The Leicester University United Nations Society (LUUNS) travelled to the United Nations last month. Not New York, not Geneva, Vienna or Nairobi, but Nottingham.

They spent three days at the University of Nottingham as delegates at NOTTSMUN 2011, the fourth Nottingham International Model United Nations. Nottingham is one of about 400 MUNs around the world, each of which acts as an academic simulation of the real United Nations, educating participants about major world issues.

MUN participants act as diplomats for allocated countries, representing the views of that country and not their personal views on the respective issues. In addition, MUN conferences often simulate some of the key United Nations’ committees, including the Security Council, Human Rights Council and other smaller and more specialist committees such as the International Court of Justice along with other Intergovernmental Organisations such as the Arab League, European Union and NATO.

LUUNS President Max Beck received a Highly Recommended award in Nottingham for his work in the G20 committee. The conference also saw LUUNS Vice President Gabriel Couchman chair a 'future' Security Council, involving heightened tensions in Africa in the 2020s.

Congratulations to all our model diplomats!

If you would like to know more about LUUNS you can contact the publicity officer Christopher Everett via email: ce70@le.ac.uk