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The annual conference of the Model United Nations of Lübeck (MUNOL) is a role play simulation of the United Nations in Lübeck, Germany targeting high school students. During the six-day-long conference, every participating student will be assigned a country whose position he/she has to represent accordingly. By doing so the students will not only be introduced to the procedures of the United Nations but will also be trained in international politics and international debate.
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The idea to simulate international organisations goes back to the 1920s, when role play simulation conferences of the UN forerunner, the League of Nations, were held. Today, MUN have been established all around the world.
However, unlike most other MUN, MUNOL is completely organised by high school students with its official spoken and written language being English. During the event, the General Assembly committees GA1 to GA6, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council, and other U.N. bodies are simulated. Nationwide, MUNOL is one of the oldest English-language conferences and was first held in 1997.
The organisers of MUNOL pursue three main goals:
- Introducing all participants to the work of the United Nations – its aims, possibilities, and challenges.
- Advocating international understanding and cultural exchange by bringing young people together to discuss international politics.
- Enhancing skills in the English language, particularly in the field of communication in business and political environments.
Participants and venue
In recent years, student delegations from Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, many other European and non-European countries participated. In general, more than 450 people are involved annually. Since its first conference in 1997, MUNOL's main venue is the Thomas-Mann-Schule in Lübeck.
Organisation
MUNOL's organisation team is divided in two main areas. While the Conference Management is in charge of administration and organisation, the General Secretariat focuses on subject matters and annually compiles and revises the Issues on the Agenda, services guest speakers, and trains chairpersons for the committees.
MUNOL e.V. / MUNOL Association
In 2003, former participants of MUNOL founded the non-profit organisation formally known as MUNOL e.V. (MUNOL Association). Primarily the association works as alumni network for former members with its intention to support the conference financially and ideally.