UNISCA 2020

Starting as a student initiative in 1997, UNISCA established itself as a sophisticated and high-quality student conference that attracts ambitious participants from across the globe. It prides itself on establishing an intense and rewarding two-week program. Participants not only get to participate in a thrilling Model United Nations but also expand their horizon intellectually by receiving interesting lectures by renowned speakers. Furthermore, UNISCA offers amazing evening activities where participants make friends for a life-time.
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In the first week of UNISCA students will receive lectures on subjects that relate to the topics discussed during the second week: the actual conference. Aside from writing a position paper before the first week starts, participants will write a compulsory exam near the end of the first week on the subjects in order to be eligible for the 6 ECTS academic credits. The grade for UNISCA as an official University of Amsterdam subject is determined by an essay, an exam, a participation grade and by a presentation during the conference. 

The course load of UNISCA 2020 consists of academic literature that is related to the topics that will be discussed in the different councils and committees during the conference.

In the second week the actual conference will start. Participants will be assigned to their preferred UNISCA track. As a delegate of a country, one will represent that states’ national interests in the debates. As a judge, one will handle inter-state cases in the ICJ moot-court, as a Journalist, one will review, report and comment upon all the developments in the daily newspaper. ​

On almost all evenings a fun evening activity awaits you. Prepare to get to know Amsterdam like a local!

Three elements of UNISCA

Academic
University credits

Model United Nations
UN Simulation

Social
Evening Activities

“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth...
these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment.
​Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all. ​”

~ Ban Ki-moon ~

Conference Schedule 2020

Week 1: 
Monday, June 29th:                                                                                            

• Morning: Opening Ceremony
• Afternoon: Lectures
• Evening: Introductory Borrel on Remo                                                  

Tuesday, June 30th:

• Morning: Lectures
• Afternoon: Lectures
• Evening: Pictionary Borrel on Remo

Wednesday, July 1st:

• Morning: Lectures
• Afternoon: Lectures
• Evening: Night off

Thursday, July 2nd:

• Morning: Exam
• Afternoon: Rules of Procedure
• Evening: Night off 

Friday, July 3rd:

• Morning: Opening of the Conference and Opening Speeches
• Afternoon: Discussion
• Evening: Netflix Party

Week 2: 
Monday, July 6th:                                                                                            

• Morning: Exam Resit
• Afternoon: Workshops
• Evening: Popquiz Borrel on Remo                                               

Tuesday, July 7th:

• Morning: Discussion on Topics
• Afternoon: Discussion on Topics
• Evening: Working Paper

Wednesday, July 8th:

• Morning: Committee Session
• Afternoon: Committee Session and Resolution Writing
• Evening: Charades Borrel on Remo

Thursday, July 9th:

• Morning: Committee Session
• Afternoon: Committee Session and Resolution Debate
• Evening: Night off 

Friday, July 10th:

• Morning: Committee Session
• Afternoon: Committee Session and Resolution Debate
• Evening: Closing party in Collaboration with UvA Radio

*** During the weekend you are free to explore Amsterdam***

Applications for UNISCA have now been closed.

General Information

Conference Application
Applications open on the 18th March 2020. One has to be enrolled in a university and younger than 30 years to be able to participate in UNISCA. Also, a proficiency in English is required. In order to apply successfully, each aspiring participant is expected to deliver:
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1. Their CV in English;
2. A max. 300 word motivation letter as to why you would like to participate in the conference and what preferences you have for roles at the MUN;
3. A Transcript of Records issued by your university showing you have obtained all study credits from the first year of your bachelor education. 

​Once you are accepted into the conference, you will receive further instructions from the Secretary of the Board of Directors.​

Conference Fee
​Due to COVID-19, the conference fee has changed to previous years since the conference is taking place online. 

• The tuition fee for Dutch or international students that attend the University of Amsterdam or another university in the Netherlands is €50
  
• For master students and students from non-dutch univiersities, there is a credits based fee of €270

Dress Code
UNISCA is a simulation of the United Nations. As such, we oblige participants to dress accordingly. The dress code is business casual for the first lecture week and formal for the second conference week.

​General Terms & Conditions
​Please refer to this page for our General Terms and Conditions.