When young people shape world politics
When young people from all over the world come to Siegen to negotiate climate protection, peace or artificial intelligence, the University of Siegen becomes the venue for "SiegMUN" - the "Sieg Model United Nations" conference. In November and December, it brought together participants from 29 nations. The international and professionally diverse format offered them the opportunity to experience global politics in a realistic way and to play an active role in shaping it.
In the diplomatic simulation, pupils and students took on the roles of delegates from real UN member states. They negotiated according to formal United Nations rules, developed resolutions and sought workable compromises.
In terms of content, SiegMUN 2025 was all about current global political challenges. Three committees met in person, another virtually. In the Alliance of Small Island States, delegates discussed climate resilience, food security and climate-induced migration. "Strong teamwork and solution-oriented professionalism ultimately brought the different interests to a compromise," reported co-chair Mounir Bouqayoua, a student of German and European Economic Law at the University of Siegen.
The Economic and Social Council dealt with the financing of sustainable development and strategies to combat youth unemployment in the digital age. The Peacebuilding Commission focused on preventive measures against gender-based violence in fragile states and dealing with extremism and terrorism in the Sahel region. Co-chair Kristina Kober (student teacher, University of Siegen) emphasized: "Sustainable peacebuilding requires analytical thinking, the courage to come up with new ideas and responsible cooperation."
A virtual committee was dedicated to the work of UNESCO. The protection of freedom of expression in the digital space and global ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence were discussed - topics that are increasingly shaping international politics.
For many participants, the conference on campus is a springboard onto the international stage. Students from the University of Siegen are currently preparing for the world's largest academic UN simulation in New York City, which will take place at the United Nations headquarters in April 2026 and bring together around 5,000 students from all over the world. "The aim there is to deepen the knowledge acquired at SiegMUN and apply it under realistic conditions," explains Gerrit Pursch, MUN program coordinator at the University of Siegen.
The University of Siegen has been taking part in the UN simulation in New York City since 2009. Anyone who would like to take part in the university-wide Model United Nations (MUN) program is welcome to join the year-round activities at any time.
