About jlgMUN
A Model United Nations conference by students, for students, organised by two Berlin schools.
Since 2017, the John-Lennon-Gymnasium’s Model United Nations (MUN) program has offered students an exciting opportunity to explore global challenges, develop public speaking and research skills, and collaborate with peers in a diplomatic setting. What started as a small initiative has evolved into a dynamic and student-led program that continues to grow.
Two schools, one conference
jlgMUN is organised jointly by the John-Lennon-Gymnasium in Berlin-Mitte and the Johann-Gottfried-Herder-Gymnasium in Berlin-Lichtenberg. [Since when, and how the two schools share the work.]
How it all started
The journey began in 2017, when a small group of motivated students prepared to attend their first MUN conferences. Inspired by the experience, they laid the foundation for a long-term program at our school.
Over the following years, the MUN club developed into a popular extracurricular activity, offering more students the chance to participate in weekly sessions, debates, and international conferences.
In 2022, the program reached a new level of recognition when MUN was introduced as a formal elective course for students in Years 9 and 10. The elective focuses on essential skills such as research, critical thinking, speechwriting, and diplomacy—skills that go far beyond the classroom.
A major milestone came in 2024 with the organization of our first in-house MUN conference. This three-day event featured an official opening ceremony at the Federal Foreign Office and a memorable closing at the Felleshus (Nordic Embassies). Students from Berlin, Hamburg, and Italy took part in structured debates on the impact of colonialism on contemporary society, marking an important chapter in our club’s history.
Our aims
jlgMUN is more than a space for debate. Our goal is to foster democratic engagement, global awareness, and respectful communication among students. By simulating the work of the United Nations, we encourage participants to listen actively, articulate complex ideas, and collaborate across cultural and ideological boundaries.
Whether through weekly meetings, elective courses, or international conferences, we strive to empower young people to become thoughtful, responsible, and globally-minded citizens.
Lessons from eight years of MUN
MUN clubs don't require a large school, a big budget, or years of experience. What they do require is a teacher willing to make space for students to engage with the world seriously — and a belief that this kind of engagement matters.
If you are considering starting a MUN programme at your school, here is what we have learned:
- Start small. Send two or three students to an established conference first. Let them come back and teach the rest. That peer-to-peer transmission is often more effective than any formal introduction.
- Focus on process, not performance. Students who treat MUN as a competition to be won tend to dominate rather than deliberate. Frame it from the start as a collaborative exercise — the goal is a resolution everyone can live with, not a personal victory.
- Build your bibliography. The resources in our Delegates' Corner — particularly the Mickolus guide — are specifically designed for advisors coaching student teams.
- Connect with the community. Platforms like Best Delegate and AMUN offer advisor networks, training materials, and guidance on running your first in-school simulation before attending a larger conference.
- Reach out to us. jlgMUN is always happy to connect with schools looking to build a MUN programme. We can share materials, answer questions, and — when the time comes — welcome your delegates to Berlin.