Becoming a Delegate

The preparation process for the NMUN conference in  March 2024 will begin in October 2023.

If you consider becoming a member of the 2024 Tübingen delegation you need to take part in two courses that will be taught at the Institute of Political Science (IfP) during the winter semester 2023/24.

First, the seminar “United Nations System – Politics and Policies” (Wednesdays, 2-4 pm)  deals with the functioning of the United Nations as an International Organization, its basic structure and the tasks it is supposed to perform in world politics. From the perspective of different international relations theories the UN’s role in various issue areas, such as peacekeeping, arms control, economic sanctions or human rights will be assessed.

Second, the workshop “Model United Nations” (Tuesdays, 6-8 pm) will serve to prepare the student group for representing the actual political position and interests of a specific country in various UN committees (e.g. General Assembly, International Atomic Energy Agency, UN Environment Programme, etc.). For this purpose students need to learn the “Rules of Procedure” according to which sessions at UN committees are organized. In addition, negotiation techniques and rhetorical skills will be trained during the workshop. Of course, the substantive preparation and thus an intensive engagement with the represented country and its foreign policy positions constitutes a major part of the preparation process. Besides, the active participation of students in administrative matters, such as fundraising activities, press relations and the organisation of the Tübingen Model UN (TMUN) is expected.

Formal (and time) Requirements

The winter semester 2023/24 should be at least your fifth semester, thus advanced BA (also B.Ed., ‚Staatsexamen‘, etc.) students as well as MA students are welcome to apply. Upon availability, also students in their first or second year may apply, ideally they should have previous Model UN experience.
Participation is open to all disciplines and subjects.
Very good English skills are required.
Exchange students who spend the winter semester in Tübingen are welcome.
Please note that the workshop includes block sessions during weekends and at least two compulsory attendances of local Model United Nations events, namely the Hohenheim Castle Model United Nations (January 2024, tbc) and the Tübingen Model United Nations (February 2024, tbc) which will also be organized by the student delegation. The workshop further includes a voluntary ‘field trip’ to Geneva in order to visit a number of UN organizations. To get a better idea of the project and the necessary amount of work, you can have a look at this NMUN Sample Schedule.

Application procedure

In order to apply for participation, please register on Alma for the following TWO courses:

• “Model United Nations Workshop” (Augenstein)
• “The United Nations System: Politics and Policies” (Hasenclever)

During the first three weeks of the semester, a selection process will take place. The process includes the following elements.

• a short essay on a UN-related topic
• your CV and a motivational letter
• your performance in the first sessions of the semester, including a brief first speech training

You will receive more detailed information on the process in the first workshop session. It is neither necessary nor possible to prepare the essay or the motivational letter prior to the beginning of the semester.

The final decision about who is a member of the Tübingen NMUN delegation 2024 will be taken at the beginning of November.

Costs

Unfortunately, neither the Institute of Political Science nor the University of Tübingen can offer full funding. Thus, participants need to pay parts of the costs. Because we do not know exactly how much external funding we receive, it is difficult to determine a definite number. The most likely scenario is the following:

Students pay a fee af 335€ at the beginning of the project. The University uses this money plus external funding to cover the expenses for conference registration and the hotel in New York. Beyond the initial fee, participants need to pay for their flight to the US (and visa costs if need may be). If the external funding is not sufficient, the fee would need to be increased in retrospect. This, however, is a worst case scenrio that has never materialized so far.

In addition, the delegation organizes fundraising events during the winter term to collect money and reduce individual costs further.

Please note that there may be further costs that will vary individually, such as expenses for a business attire.

For any further questions please contact Lea Augenstein.