First, high schools from Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties register for the program. Second, the school’s MUN coordinator is given a list of countries available for students to study in preparation for the year’s MUN competition. Schools are encouraged to involve their students in this selection process to develop early “ownership" by the students.

The country assignments are based on a variety of factors, including school preference, previous participation, geographic balance and UN committee (issue) support. For example, Security Council countries can be selected only by schools that have previously participated in SWFLMUN. 

Once countries are assigned, student delegates choose the committee, or issue, they wish to research. The issues set the agenda for the conference. During the school year, coaches assist students in their research efforts. Issues to be addressed by the respective committees are selected by the Florida Gulf Coast University MUN Club under the supervision of its faculty advisor, Dr. Richard Coughlin, and are based upon current global concerns.

Students prepare their committee research for the annual SWFLMUN conference in March at FGCU. At the conference, judges evaluate the student delegates’ performances at each of the Security Council and committee meetings. Winning teams and individuals are declared at the end of the conference and thousands of dollars in scholarships are distributed.

The 2023-24 schedule for students and high schools is:

October 27, 2023 - Last day to request countries

November 3, 2023 - School registration form due

November 24, 2023 - School registration fees due

January 20, 2024 - MUN Command training (For committee chairs only, 10am via Zoom)

January 22, 2024 - Position papers due (by midnight)

January 24, 2024 - Position papers turned over to readers

January 26, 2024 - Final rosters due

January 26, 2024 - Student registration fees due

February 3, 2024 - Delegate Workshop @ FGCU (9a-2p, details in January 18 email from Dr. Coughlin)

February 7, 2024 - Last day to provide info for program  (committee chairs and room #s, NCWA names, etc.)

February 16, 2024 - Special competition submissions due in by midnight!

February 23, 2024 - Position paper winner names turned into coordinator

March 4-5, 2024 - Conference (on FGCU campus)

For more information about SWFLMUN, go to www.swflmun.org

Model UN Coordinator Beth Foss at swflmun@comcast.net