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Model United Nations

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BYUMUN34
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Model United Nations

Model United Nations (MUN) is a class offered at BYU that teaches basic principles of diplomacy through lectures, assignments, and realistic simulations of international multilateral negotiations. In MUN, students acquire skills in policy making, public speaking, parliamentary procedure, consensus building, and resolution writing. These principles are applied in mock UN sessions discussing and solving real UN committee topics.

In the spring, BYU takes a MUN team to the national conference in New York City, where schools from all over the world compete in UN negotiation and policy making. At the conference, BYU maintains a prestigious reputation for always bringing a sharp, competent team to win the top awards. We hope to continue this legacy by finding the most capable and passionate students at BYU to join our exceptional MUN team.

MUN CLASS 351 R

Fall Semester is an open enrollment, three-credit-hour class that provides an introduction to the workings of international organizations, with special emphasis on the United Nations. Students prepare for the BYUMUN conference where hundreds of high school students come to compete in a United Nations simulation at BYU. Students learn skills necessary for success, including public speaking, research, writing, parliamentary procedure, and diplomacy. The course features a retreat and several mock United Nations sessions.

Winter Semester may be added by instructor’s permission only. Students are selected based on criteria outlined in the fall semester syllabus, focusing primarily on level of commitment, congruency of professional goals, and potential for leadership. The majority of the semester is spent preparing for the National Model United Nations conference in New York City where students represent countries. At the conference, they diplomatically pursue their country’s policy objectives in formal sessions, while competing against students from around the globe.

INSTRUCTORS

Instructors include Cory Leonard, Megan Alder, and Kelly Russell.

BYUMUN34 High School Conference

For thirty-four years, BYUMUN has been Utah’s premiere high school Model United Nations learning conference. Delegates develop writing skills by drafting resolutions; improve speaking abilities; research country policies and global issues solutions; and learn to persuade their peers. New schools/delegates are welcome. 

Why Attend?

  • Expand your work by developing global perspectives on important issues
  • Improve core writing, research, and interpersonal skills
  • Meet students from across the Intermountain West
  • Gain experience for your future
  • Hear from diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and journalists

Dates and Deadlines

Conference Date: 27 Oct 2023
Country assignments will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Staff

Secretaries General: Benjamin Marr and Emily Whitcomb
Executive Director: Kelly Russell
Contact: mun@byu.edu

Directors

HRC

Director: Olivia Allred

I. Modern Slavery in a Globalized World

II. Protecting the Rights of Children in Armed Conflicts

HRC Background Guide

UNHCR

Director: Ben Marr

I. Promoting Educational Opportunities for Refugees

II. Clean Water for Refugees

UNHCR Background Guide

OAS

Director: Mauricio Morales

I. Preservar la Herencia Cultural y Conocimiento Tradicional de los Pueblos Indígenas

II. Combatir el Tráfico Humano y Explotación Infantil

OAS Background Guide

ECOSOC

Director: Christina Parry

I. Reduction of Brain Drain in the Developing World

II. Increasing Financial SDG's Incentives for Future Local Partnerships

ECOSOC Background Guide

GA

Director: Estelle Robbins

I. Addressing the Risk of AI to International Security

II. Nuclear Nonproliferation for the Next Decade

GA Background Guide

UNICEF

Director: Emily Whitcomb

I. Combating the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children

II. Achieving Higher Child Literacy Rates

UNICEF Background Guide

TRAINING MATERIALS

The materials below are designed to help student-delegates better understand some of the soft skills of diplomacy. Skills include: policy writing, public speaking, deep research, parliamentary procedure, and negotiation. BYUMUN is proud to welcome all programs and students regardless of experience. If you are a new program or student looking to participate in the upcoming conference, we encourage you to pay special attention to learning parliamentary procedure and resolution writing as these are the most technical skills required.

Follow us on Instagram for Updates and training help

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Procedure

Resolution Writing

Resolution Writing

Country Research

Position Paper

  • Position Paper Guide
    • Before you come to the conference, you will be expected to produce a paper detailing the position of your country on certain issues. Follow these guidelines to answer basic questions about the format, style, and content of resolution papers.
    • Position Paper Template
      • Before you come to the conference, you will be submitting position papers that reflect your country’s political position on the committee’s topics and includes ideas on how to solve the problem. Use this template to ensure correct formatting.
    • Position Paper Examples

Materials for OAS

If you have questions, please email us at mun@byu.edu. Good luck delegates!

BYU MUN Teams

India [Outstanding] + Kuwait [Outstanding]

2023

Position Paper Awards: Tania Carrilo, Macy Conrad, Jordan Bowen, Collin Powell, Brendan Armstrong, Emma Cummings, Brooke Layton, Emi Yamazaki, Olivia Allred, Christina Parry, Jori Hall, Ben Marr

Marocco [Outstanding] + Panama [Distinguished]

2022

Position Paper Awards: Aubrey Johnson, Alexis Long, Sam Eliason, Justin Lemke, Spencer Shields, Paul Victor, Boston Kelly, Katherine Jolley, Dallin McCracken, Mary Harris, Jarrod Smith, Isaac Lamoreaux
PHOTO BYU MUN Team Italy W21.jpg

Italy [Outstanding]

2021

Position Paper Awards: Kaitlin Long and Andrew Gabel
BYU Team China W20.JPG

People’s Republic of China (Pandemic Cancellation)

2020

BYU {filename base} 2018

Italy [Honorable Mention] + Turkmenistan [Distinguished]

2019

2018 Team.jpg

Russian Federation [Distinguished] + Paraguay [Distinguished]

2018

Position Paper Awards: Claudia Soto and Collin Stocksdale, Aryanna Hyde and Jacob Stebbing, Nathan McQuarrie and Rebecca Russavage, Hans Pande and Olivia Whiteley, Liam McMullin and Sasha Sloan, Georg Charbadze and Kami Dixon, Colton Getter and Aubrey Johnson
2017 Team.jpg

Pakistan + Finland

2017

2016 Team.jpg

France + Seychelle

2016

2015 Team.jpg

Timor-Leste + Brazil

2015

2014 Team.jpg

Islamic Republic of Iran [Outstanding] + Gambia [Outstanding]

2014

2013 Team.JPG

Bangladesh [Outstanding] + Poland [Outstanding]

2013

2012 Team.JPG

Russian Federation [Outstanding] + Burundi [Outstanding]

2012

2011 Team.JPG

Republic of Korea [Outstanding] + Tonga [Outstanding]

2011

2010 Team.JPG

Germany [Outstanding] + Médecins Sans Frontière [Outstanding]

2010

2009 Team.JPG

Russian Federation [Outstanding] + Ethiopia [Outstanding]

2009

2008 Team.JPG

Mexico [Outstanding] + Democratic Republic of the Congo [Outstanding]

2008

2007 Team.JPG

India [Outstanding] + Syrian Arab Republic [Outstanding]

2007
2006 Team.JPG

People’s Republic of China [Outstanding] + Hope Worldwide [Outstanding]

2006

2005 Team.JPG

Burkina Faso [Outstanding] + Oxfam International [Outstanding]

2005

Socialists International

2004

2003 Team.JPG

Syria + Bangladesh

2003

Russian Federation + Holy See + Trinidad & Tobago

2002

2001 Team.JPG

South Africa + Bahrain

2001

India + Kiribati + Youth for Voluntary Action

2000

Islamic Republic of Iran

1999

Romania + China

1998

Russian Federation + Iraq

1997

United States of America [Outstanding]

1996

United Kingdom [Outstanding]

1995

United States of America [Outstanding]

1994

Zaire + Israel

1993

Niger [Honorable Mention]

1992

BYU MUN Teaching Assistants

2023

Megan Tanner, Spencer Shields, Brendan Armstrong, Parker Carlquist, Katherine Jolley, Tania Carrilo

2022

Jarrod Smith, Dallin McCraken, Chaim Zuniga, Alix Hess, Kara Molnar
TAs 2021.jpg

2021

Anna Bryner, Jenna Cook, Liam Dalton, Jake Fairchild, Amanda Gach, Brad Grisenti, Anela Hansen // Head Delegate: Isabella Errigo
TAs 2020.JPG

2020

Joshua Brown, Max Collins, Isabella Errigo, Kelsey Eyre, Cristiana Farnesworth, Gracia Lee, Robert Lindsay // Head Delegate: Olivia Whiteley
BYU {filename base} 2018

2019

Cheyenne Rivera, Aidan Houston, Olivia DeMordaunt, Marco Pesci, Emma Gleave, Elizabeth Griffiths, Nell Stevens // Head Delegate: Olivia Whiteley
TAs 2018.jpg

2018

TAs 2017.jpg

2017

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2016

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2015

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2014

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2013

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2012

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2011

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2010

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2009

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2008

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2007

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2006

Alejandra Aravena Guerra, Tristan Holley, Sarah Kemeny, Wesley Rassmussen, Alex Shafer, Anne Sidwell, Matthew Waldrip, Adam Fife, Bill Perry, Cory Leonard (not pictured)
TAs 2005.JPG

2005

Marie Kulbeth, Angela Mirriam, Mary Kate McKay, Joshua Budinger, Andrew Ludlow, Ana Loso, Cory Leonard, Bill Perry
TAs 2004.JPG

2004

Adam Fife, Rebecca McConkie, Sarah Stevenson, Peter Stone, Jake Summers, Ana Loso, Cory Leonard, Bill Perry (not pictured)
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2003

Jimmy Rogers, Rijen Hendrick, Anne Theodosis, Elysa Bowen, John Collins, Ryan Riggs, Ana Loso, Cory Leonard
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2002

Sherri Baker, John Collins, Jason Howell, Matt Thorne, Becca Vanultert, Staci Wheeler, Cory Leonard
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2001

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2000

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1999

Jonathan Chan, Jeff Grace, Katie Lenhard, Natalie Madsen, Tory Randall, Lon Sorenson, Taylor Roxanne, Alexandra Zwahlen, Cory Leonard
TAs 1998.jpg

1998

BYUMUN34 Priority Registration Closes

September 24th, 2023

BYUMUN34 Registration Closes

October 8th, 2023

BYUMUN34 Position Papers Due

October 22nd, 2023

BYUMUN34

October 27th, 2023

National High School Model UN (NHSMUN)

March 8-11th and 13-16th, 2024 NYC

UVUMUN

Returning February 2024