Diving into an Ocean of MUN Games

MUN conferences can be quite stressful, both for academic teams and delegates, especially during the first sessions. In such a situation, making the atmosphere more friendly and relaxed can contribute to a better experience for everyone. Chairs have an important role to play in this regard. Although chairs are expected to be serious and professional, this does not mean that the atmosphere should not be fun and friendly. In fact, a little laughter and joy can significantly reduce pressure and stress. Here are some engaging and fun icebreaker games and rules that can make your MUN experience more enjoyable and help you create a relaxed atmosphere for everyone.

“Two Truths and a Lie”

A game often played at MUN conferences, “Two Truths and a Lie” is both short and quite fun. In this game, each player takes turns to share three pieces of information about themselves: two truths and one lie. The other participants try to guess which statement is a lie and which is the truth. For example, a player might say: “I am afraid of heights, I have a pet iguana and I once had a USG at a conference.” This game encourages players to share their personal stories and details and thus fosters feelings of camaraderie and friendship. It also allows everyone to get to know each other better. “Two Truths and a Lie,” It is a great option to break the ice and reduce tension between participants in the first sessions of MUN.

“Guess the Right Country”

This game is perfect for MUN conferences because it is both fun and educational. Write the names of different countries on pieces of paper and put them in a bowl. Participants take turns to draw a paper and try to describe the country without saying its name. They can give information about its history, culture or interesting facts. The rest of the group tries to guess the country based on the information and characteristics given. This game allows learning about different countries and cultures, in line with the theme of international diplomacy. At the same time, when played in the first sessions, it gives delegates the opportunity to learn some additional information they did not know. This provides both a fun interaction and broadens the knowledge base of the conference participants.

“Soulmate” 

“Soulmate,” It is a very popular game that is often preferred at MUN conferences. It is a fun and interactive experience where everyone stands up and the last person standing is the only one left standing. A player is put on the podium and the committee chair asks him/her some personal questions. The questions are usually about personal interests, experiences or preferences and each question has two options. For example: “Which animal do you like more, a cat or a dog?” After the player has answered, the other players who do not like or prefer their choice sit back down. This process continues until only one player is left standing and the last player is chosen as the “Soulmate” of the contestant on the dais. This game makes the environment more intimate and provides a fun interaction between the participants. It also helps to learn more about personal preferences.

“Silent MUN” 

“Silent MUN,” where we adapt the game of charades, which we are all familiar with, to the MUN conference, is a very entertaining activity. The aim of the game is to explain MUN terms with movements. A player takes the podium and the chair of the committee gives him/her a MUN term. He/she has to explain this term to the other players without speaking, using only gestures and facial expressions, usually in one and a half minutes. Failure to do so may result in minor sanctions. This game is an excellent opportunity to reinforce MUN terms and to have some funny moments. “Silent MUN,” is an ideal game for ‘Fun Sessions’ and provides training in a fun way.

“Muntionary”

The recently popular “Muntionary,” is a game where delegates compete in drawing skills. General knowledge is a big part of the game. A player is called to the whiteboard and the chairman of the committee names a country. The player has two options: he can either try to draw the country on a map, or he can draw the head of state of the country. He has only 1 minute to draw. The other delegates try to guess the picture on the board. This game develops the delegates’ general culture and knowledge of geography, while testing their drawing skills and their ability to cope with limited time. It also creates a warm atmosphere and provides a fun competition.

MUN conferences are not only an academic environment, but also a platform for participants to socialize and make new friends. Ice-breaker games further enliven this atmosphere, allowing delegates to get to know each other better and participate more enthusiastically in the conference. Remember, MUN is not only a serious environment, but also an experience where we have fun and make unforgettable memories. So, get inspired by these games and use your own creativity to develop new ones to spice up your conferences and make your participants smile. Fun and interactive activities can play a mitigating role in the stressful moments of conferences and make the participants’ experience more enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Melis Köstü