Model United Nations

Hamline’s Model UN Program involves numerous events and activities throughout the year. A brief list is presented below.

• September - Campus Wide Event: Faculty Panel Discussion on International Topic
  In addition to the campus community, Model UN, Political Science, and Global Studies alumni are invited to attend.
• October - Team Interviews and Selection
  The Executive Committee of Model UN, along with Professor Vogel, interview and choose Hamline’s national Model UN team.
• November – Announcement of National Model UN Team and Country 
  Usually by early November, we announce the Model UN team for the spring,and we find out from the National Model UN Conference what our country will be for the year.
• February – Fundraising Event with Aarambh; Mock Practice Session with Augsburg and Macalester College
  Each year Model UN works with Aarambh, an NGO located in India working with women and children, on a fundraising project. Funds and donations are shared by Aarambh and Model UN.
  Also in late February, Hamline Model UN participates in a Mock Practice Model UN session with other local college teams.
• March/April – Preparations for National Model UN and Attendance at New York NMUN Conference; Middle School or High School Model UN at Hamline University. March and April are the busiest months with preparations for our trip to New York, and our own Model UN Conference at Hamline. 

About Us 

Model United Nations conferences have been held since the inception of the United Nations in 1945. Although each conference may be different in size, audience, and scope, Model UN programs all help students learn the operations of the UN, expand their understanding of other cultures and peoples, become aware of world issues, and gain individual skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, and diplomacy.

During a Model United Nations conference, students will simulate the workings of principle organs of the UN. Students represent ambassadors of various countries and debate in committee a host of global issues currently before the UN. Such issues might include; disarmament, protection of the environment, concern for human rights, elimination of poverty and hunger, addressing the HIV/AIDs pandemic, disaster relief, or elimination of terrorism. Prior to conferences, students engage in extensive research on their country's history, culture, economics, and politics as well as its position within the UN. Students write position papers, resolutions, and amendments. They learn to caucus, to use parliamentary procedure, and to speak comfortably in a group and before an audience. In the process of preparing for and participating in Model UN simulations, students learn to integrate information across diverse disciplines such as global studies, economics, geography, politics, history, gender studies, environmental studies, sociology, and more. They develop research, oral and written communication, and critical thinking skills.

Hamline’s Model United Nations program remains one of the most dynamic and active among universities and colleges in the Midwest. Activities include hosting a campus wide event in the fall, featuring a panel discussion on current international issues, hosting a middle school Model UN conference on campus each spring for students from the St. Paul School Districts, and sending a collegiate team to the National Model United Nations Conference in New York.

Hamline’s Model UN Program has been in existence for over forty years. Initially a student ad hoc group, Model UN is now a student club/class hybrid. Students from all across campus are welcome to participate in club activities in the fall. In the spring, students chosen for the National Model United Nations team take a regular, 4-credit course.

The National Model UN team is chosen in the fall through a rigorous application process, including a formal interview. Application materials are made available at club meetings, on our website, and through the Student Activities Information Desk in the Student Center. Depending on budgets, the team usually consists of eleven or twelve students each year.