IRCMUN is an academic simulation of the United Nations, designed to engage students in global affairs, diplomacy, and the art of negotiation. Established in 2024, it is the result of a dynamic collaboration between students, educators, and alumni of the 9th Middle School of Athens and the 1st Model High School of Athens—two schools with a strong tradition in public speaking, Model United Nations, and trial-based educational programs.
Hosted annually in the heart of historic Athens, at the premises of the 9th Middle School in Thiseio, IRCMUN brings together young minds from across Greece and beyond for four days of high-level debate, critical thinking, and cross-cultural exchange. Participants step into the roles of diplomats and leaders, tackling real-world issues through structured dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
With a growing reputation for academic quality, inclusivity, and innovation, IRCMUN is more than just a conference—it is a platform for future changemakers.
Join us in shaping the next generation of global citizens.
My name is Eirini Bompolou and I am the Head of the 9 th Middle School of Athens and Director of the IRC MUN conference. This conference is neither the beginning nor the end of my efforts to spread the MUN culture among the students of any ordinary Greek school.
About ten years ago, when I was working in a High School in the centre of Athens, with the help of an intern from Malaysia and the support of the headmaster and some colleagues, we organised a public speaking tournament for the whole school, that showed me how thrilled the students were to discover the power of developing their abilities in persuading others. It also made me realise that offering them guidance on how to do so would be a challenging but rewarding task. Since then, I have been experimenting with various forms of rhetoric such as public speaking, debate, “TEDed Student talks” and different kinds of simulations such as the MUN, inside the classroom and in after-school clubs. My students loved everything, but they adored the MUN, since the first conference that we took part in. A community started to be formed. Luckily enough, my colleague Ms Ntoupa, who taught in the High School, where my learners continued their studies, offered them the opportunity to further develop their oracy both in English and Greek, through similar school clubs and the students kept participating in MUN conferences, becoming chairs, helping me with training other students and the community kept growing bigger.
I have always believed that by enhancing the students’ rhetorical abilities and offering them the opportunity to interact with each other in meaningful contexts, by helping them develop their argumentative skills, by guiding them to research about what issues the world is currently facing and reach diplomatic solutions could probably be as valuable as hundreds of teaching hours. Let’s not forget that English is used as a “lingua franca” and as a means to negotiate and advance the students’ critical skills, while they develop their fluency and become experts in using formal language. Therefore, I started dreaming of spreading the MUN culture even further by organizing a conference accessible to everyone, offering the opportunity to any student to take part for free, or at least with a minimum cost, and gain the opportunity to add a powerful asset in their CV. But the conditions were not right until I undertook the post of the Head of this school, and I discovered that the vision of organizing an MUN conference was shared not only by other teachers, but by some of the students of the community that had been shaped. Of course, in order to be brought to life and the IRCMUN needed a shared passion and a lot of work and I feel grateful to all of the people who put their efforts in it.
I wish you have a great time and that you get the most of it, and I hope that you will also be engrossed in the world of MUN!
My name is Evangelia Ntoupa and I work as a philologist in the 1st Model High School of Athens. Being one of the Directors of the Conference I feel honoured to be part of the fantastic IRCMUN team and to evolve as a teacher and as a human and deeply passionate about creating opportunities for students to engage with global issues and develop essential skills for their future.
I chose this role because I believe Model United Nations is more than just a simulation – it is a precious tool which helps young people learn to think critically, speak confidently, and collaborate effectively. Through MUN, students gain valuable experience in research, negotiation, and public speaking. They learn to see complex issues from different perspectives, develop leadership qualities, and strengthen their problem-solving abilities.
My goal is to ensure that every participant feels supported and inspired throughout the conference and to create an environment where students not only deepen their understanding of diplomacy and international relations but also build lasting friendships and networks.
Negotiating, in any case, is the fundamental stone of our democracy but in order to comprehend the meaning of the term we have to make it real in our everyday life. This is what I expect from the IRCMUN Conference 2026 and I assure all of you that we will do our best trying to have a fruitful and a constructive MUN simulation.
Efthalia Argyri
Hello everyone,
I’m Efthalia Argyri, and I am truly honored to serve as the President of the Executive Board for IRCMUN 2026.
After years of participating in and helping shape this conference from various roles, stepping into this position feels like both a responsibility and a privilege. IRCMUN has never just been about debate—it’s about growth, leadership, and the shared effort of building something meaningful from the ground up.
As President of the Executive, my mission is to ensure that every part of this conference reflects our values: excellence, inclusion, and innovation. I’m proud to be working alongside a passionate team of executives, GA and chairs, who are committed to offering each of you a platform not only to speak—but to be heard, challenged, and inspired.
Whether this is your first MUN or your tenth, know that this space is yours to explore ideas, push boundaries, and connect with people who care as deeply as you do about our world. Let’s raise the standard even higher this year—and make IRCMUN 2026 an experience none of us will forget.
Here’s to bold thinking, brave voices, and brilliant collaboration.
Christina Liakou
Hello everyone!
My name is Christina Liakou and this year I have the great pleasure of serving as the President of the General Assembly for this beloved conference, IRCMUN! Some facts about myself are that I am 20 years old, I study law at the University of Athens and I have been involved with Model UN for a whopping six (6!!!!) years now!
Model UN has played a huge role in my life. I have met tons of people, made strong friendships, exchanged ideas and gained a bunch of hard and soft skills through this community! I feel that it is truly a rewarding experience, that has a lot to offer to anybody that wishes to take the leap!
Together we will have 4 amazing days filled with fruitful debates, academic challenges and of course a lot of fun! I am beyond excited to be a part of something so beautiful and I honestly cannot wait to meet each and everyone of you!
Vasiliki Ntalla
Hello everyone!
I’m Vasiliki Ntalla , I’m 19 years old and I study law at the National and Capodistrian University of Athens. I’m most proud to be part of the IRCMUN conference for the third time in a row, and I feel honored to serve as the Vice President of the Executive Board for this year’s conference . Over the past seven years, Model United Nations has been more than just an activity for me—it’s been a journey of growth, collaboration, and meaningful connections. In this role, I work alongside a dedicated team to create enriching experiences for all participants. I find joy in mentoring new members, guiding them through their MUN journey, and witnessing their development into confident, thoughtful leaders. Beyond the logistics, what truly drives me is the shared passion for diplomacy and the opportunity to learn from each other. I believe in the power of dialogue and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives, and I strive to bring these values into every aspect of our work. I'm excited to continue this journey with all of you and look forward to the impactful discussions and experiences we'll share together. Let the debate begin!
Poulakis Michail
Hello there!
My name is Poulakis Michail. I am an undergraduate student at the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. This year, I will have the pleasure to serve as Secretary of the General Assembly, amongst some of my dearest friends. I wish you all the best and I am looking forward to meeting you all.
Despoina Lymperopoulou
As Secretary of the Executives for IRCMUN, I am honored to contribute to the organization of one of the most dynamic and engaging MUN conferences in the region. With a deep passion for diplomacy, international relations, and team leadership, I am committed to upholding the values of collaboration, professionalism, and innovation that define IRCMUN. Together with an exceptional team, we aim to provide delegates with an unforgettable experience that fosters critical thinking, global awareness, and meaningful dialogue.
I look forward to welcoming you to IRCMUN and sharing this incredible journey with you.
Melina Gioti
Greetings!
My name is Melina Gioti and I am 16 years old. I have a variety of hobbies and things that I like, one of which is participating in MUNs, but I like drawing and doing Kick boxing as well. This year, I am having the honour to be the Secretary General of the General Assembly of 2025 IRCMUN and I hope that we will have an unforgettable time! Can’t wait to meet you!
Olga Charvalia
Hello everyone!
I'm Olga Charvalia, and I am a member of the executive's team for this year's IRCMUN conference. I am very proud to be a part of this conference since it first began, and to see it flourish and grow, becoming better every year.
By participating in MUN conferences myself, I realised the importance of dialogue, debate and cooperation. Through discussing global issues, and playing the part of representatives of countries in the UN, MUN conferences teach us to take initiative, try new things regardless of how well they turn out. I hope our conference offers this opportunity to all of you, and I can only tell you to make the most of it. Don't be afraid to take risks. I can't wait to meet you all in March, and see the unique ideas you have to bring!
Irene Mourtzini
Hi everyone!
My name is Irene Mourtzini. I am 19 years old and I study Architecture Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi. This year, I will be part of the IRCMUN conference for the second time. It is an honor to be part of this year’s conference. I have been participating in Model United Nations conferences for about 4 years now and I have to say every conference has been a new journey, through which I learned many lessons, such as collaboration, diplomatic skills, as well as made new connections with people from all around the globe. In this year’s conference, I will be working along a super organised and passionate team to provide all of our members a wonderful experience they won’t forget. I enjoy helping out delegates navigate through the conference and help them have as much fun as they can while developing communication skills and becoming canning diplomates. All in all, I am thrilled to meet you all and make memories with all of you. See you soon!
Panagiotis Tsakyris
Hello there!
My name is Panagiotis Tsakyris, I'm 18 years old and I'm beyond honored and grateful to serve as the President of the Crisis and member of the executives in the IRCMUN 2026. Having participated in numerous MUN conferences over the years—both as a delegate and a chair—I am thrilled to be taking on this new role as an executive for the first time.
Being part of this beguiling journey has taught me the true value of debate, dialogue and cooperation. Through the years, I’ve come to understand how meaningful it is to contribute to something as impactful as the IRC and I remain committed to helping it grow and thrive.My goal is to ensure that each and every one of you not only gains knowledge, but also discovers the joy of collaboration, the power of exchanging ideas, the importance of meeting new people and foremost the confidence to step out of your comfort zone. I hope this experience will inspire you to push your limits and strive for the best.
I wish you all have a truly unforgettable conference. Live it fully, engage deeply, and make memories that will last long after the closing ceremony. It's my pleasure to be part of the IRC and I am certain that together we can make this year's conference a resounding success, once again!
Let's have a lot of edifying debates, form lasting bonds and create indelible memories that we'll cherish forever!