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MUN Bayreuth goes New York City

16 Bayreuth students participated in the first post-Corona Model United Nations conference in New York City.

By Anja-Maria Meister  ·

Jacob Krüger, one of the two Head Delegates of the Bayreuth delegation returns full of impressions: "We had an incredibly great and productive time. After long preparation and long, busy nights, we felt it was a privilege to be there. The feeling of normality, the honor of being one of the first groups since 2020 to visit the UN Headquarters, and the personal contact with motivated delegates from all over the world - that was the NMUN Spirit 2022."

It was clear months ago that the Bayreuth delegation would be representing Sweden. Three topics each are being prepared for twelve committees - from the Security Council to UNSECO to the General Assembly - which will then be negotiated. Topics include arms deliveries, human rights and peace-building measures. As with the "real" UN, blocs are then formed, with countries with similar interests coming together to set the agenda.

Of course, the Ukraine war played a major role in New York. Less so in the NMUN debates: the state of world politics in the simulation game is set at a cut-off date six weeks before the conference that applies to all participants. But "out there" in the real world, the UN General Assembly was taking place at the same time, and Russia's exclusion from the UN Human Rights Council was also decided at the same time. During the ongoing debates, the NATO membership status of Sweden - which was represented at NMUN by Bayreuth - became increasingly explosive.

Besides the content, one thing stood out this year: international networking, the experience of giving speeches in front of hundreds of delegates, and the germination of a vision: the return of diplomacy, the return of global networking, and the return of student competition in-persona. In addition, delegates had another task: producing footage for the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on MUN. It will be published in fall 2022.

What a moment it was when the months of preparation for the MUN MOOC, the laborious manuscript writing that went with it, and the numerous interview requests finally came to fruition and it was just, "And Action, please!"

Under a bright blue sky but freezing cold, the team started shooting on Roosevelt Island, directly on the East River and with a unique view of the New York skyline. After we had captured this spectacular scenery, one highlight followed the other: Filming and expert interviews at the MUN conference, interviews with advisors, ambassadors and diplomats, meetings with delegates, negotiations, speeches in the plenary and, and, and....

What is MUN?

The "Model-United-Nations" (MUN) is a student initiative that exists at many German and international universities. Participants take part in a simulation game in which they assume the role of delegates of a specific country to the United Nations. Anyone can take part, regardless of what subject they are studying. In simulated bodies such as the Security Council or the General Assembly, delegates debate global political issues, negotiate compromises, and pass resolutions. A visit to the United Nations for NMUN is part of the programme.

During the visit, the Bayreuth MUN people had the unique opportunity to exchange views with diplomats on site. The war in Ukraine caused a lot of questions during the talks. On the first day, the delegates from Bayreuth met representatives of the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. In the picture: (2nd from right) Jelena Vujic Event Planner at the EU Delegation and Danila Gauci (3rd from right), Legal Team Counsellor of the EU Delegation.

The students were guided through the UN buildings - and saw, for example, the hall of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

For the MOOC, the Faculty Advisor of the Bayreuth MUN project, Andreas Trauner, and Constance Viehbeck interviewed the Ambassador of the European Delegation to the United Nations, Olof Skoog. The trip was already something very special for the students in that they would hardly have come into contact with such personalities during a "normal" visit abroad. It was a great enrichment for all of them to talk to the ambassadors about their work and to get insights from the diplomatic career.

A visit to the South Korean embassy was also on the agenda. Consul General Chessy Kim reported on a wide range of topics: the relationship with North Korea, her own career and the political differences between Asia and Europe, such as the attitude to the Ukraine war and arms supplies in general.

The Bayreuth MUN members Jacob Krüger (l., Economics, Head Delegate) and Matthias Karle (Philosophy & Economics) represented Sweden in the First Committee of the General Assembly. They were to represent the country - parliamentary monarchy, EU but not NATO member - in the debates on the handling of weapons. To do this, they first had to familiarize themselves with Sweden's basic policy lines.

The participants also experienced a lot outside of the conference - for example, during a visit to the opera at the MET.

What is NMUN?

NMUN, which claims to be the world's largest and oldest ongoing university-based Model UN, attracts participants* from more than 130 UN member states each year to address current global issues. The learning programs provide a forum for students to hone their skills in diplomacy, negotiation, critical thinking, compromise, public speaking, writing, and research.

Students benefit from collaboration with the United Nations Department of Global Communications and use simulation techniques developed in the 1990s with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Conferences in New York culminate at UN Headquarters.

Why a MOOC on MUN?

Active participation in MUN requires a lot of time, students who (have to) work part-time often do not have this. Often, considerable financial means are also necessary, since travel has to be paid for, visa fees, etc. are due. But the UN as a global institution stands for a just world, for moderation and balance. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on MUN tries to balance this contradiction: In conjunction with the online conferences hosted from Bayreuth, the new MOOC (online from fall 2022) opens up the concept of MUN. Participants only need a computer and an internet connection. With this type of course, disproportionately more young people will be able to enjoy the program than with conventional MUNs. In this way, the MUN MOOC gives young people from countries that are otherwise only talked about at MUN their own voice and opens up the space for ideas from all over the world.

All Pictures: © UBT MUN/priv

Andreas Trauner, M.Sc.

Research Assistant at the Chair of Economics III
Phone: + 49 (0)921 55-6303
E-Mail: andreas.trauner@uni-bayreuth.de
Webmaster: Anja-Maria Meister