For information only - not an official document

UNIS/VIC/221
2 August 2019

Global issues to take centre stage as students and young graduates come together for the 25 ^th Vienna International Model United Nations conference

VIENNA, 2 August (UN Information Service) - For the 25 ^th consecutive year, politically-minded students and young graduates from about 40 nations will be assembling at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) for a special anniversary edition of the Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN). The VIC, the home of the UN family in Vienna, is currently celebrating its own 40 ^th anniversary. 

With the UN as a backdrop, VIMUN gives the participants, aged 18 - 35, the opportunity of slipping into the role of a diplomat and simulating the process of negotiating in preselected committees and organs of the United Nations.

Just as in other Model UN conferences, at VIMUN each participant acts as a delegate of a country of their choosing in a committee.  As they participate in the preparation of draft resolutions, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve disputes and navigate the rules of procedure they must put their chosen country's national interest first. This requires them to research and prepare beforehand, as they may not represent their country of origin. 

The following topics will be discussed in five different committees during VIMUN 2019:

• Human Rights Council (HRC): "Human Rights violations in the Middle East"
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): "Nuclear technology and applications included in health care"
• Security Council: "The situation in the South China Sea"
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): "Finding measures to prevent cybercrime"
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): "Use of satellites for global security and telecommunication"

The conference participants will be welcomed by the President of the United Nations Youth and Student Association of Austria - Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs (UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA) Michael Pfeifer. Speakers at the opening ceremony include the Chair of the Vienna Model United Nations Club (VMC) Kevin Lechner, and the Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna Martin Nesirky.

The City of Vienna will welcome the participants to the conference during a reception at City Hall on 5 August. 

The conference, organized by UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA and hosted by the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), attracts up to 250 participants each year.

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Media representatives are invited to cover the event including the opening session on Monday 5 August. Those who wish to attend the event, and who are not accredited to the VIC, should write to press.vienna[at]un.org.

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For further information, please contact:

Maria Naderhirn
NGO/CSO Liaison
United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-3324
Email: maria.naderhirn[at]un.org

or

Michael F. Pfeifer
President
United Nations Youth and Student Association of Austria/
Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs (UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA)
Email: vimun[at]afa.at