What is MUN?
Model United Nations (MUN) conferences are simulation games that simulate the functioning of the United Nations. Pupils and students take on the role of delegates and represent a country or organization in United Nations bodies. They discuss global challenges and jointly develop proposals for solutions in the form of resolutions - just like real diplomats. The debate is usually held in English, rarely in French.
Participants learn to put themselves in other perspectives, analyze complex topics and work constructively in a team. The aim of MUN is to make political processes understandable, to strengthen communication and negotiation skills and to promote interest in international relations.
MUN conferences take place all over the world - from local school projects to large international events. On mymun you will find the current conferences for which pupils and students can register if they are interested.
Projects of the foundation
The Aurel Steinert Foundation is involved in various projects to anchor MUN in educational institutions.
In March 2024, the Foundation began using various communication measures to recruit teachers, particularly in secondary schools, who are interested in integrating MUN simulation games into their curriculum and thus getting more pupils interested in them.
Since autumn 2025, the Foundation has been cooperating with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich in the LEHRAMT PRO program to familiarize future teachers with MUN even before they start their traineeship and to show how MUN can be implemented in the classroom.
The foundation cooperates with Karlshochschule International University in Karlsruhe as part of the mandatory community projects. Every year, a group of students organizes a "MiniMUN" for pupils together with Karlsruhe schools. This gives pupils the chance to get to know MUN and learn important skills while they are still at school.
The Aurel Steinert Foundation also provides financial grants to teachers and students to enable them to attend conferences if they cannot be financed otherwise. Please use the application form.
The Aurel Steinert Foundation also initiates projects that promote gender equality in the MUN context, as many participants also experience gender-specific barriers, prejudices or insecurities in this area. In the online exchange space "UNmuted", for example, female MUN participants find a safe and supportive space to share their experiences with gender roles, discrimination or self-confidence. The foundation is also developing guidelines for gender equality in the MUN community.
