Zusatzkurs Model United Nations

Students at Primo-Levi-Gymnasium have the opportunity to choose an additional Model United Nations course in Year 11. The course is taught in English and provides basic theoretical knowledge about the United Nations and Model United Nations (MUN). In addition, the focus is on attending MUN conferences.

At MUN conferences students take on the role of delegates from different nations. In the course, the students prepare for this. They practice writing opening speeches and resolutions, learn the procedures of debate and the linguistic conventions of formal debates. Another focus is online research since delegates have to create country profiles for their assigned member state and also research their country’s policies on the respective conference and committee topics. The topics are always based on the UN pillars, Peace and Security, Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Development and are closely connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The conference’s banner topic is debated in various organs, for example in the Environment Committee, the Disarmament Committee, the Political Committee, the Economic and Social Council or the Human Rights Council.

The following conferences can be attended:

THEMUN - Theresienschule Model United Nations is the two-day conference of our neighbouring school. It usually takes place in December and traditionally the whole course takes part. The participation fee is approx. €5.

BERMUN - Berlin Model United Nations is the four-day conference of John F. Kennedy School in Berlin Zehlendorf. It annually takes place in November. Over 700 students from all over the world take part in the conference. Primo-Levi-Gymnasium has been attending since 1994. Only a select number of students can take part. The participation fee is around €75, with the Förderverein generously supporting the students. A second, smaller BERMUNII conference is talking place in March, with a participation fee of around €40. We are very grateful that Förderverein PLG very generously supports our participation at BERMUN I and II and therefore the students only face a fee of €10-20 per conference.

PRIMUN - Primo Levi Model United Nations is the three-day conference organised by Primo Levi Gymnasium. It is organised by PRIMUN Club (Year 12) and takes place in January. All course participants are actively involved. They take on the role of delegates from particularly important nations and some are already part of the organising team. The participation fee is around €5.

In the second half of the year, the additional course begins to prepare its own PRIMUN conference, among other things. The students define topics, conduct research and develop topic questions. They also decide who will chair the various committees. Participation in PRIMUN Club in year 12 is not compulsory for the course, but since the students have attended various conferences and have gained great expertise in MUN they are usually keen to organise their own conference in the following year.