Welcome to YIRA

The Yale International Relations Association, Inc. (YIRA) was founded in 1969 to further the Yale community's understanding international relations. We believe that the key to a secure future begins with an understanding of our neighbors in the global community - an understanding that only comes about through education. It is with this perspective that YIRA dedicates itself to educating its members, the Yale community, and others about international affairs.

YIRA, Inc. is an umbrella organization for four primary activities: The Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY), a collegiate Model United Nations Conference revolving around crisis simulations; the Yale Model United Nations Conference (YMUN), which attracts approximately 1000 high school students from the around the world each winter; the Model United Nations Team at Yale (MUNTY) which represents YIRA and Yale-at-large at collegiate Model United Nations conferences around the world; The Speaker's Committee which works to bring international leaders to campus to speak at events open to the entire Yale community.

On this Website, you can find information about our two main divisions: The Speaker's Committee, and Model United Nations, including our high school, college, and intra-mural conferences and our award winning Model United Nations Team. Moreover, you will be able to find detailed information about all YIRA events, including social, internships and travel opportunities. 

We thank you for visiting. We encourage all visitors to explore our website and to contact us if you have any questions.

Bulldog Days Information

YIRA will be hosting a social mixer with milkshakes and finger food so you can have the chance to ask any and all questions about international relations, YIRA, and general life at Yale. We will also have a booth at the Extracurricular Bazaar from 2 to 4pm on Tuesday 22 April 2008 at the Lanman Center at Payne Whitney Gymnasium. There we will be giving away free T-shirts and pens. We hope to see you there!

In case you can't make it to our events: sign up here to receive e-mails about unique YIRA opportunities or to be paired with a current YIRA member to answer any questions you may have.

Recent Events

34th Annual Model United Nations
Competition Held at Yale

The 34th Annual Yale Model United Nations Conference took place this weekend, from January 24th to 27th, at Yale University. Over 1100 students from 55 schools competed in the annual Yale competition, hosted by the Yale International Relations Association.  Students were able to compete in various committees, including mainstays such as the World Bank, SOCHUM and DISEC, and unique committees, such as the 1911 Imperialist Congress of Berlin and the Press Corps.
For more information, please visit the YMUN website.

Media:
New Haven Goes Before U.N. (New Haven Independent)
NHPS Students addressed world issues at presigious Yale Model UN Conference (New Haven Public Schools Website)
1,300 High Schoolers expected to attend Yale 'U.N.' Seminars (New Haven Register)