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The Hague, city of Peace, Justice and Security The City of The Hague is the seat of Dutch Parliament as well as of many (Inter)national institutions such as the OPCW, the ICJ and the Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. It is also the Residence of the Dutch Royal Family, which has been very supportive of MUN over the years: two of the Royal Princes were delegates at THIMUN conferences. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands was guest of honour at the XV and the XX Anniversary Sessions and, on the tenth anniversary of his own participation as a delegate, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander formally opened the XXV Anniversary Session in 1993. He also gave the keynote speech at the Opening of the XXXII Annual Session in 2000.
Her RHR Princess Mabel van Oranje accepted to be honorable patron of the THIMUN Foundation in January 2007 for a period of 5 years. Princess Mabel delivered the keynote speech at the 39th annual session in January 2007.
More information on the city of The Hague can be found at www.denhaag.com
Mr. W. J. Deetman, Mayor of The Hague welcoming the participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 39th Annual Session
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The Foundation In 1968, Mr. Paul Sand from The American School of The Hague organised the first Model United Nations in The Hague. In 1981 the THIMUN Foundation was established and is today directed by a Board of Directors consisting of teachers from international and Dutch schools, in particular, the Deutsche Internationale Schule Den Haag, the British School in The Netherlands, the International School of The Hague, Het Huygenslyceum and the Lycée français Vincent van Gogh. In 1995 the THIMUN Foundation was accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information. 2001 saw the first annual session of the THIMUN Youth Assembly. In 2003 the THIMUN Foundation was granted Roster Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The THIMUN office in The Hague is permanently staffed by a Managing Director and three Assistant Conference Managers.
HRH Princess Mabel van Oranje delivering the keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 39th Annual Session.
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Objectives The object is to seek, through discussion, negotiation and debate, solutions to the various problems of the world: e.g. questions of human rights, protection of the environment, economic development, disarmament, the problems of youth and of refugees, as well as the more critical issues of war and peace. The young delegates, in seeking solutions to these problems, can learn to break away from narrow, national self-interest and develop true international cooperation. The research and preparation required, the adoption of views and attitudes other than their own, the involvement and interaction with so many other young people from around the world, all combine to give the young people a deep insight into the world's problems, to make them aware of the causes of conflict between nations and to lead them to a better understanding of the interests and motivation of others. Thus, in a small way, the THIMUN Foundation, through its conferences, attempts to fulfil the aims and goals set by the founders of the United Nations in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations:
"to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours." |
Participants The THIMUN conference now attracts around 3,800 students and teachers from more than 200 schools located in countries as far apart as Iceland and New Zealand, Peru and Russia. The students themselves originate from over 105 different countries. Although the majority of participating schools are English-language-medium schools, a large number of participants attend schools where languages other than English are the medium of instruction. For students from such schools, the THIMUN conference offers an excellent opportunity to expand, develop and put into practice their English language skills, on an informal as well as on a formal level. All the associated activities such as preparing resolutions, lobbying and debating are carried out in English and a high standard is demanded in the formulation of ideas, whether in the writing of resolutions or in arguing and debating with fellow students. |
