Taiwan Model United Nations (TAIMUN)

What is it?

Every April, AST hosts Taiwan Model United Nations (TAIMUN), a three-day conference where schools from all over Taiwan and Asia send high-school students to role-play as representatives of different countries to debate on current and pressing issues. In the process they create solutions to these issues and draft their ideas in a document called a resolution.

Why do we do it:

TAIMUN was established as the first ever Model United Nations conference in Taiwan with the objectives to broaden students’ perspective and to deepen their understanding of current events. TAIMUN resonates with AST’s Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR’s), and encourages students to witness the power of diplomacy and communication firsthand.

In a world ruled by democracies, it is increasingly important for citizens to be aware of current issues and world affairs, because the power to determine the government's course of action lies within the people. Events such as TAIMUN educate future voters, and in effect, empower them to prevent tragedies of the past. Every student who participates in TAIMUN becomes a better global citizen.

More About TAIMUN


TAIMUN is divided into 10 committees, each responsible for different types of issues. Each committee is chaired by two student officers which are chosen from an application process. They are responsible for maintaining order during debate and informing the delegates about the issue through chair reports distributed several months before the conference.

Security Council (SC)

The Security Council was one of the first six organs established by the UN Charter. The council’s many objectives include maintaining peace and security, promoting friendly international relations amongst nations, and promoting universal human rights. With the power to issue sanctions and pass legally binding resolutions, the SC is often considered the strongest committee of the UN.

General Assembly 1: Committee on Disarmament and International Security (CDIS)

The first committee of the General Assembly focuses on disarmament and resolving any threats to peace in the international community. Originally put in place to combat the perils of the Atomic Age, CDIS has come a long way and expanded their concern to any issue that poses a threat to security, such as unmanned aerial drones, biological weaponry, and cyber attacks.

Human Rights Council (HRC)

The Human Rights Council protects and advocate all human rights as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) for all regardless of sex, gender, race, language, or religion. Additionally, the HRC aims to monitor and correct any infringement on human rights around the world by discussing topics such as internment camps, press freedom, and gender disparity.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

ECOSOC is another principle UN organ that reviews policies on economic, social, and environmental topics. ECOSOC has an yearly theme to ensure the council is always focused on the most pressing of issues. Parliamentarians, businesses, non-governmental organizations are amongst some of the partners that engage in conversations on development through ECOSOC. The council has debated on issues such as regulating resource monopolies, achieving development goals, and youth employment.

Environmental Committee

The Environmental Committee is derived from the United Nations Environmental Programme, the agency establishes global environment agendas, and strives to work with developing nations to create environmentally conscious policies without compromising the future of our planet. Issues presented to the Environmental Committee includes environmental impacts of urbanization, desertification, and alternative energy sources.

General Assembly 3: Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian (SOCHUM)

The third committee of the General Assembly is responsible for social and humanitarian affairs, and works closely with the Human Rights Council in resolving human rights issues. The committee also discusses topics relating to racial equality, female empowerment, indigenous issues, preservation of cultural heritage sites, and beyond. Questions debated in SOCHUM in past conferences include human trafficking, social media usage, and updating UN protocols.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization collaborates with medical experts, scientists, and epidemiologists to research and monitor the health of people around the world. WHO is the leading authority in improving health systems, studying communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and preparing for health emergencies. The WHO has debated question of vaccine distribution, combating malaria, and improving health infrastructure.

Sustainable Development (SUSDEV)

The UN Division of Sustainable Development advocates and coordinates sustainable development agenda organized by the UN. SUSDEV is heavily involved with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), where the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals were formed. The committee has explored issues relating to malnutrition, poverty, energy access, and the implementation of development goals.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The International Atomic Energy Agency is a branch of the UN that was established to both prevent nuclear arms proliferation while promoting the use of peaceful nuclear technology. A difficult balance exists between the two goals. Tasks of the IAEA include responding to nuclear disasters, inspecting nuclear facilities, and negotiating peaceful nuclear treaties.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The International Court of Justice, based in the Peace Palace in the Hague, is the successor to the League of Nation’s Permanent Court of International Justice. The ICJ presents a means for countries to resolve conflicts legally without military force. ICJ also advises the UN on legal matters. TAIMUN’s first ICJ started in 2014, and has adopted THIMUN ICJ procedures in 2016.


The TAIMUN Press team is split into two branches, the print team and the video team.

Print Team

The print team is in charge of publishing the program book. The program book includes welcoming messages from directors, the keynote speaker, and student executives. It also includes student officers giving a brief introduction of the issues that will be debated. Acting as a guide for TAIMUN participants, the program book includes a map of the campus and all of the committee rosters.

Besides the program book, the print team also works on TAIMUN Times, our own magazine. Every year during TAIMUN, the print team publishes and distributes two issues of TAIMUN Times, the pre-conference issue and the first issue,to all participants. TAIMUN Times serves to inform readers through reports on the debate progress and serious articles on world issues. Besides giving information, TAIMUN Times also entertains the readers with fun articles and lighthearted interviews.

Video Team

The video team produces several videos for TAIMUN. The TAIMUN promotional video is played before the conference to AST students to get them excited about the event. The others are played during the opening and closing ceremonies. The video for the opening ceremony focuses on the theme of TAIMUN and is usually informational, setting participants in the mood for the conference. The emotional closing ceremony video captures the highlights of the event and lets everyone reminisce over the last three days.  


Admin Team

Admin staff members take care of the logistics relating to hosting the event, such as making badges and placards for each delegate, and also attend to delegates and deliver notes in each committee. The admins are staffed with students from grades eight to twelve in AST.


Executive Team

In charge of all branches of TAIMUN is the executive team, which consists of one Secretary General from AST and two Deputy Secretary Generals, typically one from AST and one from another school.

MUN Director

Linking the student participants to the school administration is the MUN Director, a teacher responsible for coordinating preparations alongside the executive team and the head of each branch.