GIRA has just embarked on the exciting journey of crafting the 46th Annual North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference (NAIMUN). Even in its early stages of planning, NAIMUN XLVI is already showing immense promise and potential towards its most memorable year yet. While constantly looking to innovate and expand our capabilities, a major priority this year is to strengthen our basic framework and consolidate the gains of the past, with staff development and preparation as a key vehicle in carrying out this vision.
As the largest high school simulation in the Western Hemisphere, NAIMUN seeks to expand its global presence through increased participation by international schools to complement its strong American delegate base. But size does not sacrifice quality, as the conference will feature thirty-five of the most innovative committees and opportunities for delegates, from larger committees, like DISEC, the International Olympic Committee Session and the European Union, to smaller committees engaged in joint crisis simulations, with the Armenian and Azeri Cabinets locked in a future struggle over contested territory. NAIMUN will also offer a centrally coordinated Press Corps, where students interested in journalism can report on developments among the committees, making our large conference a cohesive one.
Additionally, NAIMUN XLVI will balance the exciting in-committee experience with the opportunities of Washington, DC. From embassy briefings in our nation's capital to tours of Georgetown University, our delegates will learn the value of their involvement in Model UN and the real context behind their simulations. We further view NAIMUN XLVI as an interdisciplinary project, in which all of our conference operations are truly a reflection of the diversity of our staff and participants. Such a vision has brought more technology into our committees and a varied social program outside of them, including a Friday night event featuring Georgetown’s performance groups. As a part of GIRA’s commitment to philanthropy, NAIMUN XLVI will strengthen its charity-based initiatives and provide social justice opportunities for delegates.
By reevaluating the roles and responsibilities of the NAIMUN XLVI Secretariat, we have placed a renewed emphasis on marketing and corporate sponsorships. NAIMUN’s new website (http://naimun.modelun.org) not only increases its visibility and projects a professional image, but also serves as a more user-friendly resource for students and moderators as they register.
NAIMUN XLVI will take place from Thursday, February 12th to Sunday, February 15th, 2009, as part of President's Day weekend, at the Hilton of Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Anupam Chakravarty
Secretary-General
Omar Noureldin
Executive Director
