For information only - not an official document
UNIS/VIC/208
28 July 2015
VIENNA, 28 July (UN Information Service) - About 250 students from more than 40 countries will meet from 3 to 6 August 2015 at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to participate in this year's Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN).
The students and young graduates aged between 18 and 35 will put their diplomatic skills to the test discussing topics ranging from freedom of opinion and expression, frozen conflicts and foreign terrorist fighters to austerity versus growth and energy in the 21st century.
A special focus will be a simulation of a Board of Governors meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency on "Challenges in Nuclear Verification: Implementing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Iranian Nuclear Programme".
The simulation conference, which is part of a worldwide series of Model United Nations meetings, is organized by the United Nations Youth and Student Association of Austria - Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs and hosted by the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).
While simulating the role of a diplomat of a country other than their own and negotiating on its behalf, the students and young graduates develop leadership, research, writing, public-speaking and problem-solving skills and gain experience in consensus building, conflict resolution and cooperation.
The rules of procedure are similar to those used in real UN conferences. The best delegates will be given an award at the closing ceremony of the conference.
VIMUN Secretary General 2015 will be Dominik Rastinger, a student of political science from Vienna.
UNIS Vienna Director Martin Nesirky will speak at the opening of the conference.
Initially planned as a one-time event in 1995, VIMUN is this year celebrating its 20 th anniversary. The simulation conference will also be held in honour of the 70 th anniversary of the United Nations and Austria's 60 years of membership in the UN.
Media representatives are invited to cover the opening session on 3 August and the event. Those who are not already accredited to the VIC should email unis[at]unvienna.org by 30 July 2015 COB for accreditation.
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For further information, please contact:
Maria
Naderhirn
NGO/CSO Liaison, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-3324
Email: maria.naderhirn[at]unvienna.org
or
Dominik
Rastinger
Secretary-General, Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN)
Mobile: +43/676/960 45 45
Email: vimun[at]afa.at
Website:
http://www.vimun.org or
http://www.modelun.at or
http://afa.at
