Harvard International Relations Council
The Harvard International Relations Council began as a student group simulating the League of Nations during the 1920s. By 1953, this same group decided to launch a new simulation reflecting the newly established United Nations organization. This decision marked the birth of what would become one of the oldest Model UN simulations in existence today. The organization operates as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit under Massachusetts state law. It functions as an affiliated non-governmental organization with the United Nations Department of Public Information. All operations are managed entirely by undergraduate students from Harvard College. The IRC currently stands as the largest student organization at Harvard University. Its structure includes several semi-independent programs that remain centrally administered. These programs cover diverse outreach areas designed to engage people on international issues and policy-making.
Harvard Model United Nations holds its annual conference at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Massachusetts. The seventy-second session took place from January 25 to the 28th of January 2024. Over 4,000 participants attended this specific event, making it the largest conference in the organization's history. Committee sessions expanded to include the Boston Marriott Copley Place due to the scale of attendance. HMUN offers four main committee categories including the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council. Specialized Agencies feature unique standing committees like the Security Council alongside crisis committees. Delegates represent countries or role-play famous individuals while working through debate and compromise. Staff numbers for the 2024 conference exceeded 200 Harvard undergraduates. These staff members organize into three distinct groups: Secretariat, Senior Staff, and Junior Staff. The Secretariat consists of ten top-level officers overseeing all branches of the conference. Calvin Osborne served as Secretary-General for the 2025 session while Nicholas Yang held the Director-General position. Awards recognize exceptional delegates based on preparation, speaking skills, and negotiation abilities. Verbal Commendations distinguish this conference from many others that do not offer such recognition.
HMUN China launched its first run in Beijing during March 2010 with over 1,000 delegates across 13 committees. The following year moved the event to Shanghai before returning to Beijing in 2012 at the Beijing International Convention Center. By 2013, the conference increased to 16 committees hosting students from more than 27 different countries. In August 2011, HMUN India began operations at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai with over 1,250 participants. Subsequent sessions expanded to Hyderabad where conferences reached over 900 delegates from 110 schools across 24 cities. The third session in 2013 featured keynote speakers including Dr. Rajendra Pachauri who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Regional expansion continued with Harvard National Model United Nations Latin America established in 2012 under Daniel Ennis and Victor Arruda. A second regional branch called HNMUN Africa opened in Nairobi, Kenya during 2024 with Chukwudi Ilozue as founding Secretary. These international chapters maintain similar structures to their parent conferences while adapting to local contexts. Co-hosting partners like Alpha Partners Education and MUN Cafe facilitate logistics for these global events.
The Harvard International Review launched in 1979 as a quarterly journal covering politics, economics, business, science, technology, and culture. Its mission statement describes the publication as filling the middle ground between academic scholarship and journalism. The journal distributes widely across more than 60 countries reaching a readership exceeding 30,000 people. Featured contributors include Nelson Mandela, Samuel P. Huntington, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Jimmy Carter among many others. Sections within the magazine include Features, Perspectives, Spotlight, World in Review, Global Notebook, Interview, Endpaper, and Correspondence. The website hosts exclusive content and active blogs on current events. IRoC coordinates all on-campus outreach efforts building links among undergraduates and faculty members. This branch conducts dinner discussions, study groups, and special events throughout the year. IR Week occurs every Spring to highlight international relations topics on campus. The Harvard Program for International Education runs public service programs staffed by passionate undergraduates. Tutors teach standardized curricula over eight weekly sessions covering topics like immigration and nation-building. HPIE Day culminates each program with a debate conference on the Harvard campus where students demonstrate acquired skills. Current leadership includes co-Executive Directors Sammy Tin and Tasia Avery.
The IRC leadership divides between a board of directors and IRC Central Staff. Board members include one program head from each of six individual programs plus elected members from the broader body. They vote to appoint the IRC President annually. IRC Central Staff hold corporate positions until new elections occur following board changes. These officers manage operations promoting international education while maintaining financial sustainability. HMUN Secretariat elections happen each March involving both the Board of Directors and outgoing staff. Secretary-General candidates typically come from the previous year's Secretariat membership. Senior staff serve as direct deputies to Under-Secretaries General across various organs. Junior staff apply through lengthy application and interview processes beginning in late fall. ICMUN changed its leadership structure in 2019 allowing four head delegates instead of two. Kenith Taukolo, Addison Gaddy, Lucia Gallo, and Fayyaz Razi lead the team for the 2025-2026 season. Model Security Council recruits all incoming freshmen during Visitas weekend and runs conferences in September. Co-presidents Emily Chen and Kaitlin Cascio currently manage full-cycle recruitment efforts. The organization maintains Administration, Business, Programs, Communication, and Mentorship divisions under MSC oversight.
Common questions
When did the Harvard International Relations Council begin as a student group?
The Harvard International Relations Council began as a student group simulating the League of Nations during the 1920s. By 1953, this same group decided to launch a new simulation reflecting the newly established United Nations organization.
Where does Harvard Model United Nations hold its annual conference in Massachusetts?
Harvard Model United Nations holds its annual conference at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Massachusetts. Committee sessions expanded to include the Boston Marriott Copley Place due to the scale of attendance for events like the seventy-second session from January 25 to the 28th of January 2024.
Who served as Secretary-General for the 2025 Harvard Model United Nations session?
Calvin Osborne served as Secretary-General for the 2025 session while Nicholas Yang held the Director-General position. Staff numbers for the 2024 conference exceeded 200 Harvard undergraduates organized into three distinct groups including Secretariat and Senior Staff.
What year did HMUN China launch its first run in Beijing with over 1,000 delegates?
HMUN China launched its first run in Beijing during March 2010 with over 1,000 delegates across 13 committees. The following year moved the event to Shanghai before returning to Beijing in 2012 at the Beijing International Convention Center.
When was the Harvard International Review launched as a quarterly journal covering politics and economics?
The Harvard International Review launched in 1979 as a quarterly journal covering politics, economics, business, science, technology, and culture. Its mission statement describes the publication as filling the middle ground between academic scholarship and journalism.