The Lancaster Tab tries Model United Nations: The diplomatic society you should know about

Lancaster University Model United Nations promise an experience filled with diplomacy and drama, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Lancaster Tab’s visit to the society’s crisis session on a Sunday afternoon saw the English Civil War emerge from centuries past and illuminate the Cavendish Colloquium. History was (somewhat) followed, as delegates chose their actors from a concise session document contextualising the war.

The session itself

Straight away the heated and humorous debate filled the room. King Charles I’s wife became subject to jest from the parliamentarians, with many finishing their motions by calling the long dead queen a “wench”. Despite begging to be freed from her imprisonment, one delegate was immediately executed by the parliamentarians, leaving her pleas unanswered. But the session was not limited by the humorous exchanges; a real strategy was formulated between friend and foe. Notes were passed on paper to emulate the historical frustrations of distanced communication.

Maps and alliances were consistently being built and destroyed as delegates put forth motions, in attempts to advance their agenda. The session was fast paced and eventful, despite one delegate being frustrated by the six months it took to round on Nottingham due to traffic on the M1. Frustrations aside, speakers are kept to a strict agreed upon time limit (something Westminster could do with). Speakings can range from theatrical to logical to downright infantile, unfortunately fitting of political leaders in charge of a violent conflict.

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The society thrives in logical and reasonable decision making, facilitating the ability to strategise and communicate with bravado on topics you may not have much knowledge on. Despite the daunting idea of standing up to speak to their fellow delegates, the society truly harbours a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere, making it extremely easy to stand in front of your fellow delegates to attempts of persuasion to support your agenda.

The sessions end with a resolution, usually an amalgamation of agendas, voted on by the delegates. Despite some members begrudgingly casting their votes, the chairs ensure that the sessions come to a conclusive and satisfying end. Albeit not always realistically accurate; the Civil War session saw the survival of Charles I, the ambush and killing of Oliver Cromwell, tyrannical ruling Newcastle, and a new brewery being opened in Ireland.

Accessibility

LUMUN welcomes any new-comer with open arms. Each delegate is welcomed regardless of their understanding of MUN and can initially be paired up with a more experienced member. New members are welcome to come and observe sessions to see how they work. The choice is completely up to you!

Society members can put forth ideas for sessions and can even go as far as to chair them if they wish. Simply put, LUMUN truly nurtures and facilitates its members interests in the inner workings of the UN inside and out.

Potential new members can come along to the refreshers event in January which will run a crash course on how MUN works and provide context to the general interests of each nation-state, meaning that an encyclopaedic knowledge of nations is not required to join the society!

Events outside of sessions

LUMUN stems far outside the parameters of its sessions. Its active Instagram account ensures that its members are kept up to date with society’s events. Recent events include, the United States Election Bar Crawl in which members could pick to be their own political figure.

But alcohol is not required, as the society also holds sober nights such as the recent Taskmaster games night.

The resolution concerning the situation of joining LUMUN

LUMUN improves communication, deliberation, debating, and diplomatic skills that will help further career aspects and personal endeavour. The sheer entertainment and camaraderie around shared political interests makes the society one-of-a-kind.

From the welcoming and warm atmosphere sessions, to the communicative (and sometimes ludicrous) problem solving – if you have an interest in political diplomacy, LUMUN is a society that you will definitely not regret joining!

Sessions run every Tuesday from 7pm-9pm in Franklin Lecture Theatre. Crisis Sessions run approximately every other Sunday afternoon in the Cavendish Colloquium.