In April, the Heidelberg Delegation made its way to the beautiful Mannheim to attend the annual MAMUN conference. Not only is MAMUN known for its superior academics and socials, but also as a trusted partner to the Heidelberg MUN Society. Attending with 14 delegates, the Heidelberg Society was definitely present and voting.

Arriving in Mannheim, we were astonished by the conference location, nothing less than the beautiful Chateau of Mannheim. After the registration and the opening ceremony, the committee sessions started. My committee, the United Nations Security Council, discussed the matter of the Essequibo region, a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. A tough topic, one must say, that couldn’t be more relevant, currently residing before the International Court of Justice. On the first evening, the social was situated at the Bar Luxx. The bar itself was a very modern and inviting location with two floors, allowing for engaging conversation and providing the perfect opportunity to get to know our fellow delegates. Having an open bar, the social offered everyone their favorite drinks.

On the second day, the debates got more heated, clearly showing the controversy behind the issue and the very different geopolitical interests of the countries in the Security Council. Between the committee sessions, we were provided with coffee, snacks, and amazing pizza, allowing us to power through a day of negotiating and get a small break from the intense debates. They also enabled us to get to know our fellow delegates, which I enjoyed a lot. In the evening, the Delegates’ Ball was hosted in the catacombs of the Mannheim Chateau – both a remarkable and historic place. Having the chance to dress up full scale, Heidelberg showed up in full glam and had a carefree evening, dancing the night away, talking to the other delegates, and fully embracing the MUN spirit.

Sunday was the last day of committee sessions and concluded with the closing and award ceremony. With two strong draft resolutions, the UNSC had made great progress but sadly wasn’t able to find a final common ground, with both resolutions being vetoed by one of the permanent members of the council. But as our Chair Carla expressed later at the award ceremony, this is the most realistic result the UNSC could have achieved, resembling the very different political views currently delving the globe. The award ceremony rewarded our efforts in the last days, granting Heidelberg with four honorable mentions. At this point, I would like to thank my amazing Chairs Carla and Alp. Due to their very down-to-earth, warm, and extremely competent character, they have made this conference a one-of-a-kind experience. A great thank you to you both!

Having made new friends and great memories, MAMUN was an unforgettable experience. After enjoying the conference a lot, we are very much looking forward to visiting Mannheim once more for their next conference in 2025. We further want to thank the MAMUN Society for this memorable experience and can only extend our warmest gratitude to both Clarissa Perisse and Damian Vassilev who, with their team, made this beautiful conference work.