The Hague International Model United Nations 2025

Salem International College was invited to attend the 57th annual THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) conference in The Hague, one of the largest Model UN conferences in the world. It brings together over 3,000 participants and 200 schools to debate and discuss global issues. Model UN is a simulation of the actual United Nations where participants represent the delegation of an assigned nation in various committees. Delegates research, write resolutions, and debate with other countries to create solutions for existing international concerns such as human rights and ongoing armed conflicts. This year's general theme was the “Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humanity.” Every committee was influenced by this theme, as it was incorporated into worldwide challenges. For example, the Human Rights Commission discussed the issue of “the use of AI by terrorist organizations.”

Delegates are expected to fully represent the beliefs of their assigned nation and its government. So, you can imagine our feelings when we learned we were representing Afghanistan. Recently, the nation has been taken over by the Taliban following the withdrawal of the United States military; therefore, we were delegates representing the interests of the Taliban. While the idea of representing a terrorist organization seems daunting, regardless of the global issue you are discussing, this did not deter any of the Salem delegates from actively participating in the conference. We all contributed to resolutions, made countless speeches, and engaged in debates with others (particularly the delegates representing the United States and NATO countries) to reaffirm Afghanistan's beliefs and standing. We initiated thought-provoking debates, particularly on the topic of equality, and were filled with passionate discourse. 

The structured format of the conference provided a valuable learning experience and helped me navigate diplomatic procedures. I also enjoyed engaging conversations with people from all over the world. What surprised me most was the strong sense of camaraderie that quickly developed within our committee. Our chairs entertained us with karaoke, we had a great time together both in and outside of the conference, and we built lasting friendships that continued beyond the event itself. Outside of the conference, we were able to explore The Hague. The city offers a culturally and historically rich center full of museums, churches, and the Peace Palace, where the International Court of Justice is located. The THIMUN trip was an amazing experience, and we are all very grateful to the teachers, the staff, and the Friends of Salem organization for making the trip possible.