Experienced MYP educator and Model United Nations Coordinator Sean Logan explores how Model United Nations can transform your school community by building global awareness, critical thinking, and empathy.
"It's fun to pretend being a world leader solving the world's most important problems," (“Why MUN”)
Many school-goers and teaching staff ask, ‘What is Model United Nations exactly, and what benefits can it bring to one's school community?’ Some may even wonder if a well-versed and experienced MUN individual amongst the staff is needed to head up and drive the program? A truth is that students and staff who have experienced Model UN can truly understand that it is so much more than what it appears to be on the surface. How do we convince those who have not experienced it to dive in?
Tell me, what is MUN?
"MUN is more than just speeches"
Simply put, Model United Nations or MUN is a simulation or role play of global issues and real-world diplomacy, where students get to pass an opinion and debate. They do this through their allocated countries' stance on the matter. Students will receive a topic or issue (example: Should Scandinavian countries form their own ‘Northern’ EU Union and leave the EU?), be allocated a relevant country, research this country's actual and real-life stance on the matter through country profiling, and then present these findings through a structured debate. Yes, there is more to it, but this is a good start for the reader taking this all in. MUN is more than just speeches.
Skillset Gained Through Participating in MUN
If one follows the above prompts, what particular skills may be tested, encouraged, needed, and honed?
- Critical thinking on grasping the topic,
- Research in investigating and inquiring about the given country for them,
- Analysing if the information is coming from reliable sources,
- Negotiating in forming blocs and alliances with other countries that are like-minded,
- Speech writing and delivery of an effective speech, preparing an opening speech on one's country’s stance and position on the matter,
- Diplomacy, respect, and patience during the debate process, listening to others, responding to them thoughtfully whilst following the correct decorum procedures….
….not a bad range of transferable skills to be highlighted for a lesson or two at all! These skills are life skills and go way beyond the classroom walls.
Yes, Model United Nations is a fun activity for students because it offers an engaging way to learn about global issues and diplomacy by stepping into the role of world leaders and collaborating to solve problems (Northfield).
A program such as Model UN employed at school through an extra-curricular club or enrichment activity can aid students in dissecting the many global issues that exist, especially current ongoing issues in our world that may be close to home or relevant to the country they find themselves in. These somewhat huge and complex issues can seem to be approachable at first, but through skills and experiences gained through MUN settings and context, these issues can be broken down, understood, and most importantly, appreciated through the eyes of the regions and/or countries involved.
Students having a forum, a place, and a space to hear about these issues from their fellow classmates and peers, gaining their perspectives on the matter, is hugely beneficial in terms of allowing empathy and understanding to take the foreground and grow. Isn’t a sense of empathy missing in a lot of the occupants of Mother Earth at the moment?
Does MUN Require an Expert to Lead the Program?
Circling back to one of the initial questions posed. No. Certainly not. What does it take then? A willing teacher or even parent who enjoys current global affairs and happenings wants to discuss, prompt, debate, and listen to students' views and grasp them. Getting caught up in following the exact procedures and protocols that MUN can pose at times should not be at the forefront if a new program or club is being initiated. This will come in good time. Get the students talking and sharing their views in an organised and respectful space, and one will find themselves halfway there!
Moving Forward
"There are plenty of resources to help launch whatever MUN program may suit your school"
Where to from here? There are plenty of resources to help launch whatever MUN program may suit your school:
- The website, Best Delegate is a great, universal and inclusive website, starting with the basics but having excellent extensions too.
- The United Nations has a section on their website too regarding MUN.
- MUNPREP has some useful prompts and ideas to get started.
- Fancy a podcast rather than a website, Kevin Chang and Nikolas Harris have some excellent and informative episodes on what MUN, how to conference and tips for success.
Getting Started with Model United Nations
Intro to Model UN - How to get started in Model United Nations
MUN Deep Dive - Kevin Felix Chang - Best Delegate Co-Founder - Episode 1
Please reach out, happy to help, advise and listen!
Sources
Northfield, Jacob. “Why All Students Should Be Required to Do Model United Nations -
Best Delegate Model United Nations.” Best Delegate Model United Nations, 11 May 2021, Bestdelegate.com/why-all-students-should-be-required-to-do-model-united-nations/. Accessed 5 Sept. 2025.
“Why MUN.” Model United Nations Institute by Best Delegate, https://mun.bestdelegate.com/why-mun/. Accessed 16 October 2025.
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