HenMUN began as the idea of Max Kramer, a University of Delaware student, in 2011. After Max recruited his friends and a staff of dedicated Delaware students, the details for HenMUN I were finalized. HenMUN I was held in March of 2013. With over 350 delegates in attendance from across the country, HenMUN I was an overwhelming success, and it set the stage for all future HenMUN sessions.
Best Delegate called HenMUN “full of fresh ideas” and “incredibly well executed.” Centered on realism and providing delegates with a unique Model United Nations experience, HenMUN I presented unprecedented scenarios to the delegates of all committees, even non-crisis committees. Best Delegate wrote an article about the first HenMUN, and took hundreds of pictures of the event.
To build on the successes of HenMUN I, the HenMUN staff elected Gabi Schwartz, the previous year’s Under-Secretary-General for Specialized Agencies to be the HenMUN II Secretary-General. Gabi and her staff maintainined what was created during the first year and built on that success with new ideas for committees and logistics. HenMUN II was just as successful as the first edition of the conference with debate procedures developed by staff to make unique committees all the more realistic. New committees and improved relations made the HenMUN delegate experience one of the best and most innovative on the circuit.
HenMUN III was held under the leadership of Elyssa Abuhoff, who had seen both sides of the conference. She used this knowledge to bring new ideas to HenMUN. Small improvements to the conference weekend that built off of past advisor and delegate feedback were implemented to perfect the experience for all in attendance. The integration of different substantive organs provided an unparalleled experience for delegates. Unique committees discussed issues that were simultaneously being debated in real-world diplomatic meetings which provided students with an improved sense of realism. HenMUN III was also an outstanding success.
The HenMUN staff then elected Kevin Konzelman as the Secretary-General of HenMUN IV. As Director-General for HenMUN III, Kevin had extensive experience being at the head of the conference. He used his prior knowledge of the logistical and substantive planning that goes into the conference to better HenMUN in innovative ways, further growing HenMUN’s reputation on the Model UN circuit. HenMUN IV became the largest session of HenMUN attracting just over 500 delegates from 30 schools in 7 states.
Following the conclusion of HenMUN IV, the staff elected Chief of Staff Gerard Weir to be the Secretary-General for HenMUN V. HenMUN V became the first session of HenMUN to introduce a conference wide theme and also saw improvements to the delegate social experience including improvements to the Saturday night Delegate Dance and a new time and location for the Ice Cream Social. The delegates of HenMUN V fully embraced the theme of diplomacy and engaged in lively and diplomatic debate, making HenMUN V a great success.
HenMUN V Secretary-General Gerard Weir became the first HenMUN Secretary-General to have the privelage of serving a second term. Following his successful second term, Nick Konzelman lead a successful HenMUN VII in the winter of 2019. Our current Secretary-General, Kaleigh Shupp is excited to continue the successes of her predecessors and make HenMUN VIII the best instalment of our conference yet.