The YMCA Model United Nations Program (Y-MUN) is a loose interpretation of the United Nations in New York City. Although not every committee is an exact simulation of the United Nations, the intent of the program is to provide high school students with the opportunity to simulate the debate and problem solving that occurs at the United Nations in an atmosphere that promotes respect for people of differing views. In order to create this environment, Y-MUN features several diverse components to challenge high school participants.

The Secretary GeneralThe “Chief Executive Officer” of both the United Nations and Y-MUN is the Secretary General. At Y-MUN, the delegates attending the conference one year in advance elect the Secretary General. The Secretary General in conjunction with the Presiding Officers, Youth Secretariat and the Program Staff develop, plan and run Y-MUN.

Y-MUN is divided into several committees that vary in size and skill. Student participants who are elected in advance lead each committee. These committees are:

• International Court of Justice – Students will present and judge four cases dealing with international incidents between nations. Cases are based on historical precedent. Student participants will present one case and deliberate the other three cases. Justices of the Court will elect one person of the committee at the Conference to serve as the Chief Excellency of the International Court of Justice for the following year.

• International Criminal Court – Students will present and judge four cases dealing with alleged crimes committed by historical world figures. Students are expected to research each historical figure and determine for themselves their guilt or innocence. Student participants will present one case and deliberate the other three.

• Security Council – Students will react to and develop resolutions to world situations. Some of the topics are provided prior to the conference, while other emergency situations will be presented during the conference.

• General Assembly – Students are expected to discuss and adopt resolutions dealing with a variety of international issues. These students also serve as the nation’s ambassador and represent the country at all formal hearings and events. In some cases, resolutions adopted by the General Assembly Committees may be heard by the General Assembly and visa versa.

• General Assembly Committees – Students are expected to discuss and adopt resolutions for action dealing with international issues based on the title of their specific committee. Each committee is about 50 to 60 students in size. The Secretary General may recommend the resolutions from these ten committees for consideration before the General Assembly. There are ten G.A. Committees:
  • Political and Security Committee A & B
  • Economics and Finance Committee A & B
  • Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee A & B
  • Environment and Technology Committee A & B
  • Legal Committee A & B

• BLOC’s – Students are expected to discuss and adopt resolutions for action dealing with regional issues specific to their organizations interest while accounting for their countries goals. The BLOCs range in size from 20 to 45 participants. There are five BLOC Organizations in our program:
  • European Union (EU)
  • Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  • Organization of American States (OAS)
  • Arab League (AL)
  • African Union (AU)

• Historical Simulation Committee –Students will reenact various international situations. Based on their completed writing assignment, students will be assigned to represent the interests of the various participants in the simulation. The simulation will be a reenactment of a specific period in history.

• Nation Building Committee – Students will develop a comprehensive plan for the development of a nation at a specific time in history. Students will be assigned to represent the interests of the various nations and interested parties involved with the creation of the new state.

• Video Press - In addition to providing opportunities for debate and problem solving, the program offers an opportunity for students to become involved in reporting on the activities of the conference. This group of dedicated students will interview various students and staff in an effort to develop the conference slideshow. Press Corp delegates should have a strong interest in digital photography, videotaping, and PowerPoint.

• Written Press – In addition to providing opportunities for debate and problem solving, the program offers an opportunity for students to become involved in reporting on the activities of the conference. This group of dedicated students will interview various students and staff in an effort to develop articles for the conference newspaper, which is published daily. Press Corp delegates should have a strong interest in writing.

• Envoy – This special committee is for 7th & 8th grade to allow them to experience the various aspects of the program. Students will meet during the conference weekend and represent various countries through a modified committee structure that emulates the debate & problem solving the high school student’s experience.