The Oxford-Kyushu Model United Nations Camp (OKMUNC) equips students with the skills to become a global leader in the 21st Century, through workshops designed to train skills such as critical thinking, public speaking and communication, using the framework of an international-style Model United Nations (MUN) in which students represent countries as diplomats on a range of global issues. Whereas most MUNs are competitions in which participants seek to win awards, OKMUNC is about creating an environment for learning where students have the freedom to express themselves. The event will be held at the Kuju Cottage in Oita Prefecture, and will take place from 9th to 12th August 2019, following on from the success of the inaugural edition in 2017 and 2nd edition in 2018 . This year, we are placing emphasis on 4 key principles, namely Inclusive learning Environment, Bridging the Domestic and International, Thinking and Acting on the Spot and Global Perspectives on International Affairs.
Inclusive Learning Environment
We look to offer an environment where each and every student can learn during their time at the camp. Instead of treating mistakes as failures, we see them as the first step toward learning and encourage students to take initiative and be inquisitive. The Secretariat seeks to take the first step in this by creating an environment where students feel comfortable enough to express themselves and step outside their comfort zone.
Bridging the Domestic and International
We provide a place where Japanese and international students can interact and get to know one another at a personal level. We hope that the camp serves as a platform for participants to take an interest in learning about other countries or travelling abroad and that it serves as a source for greater collaboration between Japanese and international students.
Thinking and Acting on the Spot
We train participants to raise their voice, practice speaking in public and think deeply and critically about international affairs through an interactive and immersive learning-by-doing approach. Through both the workshops and the Model United Nations sessions, participants not only learn to act on the spot by responding to questions, but build their teamwork and leadership skills by working with others to develop a consensus.
Global Perspectives on International Affairs
We seek to train students and raise awareness of international issues such as plastic pollution and ageing population, as well as of the role of the United Nations in global governance. Through the Model United Nations, students take the positions of different countries and look at international affairs from a multi-dimensional perspective, while they also learn about and actively experience the challenges of multilateral coordination and cooperation on global issues.
Message

Shunta Takino
Co-founder
“I co-founded the Oxford Kyushu Model United Nations with @Hiroki Kanai in 2016 as a camp where students can learn about global issues, engage with a diverse and international student community, and equip themselves with skills to become leaders of the 21st Century. Each year, we look to offer an accessible opportunity in Kyushu for immersive learning-by-doing by designing and implementing workshops and organising an education-oriented Model United Nations Experience. I firmly believe that our camp offers a fresh and innovative approach towards education centered around students from Kyushu University and University of Oxford. In doing so, we extend upon and provide an alternative to the knowledge-oriented formal curriculum that many students in Japan experience at high-school and university. I look forward to meeting all the participants again for the third edition!”