The Hague International Model United Nations

THIMUN logo

The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) is an annual Model United Nations conference. It is the oldest and largest United Nations simulation for high school students in the world. The conference in Europe is usually held at The World Forum Convention Centre in The Hague (formerly the "Nederlands Congres Centrum"), and the conference in Asia is held at Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore, named THIMUN-Singapore.

The concept of THIMUN

At THIMUN high schools form a UN-delegation, representing a country or non-member delegation (e.g., NGOs, IGOs) in various commissions. The conference itself is managed by a student-formed 'Secretariat', including Secretaries-General, Chairs, press staff and administrative staff.

All the major bodies of the United Nations are represented at THIMUN: the General Assembly, consisting of six specialised committees; the Security Council; the Special Conference (which discusses a different issue-area each year); the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); the Environmental, Disarmament and Human Rights Committees (each with two sub-committees); and the International Court of Justice. In 2006, there was also an Advisory Panel on the Question of Sudan (APQS) and in 2007, there was an Advisory Panel on the Question of Kosovo (APQK). THIMUN also has its own Press Team and its own newspaper called "MUNITY".

Goals

  1. "To advance the interests of international education across national BOUNDARIES through the promotion of interaction and dialogue between young people from a variety of countries and school systems.
  2. "To install a global perception in young people through the educational aims of Model United Nations, focusing on the formulation of peaceful resolutions to world problems.
  3. "To develop in students communication skills which will help to foster international education and global perception mentioned above.
  4. "To promote interest and support for the work of the United Nations and to increase public awareness of issues of international concern."

Each and every THIMUN that has already and will take place will contain the element of debate. Essentially, this is all THIMUN is about. During these debates, delegates are meant to present the IDeaS and the policies of their countries and to behave as if they were the country itself.

The structure of THIMUN

Each student-delegate usually brings a draft resolution to the conference and prepare him/herself for the topics on the agenda (which are decided on by THIMUN staff and students each year). The delegates then lobby and discuss their draft resolutions in their respective commissions / committees in order to come to a "resolution" (a written solution to a problem). During the discussions formal procedures are employed, which are as close to the procedures of the real UN as possible.

Resolutions that are passed during the week are bundled together in a booklet and sent to the UN in New York, the idea being that they offer new insight and ideas to the members and councils of the United Nations.

The programme of events at the conference breaks down into opening speeches and informal lobbying, committee debates, plenary sessions and the closing ceremonies.

THIMUN-Singapore

THIMUN has developed the THIMUN-Singapore conference which began in 2005 and takes place annually in Singapore. In THIMUN-Singapore, majority of the UN bodies are represented: the General Assembly, consisting of six specialised committees; the Security Council; the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); and the International Court of Justice. In 2007, there was also an Advisory Panel on the Question of Kashmir. THIMUN-Singapore also has its own Press Team and its own newspaper called "MUNITY-EAST". In addition to that, it has a Youth Assembly Forum consisting of two committees. THIMUN-Singapore is also well known for the significant influence the International School of Beijing.

Affiliated conferences

THIMUN has several affiliated conferences, many of which are held in different countries around the world, including:

  • BAHMUN in Bahrain
  • CILA in Bavaro, Dominican Republic
  • TIMUN in Istanbul, Turkey
  • BRAMUN in Angra dos Reis, Brazil
  • SAMUN in Caracas, Venezuela
  • DSAMUN in Greece at the German School of Athens
  • CGS MUN in Greece at Costeas - Geitonas School
  • DAIMUN in India at Dhirubhai Ambani International School
  • TIMUN in Turkey
  • BERMUN in Germany
  • PAMUN in Paris, France
  • IMUNG in Ivanovo, Russia
  • JOMUN in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • MUNOS in Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • AISMUN in Cairo, Egypt
  • MUNOM in Munich, Germany
  • BEIMUN in Beijing, China
  • MINIMUN, which is also hosted in The Hague
  • IMUN in Lisbon, Portugal
  • LEMUN in Leiden
  • HMUN in Haarlem,
  • THIMUN-Singapore (Branch Conference) in Singapore
  • TAIMUN, in Taiwan or Republic of China
  • IMMUNS, in Monterrey, Mexico at the American School Foundation of Monterrey

Annual themes

  • 2002: "Science and Ethics"
  • 2003: "Human Rights - A Human Obligation"
  • 2004: "Information - A Power for Change"
  • 2005: "Health and Youth"
  • 2006: "Promotion of Gender Equality"
  • 2007: "Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger"
  • 2008: "Climate Change"

References

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