The United Nations came into existence on 24 October 1945. On that day, the United Nations Charter became operative, having been signed by the fifty-one original members. The concept of all nations uniting together in one organization designed to settle disputes peacefully was born of the desire of civilized nations to avoid the horrors produced by the First and Second World Wars. The United Nations developed as a successor to the League of Nations, which represented the first attempt by nations to achieve this unity. The League failed in large part because the United States never joined as a member.
In 1942, President Roosevelt first coined the term “United Nations,” when the Declaration of the United Nations was signed by forty-seven nations in support of the Atlantic Charter. In 1944, the United States, United Kingdom, USSR and China met in Washington, DC at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference, where the first blueprint of the United Nations was prepared. In 1945, the final details for the United Nations were worked out at the Yalta Conference. Fifty-one nations gathered from 24 April through 26 June in San Francisco to draft the Charter of the United Nations, which was signed on 26 June 1945.
MUN is an exciting opportunity for students to debate issues that confront world leaders and to draft resolutions in response to these global issues. Participants will develop their abilities to work with others who are equally motivated and passionate about the topics of debate and to respond to global concerns. Furthermore, MUN strives to cultivate skills that are valuable for experiences outside of the conference setting. Whether persuading a committee of 40 delegates or a smaller caucus group, students will have the chance to work closely to reach agreements on these international issues.
True to the spirit of the United Nations, founded in 1945, MUN strives to foster a constructive forum for open dialogue on complex global issues, including international peace and security and economic and social progress. MUN stresses the in-depth examination and resolution of pressing issues, emphasizing process over product.
Each year approximately 60,000 high school and university students participate in a variety of "Model United Nations" programs worldwide. Each program is run independently, but goals common to all programs are to increase international understanding and develop the art of peaceful negotiation among potential national and international leaders. Program participants are assigned a country that they will represent in a simulated General Assembly session. Several international political issues are then identified by the group sponsoring the Model UN session that will serve as the focus of discussions. Participants meet, caucus, prepare policy papers, debate issues, draft and vote on resolutions.
In order to successfully participate in the Model United Nations program, participants must gain a basic understanding of the United Nations--its structure and internal rules of procedure. They must familiarize themselves with the foreign policy positions of their assigned country, as well as its pattern of participation within the United Nations. The country information that they will find most useful includes: current political history; historical voting patterns; speeches and statements from political leaders; resolutions their country has sponsored; and groups of countries they have formed coalitions with in drafting resolutions and voting on resolutions.About Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an exciting opportunity for students to debate issues that confront world leaders and to draft resolutions in response to these global issues. Participants will develop their abilities to work with others who are equally motivated and passionate about the topics of debate and to respond to global concerns. This interactive format can be very empowering, allowing students to make their own decisions and forge their own success. Model United Nations requires a full complement of skill proficiencies that will serve them well in all future endeavours.
NTU-MUN is designed to acquaint its participants with the nations of the world community, their policies, and the problems that arise as these nations attempt to coexist. The nature of NTU-MUN makes it very relevant to the student community who are potential leaders of tomorrow and will be influenced by issues around them and in the world at large. It provides an unparalleled opportunity for its delegates to develop strong argumentative skills and a broad understanding of global issues and affairs. For more details on last year's event, please refer to www.ntumun.com
NTU Model United Nations is organised by the NTU Debating Society.