Why Participate?
The obvious question, why should a person spend 5 tiresome days pretending to be the representative of a state they hardly know? Model United Nations simulations allow participants to “experience, practice and experiment with conflict resolution, public speaking, small group dynamics, and negotiation." Model United Nations simulations aim at being academically rigorous. It requires research that includes current affairs, economics, geography, government, history and politics. Students must do in-depth research, write foreign policy principles and position papers giving a broad summary of your country's position, addressing both problems presented by the topic and possible solutions that you intend to propose., and learn parliamentary procedure. They must formulate prepared presentations as well as give extemporaneous speeches. They must grasp foreign policy and culture norms. They must do technical writing as they craft properly formatted United Nations resolutions. Students practice listening, decision-making, and strategic thinking skills as well. Model United Nations requires a full complement of skill proficiencies that will serve them well in all future endeavors.
MUN"s, are interesting, invigorating and an experience unto themselves. They bring out the leader in you. During a Model United Nations conference, students take on roles as foreign diplomats and participate in a simulated session of an intergovernmental organization (IGO). Participants research a country, take on a role as a diplomat, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world issues. During a simulation they must employ a variety of communications and critical thinking skills to defend and advance the policies of their country.
Active participation in an MUN depict your leadership, public speaking, negotiating, and convincing skills plus your ability to work in a team. These are the qualities of a renowned and respectable diplomat. And because of these distinguishing qualities, some of the winners/participants of the previous SMAMUN conferences are today headed to great universities and colleges for example;
M.Ali Rehan - Oxford University
Shehryar Azhar - London School of Economics
Junaid Shafi - London School of Economics
Taimur Farooqi - Warwick University
Sayed Osama Shah - University College London
Mustafa Naseem - Imperial College London
Ahmed Munir - University of Toronto
Fatima Sajjad Shah - University of Toronto
Taimur Ahmed - McGill University
Fahad Mahmood - Stanford University
Syeda Saba Zehra Zaidi - Harvard University
Taimoor T. Malik - Columbia University
Shujaat Ali Khan - Middlebury College
Salman Zahid - Aga Khan University
Jamal Shaykh - Stanford University (2007 Entry)