Students Dispatched to the 2026 German Model United Nations (GerMUN)!
12 students and 2 faculty members from Kobe City University of Foreign Studies were dispatched to the German Model United Nations (GerMUN) in Cologne, Germany. The program combined the 4-day Model UN conference with a study tour to Berlin and Geneva, aiming to foster international perspectives and practical problem-solving skills for future global citizens.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 01:19
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As part of the Model United Nations program at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies (hereafter referred to as "the University"), 12 students and 2 faculty members were dispatched to the German Model United Nations (GerMUN) held in Cologne, Germany, from Thursday, February 26 to Sunday, March 1, 2026.
1. After concluding the German Model United Nations (GerMUN)
Right from the start of the conference, our students proactively formed negotiation groups and repeatedly exchanged opinions with students gathered from all over Germany. Over the four days, they engaged in meaningful discussions toward building partnerships and reaching consensus, sincerely confronting the issues facing the international community and fostering friendships with the participating German students. This educational program contributes to the cultivation of global citizens who can contribute to the realization of world peace and a sustainable society. Through this experience, the University's students were able to cultivate an international perspective and collaborative problem-solving skills.
2. About the Model United Nations Program
Model United Nations is an educational activity originating in the United States. Similar to actual UN conferences, participants take on the role of delegations from various countries. The purpose is to deepen understanding of real-world international issues through conference discussions and other activities, while enhancing comprehensive international communication skills, including negotiation, debate, and language proficiency.
A major characteristic of the University's Model United Nations program is the integration of the simulations conducted at Model UN conferences (virtual) with the experience of actually visiting and learning at real UN sites (real). Participating students visit the UN Headquarters in New York and the UN Office at Geneva on study tours. By seeing and understanding the activities of international organizations with their own eyes, their learning from the classroom Model UN discussions and simulations becomes deeper and more practical.
In this way, through learning that combines the virtual and the real, the University's Model United Nations program is highly distinctive in its aim to deepen understanding of international issues and cultivate the perspectives and practical skills needed to thrive in the international community.
3. Voice of a Participating Student
▼ Yuki Murashita, Department of Hispanic Studies
The first time I participated in a Model UN was at NMUN NY (National Model United Nations New York Conference) in 2022. After that, through my participation in JUEMUN 2022 and my operational experience at NMUN Kobe, I spent valuable time studying abroad short-term in Spain and working overseas for two years as a dispatched worker at a diplomatic mission. Following these experiences, this conference served as the culminating stage for me, having returned after several years.
What I was most conscious of this time was, "What can I do now as an Experienced Delegate?" I had some anxiety about my blank period and every day was a continuous process of relearning, but I thoroughly considered the role that only the current me could fulfill, and decided to focus on "mental care for other participants and support from multiple perspectives." Leveraging my position as the oldest student and the "ability to calmly handle unforeseen situations" cultivated through practical work at the diplomatic mission, I worked to ensure that those around me could focus on discussions with peace of mind. By actually putting this into practice, I feel I was able to be a pillar of support for the team. There were unexpected difficulties during the conference period, but I am truly grateful to the members I worked hard with, the teachers who guided us, everyone affiliated with the university, and my family who warmly sent me off. I want to make this precious experience a source of strength for the future.
4. Overview of this Dispatch
(1) Dispatch Period: Sunday, February 22 – Friday, March 6, 2026
(Conference Period: Thursday, February 26 – Sunday, March 1)
*The dispatch period includes a study tour (Berlin, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland). On the study tour, we visited the Topography of Terror, the Global Fund (The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), the ILO (International Labour Organization), the UN Office at Geneva, etc.
(2) Dispatch Destination: Cologne, Germany (Venue: Jugendherberge Köln-Riehl)
(3) Number of Participants: 12 students, 2 faculty members
[Reference]
The University's Model UN website page:
https://www.kobe-cufs.ac.jp/about/mun/
German Model United Nations website (English):
https://germun.de/
1. After concluding the German Model United Nations (GerMUN)
Right from the start of the conference, our students proactively formed negotiation groups and repeatedly exchanged opinions with students gathered from all over Germany. Over the four days, they engaged in meaningful discussions toward building partnerships and reaching consensus, sincerely confronting the issues facing the international community and fostering friendships with the participating German students. This educational program contributes to the cultivation of global citizens who can contribute to the realization of world peace and a sustainable society. Through this experience, the University's students were able to cultivate an international perspective and collaborative problem-solving skills.
2. About the Model United Nations Program
Model United Nations is an educational activity originating in the United States. Similar to actual UN conferences, participants take on the role of delegations from various countries. The purpose is to deepen understanding of real-world international issues through conference discussions and other activities, while enhancing comprehensive international communication skills, including negotiation, debate, and language proficiency.
A major characteristic of the University's Model United Nations program is the integration of the simulations conducted at Model UN conferences (virtual) with the experience of actually visiting and learning at real UN sites (real). Participating students visit the UN Headquarters in New York and the UN Office at Geneva on study tours. By seeing and understanding the activities of international organizations with their own eyes, their learning from the classroom Model UN discussions and simulations becomes deeper and more practical.
In this way, through learning that combines the virtual and the real, the University's Model United Nations program is highly distinctive in its aim to deepen understanding of international issues and cultivate the perspectives and practical skills needed to thrive in the international community.
3. Voice of a Participating Student
▼ Yuki Murashita, Department of Hispanic Studies
The first time I participated in a Model UN was at NMUN NY (National Model United Nations New York Conference) in 2022. After that, through my participation in JUEMUN 2022 and my operational experience at NMUN Kobe, I spent valuable time studying abroad short-term in Spain and working overseas for two years as a dispatched worker at a diplomatic mission. Following these experiences, this conference served as the culminating stage for me, having returned after several years.
What I was most conscious of this time was, "What can I do now as an Experienced Delegate?" I had some anxiety about my blank period and every day was a continuous process of relearning, but I thoroughly considered the role that only the current me could fulfill, and decided to focus on "mental care for other participants and support from multiple perspectives." Leveraging my position as the oldest student and the "ability to calmly handle unforeseen situations" cultivated through practical work at the diplomatic mission, I worked to ensure that those around me could focus on discussions with peace of mind. By actually putting this into practice, I feel I was able to be a pillar of support for the team. There were unexpected difficulties during the conference period, but I am truly grateful to the members I worked hard with, the teachers who guided us, everyone affiliated with the university, and my family who warmly sent me off. I want to make this precious experience a source of strength for the future.
4. Overview of this Dispatch
(1) Dispatch Period: Sunday, February 22 – Friday, March 6, 2026
(Conference Period: Thursday, February 26 – Sunday, March 1)
*The dispatch period includes a study tour (Berlin, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland). On the study tour, we visited the Topography of Terror, the Global Fund (The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), the ILO (International Labour Organization), the UN Office at Geneva, etc.
(2) Dispatch Destination: Cologne, Germany (Venue: Jugendherberge Köln-Riehl)
(3) Number of Participants: 12 students, 2 faculty members
[Reference]
The University's Model UN website page:
https://www.kobe-cufs.ac.jp/about/mun/
German Model United Nations website (English):
https://germun.de/