Model United Nations (MUN) is a dynamic program at LAS that cultivates global awareness, leadership skills, and confidence in our students. The program has three core components: weekly club meetings, participation in conferences across Switzerland and Europe, and hosting our own annual LASMUN conference. Together, these experiences allow students to engage deeply with international issues while developing the research, communication, and problem-solving skills necessary for global citizenship. As Arthur '27 shares "MUN is a great experience where I can enhance my critical thinking skills and ability to work under pressure. It teaches you to broaden your horizons, question all sides of an argument, and become a positive leader on a global stage - all from the comfort of LAS."

Weekly Meetings: Building Skills and Global Awareness

During the fall and spring activity sessions, students meet weekly to learn essential MUN skills including research, technical writing, and public speaking. They explore current global challenges, craft resolutions, and debate solutions in simulations modeled after the United Nations. These meetings prepare students not just for conferences, but also for future academic and professional endeavors. As Nora ’28 shared, “Model UN is a really fun club, encouraging us to form opinions on current events while balancing it out with fun and silly things. There are also a lot of really cool opportunities—ones I never could have dreamed of having.”

Conferences Across Switzerland and Beyond

Throughout the year, LAS students attend 6–8 conferences hosted by international schools across Switzerland. These one-day events allow students to gain experience and connect with MUN participants from other schools.

The highlight each year is THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations), the largest MUN conference in Europe. LAS typically brings 12–17 students to this exceptional event, where they debate global issues alongside peers from around the world. Students also have the chance to visit the International Criminal Court and the Peace Palace, offering a glimpse into potential future careers in diplomacy, international law, and global politics.

Reflecting on her experience, Khoon ’26 said, “My two years in MUN at Leysin American School have been an unforgettable privilege. Meeting people from around the world at THIMUN and conferences across Switzerland, and helping organize LASMUN, broadened my global perspective and pushed me to grow into a more confident and effective speaker.”

LASMUN: A Conference Run by Students, for Students

The pinnacle of the LAS MUN year is LASMUN, our student-run conference held at the end of the fall semester. Each year, two or three students are selected to lead the planning. This year’s organizers—Sara B. ’26, Jiyou '26, and Khoon '26—began preparations last winter. They coordinated logistics with LAS leadership and operations, reserved rooms across campus, managed communications with visiting schools, and prepared all research materials, certificates, placards, and country assignments.

This year, LAS welcomed more than 50 visiting students from six schools. Thirty-three LAS students took on roles ranging from Secretary-General to committee chairs, delegates, and administrative staff. 

Under the theme “Real Solutions to Real Controversies,” students debated pressing global issues across four committees, including the Human Rights Council, the Security Council, UN Women, and the Disarmament and International Security Committee. Sara ’26 reflected, “We received positive feedback from all of our guest schools, especially about our encouraging environment that helped many beginner delegates feel comfortable debating at their first MUN conference. I am very grateful that my last year at LAS and in our MUN club was marked by such a wonderful event.”

LASMUN 2025 Committees & Topics

• Human Rights Council: Safeguarding migrant rights in high-income countries amid evolving immigration policies (Chairs: Owen ‘26 & Michelle ‘28)
   
• Security Council: Addressing security, governance, and humanitarian concerns in Gaza under the 20-Point Peace Plan (Chair: Arthur ‘27)
   
• UN Women: Ensuring access to reproductive health services amid political and economic challenges (Chairs: Georgia ‘27 & Dominik ‘26)
   
• Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC): Countering unmanned drone threats to civil airspace through regulatory and defense responses (Chair: Nora ‘28)

The MUN program at LAS continues to be an extraordinary platform for students to develop confidence, broaden their worldview, and engage with meaningful global issues. It's also really enjoyable for the participants. As Isaac '29 shared "LASMUN was a very fun event. I was able to meet a lot of new people and share interesting ideas." We are incredibly proud of all our delegates, leaders, and organizers for their dedication, curiosity, and commitment to creating positive change in the world!