“MUN Command has made it easier for chairs. It is very demure.”

When I applied to chair EuroMUN, I expected to dive into the European Parliament. But things took an exciting turn, and I found myself in NATO and the Council of the EU as a guest speaker instead, alongside some unforgettable colleagues. One of the standouts was Alexios. I remember how he laughed and called me “the best Türkiye ever” at NATO. Maybe you'll see me representing Türkiye as a diplomat in another MUN. For now, those memories with Alexios are what linger.

During our chat, Alexios had just completed his bachelor’s degree in International and European Studies in Athens—literally during the interview. He was already finishing an internship at the Hellenic Foreign Office, so he had a lot going on. What always strikes me about these MUN interviews is how many stories these seasoned participants have to share. With seven years of MUN under his belt, Alexios has been doing this since high school. His school even had a subject focused on international relations and the status of the world, leading them to participate in a MUN. They prepped by visiting embassies, which, in his words, was “kind of cool.”

Alexios recalled being on a committee full of veterans, some of whom had started MUNs as early as 12. Despite the initial intimidation, he found his groove. His best advice? “Don’t pretend to be someone else and just speak.” He emphasised not being afraid to speak up or ask questions and shared something we agreed on: 

For advanced committees, he had some solid advice. He stressed the importance of understanding veto power in the UNSC—if you don’t, it’s like disrespecting the committee’s work. In NATO, he explained, it’s not about drafting resolutions with clauses but more like releasing press statements that represent the organisation’s position. If you’re not part of the P5 in the UNSC, he advised lobbying between them to set your objectives.

Alexios has also ventured into MUNs in Greek and is considering doing one in French. The Rules of Procedure initially confused him, but he eventually figured it out. When writing position papers, his strategy is simple: focus on the facts about your country (avoid the negative ones) and present three concrete solutions. “A simple document is better,” he remarked.

As a chair, Alexios had a separate set of tips. “In elections within the committee, be very clear about what’s been done recently,” he advised, adding that last-minute changes are the worst, so clear communication is crucial.

Alexios is the Secretary General of the University of Piraeus MUN Society. He handles logistics like delegation forms, organising events, and managing the society’s internal workings. It’s pretty different from his previous role as President, where he had to make significant decisions, build partnerships, and oversee the society’s image. “Being President is more about energy, visibility, and making strategic decisions for the society,” he explained.

With such a rich organisational background, Alexios also served as a delegations manager, choosing topics for training sessions and dealing with allocations. In Greece, delegation managers have to match people to topics, which he jokingly compared to a “catfight.”

Alexios also participated in EUropa.S., a conference similar to MUN but focused on European committees. He explained that while they try to simulate the real workings of the EU, it’s no easy task. I will want to participate in it at some as I have an academic background in European Studies.

He’s a fan of mymun, particularly its cheat sheet that explains all the concepts. He said mymun has simplified applying to MUNs, making the process more convenient. He also appreciated the introduction of MUN Command in Greece, describing the software as “very simple to use.”

On a lighter note, Alexios recounted some funny moments, like his goofy faces in pictures photographers snapped during conferences. He also reminisced about the PIMUN gossip box, where delegates would sneakily write in their notebooks instead of the provided papers, and he could figure out who wrote what.

Looking back, MUN has helped him refine his public speaking skills and introduced him to people from all walks of life

he said, reflecting on how interacting with different cultures helps you realise your country isn’t the centre of the universe. It’s that broader understanding that makes the experience so valuable.

Ultimately, a formal interview with Alexios became a fun exchange full of MUN memories and laughter. With his sharp wit and endless stories, it’s clear he’s a master of both diplomacy and humour. As for me, I’m just hoping he invites me back to one of his committees as Türkiye—because let’s be honest, no MUN is complete without a little of Türkiye statements, and I’m more than happy to deliver!