The HNMUN Philosophy

True to the mission of the United Nations as declared in its 1945 charter, HNMUN serves as a forum in which students from colleges and universities around the world can meet to discuss the greatest challenges facing the world today, in fields ranging from international peace and security to economic and social progress and human rights. In this spirit, the goal of HNMUN is to begin a process whereby constructive debate today can lead to solutions tomorrow. HNMUN strives to ensure that the committees we offer provide an educational and comprehensive look at a diverse range of pressing issues. Our directors work throughout the conference to make debate as realistic as possible, so that our delegates get a sense of the complexities of real-world international negotiation, and, as with the real United Nations, place an unequalled emphasis on cooperation and compromise rather than on the supremacy of any one country’s position. In this way, delegates get a chance not only to learn about current international affairs and to discover and represent one country’s position, but also how to stick to that position while working with hundreds of other delegates.

We bring to the conference nearly sixty years of experience and a staff that always exhibits the highest levels of enthusiasm and professionalism both in committees and behind the scenes. For both Model UN veterans and delegates new to the circuit, HNMUN provides a unique and rewarding experience.

Substantive Excellence

Our staff works tirelessly to write the most well-informed, up-to-date, comprehensive study guides and research materials possible. We make it our responsibility to ensure that each delegate is given a solid foundation of knowledge before the conference so that he or she will have a rewarding intellectual experience in committee. We place a high premium on professionalism and preparedness, and all of our directors are dedicated to exceeding these expectations.

Dedication Behind the Scenes

While delegates interact mainly with the staff of their committees, HNMUN is made possible by the ongoing efforts of excellent executive staff members, who work behind the scenes to handle conference logistics and ensure that every delegate’s experience is as seamless, rewarding, and enjoyable as possible.

Tradition and Innovation

Founded only a decade after the creation of the United Nations, HNMUN is the oldest simulation of its kind and the product of years of gradual refinement. Each year’s session of HNMUN builds on the successes of the last, resulting in a continually improving delegate experience. HNMUN is thus founded upon a solid tradition but never ceases to innovate, and the 2011 conference will be no exception.

Size and Diversity

With over 3,000 participants, HNMUN draws delegates from colleges across the United States and the globe. The 2010 conference included delegates from over 35 countries, and the staff of HNMUN 2011 is dedicated to increasing our international nature and diversity further. Our commitment to internationalism breeds a cultural diversity that we consider one of our proudest achievements, as each new perspective contributes to richer debate.

New and Improved Delegate and Faculty Resources

HNMUN is renewing its commitment to delegate and faculty relations with a full staff dedicated to Delegate Relations both before and at conference. HNMUN will also further both its own relationship with faculty advisors as well as their communications with each other, through networking resources such as pre-conference chat groups. At conference, the Faculty Room will also be open during all committee hours for faculty advisors and head delegate events, including innovative panels with distinguished Harvard professors.

Fun!

The staff of HNMUN is also dedicated to providing a fantastic experience outside of the committee room. We host a Club Night in Boston and both a Cocktail Hour and a Delegate Dance in the hotel, and we are dedicated to making the city accessible to all delegates and faculty advisors throughout the weekend. We are greatly expanding The Delegate, our conference publication, to include a guide to attractions and nightlife in Boston, and we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the city.