LCC Is Hosting the Biggest Model UN in Ethiopia—Are You Ready?

Despite many challenges we face today, Ethiopia is moving forward in powerful ways. We are advancing across multiple sectors and slowly stepping onto the global stage. One clear sign of this progress is the growing popularity of debate-driven platforms, especially among the youth. This is essential to discuss important issues to increase their interest in major world issues that affect them. They also relate the issues in a simple way to the public. Among them is a rising star: Model UN. But what exactly is Model UN, and why is it a rising topic among the youth today?

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations is a simulation or model of the United Nations, as the name implies. In these conferences, participants take on the role of delegates from different countries to discuss major global issues and propose solutions. The United Nations itself was created in 1945, after the Second World War. This was to find peaceful ways of solving problems through diplomacy, rather than war. Today, it is the largest international organization in the world. It addresses countless issues in individual countries as well as on a global scale.

Respectively, LCC Model UN is part of this global movement. MUN originated from simulations of the League of Nations in the early 1920s, eventually evolving into its current form after the founding of the UN. By the second half of the 20th century, high school MUN conferences began to grow rapidly, spreading across the world and creating a powerful platform for students to learn about diplomacy and leadership.

Ever Wondered How the Top Model UNs Began?

There are thousands of Model UN conferences around the world today, and LCC Model UN has been growing to be part of that growing global network. As we shaped LCC, we looked to some of the longest-running and most influential conferences for inspiration. It began almost a century ago – in 1921 Oxford University students held the first “International Assembly” simulating the League of Nations, and a similar event took place at Harvard in 1923. After World War II and the founding of the real United Nations, these student “assemblies” evolved into official Model UN conferences.

One of the most important functions of Model UN is that it gives participants a real sense of how international conflicts are addressed, offering a powerful lesson in leadership, diplomacy, and compromise. As former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Through this National Model UN, you have learned how tough it is to reach agreement on international issues. You are not just leaders of the future, you can start to lead right now.”

LCC Model UN Is Setting a New Standard for Ethiopian Youth Leadership

While Ethiopia has a long-standing history with the United Nations as a founding member, the history of Model UN in the country is still young and steadily growing. Since 2018, LCC has become one of the most active and recognized Model UNs in Ethiopia, hosting events that help delegates build real diplomatic skills, engage with professionals, and experience what global dialogue truly feels like.

Until recently, the UN has remained largely uninvolved in the organization of MUN conferences around the world. However, in 2009, the UN launched the UN4MUN initiative, making MUN resources more accessible and allowing conferences to more closely replicate the true procedures of the United Nations.  This year, partnering with UN Women, LCC will once again host an amazing conference focusing on major issues in the world right now opening the door for deeper discussions and new perspectives. (more information on the past LCC’s  here). We’re excited for what’s ahead—this year’s Model UN promises to be one of the most thoughtful and engaging yet.