Model United Nations of the University of Chicago

Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

I am honored to invite you to the thirty-third annual session of the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago, which will be held Thursday, February 4 through Sunday, February 7, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago. At MUNUC 33, over 3,000 high-school students will collaborate to address some of the world’s most pressing problems, all while developing essential public speaking and critical thinking skills.

MUNUC distinguishes itself from other high school Model UN conferences through its consistent focus on the pedagogical value of debate and discussion. Our mission is to create a challenging yet engaging environment for delegates. We pride ourselves on the academic rigor of our background guides and the detailed scope of our myriad simulations. Once at conference, we strive to provide thorough and useful feedback to each of our attendees, seasoned and new delegates alike. The benefits of Model UN in general and MUNUC in particular go far beyond an increased understanding of one particular topic. Delegates will leave our conference with heightened research, policy analysis, presentation, negotiation, and communication skills, as well as with a more nuanced understanding of the capabilities and limitations of international bodies.

At this point, I would be remiss not to address the situation which has arisen as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. First, know that we consider the safety of our delegates, advisors, members, and other participants to be absolutely paramount. MUNUC 33 is many months away, so it is far too soon to guess what the world will look like at that time. Because of this uncertainty, we are presently preparing as if MUNUC 33 will run normally; we will be selecting and announcing committees, opening registration, creating background guides, and making country assignments. We are continuously assessing the situation, and will take all necessary steps to protect everyone associated with MUNUC. In the meantime, international crises such as this pandemic make the skills that MUNUC seeks to cultivate even more imperative. The ability to act quickly, communicate effectively, and understand the consequences of policy proposals is indispensable to facilitating international cooperation, which is in turn indispensable to addressing every sort of global challenge. I encourage prospective delegates to think carefully and critically about the role of nations, global institutions, and citizens, especially in times such as these.

Registration for MUNUC 33 will open on Monday, May 18th, and additional details concerning logistics, including key dates and the fee schedule, are available on this website under the Conference tab. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time with your questions, concerns, or comments. We are all extremely excited to meet you next February!

Sincerely,

Jake Fiedler

Secretary-General, MUNUC 33