Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Stockholm Model United Nations. Questions specifically related to the 2009 conference can be found here. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

What is a Model United Nations Conference?

A Model United Nations Conference (also known as “Model UN” or simply “MUN”) is a scenario- based simulation of the work in a UN committee, such as the Security Council, where the participants (university students) take on roles as diplomats in order to discuss – and come to solutions to – issues of interest to the international community.

The simulations of United Nations bodies is intended to give the delegates a chance to explore the ideas that shape the thinking of international relations in the 21^st century, as a well as an opportunity to shape their own thinking as a result of these explorations.

Why should I participate?

Participating in a Model United Nations Conference gives you a unique chance to practice your negotiation skills and debate international politics. By putting theory theory into practice you learn about the UN system and the workings of international diplomacy, whilst meeting other interested and dedicated young individuals.

What is a scenario?

The scenario of an MUN Conference is the topic which is discussed in the committees. At SMUN in 2008, climate change was discussed, the 2007 conference dealt with the case of Kosovo, SMUN 2006 had the situation on the Horn of Africa as its scenario, and in 2005, the topic of discussion was Iran and its alleged nuclear weapons program.

The scenario for SMUN 2009 is Winning the Peace: Afghanistan on the Global Agenda.

What is WorldMUN?
WorldMUN is a Model United Nations conference organised by Harvard University once each year. Every year, a different location and a university host is chosen. SMUN has attended WorldMUN with a delegation for five consecutive years: WorldMUN 2005 in Edinburgh, Scotland, WorldMUN 2006 in Beijing, China, WorldMUN 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland, WorldMUN 2008 in Puebla, Mexico and WorldMUN 2009 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

WorldMUN 2010 will be held in Taipei. SMUN plans to attend with a delegation, to which delegates of SMUN 2009 are eligible to apply.

Read the SMUN Delegations’ WorldMUN reports for more information, some of which can be found here.

Who organises SMUN?
SMUN is a cooperation between students from the Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm University and the Swedish National Defence College. The organisations behind SMUN are the International Committee of the Student Association at the Stockholm School of Economics and The Law Students’ Association at the University of Stockholm.

SMUN has no political or religious affiliations and is a non-profit project dependent on students with an active interest in international politics.

Read more about the SMUN Host Team and Senior Advisers.