UNISCA stands for the United Nations International Student Conference of Amsterdam: a unique interdisciplinary course offered by the University of Amsterdam. Twenty-two years ago, some ambitious students decided they wanted to create an opportunity for students to simulate the workings of the UN. Their goal was to found an organization in which students would have the opportunity to discuss contem
porary world issues and obtain diplomatic skills on an academic level. Every year a successful UNISCA conference has been held since. Newly acquired skills like resolution writing, public speaking, debating, and several lectures by guest speakers will enable you to participate as a professional diplomat during the UN simulation conference. However these skills will also come in practice in your future career, which is something more students, realize every year when they participate. UNISCA strives to deepen the knowledge of academic students in international diplomacy, the United Nations and a specific theme every year. The highlight of the course is a weeklong conference in which students simulate an actual UN conference. This year, UNISCA will start with one week of lectures by renowned speakers and professors, which will be followed by the conference week in MUN style. During our summer course the heart of Amsterdam will be owned by UNISCA delegates. The lecture week is all about preparing for the actual conference. Delegates, lawyers and journalists will follow an intensive program: there will be lectures on the various topics and committees, an opportunity to get acquainted with the UN in general and many more skills you will need to perform as a professional during the conference. During the conference week the actual conference takes place and you will get the opportunity to put your earlier acquired skills to good use. As a delegate, you’ll be representing a member state of the UN together with fellow students throughout the conference week. For those of you that don’t want to represent a nation during the conference, there is the opportunity to sign up for the UNISCA Press Department or the ICJ moot court. And of course, after a hard days work, our evening program during the conference week provides you the opportunity to relax with fellow delegates and to experience the nightlife of Amsterdam. In short: UNISCA is a great way to get to know Amsterdam, the United Nations and to earn 6 ECT’s!
