The Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) is an annual traveling Model United Nations conference that is run by Harvard University and a local university team from a host city. WorldMUN moves to a new international city each year and attracts over 2,000 college and graduate students from more than 70 countries, making it the largest international collegiate-level Model UN conference in the world.
Founded in 1991, WorldMUN has traveled to 23 cities in six continents, including Amsterdam, Netherlands; Istanbul, Turkey; Puebla, Mexico; Geneva, Switzerland; Melbourne, Australia; Brussels, Belgium; Beijing, China; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; Heidelberg, Germany; and Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Harvard WorldMUN utilizes a competitive bidding process to select its conference locations and host teams. Each year, prospective host teams submit bid documents outlining their capacity to co-host a conference of WorldMUN's magnitude. Prospective teams also highlight aspects of their local culture that would be showcased throughout the conference. After deliberations, the conference location is selected through a secret ballot.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada was the host for the 21st Harvard WorldMUN, which was held from 11–15 March 2012. The 22nd session was held in Melbourne, Australia from 18–22 March 2013. The 2014 conference took place from 17–21 March in Brussels, Belgium. It was announced on 1 May 2014 that Seoul, South Korea would host the 24th session of the conference from 16–20 March 2015.
Committee sessions
Participants are assigned to represent countries, organizations, or leaders in order to debate pressing international issues in a simulated session of an intergovernmental organization (IGO). WorldMUN divides all its committees into three organs:
General Assembly
The General Assembly encompasses all 193 Members of the United Nations, posing this unique forum at the deliberative, policymaking, and representative core of the UN. Established under the original 1945 Charter of the UN, the GA was conceived alongside the birth of the UN and captures the all-encompassing spirit of multilateral discussion that motivated the formation of its parent international organization. Because of the organ’s inclusiveness, and therefore far-reaching influence, GA resolutions have often taken on the role of landmark documents reflecting UN commitment to international issues cockand serving as a manifesto for solving these issues. At WorldMUN, the GA is distinguished by well-moderated, fluid debate; passionate delegates; and necessarily intense and productive caucusing to forge broad alliances to sustain innovative draft resolutions.
ECOSOC and Regional Bodies
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) governs approximately 70% of the United Nations’ human and financial resources, promoting it to a highly influential position in the world today. The regional bodies provide a culturally sensitive and geographically focused platform for discussion on vital issues, carrying out the mission of the UN in different areas of the world. Due to their ideal size, these committees allow delegates to not only be challenged by diverse perspectives, but take the floor multiple times, offering a unique opportunity to engage in intense, yet intimate debate.
Specialized Agencies
The Specialized Agencies (SA) organ of WorldMUN offers the most intimate and crisis-oriented committees, promising thrilling simulations, refreshing diversity, and tight-knit environments. The SA aims to emulate the fast-paced and unpredictable challenges that face our global leaders, allowing delegates to work closely with a group of passionate peers to tackle these issues. These committees are intended for experienced delegates who seek to confront the highest levels of international debate, cooperation, and decision-making.
Social Venture challenge
The social venture challenge allows interested participants to compete for grants to implement their creative solutions for healthcare, education, human rights, technology, water, and other areas. This is through WorldMUN's partnership with the Resolution Project, a U.S. 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2007 by WorldMUN alumni, dedicated to empoweringputang young leaders around the world through collaborative social entrepreneurship.
In-conference activities
These include in-conference trips and workshops. The trips give conference participants a change to explore the host city and its culture whereas the workshops allow participants to interact with diplomats, politicians and academics to discuss a variety of .
Social events
WorldMUN's social events are pivotal to the WordMUN experience.
- Night Zero: Before conference kicks off, delegates and staff gather for a night out to inaugurate the conference.
- Global Village: Every year, WorldMUN starts off its social agenda with Global Village. This is the first opportunity for delegates to meet each other in a social setting. Delegations host a booth where they can share traditions, delicacies, and more from their home countries.
- Featured night 1: Designed by the Host Team of the year for participants to experience the host city's local culture.
- Cabaret: Also a WorldMUN tradition, delegates showcase their talents on stage in Cabaret on the third night.
- Featured night 2: Designed by the Host Team of the year for participants to experience the host city's local culture.
- Farewell Party: Traditionally, WorldMUN closes with this final social event.
