Essay Contest

Due January 16, 2026 to essaycontest@harvardmun.org.

Every year, HMUN invites delegates to partake in the optional essay contest to have a chance to be recognized at the closing ceremony and to receive special recognition. This contest is designed to help delegates improve their writing and argumentation skills. The details of this year’s contest are as follows:

Respond to one of the prompts below in 1,000 words or fewer:

  1. Describe a moment in your life that changed your perspective on global affairs and sparked an interest in international relations. Was it a book you read, an interaction with a classmate, a news report? Include the moment and analyze how it shaped you.

  2. Increased access to media (social media or traditional news media) has led to the spread of information on global issues. However, only a few issues dominate the world’s attention. What is one global issue you feel has not been addressed enough in the media? Explain the issue and why the world should shift its attention towards it.

  3. Discuss a resolution passed by the United Nations that you disagree with. It can be passed by any General Assembly or iteration of the Security Council in the history of the United Nations. Explain the resolution, what problem it aims to solve, and your argument for opposing it.

Essay guidelines and submission instructions:

  • 1,000 words or fewer

  • This essay should be an argumentative essay with a clear original thesis. Please do not write stories or dialogues.

  • No outside sources are necessary, however, if you do use them, please cite your sources.

  • Essays should be engaging and be sure to share your voice!

  • Essays should be written in size 12 Times New Roman font, double spaced in PDF format. No other formats of the essay will be accepted. Please do not include any pictures or borders in your submission

  • Essay heading should include your name, delegation name, faculty advisor name, and the number of the prompt that you are writing the essay for. We do not accept any submissions from delegates whose delegation is not attending this year’s HMUN.

  • All essays should be your original work — we will not accept any essays that is suspected of being written in full or partly by another person or artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT)

Please submit to essaycontest@harvardmun.org by January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST