As early as
1946, students from around the world came together to represent a country of
their choice in the international political arena. The National Model United
Nations has a long-standing tradition of enabling student delegations to gain
practical insights into the workings of the United Nations, apply their learned
knowledge, further develop their soft skills, communicate in English on a
negotiation basis, make new friends and establish contacts around the world.
The
National Model United Nations, or NMUN, is organized by a non-governmental
organization that works closely with the United Nations. Year after year, it
makes it possible for students to become diplomats for a short period of time,
representing the interests of their state in the bodies of the United Nations
in New York.
Since 2003,
students of political science have had the opportunity to travel to New York
annually for Goethe University as part of an approximately 25-member delegation
and represent a UN member state in the bodies of the world organization. In
order to master this challenge, the prospective diplomats have to prepare
intensively for their tasks, e.g. in the Security Council or the General
Assembly. The project period begins in the summer semester and lasts one year, during
which they participate in a main seminar on the United Nations and an NMUN
project seminar with weekend workshops. In addition, they have to contribute to
the success of the cost-intensive project through independent teamwork in the
areas of fundraising, web presence, press relations, etc.
During the
simulation, the students' tasks include seeking allied representatives of other
states, forming alliances, writing resolutions, and representing the positions
of "their" state in formal meetings and informal negotiations and
enforcing its goals. In addition to cultural understanding, diplomatic conduct
and behavior in accordance with the UN "rules of procedure", the
rules of simulation, are also required.
Several
Frankfurt delegations have received awards for their achievements and were, for
example, honored with the Position Paper Award for their previously prepared
position papers and thus for their very good preparation for the conference.
The realistic and convincing appearance on site was also rewarded several times
with an Outstanding Delegation Award. The Peace Research Institute Frankfurt is
the patron of the project and supports the student "diplomats" in
many ways.
