WFUNA International Model United Nations

The WFUNA International Model United Nations (WIMUN), which will be held in New York, USA, strives to create the most accurate simulation of the United Nations in the world and was awarded the “Best Large Conference” in 2019 and 2017 by MyMUN. As the most global MUN, it has previously held in India, Brazil, and Switzerland. Participants will deal with topics that are the current issues that are being handled by the UN. They will not only engage in the UN simulation, but WIMUN also offers training workshops led by UN officials, briefings on crucial agendas dealt by UN agencies, and a separate conference session which will expose participants to new topics and crucial.

WIMUN: The REAL UN Experience

Welcome to WFUNA International Model United Nations (WIMUN), the most accurate simulation of the United Nations in the world. Located in New York City, Geneva, and Seoul, the World Federation of United Nations Associations aims to precisely simulate the United Nations in Model UN programs and provide students with the most realistic experience possible. The WIMUN program features intensive training workshops taught by UN officials, briefings on important agenda items by UN Agencies, and a conference session in the heart of New York City in the North American edition. 

During WIMUN 2015, participants had the unparalleled opportunity to engage in the Post-2015 process at the United Nations while the world’s top diplomats debated the exact same issues alongside them in the UN Headquarters during the 70th Session of the General Assembly. Delegates met with UN officials from the Secretariat, agencies, and relevant NGOs in seminars to learn about the WIMUN approach and also receive briefing on their topics. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon greeted participants in a video message of support, and guest speakers included Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, UN Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi, and Under-Secretary-General of Communications and Public Information Cristina Gallach.

In April 2016, ‎WIMUN‬ journeyed abroad to host our inaugural regional conference in Agra, India. With the beautiful Taj Mahal as our backdrop, delegates focused on the theme of "The 2030 Agenda for Change", with incredible guest speakers such as Dr. Kiran Bedi and Mr. Rajiv Chandran from UNIC. The following year, the second regional WIMUN India took place with the theme of “Achieving the 2030 Agenda”, during which delegates discussed selected issues on the agenda and actively engaged to make a strong and meaningful contribution to the ongoing dialogue.

The second region that WIMUN expanded into was South America, when we hosted a regional conference in Campinas, Brazil in October 2017. Participants had the unique chance to experience the vibrant Brazilian culture while discussing issues pertaining to our conference theme "Sustainable Future: People, Prosperity, Planet and Peace."

WIMUN India and WIMUN Brazil were great successes, and we are looking forward to future regional conferences as we expand the WIMUN network.

WIMUN: Side Events (sample)

Monday, February 08, 2021

5:30 am - 6:30 am EST: Social Event - Skribbl

Description:

Start your side event week off by meeting and socializing with your fellow WIMUN Online participants! See familiar faces from your simulation session or get to know delegates from other simulations – there are plenty of opportunities. In this social event, participants will have the opportunity to play the guessing/drawing game Skribbl while getting to know each other in smaller breakout rooms. Making new friends from around the world is one of the most fun aspects of MUN and we cannot wait to e-meet all of you in a COVID-19 safe, virtual environment.

8 am - 9 pm EST: Intern Hot Seat - an Experience Panel

Description:

This event is for aspiring UN interns, trying to navigate their journey. This session provides you with an experienced panel of former and current UN interns to learn from. It facilitates a mutual exchange of ideas and advice. This workshop is there to help you orient yourself and understand the career opportunities dynamics within the UN. Bring curiosity and questions.

Moderators:

Nikki Marjolein Garza is a co-founder of The Intern’s Foundation. Nikki strives to make the world a peaceful place by understanding people on a microscopic and macroscopic level. With her Sociology and Psychology background, Nikki is aware of the human mind's fragility and desires to understand a person on the deepest level possible. As a member of society, she strives for impact and thus has worked with the American Red Cross, volunteered for Stockholm Pride, and is heavily involved with various organizations at the University of Houston. Currently working towards her MAs in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, she aims to end human suffering and protect human rights across the globe.

Ildem Esin is a committed change advocate and activist. She is a former UNHQ DESA-FSDO intern. At present, she is a co-founder of The Intern’s Foundation and I,Empower, as well as a campaigner at a global non-profit advocacy organization. With The Intern’s Foundation, Ildem aims to close the gaps that exist amongst aspiring and current UN and other IO interns by providing financial and material resources to support (aspiring) interns on their journeys on becoming global citizens and changemakers. Advancing the SDGs is her everyday battle. Ask her about her favourite goals!

Dana Rodriguez is a committed environmental advocate and previous UNEP intern who sees the world’s climate problem from a financial perspective and strives to better engage the public sector and its climate solutions with the private sector. At present she is the European Expansion Manager for a growing start-up non-profit, Leaders For Climate Action in Berlin. She spends her days running 5K every day and building her own initiative, The Intern’s Foundation, with the help of her colleagues. Aside from her active lifestyle, she is also a student research assistant studying economic development and peace, completing her MA in Politics and Public Administration.

Panelists:

Pinxin Chen (Sarah) served as a UN Volunteer/Consultant at the UN Office for South-South Cooperation in Bangkok, where she was in charge of the Office’s youth programme South-South Entrepreneurship Academy. The Academy aims to help aspiring youth from the Global South to address social issues/SDG challenges in their home countries with entrepreneurship skills. After one year with the UN, she moved to the private sector, exploring ways to integrate the knowledge, tools, and best practices of the two sectors to more effectively drive social impacts.

Aliza Khan is a CUNY Brooklyn College graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics and Political Science. Her experience ranges from working on local policy issues in NYC as part of an advocacy based public defence firm to matters affecting the global community as an economic affairs intern for UNDESA’s Financing for Sustainable Development Office. Currently, Aliza serves on the advisory board for the non-profit organization The Hope Reichbach Fund and is planning to pursue a Masters in Economics.

Chanmi Yoo is a current intern with the Governance team of UNDP’s Seoul Policy Centre, in Seoul, South Korea, whose main working areas are anti-corruption and transparency, and gender-based violence. She is also a current Master’s candidate, pursuing a degree in Peace Studies at Kyung Hee University’s UNESCO Peace Education Prizewinning Graduate Institute of Peace Studies. Chanmi’s main area of interest encircles war and gender. Even without a former academic background in the field, she has successfully been pursuing her degree with excellency, thanks to the support of her advisor and dear colleagues.