Concept Note
Model United Nations
UN Photo/Loey Felipe
UNITAR Model United Nations
UNITAR and its Multilateral Diplomacy Programme
Established in 1965, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a principle training
arm of the United Nations, working in every region of the world with a mission to develop capacities,
enhance global decision-making and support country and regional-level actions for shaping a better future.
Currently, UNITAR provides training to approximately 36,000 participants per year in some 500 different
training activities and uses both face-to-face and distance learning methodologies. Over the past decade,
UNITAR has been actively engaged in enhancing the facilitation of international and regional conferences,
meetings and negotiations, public sector work in the context of international affairs, and diplomatic
engagement in relation to the United Nations and its System.
At the heart of UNITAR, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) delivers training and support
workshops to address the needs of diplomats, government officials, international civil servants and private
sector entities to meet emerging, complex and global challenges. It builds capacity and develops skills
specifically suited to UN contexts such as Introduction into the UN System, Rules of Procedure of United
Nations Conferences, Drafting UN Resolutions, Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation, Public
Speaking, United Nations Protocol, Negotiation Skills and Techniques, and others. UNITAR’s experts have
many years of experience in the UN and/or national diplomatic services and are able to share first-hand,
up-to-date information and experience.
UNITAR and Model United Nations
Model United Nations, is an educational simulation and academic competition in which students can learn
about diplomacy, international
relations,
and
the United
Nations.
MUN
involves
and
teaches researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork,
and leadership abilities. Model United Nations are particularly popular among students in the secondary
and tertiary educational sector. UNITAR, with its mandate to build capacity among diplomats and member
states, offers a unique opportunity for students and institutions interested in engaging in a Model United
Nations. UNITAR also offers the opportunity to conduct MUNs at actual UN locations, giving the activities
an authentic atmosphere and experience.
UNITAR offers to plan, prepare and conduct a tailored Model United Nations for interested institutions.
Overall goal and learning objectives
The goal of a Model United Nations is to provide participants with an insight into the functions and
procedures of the United Nations System. We want to prepare the diplomats and UN officials of tomorrow,
training them in the values of the United Nations, its charter and functioning. UNITAR offers a unique
opportunity to interact with UN officials, acquire knowledge and get the most out of a Model UN. UNITAR
offers a Model UN with the true UN experience.
At the end of the activity, participants will be able to:
- Understand and apply the rules of procedure and functioning of the UN System;
- Explain the importance of informal consultations;
- Draft a United Nations resolution;
- Perform more efficiently as a negotiator;
- Perform more efficiently when speaking in public.
Activities
UNITAR is able to offer two kinds of activities:
1. Model United Nations: a simulation over several days, during which participants need to assume
roles as diplomats and representatives of real countries, research these countries and their policies
2
UNITAR Model United Nations
in advance, prepare position papers and resolutions, present and debate them and adopt
resolutions in the bodies. Participants can represent a country either individually or in a team,
depending on the scope of the MUN. Participants will need to act authentically and represent their
country to the best of their knowledge and ability, making the simulation as realistic as possible.
MUNs can focus on the work of the following UN bodies (either individually or combined,
depending on the size of the MUN): General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, and Human
Rights Council. Further bodies may be available upon request.
2. Skill development training: UNITAR can offer training workshops in advance of a MUN to enhance
the skills of the participants ahead of the simulation. Training workshops may focus on topics and
skills such as Introduction into the UN System, Rules of Procedure of United Nations Conferences,
Drafting UN Resolutions, Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiation, Public Speaking,
United Nations Protocol, Negotiation Skills and Techniques, etc.
Furthermore, UNITAR is able to offer all activities at actual UN sites, increasing the authenticity of the MUN
and thus the experience for participants. This may also include visits to UN institutions, observation of real
conferences or meetings, and meetings with UN staff or diplomats.
Deliverables: Model United Nations lasting from 3 to 5 days.
Cost: depending on duration, location, number of participants, and number of training activities.
Language
UNITAR can offer all activities in both English and French.
Participants
Between thirty and several hundred Students (High School or University).
Evaluation
UNITAR will conduct thorough evaluation of all activities, following Kirkpatrick assessment / evaluation
methodologies. The results of these evaluations will feed-in to continuous improvements of the activities
to ensure best results and achievement of objectives and expected outcomes.
Resource Persons
The trainers and resource persons will be experts in the United Nations System who regularly train within
the framework of UNITAR’s Training Programme on Multilateral Diplomacy.
Contact
Multilateral Diplomacy Programme
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
diplomacy@unitar.org
3