Harvard International Relations Council (HIRC)

The Harvard International Relations Council is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious student organizations at Harvard. Our mission is simple: promoting awareness of international issues and using the resources available to us to educate ourselves and our peers, at Harvard and around the world. Serving more than 350 members with an annual budget of over $500,000, the IRC forms an integral part of its members’ college experience, with an extensive network of alumni around the world. We are a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization and an accredited NGO with the United Nations Department of Public Information, the successors to the tradition of a long line of international relations here at Harvard, from Model League of Nations to Model United Nations to the official incorporation of the IRC in 1976. Our programs are constantly evolving and changing, with many opportunities for innovative new ways of promoting our mission. And as an entirely student-run organization, the IRC provides unparalleled opportunities for leadership development and practical substantive and business experience.

The International Relations Council offers seven unique programs:

• Model Security Council (MSC), our annual introductory conference for new members.
• Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN), one of the largest and most well-respected conferences on the college Model UN circuit.
• Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN), one of the oldest and most prestigious high school Model UN conferences in the country.
• Harvard International Review (HIR), the premier undergraduate journal of international relations, with an international distribution to over 50 countries.
• Intercollegiate Model United Nations (ICMUN), one of the most competitive and well-respected traveling teams on the college Model UN circuit.
• Harvard Program for International Education (HPIE), a public service program affiliated with the Philips Brooks House Association that serves underprivileged schools in the Boston area.
• International Relations on Campus (IRoC), our campus outreach program that fosters awareness of international issues among Harvard undergraduates.

There are also a host of opportunities in IRC Central, composed of our Board of Directors, Board of Strategy, Board of Auditors, and Corporate Officers, including our President, Treasurer, Secretary, Clerk, and Vice Presidents for Corporate Relations and Operations.

No matter what your interest, whether international relations, business, technology, debate, marketing, travel, public relations, communications, or simply meeting fun and interesting people, the Harvard International Relations Council has an opportunity for you. We encourage you to read about our many programs and offerings and to contact us with any questions about how to get involved. We look forward to welcoming you in to the IRC community!