OLMUN – international debates and social interaction since 2001

Having been founded by the former high-school student Gero Elerd, the first Oldenburg Model United Nations Conference took place at the “Altes Gymnasium Oldenburg” with about 100 pupils.  Admittedly most the participants of the first session in 2001 were originally German, but nevertheless, a delegation from St. Petersburg provided a certain international flair to the OLMUN, which has been enhanced over the years. Growing to 450 participants in 2006 and to 850 in 2013, the conference developed to become the largest of its kind in Germany. With more and more participants, the number of committees has also increased– from 3 in the beginning to currently 10 committees, offering a considerable diversity of topics.

One of OLMUN’s special features is the fact that from the first session on, the conference has been – and still is – completely organised exclusively by high-school students. The Inner Circle, consisting of approximately 50 students, plans and organises every aspect of this event. In 2005, the OLMUN association was founded with major involvement of Kersten Stamm to create a reliable base for the annual organisation of the conference.

Of course, some teachers are also involved, but only in their function as MUN-Directors, who serve as connecting links between the OLMUN and the schools. On the one hand, they provide help and preparation for their own students, and on the other hand they serve as reference persons for the Inner Circle. This form of cooperation does not only secure the status of the OLMUN as a MUN conference fully organised by their participants but also marks an unprecedented interaction between the schools.

Moreover, our membership in the JUNON (UN Youth association), a union of several German UN groups, since spring 2007 means a further step towards national cooperation and gives us a chance to exchange experiences and socialise with other MUNs.

As more and more students from abroad started to attend OLMUN, the need for accommodation became more urgent. While the first international participants were part of an external exchange programme, the position of ‘housing coordinator’ was soon introduced to administer the increasing number of accommodations of international participants. Our housing programme, which allows foreign participants to stay with host families in Oldenburg, is a brilliant opportunity for intercultural exchange.

In 2020, the conference was cancelled due to the COVID-19-pandemic. As an alternative programme, an OLMUN@home Challenge took place.  

List of the Secretariats of Oldenburg Model United Nations Conferences