What is a Model UN?
Sometimes while watching the news, you might come across a tagline that mentions the United Nations and one of its agencies. What do you think goes down there? The United Nations was established in 1945 and operates through different agencies, organizations, and committees all striving to make the world a better place. A Model UN tries to replicate the amazing work of the United Nations in colleges all over the world. Thousands of Model UNs convene yearly to discuss important global issues and reach solutions.
What is the Lagos Model United Nations?
The Lagos Model United Nations is Africa’s premier MUN, established in 2016. It is the leading annual Model United Nations conference in West Africa, currently held at the University of Lagos. This conference simulates the United Nations, allowing students to serve as delegates of various nations. Delegates are assigned countries whose internal and foreign policies they study, detailing their position on global issues while allying with other countries to propose possible solutions in the form of resolutions and reports created during the conference.
The conference recognizes and awards outstanding delegates and position papers, and their resolutions are documented and sent to the UNIC for further deliberation and implementation.
How do I prepare for the conference?
When you register, you will be assigned a country and a committee. For example, Russia in the Security Council. In your application email, you will be sent a number of links, some of which will lead you to the background guides. You are to read your background guides to understand the topics to be discussed during your committee sessions, and to submit a Position Paper, stating your country’s position on the topic. While this is not compulsory, there is an award for writing the best position paper in a committee, and if you write an amazing paper, you stand the chance to snag it.
You also want to ensure that you are well-dressed for the conference. Get your suits, iron your ties, ensure your shoes are clean, and get ready to stun in formal attire. LMUN is a formal affair, so be sure to stick by the guidelines provided.
Finally, familiarize yourself with the rules of the committee sessions. Enjoying the conference requires you to get familiar with the rules of procedures so that you can draw motions, vote correctly, and give the best speeches during the conference. You can find the delegate prep guide, along with other guides that will help you be at your best during the conference.
What do I do during the Conference?
The conference is typically happens within a three day period. On the first day, there will be an opening ceremony, followed by committee sessions with breaks in between. The second day has committee sessions, SDG workshops where you will get to listen to illustrious and passionate speakers discuss different world issues that resonate with you, and the Idea Fair where delegates can pitch their social impact ideas to win funding from LMUN. On the final day of the conference, there are usually committee sessions, a plenary session where you get to vote on your resolutions, and a closing ceremony/dinner where you get to dance, take pictures, and winners will be announced.
Why should I attend the conference?
LMUN has helped delegates build their confidence, practice their public speaking skills, meet new people and bond with them, win awards that add to their resumes, and improve their writing and teamwork skills. You certainly don’t want to miss this!
What are the next steps?
Register for the LMUN 2024 Conference, taking place from the 30th of August to the 1st of September. Details for registration are available. The Deadline for Registration is August 24th.
If I cannot attend, how else can I support LMUN?
You can sponsor a delegate to attend the conference, if you know any young person that would benefit from doing so. You can also help us successfully execute the conference by joining the Pledge Drive.