Harvard National Model United Nations
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Harvard National Model United Nations or HNMUN is the longest running college-level Model United Nations simulation in the world and among the largest in the United States. HNMUN is an annual four day event held in February, composed of over two thousand university students from many countries, although the majority are American. Although HNMUN is run by Harvard students, it remains operationally detached from the school. It is held at the prestigious Boston Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Boston and not at Harvard, across the river in Cambridge.
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[edit] History
HNMUN was first run in 1955, ten years after the formation of the real United Nations.
[edit] Logistics
HNMUN is host to over 2500 university students and so requires a large amount of planning by the Harvard students hosting the event. Planning for the following year's conference starts as soon as the current one ends. Topics for debate must be chosen early so that study guides may be prepared and delegates may research their topics. The hotel conference rooms must be booked well in advance and although the Park Plaza can accommodate all of the delegates, many stay either at other, less expensive, hotels in the Boston Common area. Packages for the delegates are printed a week before the conference. Although most of the work at the conference is done by the delegates, the staff must work out the technical operations of the conference. The Secretariat consists of the top-level officers of Harvard National Model United Nations who oversee all branches and activities of the conference. The HNMUN 2007 Secretariat-- Secretary-General: Leigh M. Nathanson, Director-General: Cody W. Swyer, Under-Secretary-General (Administration): Vaidya G. Rajagopalan, Under-Secretary-General (Business): Michael T. Lapsa, Under-Secretary-General (Finance): Ritambhara Kumar, Under-Secretary-General (Delegate Relations): Rebecca R. Gong, Under-Secretary-General (General-Assembly): Annique S. DeWitt, Under-Secretary-General (EcoSoc and Regional Bodies): Paul P. Linden-Retek, Under-Secretary-General (Specialized-Agencies): Roxanne C. Krystalli
[edit] Committee Structure
Model UNs follow the general structure of the UN but for logistical and educational reasons, the structure differs somewhat. HNMUN's structure is similar to most Model UNs but there are a few important differences.
- Only one resolution may be passed on each topic. This is meant to stress consensus and compromise between delegates. This is achieved by the fact that:
- Resolutions cannot be sponsored
- There are no "friendly" or "hostile" amendments, as there are no sponsors with whom to confer
[edit] Awards
Awards are handed out to the best delegates in each committee as well as the best delegations.
| Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Best Large Delegation | Best Small Delegation | Best International Delegation |
| 2006 | Yale University | United States Military Academy | United Netherlands Delegation |
| 2005 | University of Chicago | United States Military Academy | Universidad Simón Bolívar |
| 2004 | Yale University | United States Coast Guard Academy | Universidad Simón Bolívar |
| 2003 | Yale University | Kenyon College | Universidad Simón Bolívar |
| 2002 | Universidad Católica Andrés Bello | Carleton College | Universidad Católica Andrés Bello |
| 2001 | Yale University | [[]] | [[]] |
| 2000 | Yale University | [[]] | [[]] |
| 1999 | Yale University | [[]] | [[]] |
