BratMUN 2012

What is BratMUN

The BratMUN (Bratislava Model United Nations) Conference, much like other MUNs that are held all over the world, is a simulation of a real United Nations conference, which means it also proceeds in the same spirit. The conference starts with an opening ceremony, continues with debates in a number of committees and ends with a discussion in the General Assembly.

High school students have an opportunity of acting as ambassadors and delegates at the UN (Security Council, General Assembly or its committees), where they discuss current global political, social, economic, or military issues.

The delegates are required to do research into their countries' standpoint on the issues discussed in the committees, as they will be representing their interests. They should have a good insight into the topics being discussed, so as to provide valuable opinions and to do their best for the country they are representing.

After the discussion in General Assembly, a resolution is issued. The resolution should be a consensus of the partaking countries on the topics discussed. Having agreed on resolutions, it will be decided whether they are accepted or not by voting.

BratMUN is focused on education of students in the area of international relations and diplomacy. The delegates develop important skills, such as critical thinking, negotiation, compromise-making and public speaking.

Furthermore, they are inspired and motivated by presence of politicians and ambassadors, who attend the opening ceremony to give their speeches (politicians from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Slovak or foreign ambassadors in Slovakia).

By meeting all of these challenges, students develop self-confidence and self-esteem. They gain better overview of the political and international affairs of this world.

BratMUN 2012:
Number of delegates: 150

Number of committees: 7 + General Assembly

Duration: 3 days (arrivals one day before)

Venue: The National Council of the Slovak Republic (Slovak Parliament), Bratislava

Date: 9th, 10th and 11th November 2012 (arrivals on 8th November)

Why BratMUN

Tradition

Founded in 2000 by a group of International Baccalaureate students at Gymnázium Jura Hronca, 11 years after the Velvet Revolution, there is a symbolical significance for all the Slovaks and Czechs for the conference to take place in November. After 11 years of BratMUN, it is now what its founders would probably never have imagined. In November 2012 we are going to push BratMUN even further, yet again. The Organization and Chair Teams are working on making BratMUN 2012 not only the best debating experience, but at the same time an unforgettable event of getting to know extraordinary students from all across Europe (and beyond) and discovering wonders of Bratislava.

Authentic Experience

BratMUN, a simulation of the decision-making processes of the United Nations Organisation takes place in the venues of The National Council of the Slovak Republic, or simply said - the Slovak Parliament. This allows for an authentic experience in an environment which embodies decision-making as no other venue in Slovakia. Our Chairpersons and conference staff are specially trained to provide the best experience to all the delegates and faculty-advisors. Moreover, we are launching a brand new Chairs-training programme this year, in order to ensure even higher academic quality and authenticity of the debates.

International

Over the years, BratMUN has welcomed delegates from over 25 countries. Besides many international students with residence in Slovakia taking part, all the delegates have an opportunity for a multi-cultural dialogue with delegates from over 12 countries every year. Last year, delegates from Italy, Latvia, Austria, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, India and many other countries participated in the conference.

Individual Approach

Even though BratMUN provides rich programme throughout the conference, every delegation is accompanied by a Guide in order to help them with all individual and personal needs. Do you want to discover Slovak cousine, visit cool places in Bratislava, do some sightseeing, have a rest in a park, or just find the nearest Tesco? Your Guide is always there for you!

Discover central Europe

With its historical old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, stylish people, a humanocentric scale and Europe's greatest river as a backdrop make Bratislava probably one of the Europe's most relaxed cities (Find out more about Bratislava in the "Bratislava" Section). One of the greatest attraction of taking trip to BratMUN (besides visiting Bratislava) is the close proximity of other glamorous European capitals. Visiting the amazing city of Vienna, just 50 km from Bratislava is a must! If you are planning a longer trip, consider visiting Prague or Budapest, as they are incredibly close to Bratislava too.

Gallery

Meet Our Team

The Organisation Team

Matúš Divéky

Zuzana Kvetková

Ivana Hezelyová

Juraj Labant

Tomáš Mjartan

Rebeka Nagyová

Šimon Šťastný

Secretary General

Tomáš Mjartan

President of the General Assembly
Martin Opatovský

Chairs Team

Marco Bodnár
Lukáš Chalúpka

David Hoffman

Jakub Kondek

Roman Mikulec

Samuel Šúri

Michal Števove

Head of IT
Šimon Rovder

Delegate Communications
Janka Sipková

Bratislava

Welcome to Europe's most glamorous city!

Well, all right, not quite. And, truth be told, Bratislava, with fewer than half a million people, is never likely to be Europe's most glamorous city. But it might be Europe's most relaxed one, because what this city does is have old-town charm, sophisticated restaurants, traditional pubs, good music ranging from jazz to opera, stylish people, and a humanocentric scale, which means that as a visitor you will not spend half your day trekking in and out of underground stations or getting from the airport into town. All this, and Europe's greatest river as a backdrop. What more could you want?

Known as Pressburg to the speakers of German or Pozsony in Hungarian, Bratislava got its present name only 90 years ago. However, the city has a long and proud history that dates back to pre-Roman times.

The hillsides on the edge of the city have been home to vineyards for centuries, and close to Bratislava are wine towns where you can taste the best - and it is startlingly good! - that Slovakia has to offer.

In the city itself there is plenty to see and do. Bratislava's long history - as a home to Celts, Romans, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, and, of course, Slovaks - means there is an impressive variety of architecture, languages and cuisine.

The handsome homes of the Austro-Hungarian noble families who built palaces here dot the city, and many of them are now open to the public as museums and galleries. The castle, with its long and chequered history (it has been destroyed more than once), is now undergoing a major restoration. There are great views over the mediaeval old town and the Danube valley from its fortifications.

Communism too left its mark: across the river, the unmistakable ranks of concrete housing blocks - "paneláky" in Slovak - line the horizon, with the unique UFO-style bridge in the foreground.

The Danube River itself is, of course, one of the city's main assets. There are numerous cafes along its banks, within walking distance of the centre. The 'UFO' itself contains an eponymous bar high above the river. The pedestrian decks of the New and Old Bridges are good places to watch the river traffic, including huge Danube barges, glide past. Alternatively, you can take to the water yourself: daily hydrofoil services link the city with nearby Vienna.

Big pop acts often play concerts in Bratislava, while the Slovak Philharmonic and the opera and ballet of the Slovak National Theatre regularly put on world-class performances.

Numerous restaurants offering international cuisine - from Slovak to French to Argentinian to Japanese - and excellent local beer and wine fill the city centre, alongside lively bars, lounges and clubs.

If, having enjoying the food and drink, you feel like walking - or biking - there are almost unlimited opportunities in the forested hills to the north of the city, or along the Danube to the south, where inline skating is also very popular on the scores of kilometres of traffic-free paths.

And, if, after all this, you still want some big-city 'glamour' - and, along it, busloads of gormless tourists - Vienna, Budapest or Prague are close enough for a daytrip.

visit.bratislava.sk

Partners

BratMUN 2012:

Nadácia Novohradská

Gymnázium Jura Hronca

Národná rada Slovenskej republiky

Nádácia Tatra Banky

BratMUN 2011:

Main Sponsors:

Visegrad Fund

Nadácia Slovenskej sporiteľne

Sponsors:

Coca-Cola

British Council

Organized in cooperation with:

UNIS Vienna

Partners:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic

National Council of the Slovak Republic

Nadácia Novohradská

BKIS

Partners: