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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Model UN and what do you do?
Model United Nations is an extra-curricular and academic simulation of the United Nations. We simulate representing countries, NGOs, people, corporations, and other bodies that are represented at the United Nations. When attending conferences, each member is given a position and must represent this position’s foreign policy on the world stage; whether this agrees or conflicts with personal opinions and beliefs. This is one of the challenges of Model UN – being able to fully represent a country’s foreign policy when dealing with topics such as Women’s rights, human rights, security, and more.
Will training sessions/conferences be in person or virtual?
With public health guidelines in Ontario and around the world constantly changing, it is hard to say what this year is going to look like, but we are very committed to keeping our members safe during COVID-times. Currently, MUNA is running hybrid-style with in-person and virtual socials and events, while our training sessions and in-house conferences, as well as most eternal conferences, will take place virtually. You can check the calendar page for all events and featured conferences!
Can first year or graduate students join?
Yes! We allow anyone in any year (undergraduate and graduate) to join and participate.
How much is the membership fee, and what is it used for?
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the usual fee of $25 will be reduced to $15 as conferences and training sessions are scheduled to be online.
The membership fee is used to pay for club upkeep, in-house conferences, training sessions, miscellaneous conference expenses and social events.
What if I'm not a Political Science student or don't know much about politics?
You can absolutely join! Our club welcomes members from all backgrounds, our current exec team is even composed of students from four different faculties! Model UN isn’t just about politics, committees can have a broad range of situations such as the ‘World-Anti Doping Agency,’ ‘International Conference on Cybersecurity,’ and the ‘International Court of Justice.’
What are training sessions?
Training sessions are events designed to teach new members the ins and outs of Model UN. Attending training sessions is highly recommended in order for you to participate to the best of your ability at a conference. Rules and regulations can be complicated and confusing and thus, we want you to be able to perform at your best and with the highest level of confidence so you can get the most out of your MUN experience. But don't forget, experienced delegates, you are also welcome at training sessions, to learn some new skills and socialize with other members!
What are in-house conferences?
An in-house conference is a MUN simulation conducted right here on our campus, or as of virtual learning, on our laptops. These are held in order to get to know your fellow MUNA members, and to experience an intimate variation of a committee you would experience at a formal conference. It’s small and familiar setting makes it an invaluable training tool for newer delegates.
What are external conferences?
External conferences are usually run by Universities and can range in size from 200 delegates to even 2000! Each conferences hosts different committees and assemblies, where different groups discuss different topics. Some conferences our club attends are at universities such as McGill, Cornell, Queens, U of T, and Carleton.
How long are external conferences?
Most external conferences start on a Thursday night and end in the afternoon on Sunday. You can receive a note to be exempted from class on Thursday and Friday. If you have an exam on either of those days it is recommended you speak to your professor at least a few weeks in advance, most will be accommodating and allow you to attend the conference. With virtual conferences and the flexibility they bring, sometimes conferences are only Saturday to Sunday, but the longer the better we say!
How much does it cost to attend external conferences?
Depending on the conference the fee, sometimes including lodging, can range from $90 to $200 for the entire weekend. This fee does not include transit or food. Luckily, there are a few local conferences in Ottawa where students in the area will only have to pay the actual conference fee. Additionally, virtual conferences have a significantly reduced cost, so you can still get to debate even if it's at home for much less.
I don't know anyone in the club, will I still have fun?
Absolutely, most of our members join without knowing anyone. Model UN is an excellent way to meet new people both at uOttawa and even around the world.
Are you affliated with the University of Ottawa's Model UN course?
No, we are not officially affiliated with the UOttawa Model United Nations course. For more information on it, please click here.