Rutgers Model United Nations 2026

Rutgers Model United Nations is one of the largest and most well-regarded MUN conferences in the United States. The flagship program of the Institute for Domestic & International Affairs, Inc., started empowering students in 1992 when a group of students from Rutgers University sought to establish an international studies program at the university.  Initially founded at Brett Hall on Rutgers’ historic College Avenue campus, RUMUN has grown dramatically in size, bringing more than 40,000 students together to discuss and address global issues.

RUMUN is characterized by its in-depth topic briefs, well-trained staff, and small commitee sizes. Backed by IDIA, all RUMUN staffers are Rutgers undergraduate students who complete a year-long training program before running the conference. Attend to learn why RUMUN is one of the most acclaimed MUN conferences in the country.

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

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Welcome to Rutgers Model United Nations 2026! The conference will be held from November 19-22, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I am excited to share that this year’s conference theme will be centered around examining the role of corporations.

We typically think of the United Nations as a forum in which sovereign states, endowed with the full weight of their national authority, can negotiate together to solve problems and further common interests. However, there is another significant presence contributing to the conditions that define diplomatic reality: global business.  

Out of the 100 largest economic entities in the world, only 31 are nation-states, while the remaining 69 are corporations. Companies like Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft have over $3 trillion in revenue, making them wealthier than all but four countries: the US, China, Germany, and Japan. Many conglomerates command staggering wealth, influence, and weight. While these indicators of power may not translate into a vote on the floors of the General Assembly, they affect the lives of citizens around the world. And while the MNC is not a new entity, corporations are able to traverse borders and operate at global speed and scale more than any other time in human history. 

The UN has officially recognized how commerce can support development and the Sustainable Development Goals through initiatives like the UN Global Compact. However, we see clear examples of cases where, instead of governments regulating markets to protect their people, markets are regulating governments to protect their profits. What happens when the entity providing your water, your internet, or your national defence is accountable only to shareholders, not citizens?

Over the course of the conference, delegates will be challenged to take a nuanced look at the role of commerce and multinational corporations. Corruption and excess are perennial products of business, but so too are development and mutual benefit. My goal is for students to leave RUMUN feeling accomplished, whether it be raising your placard for the first time, coming up with a unique solution to a long unsolved topic, or even a newfound passion for Model United Nations. Myself and the rest of RUMUN 2026’s staff hopes to create an environment where you do not only collaborate with one another, but grow as an individual throughout the weekend.

If you have any questions, especially about registration or the conference itself, feel free to contact us at info@idia.net. 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.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Sincerely,
Naman Shah
Secretary-General
RUMUN 2026