Philadelphia Model United Nations

Philadelphia Model United Nations is our second conference of the Model UN season. This program of the Institute for Domestic & International Affairs, Inc., started empowering students in 2007 when we chose to hold a conference outside of New Jersey. PhilMUN has grown dramatically in size since the first year, bringing many students together to discuss and address global issues.

PhilMUN is characterized by its in-depth topic briefs, well-trained staff, and small committee sizes. Backed by IDIA, all PhilMUN staffers are Rutgers undergraduate students who complete a year-long training program before running the conference. Attend to learn why PhilMUN is one of the best conferences for your delegates, novice and veteran alike.

Browse the committees available at this year’s PhilMUN conference, and start the registration process.

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Welcome to Philadelphia Model United Nations 2023! The conference will be taking place February 23-26, 2023 at the Wyndham in Old City, Philadelphia.

PhilMUN, as always, has a regional and thematic focus to help delegates gear their in-committee discussions towards challenges in certain parts of the world, in a specific context.

The focus of PhilMUN 2023 will be Exploring Development Through Diplomacy in Africa. Africa is an incredibly diverse continent, with over 3,000 ethnic groups, more than 2,000 languages spoken, and a population of over 1 billion people. However, the number of different groups with varied motivations, a turbulent history with imperialism and its effects, and other regional issues have led to periods of significant friction. These conflicts–ranging from governmental instability, religious and ethnic tensions, and colonization –have led to unique challenges that most other regions of the world have not experienced on the same scale. Despite these challenges, Africa has some of the greatest potential for growth and development that can only be found through unique and proactive decision-making. 

This leads into the theme of PhilMUN 2023, which centers around the complexities between diplomacy and development. The UN’s mission and mandate revolves around leveraging the collective strength of the global community for increased peace and prosperity for all.  Global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals embrace the principle of improved outcomes through international participation.

However, in Africa perhaps more than any other region, it is clear that the long and short-term effects of the global system can result in net negatives for member states. When attempted development and modernization are insufficiently accompanied by diplomacy – and without considering the needs of the people – exploitation and conflict can and do occur.  

Examples of colonial powers creating natural resource trading infrastructure that stripped the continent of its resources while investing the profits into already developed countries highlight how development can exploit innocent people. Nonetheless, many member states in Africa remain open to governmental and non-governmental participation from foreign entities. Our theme encourages delegates to find a role for UN intervention in a way that respects and ultimately benefits African states by asking questions like these: 

What is the right kind of involvement for the international community with regards to Africa and her member states? How can international participation be structured so that it leads to sustainable growth and advancement of human rights? What are the commitments and responsibilities owed by enterprises and governments in the global community and their African counterparts? What role do emerging technologies and innovations play?

By tempering the UN’s role as an international body with the need for thoughtful diplomacy in the regions where it operates, delegates will find answers to these and more pressing questions.

If you have any questions, especially about registration or the conference itself, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Any questions or comments can also be sent to me at [email protected]. Prior to the conference, the Secretariat, along with the rest of our staff, is available to provide information or do outreach programs to help schools prepare. With that, we look forward to meeting you all in February at PhilMUN 2023!

Best, 
Mohit Khandekar
Secretary-General 
PhilMUN 2023