ILYMUN 2025
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ILYMUN 2025 *
Democracy and security in a world of conflicts
13, 14 & 15 March 2025
Hôtel de Région, Lyon, France
Democracy is a cornerstone of the United Nations. Although the UN does not advocate for a specific model of government, it promotes a set of democratic values and principles as a means to building a world of peace, equality and sustainable development.
The ILYMUN debates last year on rights and freedoms led us to consider the importance of upholding an environment in which all voices are heard and the will of the people is freely exercised, an environment where people have a say in decisions and can hold decision-makers accountable. Furthermore, we see how the global pandemic and current global challenges have led to an erosion of democracy.
The rise in conflicts and authoritarian rule are symptomatic of a disregard of democratic principles. We believe that adherence to these principles, especially in these times of distrust and conflict, is key to global security.
History
Taking inspiration from FERMUN in Geneva and THIMUN in the Hague, two students from the Cité Scolaire Internationale, Pierre Mohamed and Kaelan Tardy, reached out to students at the International School of Lyon in order to organise the first ILYMUN conference in 2013. Most of the schools participating in that first conference are now regular participants in our annual conferences and many have gone on to form their own MUN clubs and conferences inspired by ILYMUN. We’re delighted to see these developments: signalling that communities are truly working together towards the bettering of our world!
Our values
Inciting Action
Our core objective is to bring about change. Outside of the MUN debates, we hope to extend the resolutions our students conceive, and apply them to the real world, with hope of striving towards a greater future. In the light of such, we encourage our delegates to educate themselves regarding these issues and to directly act upon them, externalising ILYMUN’s outreach upon our impaired societies.
Human Experience
Most diplomats tell you that the most efficient decisions, those which actually change the world, are taken in convivial moments after a day of debate. This is wholly legitimate. Therefore, we keep in mind that an MUN conference is an opportune moment to meet new friends. A few essential factors, unique to ILYMUN, allow you to have real exchanges: small committees (from 20 to 100 persons), country delegations made up of different schools, housing with host families and, of course, social events!
Enriching Education
We believe that MUN conferences should aim to educate the participants, providing them with essential skills such as public speaking, collaboration with others and critical thinking. MUN opens one’s mind and encourages in-depth reflections on our complex world. ILYMUN helps students grow and become global citizens.
By students, for students
Even though a very small team of adults supervises our agenda and the organisation of ILYMUN, every aspect of our conference — the vision, planning and execution — is done by high school students who are doing their best to provide middle school and high school delegates and their MUN directors the best possible MUN experience and a professional conference.
Constant innovation
ILYMUN has matured since its inception by the virtue of original projects, developed every year. Of course, the central issue of the conference varies from year to year, with new branches and new committees created to bring diversification and an improved experience. Undeniably, the feedback from you, fellow participants, permits us to improve an important number of aspects of the conference, making it finer each year!
Social and ecological Engagements
Bearing in mind the ILYMUN 2016 conference resolutions to tackle Climate Change, we take concrete action to save the Planet, by respecting environmental values. We use a minimal amount of paper and transfer to digital as frequently as possible. We strive to be role models for a green conference.