Why ILMUNC XXVIII?
The twenty-eighth session of the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference (ILMUNC) will continue Penn’s International Affairs Association’s tradition of hosting one of the largest and most prestigious Model United Nations simulations in the world. This year, ILMUNC will host over 2,300 high school students from all parts of the globe to debate pressing world issues in the heart of historic Philadelphia. Through our conference, delegates will gain a deeper understanding of international affairs, improve their public speaking and leadership skills, and meet countless new friends from around the world.
The hallmark of ILMUNC is its committees, and this year's offerings are no exception. ILMUNC XXVIII will be featuring a wide array of committees, from traditional General Assembly committees to the more challenging and fast-paced crisis simulations. For the first time in ILMUNC’s long and distinguished history, we will feature a Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations, the 2009 United Nations Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, the International Court of Justice, and a host of other innovative and unique committees and agencies. Additionally, we will once again be offering an all-novice committee, which will be the United Nations Children’s Fund this year. We invite you to view our Committees page to learn about all of the committees offered and to explore the rest of our website to discover ILMUNC’s many other distinctive features.
Other Hallmark Features of ILMUNC
Dedicated Staff
ILMUNC boasts a knowledgeable and devoted team of over 300 Penn undergraduates. Our staff's diversity is one of ILMUNC's greatest assets; hailing from over twenty-seven countries and countless courses of study, each member brings his or her own unique skill set and perspective on international affairs to the conference. When not preparing for ILMUNC, our staff comprises one of the most successful intercollegiate Model United Nations teams in the country. This allows us to bring an enormous amount of experience and professionalism to the conference. Prior to conference, ILMUNC staff is thoroughly trained to ensure their mastery of parliamentary procedure, their knowledge of committee topics, and their ability to steer a successful flow of debate.
Dynamic Delegate Experience
Not only is the staff of ILMUNC diverse, but ILMUNC has consistently attracted delegates from around the nation and the world—schools attending the conference have traveled from six continents and over twenty different countries. This enables delegates to meet fellow high school students from a wide variety of backgrounds, which fosters lively debate and leads to life-long friendships.
In addition to the high level of debate on important international issues during committee sessions, we believe delegates should have an equally meaningful experience while outside of committee. We seek to create a balance between intellectual engagement and fun by offering a wide range of programs throughout the weekend of conference. Our Keynote Speaker will open conference with exclusive and fascinating insight into the current state of global affairs. This emphasis on education is continued throughout the weekend as delegates will interact with Penn professors through our highly regarded Distinguished Scholars program, where members of academia in pertinent fields come to ILMUNC to discuss a committee’s topics with the delegates of that committee. After the day’s committee sessions conclude, students are free to explore Philadelphia, meet peers at our Delegate Festival (with food, soda, and performances by Penn performing arts groups), or have fun at the Delegate Dance, which will again feature a live DJ and light display.
Commitment to Charity
The Franklin Legacy Charity Program provides an amazing opportunity for our staff and delegates to make an impact on some of the most pressing humanitarian issues currently facing the international community. ILMUNC has always been committed to improving the broader world around us through this program, which collects money for a specific charity chosen for its relevance to this year’s conference theme, which will be announced in the coming months. In a similar light, we are also increasing our efforts to achieve our long-term goal of becoming the first truly “green” Model UN conference in the world.
The City of Philadelphia
One of ILMUNC's greatest features is that it takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—a city rich in history and culture. The conference is located just steps away from the historic Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is home to the Franklin Institute, City Hall, and the renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art. A thriving art and restaurant scene as well as celebrated landmarks from the Revolutionary period make Philadelphia one of the most cosmopolitan and historic cities in the world. Additionally, we are thrilled to coordinate tours of and offer information about our own University of Pennsylvania, one of the world's finest academic institutions, intended to grant delegates the opportunity to experience the Ivy League firsthand. Finally, the conference will once again be hosted at the beautiful Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, a magnificent venue located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia.