About HAMUN

"As the Charter makes clear, the United Nations was intended to introduce new principles into international relations, making a qualitative difference to their day-to-day conduct. The Charter's very first articles define our purpose: resolving disputes by peaceful means; devising cooperative solutions to economic, cultural, humanitarian problems and broadly encouraging behavior in conformity with the principles of justice and international law."                                                                                                        -Kofi Annan

 

The Houston Area Model United Nations of HAMUN is one of the largest and most well-know United Nations simulations for high school students in the state. We have around 900+ delegates from 40 schools that attend the conference each year that participate in fourteen diverse and intellectually stimulating committees of UN bodies. The fourteen committees are chaired and directed by students from various university from all over the United States, each with a diverse background and dedication to international relations. 

 

Delegates are challenged by our staff as well as other delegates within an environment that is sure to further develop their rhetorical skills as well as their understanding of international issues and the workings of the United Nations. 

 

What is Model United Nations?

As a simulation of the actual workings of the United Nations, Model United Nations are designed to acquaint its participants with the nations of the world community, their policies and the problems that arise from nations interacting. Delegates will leave better equipped to deal with other peoples and cultures in a time when negotiation is widely used as a tool of international diplomacy.

 

MUN provides a forum in which students might develop the arts of compromise, parliamentary procedure and debate. In addition, preparation can help develop the research skills necessary in any academic career.  Above all, MUN is an important educational experience which compliments high school programs in world affairs and lends an immediacy to current problems being considered at the international level.

 

Many of today's leaders in law, government, business and the arts participated in Model UN during their academic careers:

 

    • US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer

    • Former World Court Justice Stephen M. Schwebel

    • ABC’s This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos

    • Former first-daughter Chelsea Clinton

    • Under-Secretary General for Public Information, Kiyotaka Akasaka

    • Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan

    • Samuel L. Jackson

    • Ryan Seacrest from American Idol

    • Rainn Wilson - Dwight from "The Office"

 

MUN FAQs

Q: What is a Model UN delegate?
A: A Model UN delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations in a Model UN simulation. Prior to a conference or event, a Model UN delegate does not need extensive experience in international relations. Anyone can participate in Model UN, so long as they have the ambition to learn something new and to work with people to try and make a difference in the world. Model UN students tend to go on to become great leaders in politics, law, business, education and medicine, such as the people mentioned above.

 

Q: Why should I participate in Model UN?

A: Model UN promotes students' and teachers' interest in world around them and broadens a student's knowledge in a variety of subjects. Model UN also teaches vital skills in negotiation, public speaking, problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication. Model UN also gives students and teachers the opportunity to meet interesting new people and make new friends.

 

Q: What are some of the educational benefits of Model UN?
A: For almost 60 years, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience. It not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues, but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives, such as research, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and compromise and cooperation. For testimonials of past HAMUN delegates and staff please click here.