This guest article was written by Daria Malikova and Max Segal from MIMUN Secretariat.
MIMUN prizes debate and cooperation on par with intellect and competition.
If you happen to ask any student of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Moscow’s premier international relations academy – akin to the United States’ Georgetown or France’s Sciences Po – what is located in room №37, each and every student will tell you that this is MIMUN Secretariat headquarters.
Not only is MIMUN Secretariat a hospitable shelter, but it is also a place with an incredible atmosphere where an ingenious team huddles up together and creates one of the most exciting and breathtaking conferences all over the world, Moscow International Model United Nations (MIMUN).
It has been twenty-six years since a team of diplomat-in-training pioneers gathered together to take part in modeling only one committee – the United Nations Security Council. That was the first chapter of a book called MIMUN. That conference impressed the delegates so much that it was decided to develop MIMUN and imbue it into the fabric of the university.
Nowadays, the popularity of MUN movement in Russia is growing rapidly.
MIMUN hosts a slew of crisis committees; here, the dais steers the Fatah Central Command.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Under-Secretary-General Kijo Akasaki have graced MIMUN with their presence, along with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; these appearances have helped prove the international recognition of MIMUN. It gave the Secretariat a great stimulus to push forward our globalizing locomotive.
This year, MIMUN is discovering new dimensions: more than 650 participants from all over the world will be working in 12 committees, from the General Assembly to the Arab League, and discussing 13 thought-provoking topics in all the six official languages of the UN.
For our esteemed delegates, 2015 has become a momentously important year. This year, committee debate will reach beyond Russian and English: Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese will be introduced as conference languages with the stroke of the opening gavel. 2015 will truly be a milestone year for MIMUN.
MIMUN’s dance is considered one of the most grand and beautiful on the European MUN circuit.
MIMUN Secretariat is probably one of the most recognizable organizations in MGIMO. It works under the incessant supervision of MGIMO direction. In particular, the Chairman of the United Nations Association of Russia, MGIMO’s Chancellor, Anatoliy Torkunov, will inaugurate the the 26th Session of MIMUN.
From the first days of acquaintance with MIMUN Secretariat, each member of the staff learns the motto of MIMUN: improve, expand, and promote others. Currently, not only does MIMUN Secretariat hold an annual conference, but it also helps to organize MUN conferences throughout Russia, a country where the majority of political awareness and activity is centered only in a few cities.
MIMUN’s tree branches all over: across Russia, an increasing number of Russian students have become seized on research, writing reports and position papers, and preparing for committee.
Delegates enjoy 900 years of Muscovite history while creating the future in committee. Red Square and the Kremlin are only 10 minutes’ walk from MGIMO.
MIMUN is not just an intellectual game or the largest MUN in Russia, although both of these statements hold true. It is a unique event where ambitious delegates have a chance to express themselves, take over the most urgent issues of the modern world, gain diplomatic exposure, accrue leadership and public speaking skills, find a Spanish-speaking friend, or debate with Arab counterparts. They do this in order to prove their passion and inflexible desire, to show their capabilities, to shape themselves as a personality, and to become someone they aspire to be.
The books the delegates read in preparation are vital to success in committee, but no literature can replace a book called MIMUN.
