Welcome to EmpireMUNC XII
Dear attendees and members of the EmpireMUNC community,
Welcome to the twelfth iteration of EmpireMUNC. Since our establishment as a university sponsored high school conference in 2014, we have made tremendous progress. Each year we have grown in both delegates and staff, a strong indicator that we have been improving as a conference each year. EmpireMUNC XII is poised to mature as a must-attend conference on the high school circuit. Each year brings new challenges, but with that opportunities to develop: as students, delegates, and as people. With the new year already well past us, we at EmpireMUNC are excited to embark on this new journey with all of you. In keeping pace with our mission, we will always strive to bring you a world that is both fun and challenging, and continue to build on the progress that we have achieved.
brief history
EmpireMUNC I was our inaugural conference that originated from a vision of experienced seniors in the club looking to make a difference. With an immensely successful and renowned travel team, and a well established collegiate conference, it became time to pass down that knowledge to the future generation of Model UNers. As with any first conference, EmpireMUNC I was not met without its challenges. There was no previous structure, no foundation, just a group of college students with a bold idea. The successful implementation of EmpireMUNC I was the real victory that year, setting the stage and building blocks for future EmpireMUNCs after it.
EmpireMUNC II was our second attempt to reposition the conference and our chance to eliminate any glaring mistakes from the previous year. The renewed focus centered on three major things: growth of the delegate base, enable more creative substantive content, and integrate the conference as a truly fulfilling experience for both the conference staff and attendees. That being said, despite the hiccups experience along the way, EmpireMUNC II achieved its goals on its way to becoming a conference that high schools would look back on as being a positive experience. The conference was fun, growing, and still had much more to improve on.
EmpireMUNC III was the conference where EmpireMUNC truly emerged from its infancy. Correcting the logistical mishaps from the previous two years became the success story of the conference. Recognizing the inefficiencies well ahead of the days of the conference ultimately transformed EmpireMUNC into a self-sustaining forum for Model UN. The debate was lively, the resolutions compact, and most of all, the engagements genuine. EmpireMUNC III pushed delegates and staff members to be the best versions of themselves in and out of the committees. The conference saw tremendous growth in participation and became our most attended conference to date.
EmpireMUNC IV was the year that EmpireMUNC broke out of its cage. Coming off the widely successful EmpireMUNC III, EmpireMUNC IV transcended expectations and broke through on both the local and national stage. The conference drew from its New York roots and expanded its widely popular training program. On a national level, delegates from all over the country arrived in New York City for a chance to compete and immerse themselves in the Empire community. EmpireMUNC IV left an everlasting impression, and a solid base for which to grow from. With the fundamentals down, EmpireMUNC IV set the standard for future Empires to come.
EmpireMUNC V welcomed our largest conference to date and introduce a whole slew of supplementary activity to complement the conference experience. We introduced our social impact initiative, by partnering a charity program dedicated to inspire delegates to collectively fundraise for the greater good. All these changes were the result of the foundation set by previous EmpireMUNCs before us, enabling us to advance our offerings and strive to be the best conference we can be.
EmpireMUNC VI was a pivotal year in the conference’s evolution, bridging the gap between its early development and the ambitious growth that would follow. With an established reputation in the high school Model UN circuit, EmpireMUNC VI sought to refine its logistical operations, enhance the delegate experience, and solidify its place as a must-attend conference for aspiring diplomats. A major focus was improving the balance between rigorous debate and delegate engagement, ensuring that participants not only learned from their committees but also enjoyed a well-rounded experience.
EmpireMUNC VII continued the traditions set forward by our previous conferences. The conference maintained its commitment to excellence in debate, diplomacy, and global awareness by welcoming a diverse group of delegates from around the world. In addition to the robust committee sessions that challenged participants to think critically and engage in high-level discussions, EmpireMUNC VII expanded its impact beyond the debate floor. The conference strengthened its dedication to social responsibility by partnering with a charitable organization, encouraging delegates to harness their diplomatic skills to drive meaningful change. With a well-oiled staff and an unwavering commitment to quality, this iteration of EmpireMUNC reinforced its position as a leading high school Model UN conference.
EmpireMUNC VIII was unlike any before it, adapting to unprecedented global challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person conferences disrupted worldwide, EmpireMUNC VIII rose to the occasion, pivoting to an online format that not only preserved but enhanced the conference’s core values of diplomacy, engagement, and collaboration. The transition to virtual sessions allowed delegates from across the globe to participate, breaking previous attendance records and broadening the conference’s reach. Despite the challenges of an online setting, the conference maintained its high standards, featuring well-structured committees, engaging crisis scenarios, and thought-provoking general assemblies. EmpireMUNC VIII proved that adaptability and innovation could overcome any obstacle, setting a precedent for how Model UN conferences could thrive even in times of uncertainty. We hit a record high of delegates joining us virtually.
EmpireMUNC IX was our first conference back after the COVID pandemic. This was our historic return to in-person debate after the prolonged disruptions. With many delegates having never experienced an in-person Model UN conference before, EmpireMUNC IX had the challenge of rekindling the energy and enthusiasm that had long defined its legacy. The road back was not without difficulties—administrative and logistical hurdles tested the resilience of the Secretariat and staff. Despite initial hardships in administration and logistics, the staff powered on, creating a fun conference many students remember fondly.
EmpireMUNC X was an undeniable high point for the conference! With NYU back into the full swing of things, the EmpireMUNC Directorate seized the opportunity to elevate the conference to new heights. The staff meticulously crafted an unforgettable weekend of diplomacy, ensuring that every committee, crisis scenario, and delegate experience was refined to perfection. With attentive staff members, unique committee topics, and 300 passionate delegates, our weekend was a culmination of perfection.
EmpireMUNC XI set a new benchmark for success, with over 400 delegates gathering to partake in a weekend of diplomacy, discourse, and strategic problem-solving. The conference reached unprecedented levels of engagement, with some of the most immersive crisis and general assembly sessions to date. FunMUN, a long-standing highlight of EmpireMUNC, was bigger and better than ever, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement that extended beyond committee sessions. The expanded delegate base brought fresh perspectives and dynamic discussions, further enriching the debate experience. EmpireMUNC XI demonstrated the conference’s unwavering dedication to growth and excellence, solidifying its reputation as a premier high school Model UN conference that continues to evolve and inspire..
EmpireMUNC XII…. only time will tell but we have big things planned!
Our Mission
EmpireMUNC is committed to advancing understanding of the United Nations and contemporary international issues. We actively try to positively affect the lives of participants and prepare them to be better global citizens through quality educational experiences that emphasize collaboration and cooperation. We envision a world comprised of civically engaged people who strive for peaceful, multilateral conflict resolution and equitable, sustainable human development. Delegates at EmpireMUNC propose solutions to global concerns while gaining skills in debate and compromise.
Cooperative, hands-on, experiential learning allows students to confront a range of topics with the perspective of their assigned country or organization. Through these experiences - during preparation in committee sessions and hallway caucuses - students develop an appreciation of differing viewpoints, experience the challenges of negotiation, see the rewards of cooperation, broaden their world view, and discover the human side of international relations and diplomacy.