THE HAGUE CONFERENCE

 

56th Annual THIMUN The Hague Conference
23rd – 26th January 2024

 

The THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) conference 2024 will be a four-day simulation of the United Nations for secondary school students, which will take place at the end of January in the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague.

The Conference theme will be: “Peace, Law & Justice”.

COUNTDOWN TO PARTICIPATION

August 2023

In August schools which attended in the previous year will receive an invitation to attend.

New schools wishing to participate will need to formally apply to participate. The guidelines for participation can be found in the Foundation site under participation, New Schools.

September 2023

The registration form (ONLINE FORM I) must be received by Friday 22 September 2023. The ONLINE FORM I can be found when you log in to the MUNIS Online Registration System. 

By submitting the Online Registration Form (FORM I) the MUN-Director acknowledges that they, the school and students have agreed and accepted the all terms and conditions, payment policies, Code of Conduct, as well as the THIMUN Privacy Policy.

The Application forms for students applying for individual appointments are also due by this date (these forms will be available here and under downloads in August 2023).

October 2023

Early October schools will receive a request for pre-payment fees. Once THIMUN receives the pre-payment fees the school will be assigned one or more delegations.

The delegation assignments and the individual Student Appointments are published in the Conference Web-App under Student Officers or MUNITY Press by Friday 20 October 2023.

November 2023

By Friday, 24th November 2023 schools must submit a complete list of the names of all participants (ONLINE FORM II) including the MUN-director(s) and Chaperone(s). The ONLINE FORM II can be found when you log in to the MUNIS Online Registration System.

December 2023

In December all schools will receive the latest information for the conference by email as well as the individual logins to the web-app. The statement of account will also be available online in the MUNIS system.

January 2024

The conference takes place: 23 – 26 January 2024.

Conference Venue

World Forum Convention Center

Churchillplein 10

2517 JW  The Hague

The Netherlands

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

An exact programme of events will be posted in our Conference App and will be sent to all those registered schools by the end of December, with possible additions of workshops, guest speakers in committees as well as evening events. 

TUESDAY
08:30-11:00 Registration
11:00-17:00 Preparatory meetings and Lobby
11:00-17:00 Security Council in session
12:00-14:00 Lunch available
12:00 MUN-Directors’ Introductory meeting
13:00 Ambassadors and Heads of Delegation meeting
14:00 Approval Panel training for new MUN-Directors
16:00-17:00 Formal Opening Ceremonies
WEDNESDAY 
09:00-13:00 Extended Lobby and Opening Speeches in GA and Sub-Commissions
09:00-17:00 Security Council in session
09:00-17:00 Approval Panel open
11:30-14:00 Lunch available
13:00-17:00 GA Committees and Sub-Commissions in Session
THURSDAY
09:00-17:00 Committees and Sub-Commissions, SC, and ECOSOC in session
09:00-17:00 Approval Panel open
11:30-14:00 Lunch available
15:00 MUN-Director’s meeting with Board of Directors
FRIDAY
09:00-16:00 Committees and Sub-Commissions, SC, and ECOSOC in session
11:30-14:00 Lunch available
16:15 Closing Ceremonies

The issues for THIMUN The Hague 2024 will be posted here in August 2023. 

RESEARCH REPORTS

These are written by the Student Officers to guide the delegates on their research and preparation for each issue on the agenda. The Student Officers per committee will research and write these reports, they will be available to download in December by clicking on the issue in question in the Conference App.

The size of the delegations will vary according to the type of delegation and the need to be represented in a particular committee or council based on the agenda items affecting these delegations.

The complete list of available delegations with the specific committees per delegation can be downloaded below and/or under downloads from the Regsitration Handbook.

THIMUN The Hague Registration Handbook 2024 (available August 2023)


ASSIGNED DELEGATIONS

The final list of assigned delegations per school will be posted by Friday 20th October 2023 and can be found in our CONFERENCE APP within the menu – DELEGATIONS, this will redirect you to the THIMUN platform that will be used before and during the conference.


SECURITY COUNCIL COUNTRY

The Security Council is composed of 5 permanent members (China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States of America) and 10 members elected for two-year terms.

Non-permanent members of the Security Council 2023: Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates

Max. two delegates of each of the 15 member states delegations must be assigned to the Security Council.


ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council is composed of 54 member countries, a third of the members changing every year. The member states represented at THIMUN The Hague listed below.

Two delegates of ECOSOC member delegations must be assigned to ECOSOC.

Afghanistan Czech Republic Mauritius
Argentina Denmark Mexico
Austria Equatorial Guinea New Zealand
Belgium Eswatini Nigeria
Belize France Oman
Bolivia Greece Peru
Botswana Guatemala Portugal
Brazil India Qatar
Bulgaria Indonesia Republic of Korea
Canada Israel Slovakia
Cameroon Italy Slovenia
Cape Verde Japan Solomon Islands
Chile Kazakhstan Sweden
China Lao PDR Tanzania, United Rep.
Colombia Liberia Tunisia
Costa Rica Libya United Kingdom
Côte d’ Ivoire Liechtenstein United States of America
Croatia Madagascar Zimbabwe


NON-MEMBER DELEGATIONS

The maximum size of the non-member delegations will vary according to the type of delegation and the need to be represented in a particular committee, council or sub-commission because of agenda items affecting these delegations.

Non-member Delegations are delegations representing:

Non-member states / Official observers (OOs), Spokesmen / Lobbyist for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Specialist spokesmen for UN Organisations and Specialised Agencies.

Such delegations will be accorded both speaking and voting rights on issues relevant to their organisation.

Non-member delegates will be assigned to a particular forum,  on the basis of max. 1 delegate per forum (except for ECOSOC, where max. 2 delegates can be assigned) and may only participate in another forum or the Security Council at the express invitation of the President or Chair of the forum concerned.

 

APPLICATIONS

Students apply individually for positions in the following categories: (available here in August 2023)

  1. Student Officer Team
  2. MUNITY Press Team

The application forms can be obtained on the downloads page or clicking above

 

GENERAL RULES FOR APPLICATION

The general rules for these applications are as follows, unless otherwise specified.

  • Only students from participating schools can apply for an individual student position.
  • All students applying for one of the above positions must complete an Application Form, write a formal letter of application/motivation and provide a letter of recommendation from their MUN-Director.
  • Complete applications must be received at the THIMUN The Hague Office by the final closing date, Friday 22nd September 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Students can only apply for a position in ONE of the categories.

 

I.  STUDENT OFFICERS

The Student Officer team consists of the Executive Committee together with the Presidents, Deputy Presidents, Committee Chairs and Deputy Committee Chairs in the various forums.

All student Officers must be thoroughly conversant with Parliamentary Procedure and particularly with the current THIMUN Rules of Procedure. They must have a good knowledge of current affairs as well as of the issues on the agenda. They must write a research report and must be prepared to be actively involved in the lobbying process, coordinating the work of their respective Council or Committee throughout the week.

In their application candidates should state which position and which forum(s) they are particularly interested in. Please note that students in their final year at secondary school who have not previously chaired at THIMUN or at a THIMUN-Affiliated conference are unlikely to be selected.

Once the student officers have been selected, they will be contacted by the Executive Committee with further details on preparing for the conference. Part of this preparation is to research the issues on the agenda and to write a Research Report that must be prepared well in advance to the conference. They will also be required to join online briefings before the actual conference.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of:

Secretary General, Deputy Secretaries General and President of the General Assembly
President of the Security Council
President of ECOSOC
President of the Special Conference
President of the two Commissions
Executive Administrative Officer

Deputy Presidents and Committee Chairs

The Deputy Presidents of the two Commissions and the Special Conference preside over the sub- commissions when they are in session and assist the President in lobbying and in the plenary sessions. The Committee Chairs will each preside over one of the four GA Committees when they are in session. Most of these positions are expected to be filled by those who have already held a position at THIMUN or a THIMUN-Affiliated conference as Deputy President or Deputy Chair.

Deputy Committee Chairs

In general, Deputy Chairs are appointed to provide an opportunity for younger students to gain experience. It is hoped that such students will prove themselves capable and will be available to serve again at the subsequent session of THIMUN. Thus, preference will be given to students able to attend in 2024 as well as in 2025.

 

II.  MUNITY PRESS DELEGATION

Press delegates, under the supervision and direction of the Press Coordinator, are responsible for producing the conference newspaper and online content. The Press Delegation includes layout editors, text editors, experienced reporters, photographers, cartoon artists and videographers.

The letter of application should include details of the applicant’s journalistic skills, familiarity with word processing, desktop publishing (InDesign), photo and/or video editing programs, MUN experience and knowledge of international affairs (for writers).Applicants are encouraged to send samples of their work, e.g. articles, photos, artwork, or layouts published in school or student newspapers and magazines, essays or assignments in English, History, International Relations or Art classes. Successful applicants are expected to be engaged in an online forum in the months before the conference, contributing their ideas and work for publication in the pre-conference issue of MUNITY.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

The list of students whose applications have been successful will be published by Friday, 20th October 2023 at the latest in the Conference App.

FEES

Student Officers and members of the MUNITY Press team will be charged the full participant fee.

THIMUN THE HAGUE CONFERENCE APP

THIMUN has developed a Web App to use before and during our conferences.

Registered participating schools and students can find all detailed information on the upcoming event such as country delegations per school, Student Officer selection, and more. The  CONFERENCE APP button can be accessed in the main menu. .

All participants (Students, MUN-Directors, Chaperones, Student Officers and Press) will also be using the app during the event in a secure environment and can follow the debate in real time, find room allocations as well as other information during the conference.

GO TO CONFERENCE APP

Conference Fees

2024 CONFERENCE FEES

Fee per school delegation € 160.00
Participation fee per person for MUN-Directors/Chaperones/Delegates/MUNITY Press/Student Officers (except Executive team) Includes lunches and a HTM Public Transport Conference ticket* € 335.00
Changes to FORM II after 24 November 2023 per ID badge changed, replacement ID badge after registration at conference (cash payment) € 30.00

* Schools NOT requiring the HTM Public transport cards must inform the THIMUN office before December 1st, 2023. Those schools will receive a discount of € 20.00 per participant on the participation fee.

A final statement of numbers and names of participants is required on the online FORM II by Friday 24th November 2023. By submitting Form II the MUN-Director agrees that the school is obliged to pay in full for the number of students and teachers registered.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A financial statement can be found in the main menu of the MUNIS Online Registration System, once you have logged in. The link Account (financial) links to a printable statement of account. Once your submitted Online Form II is accepted, and there is an outstanding balance, it will be an actual invoice requesting payment.

 

DEADLINES AND CANCELLATIONS

Changes / Substitutions:

After 24th November 2023 substitutions for students unable to attend will only be permitted upon payment of an administrative charge. All changes and substitutions must be sent to the THIMUN office in writing or by email. The cost of a change is € 30.00 per badge changed.

Cancellations:

From 24th November 2023 the full fees/charges are due, whether or not a school, or an individual participant, for whatever reason, actually attends.

Cancellation costs will vary according to the date the written cancellation is received by the THIMUN Office:

Cancellation of participant or school:
after 22 September 2023 100% of Delegation pre-payment
after 24 November 2023 100% of fees / charges due

It is strongly recommended that schools take out adequate cancellation, travel, and medical insurance.

THIMUN is not responsible for costs incurred by individual schools or participants in any of these areas.

 

PAYMENTS

Delegation Pre-Payment

IMPORTANT: We are still in the process of updating all the information and working on the delegation sizes, which may change the pre-payment amounts mentioned below for our January 2024 conference, the amounts below reflect our 2023 fees.

From Friday 22nd of September all registered schools will receive a request for pre-payment fees. Once THIMUN has received the pre-payment fees the school will be assigned one or more delegations, depending on the number of seats needed.

By 15th October 2023 at the latest, a non-refundable delegation pre-payment (including delegation fee) must be transferred to the THIMUN bank account (see below):

€ 5,185.00 for a SC/ECOSOC Country (covers for 14 students plus 1 MUN-Director)
€ 4,515.00 for a SC Country (covers for 12 students plus 1 MUN-Director)
€ 3,845.00 for a Standard Delegation or ECOSOC Country (covers for 10 students plus 1 MUN-Director)
€ 2,505.00 for a Small Delegation Country (covers for 6 students plus 1 MUN-Director)
€ 1,165.00 for a Non-member Delegation (covers for 2 students plus 1 MUN-Director)

 

The remainder of the fees must be transferred by 5th January 2024 before the conference. The details of your statement of account can be found in the MUNIS system, once you have logged in. MUN-Directors are expected to bring evidence of payment with them to registration at the conference.

All payments are to be made in Euro, and net of all bank charges to our ABN AMRO account.

 

BANK TRANSFER

Please clearly indicate the name of the school and/or School ID and the conference. The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and the International Bank Code (BIC/SWIFT) should be used to avoid unnecessary delays and charges. To avoid or minimize such charges, schools should instruct their bank to transfer the money, net of bank charges, directly by bank giro transfer into the THIMUN Bank account.

THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Account No. 48.42.64.567
IBAN: NL03ABNA0484264567
BIC/SWIFT: ABNANL2A
ABN AMRO Bank, Koningskade 30, The Hague, Netherlands

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Schools are required to make their own arrangements for travel to and from The Hague, as well as for accommodation during the conference. However, THIMUN can assist in certain areas and recommend you contact ITO Tours for arrangements in hotels, transfers and trips during your stay in The Netherlands, see below for further information on ITO.

OUR TRUSTED TRAVEL AGENCY – ITO TOURS

The team at ITO TOURS is delighted to offer you accommodation packages again, including transfers, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to The Netherlands for you and your students.

To further enhance this journey and create lasting memories, we are delighted to assist you in exploring our country’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. If time and budget permit, we are more than happy to provide you with quotes for pre- and/or post-nights in other captivating cities in The Netherlands, Belgium, or France.

Furthermore, we can organize thrilling excursions before and after the conference, augmenting your experience and adding an extra element of excitement to your trip.To view our website for further information, please click here.

Once your school registration to THIMUN is confirmed you may start planning your trip the The Netherlands. Please kindly submit your inquiry to thimun@itotours.nl, and we will be delighted to provide you with personalized assistance for your travel plans. Our team is committed to tailoring all quotes to your specific needs, budget, and preferences.

TRAVELLING TO THE NETHERLANDS

It is strongly advised that all schools take responsibility when travelling to and from The Netherlands to attend THIMUN 2024, we urge all schools to check the official Government sites of The Netherlands as well as their own Government website for possible requirements needed.

INSURANCE

It is strongly recommended that all schools take out adequate cancellation, travel, and medical insurances. THIMUN will not be responsible for any costs incurred by individual schools or participants in any of these areas.

VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Students that require a visa to The Netherlands should have their MUN-Director send a letter to the THIMUN Office (info@thimun.org) stating the following passport information: name as written in passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number and date of issue/expiration. Please also include the email address of the visa department of the Dutch Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa.

We urge schools who need Visa assistance to send the information of all students/teachers needing a visa in one single document as this greatly speeds up the process. Please make sure we have your information on time as the process may take a while. Upon receipt of the information the THIMUN office will send a formal invitation letter to the applicant (MUN-Director).

TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

THIMUN offers with ITO Tours a pick-up service to and from the airport to your hotel/hostel or the World Forum.

For those not using the Pick-up Bus Service, there are frequent trains direct from Amsterdam/Schiphol Airport to The Hague. From Station Den Haag Hollands Spoor (HS), tram 1 (direction Scheveningen) takes you to the Crown Plaza Hotel which is a few minutes walk from the World Forum.

From Den Haag Central Station (CS) tram 16 (direction Statenkwartier) or bus 24 (direction Kijkduin) will take you directly to the World Forum.

HTM PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONFERENCE TICKET

At registration you will receive a special 4-day HTM ticket that serve as a public transport ticket for The Hague area. With this ticket you can travel on any tram or bus in The Hague and Scheveningen during the days of the conference. Extra day cards will be available at the information desk and can also be purchased online via the HTM site.

ACCOMMODATION

It is important for THIMUN to know where all participants are staying for the duration of the conference. Therefore, all schools must fill in the name of the accommodation on FORM II. This does not apply to students from local schools who are living at home. Please note however that this information on FORM II is for administrative purposes only. THIMUN does not make or change any hotel reservations.

GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

Although THIMUN The Hague is an educational exercise intended for young people, delegates are simulating the Councils of the United Nations. Thus, for the period of the conference, they must be regarded as diplomats and ambassadors for the country they are representing, as well as representatives of their individual schools. This demands a high standard of personal conduct and behaviour from all delegates, both during the conference sessions and outside the World Forum.

It is extremely important for the continuing good relations between THIMUN, the World Forum, the City of The Hague and the diplomatic and business communities that delegates always behave appropriately. Therefore, schools are expected to select their students carefully and not bring to The Hague any student who is likely to create a disciplinary problem. This is important not only for the good name of THIMUN but also for the good name of the school concerned. School Administrators and MUN-Directors should be aware that attendance at the annual session of THIMUN is by invitation and that this invitation may be withheld from schools unable to ensure that their students conform to accepted standards of adult behaviour.

MUN-DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT

All students must be accompanied by, and are the responsibility of, the designated MUN-Director(s). A MUN- Director must be a teacher at the school, or at one of the schools from which the delegation comes. At least two responsible adults (MUN-Directors) should accompany each group. This does not apply to students in small delegations or in delegations from local schools. These students may be accompanied by just one MUN- Director.

All students staying in hotels must be supervised by their MUN-Director. MUN-Directors are required not only to stay in the same hotel as their students but must ensure that their room is located as close as possible to the rooms in which their students are staying. MUN-Directors with students staying in hotels are required to sign the Code of Conduct issued by the hotels through ITO PCO and must ensure that their students conform to these requirements.

At least one MUN-Director per school is expected to be always present in the World Forum, as well as for the meeting on Monday. MUN-Directors must ensure that their students are present in their designated forums. MUN-Directors are also required to adhere to the dress code (see below).

DRESS CODE

Formal dress, i.e., the kind of clothes that real UN diplomats might be expected to wear when attending UN sessions, is required at all meetings. In order not to cause offence to other delegates, national dress, military uniforms, and armbands are forbidden.

CONDUCT IN THE WORLD FORUM

Delegates and teachers must be always courteous to the World Forum Staff and to the THIMUN Organisational and Administrative Staff, most of whom are volunteers giving up many hours of their own time to serve the delegates.

Smoking is prohibited in the entire World Forum and alcoholic drinks may not be consumed while the conference is in session.

CONDUCT IN HOTELS

Students must remember that THIMUN is dependent on the goodwill of hotel managements in being able to provide accommodation at a reasonable cost for delegates. An unpleasant experience by just one hotel may mean the

loss of many potential beds for future delegates. Therefore, students must be always polite and considerate to hotel staff and fellow residents.

A curfew of 11 p.m. is recommended for every night and there must be no noise in hotel rooms after 10 p.m.

TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Smoking and/or the consumption of alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the World Forum. MUN-Directors are responsible for making and enforcing their own rules for their own students regarding alcohol consumption outside the conference venue.

It should be noted that in The Netherlands the legal minimum age for alcoholic consumption is 18, it is impossible for the conference organizers to impose unrealistic and unenforceable restrictions on alcohol consumption outside the conference. The use of any narcotic drug is expressively prohibited.


UNDIPLOMATIC BEHAVIOUR, HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION 

Disrespectful behaviours during THIMUN and/or in committee should be addressed by attendees directly with one another or through their faculty advisor, head committee chair or one of the executive student officer’s. Repeated instances of undiplomatic behaviour may be called to the attention of THIMUN Staff and Board of Directors.

Harassment and discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability are not acceptable. Such acts are incompatible with THIMUN’s educational mission and are a violation of our Conduct Expectations. 

Anyone who believes they have seen or encountered undiplomatic behaviour, harassment or discrimination should bring it to the THIMUN Board or Staff’s attention. We will investigate the merits of the allegations and respond appropriately. Outcomes may include issuing a verbal reprimand, expelling violators from the conference without compensation, barring violators from future THIMUN involvement, or any other action deemed appropriate.

Practicalities and Forms

Click the links below to download the Registration Handbook for THIMUN The Hague, as well as all forms.

  • Registration Handbook THIMUN The Hague 2024 (to be published in August 2023)

Fillable application Forms for THIMUN The Hague 2024: (published in August 2023)

  • Student Officer application form
  • MUNITY Press delegate application form

Please note that the Registration form (ONLINE Form I) and the Participation form (ONLINE FORM II) are only available online in a secure environment (MUNIS). To log in please click here.

RESEARCH REPORTS

The Research Reports for THIMUN The Hague 2024 will be published in December 2023.

STUDENT PREPARATION GUIDES

Preparation guidelines, rules and procedures, sample resolutions etc. can be found on our Foundation site under the Education section.

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All publications are correct at the time of publications.