Model United Nations
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
I. Modern Slavery in a Globalized World
II. Protecting the Rights of Children in Armed Conflicts
HRC Background Guide
UNHCR
I. Promoting Educational Opportunities for Refugees
II. Clean Water for Refugees
UNHCR Background Guide
OAS
I. Preservar la Herencia Cultural y Conocimiento Tradicional de los Pueblos Indígenas
II. Combatir el Tráfico Humano y Explotación Infantil
OAS Background Guide
ECOSOC
I. Reduction of Brain Drain in the Developing World
II. Increasing Financial SDG's Incentives for Future Local Partnerships
ECOSOC Background Guide
GA
I. Addressing the Risk of AI to International Security
II. Nuclear Nonproliferation for the Next Decade
GA Background Guide
UNICEF
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.
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Parliamentary Procedure
- Parliamentary Procedure Guide Sheet
- These are the rules of discussion and formal language to be used throughout the conference.
Resolution Writing
- Resolution Writing Guide
- Use this to answer basic questions about the format, style, and content of resolution papers.
- BYUMUN32 Resolution Template
Country Research
- Six Steps for Effective Country Research and Representation
- We hope you come to this conference with a deep understanding of your country. This sheet provides ideas and a road map on how to obtain that understanding.
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.
Materials for OAS
If you have questions, please email us at mun@byu.edu. Good luck delegates!
BYU MUN Teams

Italy [Outstanding]
2021
Position Paper Awards: Kaitlin Long and Andrew GabelPeople’s Republic of China (Pandemic Cancellation)
2020

Italy [Honorable Mention] + Turkmenistan [Distinguished]
2019

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
Pakistan + Finland
2017

France + Seychelle
2016

Timor-Leste + Brazil
2015

Islamic Republic of Iran [Outstanding] + Gambia [Outstanding]
2014
Bangladesh [Outstanding] + Poland [Outstanding]
2013
Russian Federation [Outstanding] + Burundi [Outstanding]
2012
Republic of Korea [Outstanding] + Tonga [Outstanding]
2011
Germany [Outstanding] + Médecins Sans Frontière [Outstanding]
2010
Russian Federation [Outstanding] + Ethiopia [Outstanding]
2009
Mexico [Outstanding] + Democratic Republic of the Congo [Outstanding]
2008
India [Outstanding] + Syrian Arab Republic [Outstanding]
People’s Republic of China [Outstanding] + Hope Worldwide [Outstanding]
2006
Burkina Faso [Outstanding] + Oxfam International [Outstanding]
Socialists International
2004
Syria + Bangladesh
2003
Russian Federation + Holy See + Trinidad & Tobago
2002
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

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