COUNCILS
scroll
Harvard Model United Nations
HMUN
The Harvard Model United Nations rules of procedure are the most heavily debate oriented. This is perfect for delegates who seek to hone their problem-solving skills and practice creative diplomatic solutions to global issues. Here, committees debate solutions before drafting resolutions. This is typically considered best for more experienced delegates, however anyone can apply for these councils if it suits their personal skills and interests best.
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
“How is it possible that in the middle of the twenty-first century that an entire people are still languishing in refugee camps, deprived of their basic necessities?” - Omar Lamine
The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM) plays the role of ensuring social development worldwide happens in tandem with the protection of human rights, as per the United Nation’s mandate. Delegates in SOCHUM will explore a variety of sociocultural issues through these lenses, with the hope of deepening their understanding of how changes directly impact the lives of billions across the world. In this council, the effects of digitalisation on mental wellbeing and privacy will be examined, as well as the protection of cultural heritage in dangerous warzones. Delegates will build the skill of empathy in application with thorough policy-making, giving them a more powerful and effective voice to be used in social discourse.
Agendas:
-
The Impact of Digitalization and Social Media on Mental Health, Human Rights and Surveillance.
-
Addressing concerns of looting, trafficking, and destruction of cultural heritage in zones of conflict.
.png)
SOCHUM
The Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) seeks to create global security through control of arms and reduction of conflict worldwide. Delegates in DISEC will analyse some of the root causes of global conflict and take steps to ensure these are reduced through diplomacy. This council specifically will tackle issues of piracy threats in trading waters, and conflicts driven by resource disputes which are often caused by climate change. DISEC will teach delegates to discourage conflict through mutual cooperation and systemic change, which prevents escalation into violence.
.png)
Agendas:
-
Combatting international piracy threats in high-risk areas such as the Gulf of Guinea and Aden, and methods of suppressing these actions.
-
Curbing resource-based conflicts globally caused by climate change.
DISEC
Disarmament and International Security Committee
"The world is over-armed and peace is under-funded." - Ban Ki-moon
UNSC
United Nations Security Council
“As outlined in my report to this Council, it is time for action - decisive action - for peace for the people of Sudan.” - António Guterres
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is responsible for safeguarding global peace and security. Delegates in the UNSC are entrusted with the responsibility of navigating and resolving real-time international crises. This committee in particular will discuss current dire military situations worldwide, namely the ongoing Sudanese Civil War and the crisis of armed gangs operating in Haiti. Delegates will have the opportunity to act with high stakes, attempting to delicately balance taking concrete initiatives and preserving peace.
Agendas:
-
Ensuring the protection of civilians in the Sudanese Civil War,
-
Addressing the humanitarian and security crisis caused by armed gangs in Haiti,
UNGA
United Nations General Assembly
“The world is bigger than five” - President Erdogan
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the beating heart of the entire organisation, with every single member nation represented in this committee to discuss a stunning range of important issues explored in every other council. Although this conference cannot include every single country, this will be our biggest council yet. Delegates will debate the consequential role of the Geneva Convention and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the treatment of war criminals, fully connecting to the focus of NISMUNC’26 on SDG 16; Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
.png)
Agendas:
Examining the treatment of war criminals in relation to the Geneva Convention and International Court of Justice.
THIMUN
The Hague International Model United Nations
In contrast to HMUN, THIMUN is centred around resolution writing, where delegates are given a draft resolution to analyse, evaluate, and debate on. This suits delegates who want an intense focus on policy-making and the inner workings of diplomacy. This is more beginner-friendly, although it is great for all levels of MUN experience.
.png)
Agendas:
-
Developing financial and tariff strategies to protect developing countries from global price shocks on essential commodities,
-
Building economic resilience by addressing the social impacts of mass migration from conflict affected regions.
.png)
Agendas:
1. Evaluating strategies in mitigating the harmful effects of overfishing and other marine practices,
2. Considering the role of Non-Governmental Organisations such as PETA in safeguarding animal rights,
UNESCO
ECOSOC
Economic and Social Council
“The main themes of ECOSOC, its Youth Forum, Integration Segment, Partnerships Forum and other platforms are all essential for promoting the implementation of the 2030 agenda” - Liu Zhenmin
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) focuses on affairs of economic coordination between member states in order to ensure peaceful growth and trade. Through this council, delegates will discover how interdependent sociopolitical and economic systems in different countries are on each other, which solidifies the UN’s purpose of mutual cooperation. For this council, delegates will be discussing recent global tariffs and the social impacts of mass migration, requiring intense negotiation and diplomatic skills.
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is dedicated to the safeguarding of natural habitats, global ecosystems, and the general preservation of the Earth’s functions. Delegates will discuss the impacts of our environment on human society, and its implications on morality and ethics. The issues of overfishing (and other harmful fishing practices), as well as debating the inclusion of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in protecting animals rights. This committee provides a different angle on world events apart from purely political or economic perspectives, giving delegates a fuller picture of the world we live in.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation aims to fulfil the UN mandate through building global cooperation on the exchange of knowledge and practices. By sharing ideas pertaining to education, science, and culture, delegates will be able to build more of a shared consensus despite country differences, which can serve as a bedrock of global peace. This council will examine the issues of human creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, and the role of the education system in preventing linguistic erasure. Delegates will have the chance to have thought-provoking discussions on the human experience through these, and will have to try to sort out geopolitical differences in a realistic manner.
.png)
"We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment. "– Margaret Mead
"We must ensure AI complements and does not replace our voice, our human agency." - Nisha
Agendas:
-
Preserving human creativity and originality via reinforcing ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence.
-
Discussing the role of education systems in preventing linguistic and cultural erasure.
SPECIALISED
Committees
Specialised rules of procedures follow a unique style which suits the unorthodox nature of these councils. A framework from HMUN is used, but changed significantly in order to suit the context of the topics and its real-life mechanics.
.png)
Non-Crisis
“The answer lies not in pouring more soldiers into the jungle, but in the hearts and minds of the Malayan people…” - General Sir Gerald Templer
SPECIALISED
The Malayan Emergency is often overlooked in contrast to the infamous Vietnam War, although it is often dubbed by some commentators and historians as ‘Britain’s Vietnam’. Whether or not the delegates agree with this stance, they will experience first-hand how Cold War dynamics played out in this very country, seeing how different economic and geopolitical power interests can create bitter social division and violence anywhere in the world. The aim of this committee for delegates will be to resolve these as peacefully as possible while going after their own political incentives.
Agenda:
Address the reports made by whistleblower Edward Snowden
HCC
Historical Crisis Committee
The enigmatic figure Edward Snowden sparked a worldwide diplomatic crisis between superpowers, releasing a slew of top-classified files from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and subsequently fleeing to Hong Kong. The United States demanded his extradition, while the fallout of the files caused significant diplomatic tensions between the country’s allies such as the European Union. Delegates will undergo another side of crisis in MUN; involving secrecy, political gambits, and legal drama, while containing the exact same high-stakes pressure throughout.
“Championing one side or another reveals much more about the person making the judgement than it does about Edward Snowden.” - Michael B Kelley
Agenda:
Beginning of the Malayan Emergency (Sungai Siput Incident)
IPC
International Press Corps (PRESS)
"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost," - Thomas Jefferson
The International Press Corps are an extremely vital organ of the NISMUNC experience. While the delegates are discussing and drafting resolutions, journalists here have the chance to document all the shocking developments and speeches that unfold. They will write articles attempting to copy the style and political leanings of the news agency they represent, which adds an invaluable layer of realism to the experience of diplomacy and policy-making. Journalists in this organisation will also have the exciting opportunity of holding press conferences and interviewing delegates.