Model UN
Structure of GUMUN
Every year hundreds of high school
students come to Gannon University in November for a two-day convention
to represent designated countries of the world and debate pressing
international issues. Students have traditionally come from the
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York areas, as well as Canada. The
convention is headed by a staff of roughly thirty Gannon students, which
includes the Secretary and Assistant Secretary General, and a General
Moderator from Gannon's faculty. Gannon’s political science
department sponsors the convention.
The Gannon University Model United
Nations is modeled after the real United Nations. While they are not
exactly alike for practical purposes, the rules and committees of the
Gannon Model UN closely parallel the rules and committees of the United
Nations. The Gannon Model UN consists of three major components: The
General Assembly, The Model Security Council, and The Model
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
"General
Assembly"
The General Assembly is the central organ of the Model UN and
considers critical issues on current international affairs. In the spring
of a convention year, Gannon student staff officers research and select
five topics for discussion. Each topic represents a
committee. Throughout the convention, high school delegations send
student delegates to different committees to meet and debate the
respective issues. The goal is to pass a resolution in a topic
committee to be considered by the general assembly on the final day of
the conference.
"Security
Council"
The Model Security Council, whose membership corresponds with that of the
actual institution, discusses situations and resolutions central to the
"maintenance of international peace and security" and performs
other functions as mandated by the United Nations charter. While the
agenda for the Model Security Council will be open, a provisional agenda
will be suggested and discussion begun in the regional bloc meetings.
"ECOSOC"
The Model Economic and Social
Council simulates the United
Nations ECOSOC whose members are elected by the General Assembly for
three year terms. Some of the problems the council deals with are
humanitarian issues, human rights, and international economic
issues. In the spring of a convention year, Gannon student staff
officers research and select a topic for the Model ECOSOC.
