Frequently Asked Questions

What does ICMUN stand for?

ICMUN stands for Intercollegiate Model United Nations

Do I need to have done Model UN in high school to join the team?

Absolutely not! Though prior experience can be helpful, the team includes people of all different backgrounds and levels of experience. All that we ask is that you bring with you a sincere interest in international relations and a commitment to the team

What kind of time commitment does joining the team involve?

Members of ICMUN are usually involved in other activities as well, particularly within the International Relations Council. The time commitment allows for that, but we require that our members attend the few mandatory meetings.

We require all new members to attend an introduction meeting at the beginning of the year before going to any conferences to understand how the team functions.

Then, prior to any conference which you attend, you'll join us for two prep sessions. In the first session, we go over logistics and strategy for the conference to improve your command of Model UN style. In the second session, you will meet individually with us to discuss the particular issues you will be discussing in your committee, in order to be better prepared. Netiehr meeting is anticipated to exceed 90 minutes.

Each conference will require you to do research so that you fully understand the material you will be debating. All conferences we attend are four days traveling, running from Thursday to Sunday. You can attend as few or as many conferences as you wish, but you must attend at least two conferences in order to be automatically on the team the following year. During the 2007-2008 season, there will be five opportunities for you to meet this requirement.

How do I join the team?

To join the team, come to our intro meeting in the fall, fill out an application, and sign up for an interview. For more information, see our "Joining the Team" page. Of course, the best way to see if you'll like ICMUN is to attend Model Security Council (MSC), which takes place in September.

How much do conferences cost?

Conferences are free for you. The team covers the cost of all conferences.

What the heck is the IRC?

ICMUN is part of a larger organization called the Harvard International Relations Council (IRC). The IRC is an umbrella organization that oversees and finances much of the international relations activity at Harvard. The other programs of the IRC are HNMUN, our conference for college students; HMUN, our conference for high school students; the Harvard International Review, a professional IR journal staffed by our undergraduates; HPIE, an inner-city outreach program for international relations; and MSC, which is a small conference for Harvard freshmen. The IRC also hosts speaker events on many topics, culminating in International Relations Week, which is a four-day IR symposium. ICMUN members typically play important roles in all of these activities.

Sounds great. How can I get more information?

Simple. Just e-mail your question to icmun@hcs.harvard.edu and we will get back to you quickly. If you are looking for notification of upcoming events, you should check out our sign-up page as well.