StatesMUN is the name for the United States Model United Nations, a tour of the United States culminating in the Harvard National Model United Nations. The tour has four principal objectives.
The Harvard National Model United Nations is an annual model United Nations held by the International Affairs Association of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. It runs for five full days of debate and negotiation. Unlike at most MUNs, where individuals represent a country, each individual in the delegation is assigned to a particular committee and in that committee may represent a country (in the classic GA), an organisation, or even an historical person. The committees in HNMUN, like their partner MUNs, are designed to appeal to people who have attended many MUNs. Novelty is highly prized, while 'old standards', like the Security Council, are often spun in wacky directions by the delegates who attend them. It will be up to Australians to shovel witty sarcasm on this American 'wackiness'.
The conference attracts over 2 000 tertiary students from across the world, although the attendees at HNUMN hail overwhelmingly from within the United States. Most universities have a MUN club and will send a 10-20 person delegation drawn from that club's membership. The conference is competitive: each committee awards a 'Best Delegate,' and the delegation with the most awards is recognized as the Bbest Delegation'. These prizes are very much sought-after. MUN clubs will generally have a varsity team for Model UN, and a conference like HNMUN will attract the cream of the crop. However, HNMUN is not the be all and end all of StatesMUN, and is best thought of as an opportunity for delegates to hone their debating skills at an international level.
The ideal StatesMUN delegate has an inquiring mind and an interest in subjects connected to a Model UN: international relations, human rights, law, politics, history or the global dimension of scientific or artistic subjects (like climate change, for example, or the internationalisation of art.) They are interested in extending their learning beyond formal academia, and are sufficiently broadminded to engage with knowledge outside their discipline. They will be receptive to talks, lectures, and encounters with the world's brightest minds in management, academia, and government.
However, we are not interested in closeted intellectuals: we are interested in curiosity before accomplishment. This pillar is measured by a few standards. Marks awarded at university are always a good indicator of effort and capacity. Involvement in academic societies, from journals to study groups to the local debate club, is also an indication of an inquiring and disputative mind.
The ideal StatesMUN delegate has a strong sense of social responsibility and the capacity to act on it for the good of the community. They will engage with the community leaders they meet throughout the tour as peers, and constantly be on the look-out for opportunities to develop their leadership abilities and UNYA Australia's overseas connections.
This tour is run by UNYA Australia, and so it goes without saying that UNYA Australia service is most certainly community service. Nevertheless, applicants who hold a Divisional or National position in UNYA Australia are most certainly not guaranteed entry to the tour, even when compared to non-UNYAns: it is youth leadership nationwide that is the core of our concern.
Likewise, a young leader who has reached the twilight of their involvement in youth leadership is hardly likely to reinvest their skills in the community as a young person, and so the tour should not be seen as a 'retirement cruise' for UNYA Australia ex-leaders or similar.
This criterion is measured best by the list of activities: the ideal applicant will be involved in UNYA Australia or a variety of other community service groups as leaders. The seniority of the positions held may be used as a test of a person's potential.
The ideal StatesMUN delegate will bring home the gold for Australia. Speaking, both in style and manner, is important. Negotiation is critical in US MUNs; lobbying is the single most important skill a delegate in this criterion. As important than active participation is effective participation and a noticeable effort to, 'do the numbers.' Often the delegates need to work in a team, so teamwork shall also be considered.
This criterion is measured by the number of MUN events the candidate has attended, the awards given at those MUN events, and the applicant's debate, political, and public speaking experience.
The pre-HNMUN tour is a very important element of the statesMUN experience and delegates must be able to cope and contribute with and to the intensity of living with 14 other tertiary students for three weeks. Therefore the social skills of delegates, their organisation, and their maturity will be considered. Maturity is especially important since the tour consists of adults and so the scope for immaturity is vast. An immature candidate, or one who is in the judgement of the Nominations Committee liable to take dangerous or reckless action with their own health or the health of others, will not go on the tour. Period.
There is no formal affirmative action requirement in the selection of a StatesMUN delegation. However, in consideration of welfare issues and delegation dynamic, it is important that there is a gender balance in the delegation. This balance is not set at a defined number but will be considered by the Nominations Committee.
The Nominations Committee includes the StatesMUN Director and Assistant Director, and a representative of the National Executive. NomComm is responsible for selecting (or 'nominating') the StatesMUN delegation. The deliberations of NomComm are strictly confidential. The Nominations Committee is chaired by the Director.
This opportunity is open to all Australian citizens who will aged under 25 years and studying at a tertiary insitution at the conclusion of the conference on 14 February 2010. Applicants do not have to be members of UNYA Australia, and people who have participated in past UNYA Australia conferences will not receive any special consideration. .
Applications for StatesMUN 2010 will close 1 July 2009.
You will be notified of the results of your application by 25 July 2009.