1) Palais des Nations

GIMUN is held annually at the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. It is the only Model United Nations Conference in the world that hold its entire conference within real United Nations territory. This gives participants the chance to explore the world of the United Nations, and provides them with realistic diplomatic perspectives that cannot be acquired in other circumstances.

2) Participants

Each year, the Annual Conference welcomes about 200-250 participants from over 60 countries.

In 2011, the following countries were represented at GIMUN: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Benin, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mali, Morocco, Mexico, Moldova, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, UK, Ukraine, USA.

3) Participation

GIMUN takes great pride in prioritizing the quality of debate during committee sessions. The Annual Conference is comprised of 6 comittees every year with a maximum of 30 participants per committee. GIMUN’s moderate size creates a pleasant and familiar atmosphere and helps to maintain a high standard of debate and discussion.

4) Precision

GIMUN tries to simulate the workings of UN bodies as authentically as possible. Therefore, we have adapted our rules of procedure. MUN conferences are often run by basic parliamentary rules of procedure. Last year, GIMUN has adapted its rules of procedure, to adapt them to the ones actually used in the United Nations. With our new rules of procedure, we hope to increase authenticity, as well as accord more liberties to the delegates and cultivate the flow of debate. Furthermore, GIMUN has introduced the position of Bloc Representatives for groups such as the G-24. The role of Bloc Representatives is to coordinate the countries within the group, to mediate negotiations and help in the formation of consensus.

5) Parlez-Vous Français?

GIMUN is one of the few bilingual MUN conferences, held in both English and French. Participants are encouraged to use the language of which they have the most proficient knowledge. Speeches in every committee are interpreted by interpretation students; documents such as draft resolution are translated in both languages by a team of translation students.

6) Parties
 

GIMUN organises a variety of social events throughout the week of the conference, such as an International Night, a Fondue Night, and a Gala. Thus, participants have the chance to get to know each other better, mingle outside of their committee rooms, and explore Geneva.

7) Prestige

GIMUN has been reputed to be one of the most prestigious Model United Nations conferences in the world. Numerous important figures have shown their support for GIMUN -- including former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey.

  Click here to read more statements of support for GIMUN!