Presentation of ILYMUN 2026
Emily Zavadil
From the 12th to the 14th of March 2026, the Hôtel de Région in Lyon will once again become the meeting point for the International Lyon Model United Nations (ILYMUN), where hundreds of students from all around the world will join to debate this year’s theme: “Justice In Motion: Building Trust, Protecting Rights”. Over the course of three days, delegates will take on the roles of diplomats, judges, and advocates, and debate some of the most important issues that shape our globe.
How does ILYMUN work?
ILYMUN, a conference majorly run by students, trains delegates to reflect on global issues and learn how cooperation and fair decision-making work through debating. It provides an environment where students can feel pressures similar to those that real policy makers face while deciding on international law. The committees of the conference are modeled after real United Nations bodies, from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to the Security Council. The process of the conference goes as such: delegates will represent assigned countries throughout the length of the conference and debate on resolutions. They will have to form opinions and submit amendments based on the national interests of their assigned country. At the end of the three days of the conference, the resolutions of each committee are finalized and submitted, later to be published by the official ILYMUN website.
A photo of day 3 of ILYMUN 2025, closing ceremony
What does “Justice in Motion: Building trust, Protecting rights” signify?
“Justice in motion” indicates that justice must accommodate to our changing times; governments and laws cannot be the same as they were 50 years ago, and as new conflicts, technologies, and global issues rise, the meaning of justice within governmental systems needs to adapt. Trust is the foundation of any international and national legal systems. In order for decisions to be made and upheld, individuals and communities must trust that the decisions are fair and unbiased and made with their best interests in mind. In addition, the whole point of justice within systems is to protect human rights. In today’s world, protecting rights is crucial, especially with the multitude of conflicts around the world which lead to the violation of basic human rights. Justice systems must evolve to hold violators accountable, defend international law, and make honest decisions.
Day 3 Voting UN Women Committee (ILYMUN 2025)
Conclusion
ILYMUN 2026 offers an opportunity to improve public speaking skills, connect with other students, and learn about the issues that our world is facing today. This year’s theme emphasizes that justice cannot remain stable; it must evolve to suit the continuously changing world around us. Laws must be modernized, human rights must be protected, and international organizations must behave fairly and with accountability to be trusted by citizens. By participating in this conference, delegates become diplomatically literate, ready to be responsible and educated global citizens, and more knowledgeable on how to build a better future for us all.