A Model United Nations simulation as a catalyst for experiential learning in higher education

This opinion piece argues for the transformative value of Model United Nations (MUN) simulations, particularly SimONU, in higher education as a powerful means for experiential learning, global citizenship education, and Learning Development. Drawing on observations from the SimONU event hosted by a European higher education institution in partnership with the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), the article highlights the pedagogical, social, and developmental benefits of engaging students in structured, role-based international diplomacy. This piece is grounded in educational theory and explores how such simulations foster essential skills including research, negotiation, collaboration, and critical thinking in higher education contexts, while simultaneously offering inclusive, context-rich learning environments. The piece concludes with a call for broader integration of experiential, globally oriented pedagogies within higher education to better prepare students for the complexities of a multipolar, interdependent world.