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Moscow International Model United Nations (MIMUN) is the most authoritative and large-scale Model UN in Russia, conducted annually in Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO – University). It is a combination of a scientific conference and a role play, where university and high school students simulate the work of different UN bodies in several United Nations official languages. When participating in MIMUN, students gain diplomatic, leadership and public speaking skills, master their knowledge of foreign languages and learn to compromise.
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Organizers
Moscow International Model UN is one of the programs of UN Association-Russia and is held in cooperation with MGIMO-University under the aegis of the World Federation of United Nations Associations.
History
The first Model UN in MGIMO was held in 1999. In 2000 the conference obtained international status and since then Moscow International Model UN has been held regularly.
The visit of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the conference in 2004 proved the international recognition of the MGIMO Model UN. The honoured guest of the opening ceremony in 2006 was the Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.
In different years the opening ceremony was attended by such honoured guests as the deputy Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Kijo Akasaki, the chairman of The United Nations Association of Russia, the ex-head of the International Energy Agency Hans Blix and the special envoy of the UN Development Program to Russia Frode Mauring.
Structure
During the Moscow International Model UN university and high school students simulate the work of the UN organs. Traditionally General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and International Court of Justice rank among them. Also, main General Assembly Committees, some ECOSOC functional commissions, Human Rights Council are usually simulated. The decision which organs are to be included is made during the preparation of agendas and depends on current mood in international relations and the discussion process of world-concerning problems in the UN.
Step by step MIMUN became an object of intense interest among the participants. The number of simulated organs increased undeviatingly. In 2009 there were only 7. In 2015 already 12 organs are to be simulated.
Since 2011 to 2014 Moscow International Model UN was held in three of the UN official languages: Russian, English and French. In 2015 there will be represented all of the UN official languages: English, Russian, French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.
Secretariat
Secretariat of Moscow International Model UN works throughout the year. It deals with questions concerning the organization process of Model. The members of Secretariat are mostly the MGIMO-students, but representatives from other universities, including international, are also involved. The team works voluntarily and implements an activity under control of Coordinator who represents the administration of United Nations Association of Russia and MGIMO-university, and Secretary-General of Model. Secretariat cooperates closely with other Russian and international UN Models, supports and encourages conduction of conferences of this kind in Russia and abroad.
Secretariat issues an official printed newspaper of Moscow International Model UN - "Vestnik". The newspaper is issued daily during the Model, but there are also special issues dedicated to commemorative dates in the UN, holidays and important events. "Vestnik" editorial staff recruitment searches and appoints the most suitable candidates for the role of journalists and editors every year.
Members of Secretariat participate in UN Models of their foreign colleagues in the large number of countries, for example, Switzerland, Austria, The United Kingdom, France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, etc.
Besides, Secretariat assists both Russian and foreign universities, colleges and schools with conduction of Model UN. The chain of collaboration links MIMUN Secretariat with Models, held on the base of Moscow State University, Russian State University for Humanity, Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow State Law University, and others.
MIMUN 2015
MIMUN 2015 is to be held from April 19 to April 24, 2015. The conference is going to host committees in all the 6 languages: for the first time Spanish, Arabic and Chinese are to be included. In comparison to the previous Model, the number of committees has increased notably: there will be represented 12 committees with 13 agendas this year.