European International Model United Nations

The European International Model United Nations (TEIMUN) foundation aims at educating students AbOUT International Relations through providing several Model United Nations conferences and workshops. TEIMUN is a member of the European Model United Nations Network (EMUNNET), and uses the standardized EMUNNET Rules of Procedure.

History

TEIMUN was found in 1987 when a group of American students who were spending parts of their studies in The Netherlands organised the first TEIMUN conference. TEIMUN's originally came from the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA).

A major turning point took place when the Groningen branch of the Dutch United Nations Student Association (DUNSA) or SIB (in Dutch) took on the responsibilities for the organization of the conference through the organizing committee. This partnership between UNA-USA and SIB transformed the conference from a predominantly American undertaking to a truly international programme. Later on, the cooperation between SIB and UNA-USA in organising the conference was replaced by the organising work of the SIB-TEIMUN Foundation alone. The organisation of TEIMUN now became a Dutch enterprise. Since 2008, TEIMUN is an independent foundation which organizes several UN simulations.

Over the years, TEIMUN has grown steadily. The TEIMUN conference became one of the biggest and most important MUNs on the European main land, with participants registering for the conference from over 65 different countries. The program was extended with a simulation of the International Court of Justice. In the last few years the conference has been enlarged by adding the North Atlantic Council in 2004, the Economic and Social Council in 2006 and the Food and Agricultural Organization in 2007. In 2008, the FAO was replaced by the Human Rights Council. In 2010 the Historical Council has been added to the conference, making a total of 7 committees in which students can take place. This year the European Council will replace the Historical Council for the first time.

Structure

The TEIMUN foundation has a unique structure. Where most Model United Nations are associations, TEIMUN does not have members. The TEIMUN Board has its office in Groningen. The Board takes care for organizing several conferences such as GrunnMUN and the TEIMUN conference. The Board consists of seven Board members, six Supervisory Board members and three Audit Committee members. The Chair of the Board is ultimately responsible.

The intellectual content of the conferences is provided by 19 staff members, which are headed by the Secretariat, consisting of a Secretary General and a Under Secretary General. These staff members come from all over the world.

TEIMUN

The principal event is the TEIMUN conference. This seven-day conference, which will be held from the 15th until the 21st of July 2013, is hosted in The Hague. During this conference, 250 students from all over the world will have the opportunity to experience the workings and decision-making processes of the United Nations and NATO through role-playing in one of the simulated councils. Through sparkling debates and intensive back-room discussions, participants gain a more thorough understanding of multilateral diplomacy in world affairs. Moreover, this simulation will greatly enhance public speaking and debating skills.

GrunnMun

GrunnMUN stands for the Groningen Model United Nations. GrunnMUN is a one day simulation, similar to TEIMUN. This conference is being held in the city of Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands.

This year the conference will be held on Tuesday 12th of March 2013. Considering GrunnMUN is a one day simulation this conference is primarily for students residing in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, students from other countries and International students are also more than welcome to participate. It is a prerequisite that you speak English since this will be the conference language.