The Japan University English Model United Nations (JUEMUN) is Japan’s oldest and most academic English-language Model United Nations Conference. JUEMUN was created in 2010 by Prof. Lori Zenuk-Nishide and Prof. Donna Tatsuki of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, and Prof. Craig Smith of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, as an experiential learning project that enables students in Japan to build both their English language skills and their knowledge of international relations.
Since its inception, the conference has expanded to include universities across Japan and from the United States, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, and Ukraine, as well as international students in Japan from China, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The conference has become an opportunity for students from Japan and overseas to come together to discuss international issues and potential solutions.
Each year, the executive committee selects a conference theme and a UN body as the basis for the JUEMUN conference. In the past, the General Assembly, ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, and the Commission on the Status of Women, among others, have been selected as the focus of JUEMUN conferences. Then, different Meeting Rooms are assigned to discuss separate aspects of the conference theme. For example, in 2022, the conference theme under UNESCO was: Security World Heritage for Future Generations, and the Meetings separately discussed, 1) Natural World Heritage Sites, 2) Cultural World Heritage Sites, and 3) Intangible World Heritage. Each delegate will be assigned to a single Meeting for the duration of the conference to have more in-depth discussions on the selected topics.
In addition, to support delegates in their conference experience, the JUEMUN conference has several systems designed to assist first-time MUNers and those with limited English proficiency. First, for each Meeting Room, several Committees are pre-allocated for delegates to work together, so they can start work immediately and do not need to worry about finding a Working Group to join. Also, each Committee will have a Facilitator and Chair assigned, both experienced student leaders trained to support the conference’s work and ensure all delegates are included and supported throughout the experience.
Japan University English Model United Nations 