Participation
The following question-answer section gives you a brief overview of the application process and explains what you need to successfully apply for the BIMUN/SINUB Conference.
Please read the following items carefully before proceeding to the application.
Who can participate in the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference?
Who can participate in the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference?
You should be between 18 and 30 years old and fluent in English and/or French.
What does “English and/or French” mean? What knowledge of the languages must I provide?
Since English is the main working language of our conference, you must be fluent in English. We will have simultaneous interpretation in English-German and German-English as well as French-German and German-French. However, this will be limited to the Gerneral Assembly and special events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
I do not study Political Science! May I participate anyway?
Yes, of course. The subject of your studies is not relevant. The prerequisite is a strong interest in the topics of the conference.
Do I have to be a university/college student to attend the BIMUN/SINUB Conference?
Although most participants are students, we also welcome applications from other people who are eligible for participation.
Do I need conference experience for attending the BIMUN/SINUB Conference?
No. We welcome applications from MUN-experienced students as well as from MUN newcomers.
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Dates and Deadlines
When will the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference take place?
This year’s BIMUN/SINUB Conference will be held from 29 Nov – 3 Dec 2010.
When does the application process start?
Priority application was opened on July 5, 2010.
When will I know whether I am accepted to take part in the conference?
General priority applications are accepted until September 30th, 2010. As a special service for those who need a Visa to come to Germany we offer a Visa Priority application until the 15th of August (strongly reccomended for all Visa applicants!) . Approximately two weeks after the closure of the application process we will inform you whether you application has been accepted, declined or if you are on the waiting list. Kindly note that we are currently processing visa applications as a priority. Please be patient, if you do not require a visa we will contact you in due time!
What does “priority application” mean?
If you submit your application during the priority application period, we will inform you before mid-October whether your application for the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference has been successful and for which of your priority comittees/countries you have been recognized. Afterwards, there will be a second round of application. However, chances to be accepted for your favourite comittee/country are higher during priority application.
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How to apply?
What do I need for a successful application?
A completed application for the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference consists of a complete application form, your CV, Letter of Motivation and (if possible) a picture.
What are the conference fees?
Participation fees will range from 120-195 Euros, depending on your country of study. For more detailed information about fees and possible funding see the section Fees and Travel Grants.
What should be included in my Letter of Motivation?
Your Letter of Motivation should point out your reasons for taking part in a Model UN in general and in the BIMUN/SINUB Conference in particular. What are your qualifications, what have you done that will help you to represent a certain country or to partcipate in a special committee? What can you offer to BIMUN/SINUB e.V. to make the conference a success and what do you wish to accomplish by taking part in the conference?
What happens to my application documents?
All personal documents that we receive are processed in accordance with the German Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – BDSG). This means that your documents will only be used for the preparation and administration of the conference.
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Visa
It is within your own responsibility to apply for a visa in order to travel to Germany. Therefore, we strongly reccomend to use the Visa Priority Application (until the 15th of August) and inform us if you need a written confirmation of participation in order to obtain your visa!
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FAQ
Can I represent my own country?
No, it is not possible to represent your home country, since it is the goal of BIMUN/SINUB e.V. to enable participants to look beyond national borders, learn about different countries and cultures and understand national interests that might be different from their own.
How should I prepare?
After having received your committee and country assignment, you should read the information on the sub-page of your committee. On each sub-page, you will find an introductory essay, a short description of the committee’s topic areas and some documents containing more details about the issues that will be discussed. Be aware, however, that this kind of information is only meant to be an initial help in your preparation work. You will have to individually prepare the policy guidelines of your country. Please mind that the internet should not be the only source of information. Additionally, please make yourself familiar with the BIMUN/SINUB Rules of Procedure (to be published soon) and – if they exist – special amendments to those rules in your committee.
Should I write a Position Paper?
Yes, you have to write a Position Paper. Once you have received your country assignment, please prepare a policy-document (1-2 pages), which outlines your arguments and explains the guidelines you wish to follow during the week. We demand this to ensure adequate preparation. The deadline for submitting this paper will be announced soon. Here you can find a sample position paper.
I am not sure about the Rules of Procedure!
On the first day, we will have a Rules Session in which the most important parts of the rules will be addressed once more. In the committee, the chairperson will most probably address rules issues, too. If you should still have substantial questions regarding the rules, please approach the Committee Contact Persons (CCPs).
Is the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference open for delegations?
Your participation in the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference depends on your individual application. If you are a group of students wanting to participate, you are of course welcome to file your individual applications in a bundle and pay the application fee in one sum. In this case, we would like to ask you to pass this information on to us as soon as possible, so that we can avoid confusion.
When it comes to your country of choice, however, please be aware that your group will not receive a country assignment as a whole. Instead, each applicant will be assigned a country to represent on his or her own. Thus, there is no delegation system as it is used at other MUN conferences (for example WorldMUN or NMUN).
Can I apply as a Committee Chairperson?
If you already have experience as a participant in a MUN conference and you are interested in acting as a Committee Chairperson for the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference, you are welcome to apply for this position. To do this, please contact us at apply@bimun.org. Please name a Committee you would like to chair. Please note that former participation in a MUN conference is mandatory for this application. We especially encourage participants of the 2003 – 2009 BIMUN/SINUB Conferences to apply for chairing at this year’s conference!
At the 2010 BIMUN/SINUB Conference, Committee Chairpersons will not represent a country. You are nevertheless free to apply as delegate as well by filling in the regular application form. Please bear in mind that a successful application as a Chairperson will have priority over any application as delegate and inform us about you application as a chairperson by filling in the “Additional Information” box.
