A simulation for diplomacy: With the ISM delegation at the National Model United Nations in New York
In the midst of the vibrant life of New York, the first NMUN members of this year's ISM delegation have arrived. They enjoy their time and discover the exciting life in the Big Apple. But they haven’t just come to enjoy the tourist attractions. We ISM students have planned this trip together to take part in the world’s biggest UN simulation game, the National Model United Nations.
For us ISM students, the NMUN is another opportunity to collect international experiences. There, we meet like-minded people from all over the world to discuss significant global topics, develop solutions and represent a UN Member State as realistic as possible. For this, qualifications like intercultural competence and presentation skills are needed. As ISM students we have acquired these during our international studies with an integrated semester abroad and English modules.
What’s the NMUN all about?
The UN simulation is called National Model United Nations (NMUN) and offers students from all over the world the chance to take on the role of UN delegates. The state or organization that you represent is determined about half a year before. This gives all participants enough time to immerse themselves into these specific topics. This year, the ISM delegation has represented the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in different comitees like the UN Environment Assembly, the UNESCO or the General Assembly 1 and 2.
Life and Work during the NMUN conference
How would we describe our time in New York? An exciting adventure with diverse challenges for the international community, democratically and diplomatically developed approaches and a skyscraper-high mountain of new knowledge and experiences. The days at the NMUN are shaped by numerous, exciting meetings. There are the assembly meeting, at which all states and organizations get together to listen to the statements and opinions of the protagonists. The meetings are regularly interrupted by intensive work phases. During this time, you have the chance to exchange views with different delegations to evaluate common positions, discuss different approaches and find allies. Lived diplomacy.
After this, we have worked on working papers in different groups. The papers contain the positions, opinions and suggestions of the involved delegations. Based on this, different resolutions and decisions are made. After many rounds with improvements and adjustments, a document is produced that the majority of the committee members have decided on in a democratic process.
Of course, this is only a general and simplified depiction of five days of hard but exciting work at the conference and a long preparation time. But it shows that experiencing the democratic and diplomatic processes realistically is at the heart of the event.
To see how students from all over the world work together to reach a common goal, is a unique feeling. It was a respectful and productive exchange that is more important than ever, especially in times of current world political events.
Additional NMUN highlights
Participating in the NMUN always opens doors and offers the possibility to meet many important personalities. This year, our delegation had a meeting with the Jordanian ambassador in Berlin as well as meetings with several members of the German parliament. Additionally, we could squeeze a meeting with the Jordanian UN representative in New York and with the German delegation between conference appointments to gather more insightful knowledge during this unique trip.
Of course, we couldn’t refrain from regularly making small trips to famous New York sights. This way, we could create a great balance to our time at the conference and also better get to know our own delegation.
Would you like to know more?
You can contact our delegation at
Instagram: nmun_ism_2023
LinkedIn: NMUN – ISM
or via E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We look forward to hearing from you! Your ISM delegation
Images: NMUN ISM
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