Dear Delegates,

On behalf of the Secretariat it is my pleasure to invite you to the fourth annual Essex International Model United Nations Conference (MUNEX 2011) held at the University of Essex from the 28th to 30th January 2011.

Once again, MUNEX is partnering with the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, renowned for its world class human rights research and practice and the presence of eminent names such as Professor John Packer, Sir Nigel Rodley and many others. Due to this unique collaboration MUNEX has, since its first edition, focused primarily on human rights issues. The distinctive format of MUNEX includes the simulation of the Human Rights Council accompanied by a large variety of panels/workshops led by international experts around the conference theme. This allows delegates the opportunity to deepen their knowledge as well as gain real life insight on the issues.

This year MUNEX will elaborate on the emerging theme of "Responsibility to Protect: Keeping the Peace in the 21st Century". In recent years the UN Security Council (SC) has increasingly taken an interest in human rights issues, especially when dealing with peacekeeping and conflict resolution matters. Therefore we have decided to reflect this change in the global agenda and enlarge our conference by offering the simulation of the UN Security Council in addition to our traditional simulation of the UN Human Rights Council.

The MUNEX 2011 conference will also be part of the Holocaust Memorial Week at the University of Essex. In this context on Thursday 27th January, MUNEX will host a special panel discussion whereby experts from fields such as History, Philosophy and Law will reconstruct the development of the principle of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), from the Second World War to modern times. This event will serve as a launching point for the discussions during the conference on the role of the R2P doctrine in the modern legal framework.

MUNEX has always been a conference where delegates' needs are taken into consideration. Included in the GBP20 registration fee are all lunches as well as tea/coffee throughout the conference. A social package will also be available for purchase which includes entrance to our Global Village-International Food Night and after party on Friday, as well as a formal committee dinner on Saturday. We also offer accommodation for the cost of GBP5 per night, which is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration is now open. Please visit http://www.munex.org/registration/ to register or find us on Facebook (MUNEX 2011).

We are looking forward to meeting you in January 2011!

Yours sincerely,

Alice Lixi
Secretary General
MUNEX 2011