“The best of MUN is dress up and meet with your friends.”

Surprisingly, I’ve never attended a MUN in Spain, which is wild, considering I was born there and how much I love it! I mean, I kicked off my MUN journey in the Netherlands during university, but I’m always up for attending a conference, especially something like MUNUSAL. To dive into the MUN culture in Spain, I chatted with Sebastián Cuevas, the current president of MUNUSAL

Sebastián is a 23-year-old Venezuelan from Caracas. He moved to Panamá in 2010 and has been navigating the MUN world ever since. He said, “For my first conference, I borrowed a tie and suit from my dad. I was just 10 years old!” He mentioned that MUN is very active in Latin America, especially at the school level, and noted how much he loved the competitive spirit it brings.

Interestingly, Sebastián got into MUN because of his brother. He recalled how they both ended up chairing together in Panamá. He also founded a MUN club at his school, teaching students aged 12 to 16. “Now I’m studying Politics and Public Administration in Salamanca, Spain,” he said, reflecting on how his journey has shaped his academic path.

When I asked him about advice for first-timers, he emphasised the core purpose of MUN: 

As the president of MUNUSAL 2025, Sebastián shared that his role differs significantly from that of the Secretariat. “There’s a clear division between chairs, the Secretary-General, and the deputy,” he explained. His responsibilities include organising committees and overseeing the entire conference, focusing on logistics, promoting debate, and managing international communications.

Sebastián highlighted the importance of ensuring everyone has a good time in organising a conference. “It’s about creating a memorable experience,” he said. He stressed the need to focus on inclusivity and dietary requirements and emphasised that social events are a key part of their conferences. 

With 22 people involved, he pointed out that keeping open lines of communication is crucial to managing all the tasks effectively.Sebastián also shared how mymun has been a game-changer for him. “It’s a fantastic platform! After 10 years in the MUN world, it really helps you see all the conferences, apply easily, and manage applications. It broadens your scope and allows you to connect with MUNs worldwide,” he remarked, appreciating how intuitive the platform is for organising events.

Having chaired several conferences, including MUNUSAL 2023 and UEMUN 2024, he also found MUN Command incredibly helpful. “It makes everything so streamlined,” he said, mentioning how he used to set a timer and track motions in Excel. 

Sebastián shared some practical tips for aspiring chairs. “The key is to remember that people are still learning the rules of procedure at these conferences. I try to be flexible and dynamic to ensure everyone has a good time,” he advised. He believes a bit of humour can go a long way in making the experience enjoyable while emphasising the importance of preparation.

When I asked about his favourite committee, Sebastián didn’t hesitate to mention the UNSC.

He also gave me some insight into the MUN culture in Spain, noting that there’s much more international representation here than other European MUNs. “It adds a unique flavor!” he commented enthusiastically.

On a lighter note, I couldn’t resist asking about his favourite MUN meme. He chuckled, saying he loves the classic image of everyone dressed in suits and ties while sharing wildly different opinions. “I enjoy getting to know people from all over—there’s something interesting about discussing these topics!” he said.

Looking ahead, Sebastián reflected on how MUN has shaped his skills for the future. “It’s helped me with drafting documents and using a more technical writing style, which I feel confident about,” he explained. However, he’s clear about his career path, stating, “I prefer not to pursue a political or diplomatic career.”

So, I’ve been thinking maybe it’s time to return to my home country to indulge in churros, catch up with family and dive into the MUN scene there. Sebastián has been nudging me to attend next year’s MUNUSAL, and who knows? I might just show up as a delegate! It sounds like an incredible opportunity to connect with the vibrant MUN community in Spain, and I’m here for it. I have my fingers crossed that I can make it happen!