists and us: the believers.
We believe that, although the UN has its flaws, it is an organisation that undoubtedly can and will bring about changes within the internationally society. It is an influence that cannot be ignored. It is almost unthinkable that the UN is the successor of the failed League of Nations, that 72 years ago, an organisation that encompassed Westphalian principles of statehood and sovereignty that had existed and failed. It is the testament to those past believers, who saw the possibility where states could work together to invest and provide in a better future for all generations.
If we all just believe that the UN can change the world just a little bit, we are just like the believers in 1946 after the League of Nations collapse. Regardless of whether you are a realist or liberal, we are the generation that grows up in the influence and security of the United Nations. Some cynical academics (and tutors), may look at us as a bright eyed bushy tailed and naive students dreaming of becoming Secretary General of the UN, but in reality, they were probably the same when they were younger.
Back to the question, why should we care? Why does the UN matter? It’s because it fosters hope in the international system and humanity. At times where populist rhetoric and faith in humanity is wavering, it’s people like us that believe that the UN can do something. Our faith and belief in the system is so strong that we go to Model UNs and pretend to be states discussing about issues that are pertinent to the international society. At some point in our lives, we were all sitting in our rooms, perhaps with a UN flag hanging above our bed frame, dreaming what it would be like to make a real impact and change, and we have. It would be false to say Model UN does not make real change. We have inspired those around us to be better people, more creative in how we approach issues and more resilient in the face of adversity.
We are just like our predecessors in 1946 with the collapse of League of Nations. We still believe in humanity and the tenacious work that is the United Nations.
