What is the MUN event? How do the participants benefit from it and how can an event app improve this experience? These are the questions we will discuss together with Raffaele Bertino, one of the co-organisers of the EuroMUN. The EuroMUN is the largest continental MUN conference in Europe. We hope you enjoy reading. ?

LineUpr: Hello Raffaele. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Please introduce yourself and the EuroMUN.

Raffaele: My name is Raffaele. I am 20 years old, and I study Data Science & Knowledge Engineering at the University of Maastricht. As a challenge to myself, I decided to take part in the organization of the EuroMUN 2018 edition as Co- Secretary-General for Marketing. It turned out to be an amazing experience!

A Model United Nations (MUN) conference is a simulation of various international legal, political, economic, and social bodies. During a MUN, students take on the role of judges, diplomats, and ambassadors, representing different states or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). MUNs allow young people to experience the complexities of international relations with a focus on current events, historical developments as well as pressing (simulated) crises.

This year’s conference took place from 10th to 13th of May and the discussions were based on the theme: Shaping the Future from the Heart of Europe. The theme referred to the crucial role that Europe has had, and will continue to have in providing innovative ideas that are of utmost importance to the development of the societal standards of tomorrow.

LineUpr: How much time and work do you spend, on average, on the planning of the event?

Raffaele: The planning team consists of 33 members and we work for almost an entire year for the EuroMUN. On average, we invest about 4 hours a week. This is all done on a voluntary basis besides our studies.

LineUpr: What makes your event special? For example, we already had one of the HAMMUN organizers as a guest on this interview series. What sets the EuroMUN apart from HAMMUN? Spontaneously the EuroMUN sounds much bigger.

Raffaele: EuroMUN is the largest and most prestigious MUN conference in continental Europe. 500 delegates, 380 days of planning, 40 junior staff members, 30+ nationalities, 11 years of experience, 8 secretary members, 4 days, all within a conference of academic excellence: EuroMUN 2018. What makes the EuroMUN special are its high-quality debates, more than 13 interesting simulated committees and an unforgettable cultural and social experience. Over the past decade, the EuroMUN has become one of the most international and successful conferences in Europe. Every year more than 500 delegates, led by 50 chairpersons, visit the heart of Europe, Maastricht, where they spend 5 days with like-minded young adults and look for the most suitable solutions to pressing problems.

LineUpr: Have you already used event apps?

Raffaele: I’ve never used an app for our event. Previous organizational teams did not believe that such a system would have added value.

LineUpr: How did you use the LineUpr app before, during and after the EuroMUN?

Raffaele: We used the app mainly for the extensive schedule and general information about the conference. We tried all sorts of functions, including the polls.

The participants were informed about the app two weeks before the event via social media posts, emails, and posts in specific committee groups. We also advertised locally with a QR code.

During the conference, we also linked a lot of external information in the app, such as press releases.

LineUpr: How did your guests react to the app?

Raffaele: We asked for feedback on the app very often, and each time the response was very positive. Some mentioned that it would have been a great addition to have a chat room.

LineUpr: You mentioned earlier that you have not used an event app so far and that the organization team had not yet seen any added value in it. Why did you decide to use LineUpr now? How can MUN events benefit in general?

Raffaele: It makes logistics so much easier and communication very central. You can assume that the average person regularly looks at their smartphone. However, you cannot expect them to check their emails every minute or read our Facebook posts all the time. The app is a great way to reach everyone instantly. It is a reliable and convenient communication channel. Honestly, it has made our life so much easier.

LineUpr: Do you have three tips for other organizers in dealing with LineUpr?

Raffaele: Use the “Posts” feature during your event. It’s a great way to send updates!

Make sure you promote your LineUpr app well in advance of and during the conference. The people who attend your event have to understand the added value the app provides.

Use the built-in survey feature for different purposes. We used it for music requests during the social events, and we even had a gossip box!

LineUpr: Thank you for the great interview, Raffaele. The MUN events are a special enrichment for the social discourse.

We look forward to supporting you again next year with an event app.

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