A new but experienced MUN society aimed at university level students

DanMUN is a relatively new Model United Nations society and was established in 2006. Nevertheless, we have already formed our own special take on the concept and by now we have four successful conferences behind us. The Danish Model UN is a week-long event  directed towards university level students and we do our very best to find the perfect balance between the three elements that we find most important in the MUN context, namely; the academic element, the social element and, of course, the simulation of the UN Security Council.

Registration, drinks and socializing

The week is kicked off with registration night where all our participants arrive and we take some time to get to know each other and introduce everyone to the rules and procedures of MUNs. This is done in a ‘mock session’ where the Security Council may be called in to discuss pivotal issues such as whether lasagne is best hot or cold… When everyone is comfortable with the rules of the simulation we dedicate the rest of the first night to getting to know each other with games and drinks!

An academic approach

The following days are dedicated to the academics of our chosen topic. This entails an intensely packed programme with lectures from experts on various aspects of the given situation. The evenings will be a mix of the academic and social elements which means debate night, quiz night, panel debate etc. in informal settings where we step out of our power suits and have a good time. After we have all become experts on our chosen topic, we move on to the simulation itself.

The simulations and the life as a diplomat

The Council is called to session to discuss a topical threat to international security and the meeting is opened with a speech by the Secretary General. Subsequently all the members of the Security Council are encouraged to give their position on the topic and the rest is really up to the delegates… draft resolutions, heated discussions in the corridors, crisis and mitigation, mediation and reconciliation into the late hours of the night. The days of the simulation are intense, but, in order to give our delegates a realistic feel for the life of an international diplomat, we allow no time for them to put their feet up. After each session we have packed the evenings with social events, which are also intended to give our delegates an impression of our lovely capital, Copenhagen.

Galla Night and champagne

Finally, when our three days of Security Council simulation are over and our delegates have hopefully reached a consensus of some sort, DanMUN goes out with a Bang! The DanMUN Galla Night with the DanMUN Awards. Everyone is invited to a swanky night, with a three-course meal, champagne, fancy dress and lots of dancing!

So what will you get out of it?

The week should leave our participants with a thorough knowledge on our chosen topic, a concrete understanding of how the Security Council works, an experience of diplomacy in practise and of course an expanded international network, maybe even new friendships.