ANU Politics and International Relations: How to Take Part in Model United Nations Activities

14 March 2026 13 min read

Students in the ANU Politics and International Relations program take part in Model United Nations (MUN) activities through three main channels: on-campus societies, academic course practice and external conferences. The ANU Model United Nations Society (ANUMUN) is the core on-campus organisation; it holds at least 2 internal conferences each semester and fields delegations to the Australian National Model United Nations conference (ANUM, hosted by the Australian National University, with more than 400 delegates attending in 2023)【ANU Model United Nations Society, 2024, Annual Society Report】. In addition, undergraduate Politics and International Relations courses (such as POLS1002 Introduction to International Relations) include Model United Nations as a graded component worth 20% of the total course mark【ANU School of Politics and International Relations, 2024, Course Outline】. According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, ANU’s Politics and International Studies rank 8th globally, and its Model United Nations activities give students a unique platform for applying theory to diplomatic practice【QS, 2024, QS World University Rankings by Subject】.

Getting involved through on-campus societies

The ANU Model United Nations Society (ANUMUN) is the main entry point for students to take part in MUN. Founded in 1995, the society registers about 150 members a year, around 60% of whom are Politics and International Relations students. The society holds 2 internal conferences each semester, each lasting 2 days and simulating bodies such as the UN Security Council or the UN General Assembly. The conference theme is set by the executive committee at the start of the semester; the Semester 1 2024 theme was “Maritime Security Governance in the Indo-Pacific”.

Membership registration and training

Membership registration is done through the ANU Students’ Association (ANUSA) platform, with an annual fee of AUD 15 (2024 rate). At the start of each semester the society offers 3 free training sessions covering rules of procedure (such as Robert’s Rules of Order), position paper writing and debating skills. The training is led by former ANUMUN delegates or external experts; 85 people took part in the Semester 1 2024 training.

Executive committee elections

The executive committee consists of 8 members: President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer and 4 events coordinators. Elections are held every October; candidates must be enrolled ANU students and must have taken part in at least 1 internal conference. The 2023 election had a voter turnout of 62%, with 12 candidates competing.

Model United Nations in academic courses

The School of Politics and International Relations integrates Model United Nations into core undergraduate courses as a practical teaching component. In POLS1002 Introduction to International Relations, the Model United Nations activity is worth 20% of the total course mark, split into a position paper (10%) and conference performance (10%). The course runs in both semesters each year, with about 200 students enrolled per semester.

In-course mock conference procedure

The conference is held in weeks 8 to 10 of the semester and lasts 3 days (3 hours per day). Students are assigned to different country delegations and must write a 2-page position paper in advance, citing at least 5 authoritative sources (such as UN resolutions or government statements). The Semester 2 2023 conference theme was “Climate Change and Security Council Reform”, with 180 students taking part and 3 draft resolutions produced.

Marking criteria and feedback

Marking is done jointly by the course lecturer and tutors, based on: frequency and quality of speaking (40%), document writing ability (30%), alliance coordination (20%) and etiquette and protocol (10%). Students can book a one-on-one feedback session within 2 weeks after the conference; in 2023, 55% of students used this service.

Competing at external conferences

ANU students can attend Model United Nations conferences both in Australia and overseas. The main domestic conference is the Australian National Model United Nations (ANUM), held every July in Canberra and hosted by ANU. In 2023, ANUM had 420 delegates from 12 universities, and ANU sent a 30-person delegation.

International conference opportunities

The ANU Model United Nations Society organises delegations to 1–2 international conferences each year, such as the Harvard National Model United Nations (HMUN, Boston, every January) and the Sydney Model United Nations (SMUN, every September). The 2024 HMUN delegation had 15 members, 8 of whom were from the Politics and International Relations program. Delegation selection is based on performance at internal conferences and interview scores; the 2024 selection rate was 33% (15 chosen from 45 applicants).

Funding support and travel arrangements

ANUSA provides partial travel subsidies; the 2024 rates are AUD 200 per person for domestic conferences and AUD 500 per person for international conferences. The remainder is paid by students themselves — in 2023, the average total cost per HMUN delegate was about AUD 1,800 (including flights, accommodation and registration fees). When handling cross-border tuition payments, some international student families use dedicated channels such as Flywire tuition payment to complete the transfer.

How the program’s courses link to Model United Nations

The course design of the Politics and International Relations program provides theoretical support for Model United Nations activities. POLS2001 International Organisations directly teaches the workings of the UN system, including Security Council voting procedures and General Assembly resolution processes. About 120 students enrol in this course each semester, and 60% of them also take part in Model United Nations activities (2023 survey data)【ANU School of Politics and International Relations, 2023, Student Engagement Survey】.

Core course pathway

POLS1002 Introduction to International Relations: foundation for Model United Nations practice
POLS2001 International Organisations: UN institutions and rules of procedure
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis: national interests and negotiation strategies
POLS4001 Global Governance: case studies in multilateral diplomacy

Possibility of credit recognition

ANU currently has no formal policy granting academic credit directly for Model United Nations participation. However, the Model United Nations component in POLS1002 already accounts for 20% of the grade, and some electives (such as POLS2005 Negotiation and Mediation) allow students to substitute Model United Nations experience for one assignment. In 2024 the school is assessing the possibility of including ANUMUN training courses in “Professional Practice Credit”, with results expected to be announced in 2025.

Coordinating activities with the academic calendar

Model United Nations activities map clearly onto the ANU academic calendar. The ANU academic year is divided into Semester 1 (February–June) and Semester 2 (July–November), and MUN activities are usually scheduled for mid-semester (weeks 4–8) or during holidays. Internal conferences are mostly held from Friday afternoon to Sunday to avoid clashes with Monday-to-Thursday classes.

Key dates in 2024

February: ANUMUN Semester 1 recruitment and training (weeks 1–3)
April: POLS1002 in-course mock conference (weeks 8–10)
July: Australian National Model United Nations (ANUM, semester break)
September: ANUMUN Semester 2 internal conference (weeks 6–8)
November: international conference delegation selection (end of Semester 2)

Estimated time commitment

The time commitment for Model United Nations activities varies by role. A regular delegate needs 5–10 hours of preparation per conference (including document writing and research), plus 6–8 hours per day during the conference itself. Executive committee members put in an additional 3–5 hours per week on organisational work. A 2023 survey found that the average active member devotes 40 hours per semester to Model United Nations-related activities【ANU Model United Nations Society, 2023, Member Activity Log Statistics】.

Resources and support systems

ANU provides a range of resources for Model United Nations participants. The library subscribes to official UN databases (such as the UN Digital Library), giving students free access to more than 500,000 UN documents. The School of Politics and International Relations provides 2 dedicated discussion rooms (Room 1.23 and 1.24) seating 30 people, bookable through the school’s administration office with 48 hours’ notice.

Mentors and alumni network

Five professors serve as academic advisers to the Model United Nations activities, including the Head of the Department of International Relations, Dr. Sarah Logan. More than 20 former ANUMUN members in the alumni network now work at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or in UN agencies. In 2023, 2 alumni career-sharing sessions were held, attended by 60 students.

Online platforms and tools

ANUMUN uses Slack for day-to-day communication and Discord for real-time discussion during conferences. Position papers and draft resolutions are produced collaboratively on Google Drive. In 2024 the society developed an internal rules-of-procedure simulation tool (MUNSim) that allows 50 people to practise online at the same time.

Impact on career development

Model United Nations activities clearly boost the career paths of Politics and International Relations students. The 2023 ANU graduate employment survey shows that 18% of students who took part in Model United Nations entered roles in diplomacy or international organisations, compared with 7% of those who did not【ANU Careers Centre, 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey】. In the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2024 internship program, 15% of successful applicants had Model United Nations experience.

Transferable skills

Public speaking and debating: 3–5 speeches per conference on average
Document writing: 2–3 position papers per semester (800–1,200 words each)
Multilateral negotiation: coordinating 6–8 country blocs in simulations
Research skills: 5–10 authoritative sources cited per paper

Resume and application advantages

Model United Nations experience can be listed under the “Leadership and Activities” section of a resume. The ANU Careers Centre recommends highlighting specific roles (such as “head of delegation”) and quantified achievements (such as “led passage of 2 resolutions”). Among 2024 admissions to the Oxford University master’s program in International Relations, about 25% mentioned Model United Nations experience in their personal statements【Oxford University Department of International Relations, 2024, internal admissions statistics】.

FAQ

Q1: Is there a language requirement for non-native English speakers in ANU Model United Nations activities?

There is no hard language requirement, but an IELTS speaking score of at least 6.5 or equivalent is recommended. ANUMUN offers pre-conference language support workshops (2 per semester); 35% of participating students in 2023 were international students. Internal conferences allow informal discussion in Chinese, but formal debate and document writing must be in English.

Q2: What materials should I prepare before taking part in Model United Nations?

You will need formal attire (suit or business outfit), a laptop or tablet, and a notebook and pen. First-time participants are advised to read the rules-of-procedure guide on the UN website in advance (about 20 pages). ANUMUN provides a free electronic position paper template, which was downloaded 300 times in 2024.

Q3: Do Model United Nations activities affect GPA?

The Model United Nations component within POLS1002 is counted directly towards the grade (worth 20%); in 2023 this component averaged 72 out of 100, higher than the overall course average of 68. Extracurricular Model United Nations activities do not affect GPA, but participation certificates are issued by the school for attendance at international conferences.

References

ANU Model United Nations Society, 2024, Annual Society Report
ANU School of Politics and International Relations, 2024, POLS1002 Course Outline
QS, 2024, QS World University Rankings by Subject
ANU Careers Centre, 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2024, Internship Program Annual Report