What is CSUSB - MUN?
The Model United Nations Practicum (GEOG 5756), or better known as the CSUSB Model United Nations (CSUSB - MUN) Program, is a class. It is an interdisciplinary program designed for all students from all academic disciplines. This class is for those who are interested in personal growth as much as in academic achievements. The CSUSB - MUN class is more than tests and grades. It is for those who seek a challenge. In this class, students learn about global affairs and the United Nations system by presenting a different Member State (country) as the overall goal. The CSUSB - MUN Program allows CSUSB students to gain a scholarly understanding of global affairs and gain hands-on experience with conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, collaboration, cooperation, and diplomatic etiquette. This is NOT a debate team. Students who participate in the MUN Program also serve as delegates on the CSUSB Model United Nations team. This team represents an assigned Member State at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference every year in New York City and various other international NMUN conferences (for example, NMUN-Canada, NMUN-Germany, and NMUN-Japan).
In this class, you are not a student. You are known as a "delegate" and your job is to learn how to delegate positions, policies, and practices of a Member State, given to CSUSB - MUN by the NMUN, to the global community.
The Success of the CSUSB - MUN
The CSUSB MUN Program participates in a variety of national and international MUN conferences every year. Most prominently, the CSUSB MUN Program has participated in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference in New York City for over forty years.
The National Model United Nations (NMUN) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances understanding of the United Nations and contemporary international issues. The NMUN conferences are the largest conferences of their kind in the world with over 6000 students from 408 universities and colleges from around the globe participating, learning, and collaborating. California State University, San Bernardino Model United Nations is one of the oldest participants in the NMUN conferences and also one of the most successful participants.
Over these years, the MUN team has represented a variety of countries including Malaysia, Uzbekistan, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iraq, the Philippines, Egypt, Israel, Germany, Morocco, the United States, Cameroon, Jamaica, and Mexico.
The Success of CSUSB - MUN Students Continues After College
The success of CSUSB - MUN students persists after students leave CSUSB. Many alumni of the program have continued to excel in their chosen educational and career paths. Some of the alumni have attended, and are attending!, graduate programs in some of the best universities in the world. Many others have continued their excellence in law schools, medical schools, government, or private sector. These alumni have used their experience in the CSUSB MUN Program as a beginning to the future careers. Combined with other experiences gained and knowledge learned here at CSUSB, the students of our amazing community are making a huge difference in the world today. So, as children of yesteryear, students of today, and global citizens of the future, you are invited to participate.
Support for the CSUSB - MUN
The CSUSB - MUN Program is housed within the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. In this capacity, the department provides the administrative support for the program.
Financial support for the program comes in three forms – funding through the Instructionally Related Programs (IRP) committee at CSUSB, funding from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and funds donated by both campus and local community members. The first two categories have generally been limited but various community leaders – such as Ms. Elaine Rosen, Esq. – have been generous in donating funds to support the program and student participation in the MUN conferences nationally and globally. Students in the program are also required to raise monies through a variety of means to assist in covering the costs of traveling to and participating in the conferences.
To donate to CSUSB - MUN program please contact Sina.bastami@csusb.edu