The Georgetown International Relations Club, better known as IRC, hosts various international affairs-related events, including an annual pair of Model UN conferences. The club also includes Georgetown's own Model UN team.
History
Georgetown's International Relations Club was formed in 1936, led by history professor Dr. Tibor Kerekes1. The club was sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment2, which provided a small library for club use. The IRC met for the first time in March 19363.
The IRC first hosted an annual Model UN competition in 19644, an event that has since evolved into the popular NAIMUN conference.
Activities
IRC members staff two Model UN conferences in DC: NCSC and NAIMUN5. NCSC, held off-campus every October, is one of the largest collegiate Model UN conferences in the US6. Previously held on-campus at Georgetown, the event moved to an off-campus hotel in 20107. NAIMUN, typically held in the spring semester, is one of the world's largest student-run high school Model UN conferences and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 20138. IRC also includes Georgetown's Model UN team, which competes at Model UN tournaments9.
IRC features an academic programming sub-board, which plans a range of international relations programming for members10. IRC also offers a mentorship program for newer members, pairing them with returning IRC members for a series of events and outings11.
- 1"Dr. Tibor Kerekes Begins New Society." The Hoya. 15 January 1936.
- 2"Dr. Tibor Kerekes Begins New Society." The Hoya. 15 January 1936.
- 3"New International Relations Club Meets." The Hoya. 18 March 1936.
- 4Amene, Peter. "IRC, Philodemic Slated to Sponsor Model U.N. Meet." The Hoya. 16 April 1964.
- 5Georgetown International Relations Club, Conference Staffing. https://irc.modelun.org/conference-staffing.
- 6Georgetown International Relations Club, Conference Staffing. https://irc.modelun.org/conference-staffing.
- 7Levy, Stephen. "Diplomacy in Action: NCSC Execs Open Up." The Hoya. 9 November 2010.
- 8Ashley, Madison. "After 50 Years, NAIMUN Thrives." The Hoya. 18 February 2013.
- 9Georgetown International Relations Club, GUMUN. https://irc.modelun.org/gumun.
- 10Georgetown International Relations Club, Academic Programming. https://irc.modelun.org/academic-programming.
- 11Georgetown International Relations Club, Mentorship. https://irc.modelun.org/mentorship.
