Essay Contest

As one of the premier Model United Nations Conferences in the world, ILMUNC has a proud commitment to encouraging interdisciplinary thinking in regards to foreign affairs. Therefore, this year, ILMUNC will be hosting its third annual essay competition. Participating delegates will have the option to choose from two different prompts. Submissions are due on January 18th in order to be considered for awards. Please note that this is prior to the start of Conference.

The winning entries of both prompts will be recognized during our Closing Ceremony as well as on our website and social media platforms. The winning delegates will also receive gavels and ILMUNC XLI Merchandise. Please note that by entering this contest, the delegate agrees to allow ILMUNC to post their work on our website and social media platforms publicly.

General Submission Guidelines

  • All submissions must be submitted by January 18th by 11:59pm EST in order to be considered for any awards.

  • Any submission will be considered for an award so long as they are justified by the statement and meet the guidelines.

  • Receiving essay contest awards will not disqualify delegates from at conference awards.

  • To submit, complete the attached form on this webpage.

Prompt 1

Depict a crisis which arose as a result of a recent natural disaster (ex: hurricane, drought, climate change) and how people, organizations, or communities came to overcome this crisis. (ex: economic collapse, disease, elderly care, mental health, small business closure, etc.)

Prompt 1 guidelines

  • Please title your submission(s) “NAME_PROMPT1_25”. All submissions must have a short statement, around 150 words, to provide context to the submission. Please submit a separate PDF titled “NAME_STATEMENT_PROMPT1_25.”

  • Submissions can be in the following formats, including:

    • Visual Arts/Traditional Art:

      • Art of any style, medium and size will be considered. This may include: painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, illustration, fashion design, and jewelry, etc. Please submit a high quality scan or photo of your art for consideration.

    • Film and Animation: Films up to 5 minutes long will be accepted. The delegate must be one of the prior creative or directive forces behind the film. Films include: documentaries, narrative films, animation, etc. Clips must be of high quality.

    • Performing Arts, including:

      • Music: Any genre and instrument is accepted and music must be either an original composition by the delegate or an innovative reinterpretation of an already existing piece. If a delegate chooses to reinterpret already existing music, it is imperative they distinguish the changes they made in their statement.

      • Skits: All genres are accepted. The delegate must create original choreography, film it under 5 minutes.

      • Songs: All genres are accepted and lyrics must be either an original composition by the delegate or an innovative reinterpretation of an already existing piece. If a delegate chooses to reinterpret already existing music, it is imperative they distinguish the changes they made in their statement.

    • Creative Writing, including:

      • Poetry: All genres are accepted. The submission must be under 500 words.

      • Script: All genres are accepted. The submission must be no more than three pages double-spaced.

      • Short Story: Students have full creative freedom with respect to the prompt. The submission must be no more than two pages double-spaced.

    • Interdisciplinary Work: Any submission that does not fit into the above categories, or multiple, can be submitted under this category.

Prompt 2

Consider a challenge in your life— this can range from a class project to a more monumental shift in your life. Explain how Model UN has shaped how you think about these issues, or how these events have shaped your ability to do Model UN and understand global events.

Prompt 3 guidelines

  • Please title your document “NAME_PROMPT2_25”.

  • All submissions must be no more than 3 pages double-spaced in Times New Roman Font, size 12. 

  • All submissions must follow MLA formatting guidelines, if necessary.

  • All submissions must be in PDF format.