Model UN Overview

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2009

What is Model UN?

Model UN is a dynamic simulation of the United Nations, its multilateral bodies and other regional organizations. Over the course of a Model UN conference, students experience and practice international diplomacy by playing the role of UN delegates, often representing a wide spectrum of countries and views. Delegates address some of the most pressing issues of the day, and through intense debate, caucusing and deliberation, seek to find solutions to these problems, producing resolutions which are then voted on by delegates. Through Model UN, students are able to hone their debating, speaking and research skills, in addition to gaining a more sound knowledge, understanding and appreciation of international relations and global affairs.

YIRA & Model UN

YIRA is the largest organization at Yale involved in organizing and participating in Model UN activities. YIRA hosts three Model UN conferences each year, each run by a group of committed Secretariat members:

• The Security Council Simulation at Yale (SCSY), our crisis-based Model UN conference for college students, has grown to become one of the most prestigious and popular collegiate conferences, with 500 delegates participating in a broad range of uniquely small committees (all with fewer than 30 delegates); the conference is held in October every year
• The Yale Model United Nations Conference (YMUN) is one of the premier conferences on the high school Model UN circuit, drawing over 1,100 delegates (of which 1 in 5 is an international student) annually to Yale’s campus to participate in 18 diverse and dynamic committees; the conference is held in January every year
• The United Nations Crisis Simulation at Yale (UNCSY) is our intramural conference organized for Yale students to discuss and debate the pressing global issues of the day; the conference is held in September every year

YIRA is also host to Yale’s award-winning, traveling Model UN Team (MUNTY), which competes at national collegiate Model UN conferences in the United States and abroad. The Team is one of the best teams in the nation; recent awards include the Best Large Delegate awards at the Harvard National Model United Nations and the University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations XLII, two of the largest collegiate conferences in the country. The Team is led by a Head Delegate, and consists of 25 – 30 members selected on a competitive basis through tryouts held every Fall and Spring semester.