It is no surprise that a classic Model United Nations representation is denoted as clubs that organize simulations similar to those of the UN, where participants represent the positions and values of their assigned countries when speaking, debate and draft resolutions.
Consensus is important to this process, and the practice of solving global problems through innovative solutions is the prevailing goal of every model. Yet, when we observe different types of organizations around the world, we can discover that some MUNs are structured as clubs while others as associations.
As a result of this finding, one would discuss the differences between the two organisms and analyze the advantages and the inconveniences of each type. When an MUN organism is structured as an association, it has the possibility to produce more than a simple MUN simulation. No one could argue that the United Nations’ simulations are exciting and interesting. However, when the MUN is functioning as an association, the role of this body would go past beyond organizing a single big event during the year. In fact, innovation is very important within the MUN because it allow MUN to be a pioneer element in the civil society through organizing training and workshops on a wider range of themes such as diplomacy, interstate cooperation, public speaking concepts and the operational aspects of the United Nations themselves. Furthermore, innovation can make MUN a reliable platform to that provides to its members an easy and smooth access to obtain information about internships and volunteering positions in various UN agencies around the world.
As President of the Tunisian International Model United Nations association, TIMUN, I took the initiative to introduce new activities to my association such as holding a monthly meeting entitled “A meeting with …” in which my association invites a former political figure to participate in a closed panel in the presence of selected TIMUN members. This project aims to position the TIMUN as a guarantor of the transmission of the Tunisian national memory. This way TIMUN becomes the bridge between two generations and allows intergenerational exchange thanks to these a series of meeting with former Tunisian policy makers.
Through organizing diverse activities that go beyond the simulation itself, one could guarantee a successful renovation of the concept of MUN. This change could start with the transformation of the MUN status from a simple MUN club to an accredited association, thereby providing a better model for future Model UN experiences, political activism, and platforms for real-life change.
