About Us
PacMUN Conference Philosophy
“Our work for peace must begin within the private world of each one of us. To build for man a world without fear, we must be without fear. To build a world of justice, we must be just. And how can we fight for liberty if we are not free in our own minds? How can we ask others to sacrifice if we are not ready to do so?… Only in true surrender to the interest of all can we reach that strength and independence, that unity of purpose, that equity of judgment which are necessary if we are to measure up to our duty to the future, as men of a generation to whom the chance was given to build in time a world of peace.”
—Dag Hammarskjöld, UN Secretary General from 1953 to 1961
PacMUN seeks to further the transformation of Hawai‘i into a modern “Geneva of the Pacific.” We believe that Hawai‘i can be a valuable bridge connecting the diverse countries, peoples, and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region; we believe that PacMUN’s role is to build ties between the youth who will be tomorrow’s leaders.
Ultimately, PacMUN must combine elements of realism and idealism. Committee should, to the utmost extent, represent a realistic simulation of the real world. Students should be forced to confront the same substantive issues faced by diplomats and politicians, all the while navigating the difficult procedural environments of international and national political institutions. Only in this way can Model United Nations fulfill its stated educational purpose of preparing the next generation of leaders in a manner unique to itself. And yet, at the same time, PacMUN should imbue students with an unwavering idealism. Even as students must operate within the strictly realistic confines of committee, students should be empowered to challenge the established norms and concepts of international relations and politics and to envision a better world. The educational purpose of the Model United Nations committee is not simply to answer questions of “what is,” but also challenge students to answer “what ought to be.”
Our Island Home
Situated in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean and more isolated from continental landmasses than any other piece of land in the world, the beautiful state of Hawai‘i prospers with a diverse cultural, economic, and historical community. The state is composed of eight main islands; however, the conference is held on the island of O‘ahu. Sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” O‘ahu is the third largest Hawaiian island and is home to the majority of Hawai‘i’s population.
In addition to its natural beauty, the island’s cultural wealth emerges from the fusion of east and west embedded in Native Hawaiian culture. The harmony between the ancient and modern, from the clear blue waters of Kailua Beach to the metropolitan cityscapes of Honolulu, create an unforgettable experience for all those who visit. Our island provides a unique and unforgettable backdrop for this conference.
The Hawai‘i Convention Center, the venue for PacMUN XIV, embodies this idea of east meets west and the congregation of the international community. Its 1.1 million square feet of meeting space more than accommodates our needs for the conference. Since its opening in 1998, it has facilitated several of Hawai‘i’s major events with the spirit of Aloha. Due to its location at the heart of the state capital, it is a short distance away from some of Hawai‘i’s top attractions, such as the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the world.
Core Values
Kuleana (Responsibility)
At PacMUN, we hope to help our delegates recognize their responsibility to improve their families and communities, to solve global issues, and to strive to better themselves.
Laulima (Collaboration)
We hope that PacMUN delegates will come to the conference with a willingness to cooperate with their peers, especially since they will present conflicting perspectives on personal, domestic, and international issues.
Pono (Justice)
Working through various committees and social opportunities, we hope that PacMUN delegates will be able to discuss plans to promote peace and justice around the world. In addition, we hope that our delegates will leave PacMUN with a stronger grounding in the international justice system.
Alaka‘i (Leadership)
Recognizing the urgent need for strong and moral leadership in the coming decades, we hope that PacMUN committees will teach delegates how to lead and inspire their peers. We also hope that through the conference, students will become better negotiators, communicators, and statesmen.
‘Ike Loa (Search of Knowledge)
We hope that PacMUN delegates will gain valuable knowledge from their experience at the conference. By developing solutions to the problems that international leaders currently face, we aim to push our delegates to acquire skills in diplomacy, further their understanding of the United Nations, and discover the challenges of international negotiation. We do this, not just to prepare delegates for a life of service, but also because they will inherit the responsibility to educate future generations on the lessons of the past.