FAO UN Model Programme – Rome
The Model UN Program
In July 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Luiss Guido Carli University launched a new partnership, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting food and nutrition security, sustainability, inclusiveness, and the resilience of agri-food systems.
As part of this agreement, Luiss organizes an annual Model UN, a program that engages students from around the world. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the world of the United Nations and deepen your understanding of the FAO, its founding principles, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The project is hosted by the World Food Forum (WFF), a global, independent network of young partners, supported and coordinated by the FAO. Established in 2021, the WFF aims to mobilize the younger generation to transform agri-food systems, contributing to achieving the SDGs and building a more equitable and sustainable food future. It is the leading international forum dedicated to gathering and leveraging the contributions of young people through ideas, proposals, and concrete actions in the fields of innovation, science, and technology.
Learn more about the FAO-Luiss United Nations Model Programme (UNMP) in an interview with Professor Daniela Corona, a faculty member at the Luiss School of Law and the project coordinator.
Program objectives
Through the Model UN, Luiss University aims to equip students with the essential tools to navigate the complex landscape of international relations, with a particular focus on organizations like the FAO that play a crucial role on the global stage. The program also aims to raise participants' awareness of the link between food security and climate change, encouraging informed and thoughtful reflection.
Given the significant participation of international students, an additional goal is to build a global network of well-prepared and informed young people who can actively contribute to public debate in their countries and promote an integrated vision of sustainability as a key component of human security.
Project structure
The Model UN is divided into three phases, all spread out over a month.
- First phase – Online training
It includes about 20 hours of remote lessons taught by Luiss faculty and FAO experts on topics relevant to both the simulation and FAO's activities in general. The program is enriched with selected modules from the FAO Academy e-learning platform.
- Second phase – In-person activities
It takes place over four days on the Luiss campuses in Rome. Students receive specific training on how FAO’s governing bodies operate, the role of Member States within the Council, and negotiation dynamics. They are also introduced to diplomatic techniques, with a particular focus on negotiation skills and public communication. Participants are required to draft a document that will serve as the foundation for negotiations and will be evaluated by the academic team (faculty, tutors, etc.).
- Third phase – Final simulation at the FAO
The actual simulation takes place during the main event of the World Food Forum, at the FAO headquarters. After completing the training and submitting their document, the students will simulate a session of the FAO Council on a topic related to the WFF. Each participant will be assigned a Member State to represent in advance. The goal will be to discuss, negotiate, and vote on one or more submitted proposals. Activities will alternate between formal and informal negotiation sessions.
Throughout the entire program, students will be supported by tutors provided by Luiss University.
In 2023, Luiss University successfully organized a new edition of the Model UN in collaboration with the FAO.
The chosen theme was “The Great Climate Migration”: a remarkable simulation of the FAO Council, convened urgently in response to a massive migration crisis triggered by the effects of El Niño in East African countries. The students worked on a decision proposal to address the crisis.
Alessandro Bruneau, who played the role of the FAO Secretary-General in the simulation, said:
“Participating in the FAO Model UN at Luiss was an intense experience, full of inspiration and encounters with extraordinary people driven by a genuine passion for diplomacy. My sincere thanks go to the organizers for the care and precision with which the event was put together. A memorable experience that celebrates the power of collaboration and the potential of future generations.”
In 2024, the chosen theme was “The true cost of food security,” inspired by the FAO report “True cost accounting applications for agrifood systems policymakers,” published alongside “The State of Food and Agriculture 2023.”
A group of FAO Council Member States requested that an item be added to the agenda to address the hidden costs of agri-food systems, particularly those related to climate change, ecosystem degradation, the precariousness of workers in the sector, and health issues linked to food. The simulation then led participants to discuss the dysfunctionality of agri-food systems and its global repercussions.
In 2025, the event will once again be jointly organized by the FAO and Luiss University.
The theme chosen for the new edition is:
“South-South and Triangular Cooperation – Sharing Experiences and Fostering Collaborative Innovation”
According to the FAO's SOFI 2024 report, around 750 million people experience hunger, while millions more suffer from various forms of malnutrition, including stunted growth, undernourishment, and obesity. Furthermore, the cost of a healthy diet remains out of reach for over 3 billion people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where food systems are often fragile and underdeveloped.
Despite the challenges, many countries in the Global South have demonstrated resilience and innovation in their fight against food insecurity. Their experiences serve as commendable examples, offering insights that can be shared and applied in other contexts as well. Within this framework, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) has established itself as a strategic and inclusive tool for development cooperation.
Recognizing its potential, some FAO Council members have proposed adding an agenda item to explore how to expand SSTC programs. The goal is to support countries in achieving SDG2 and transitioning to sustainable, equitable, and resilient agri-food systems.
The 2025 program will kick off on September 15 with online training. The final simulation at FAO HQ will take place on October 16.
Project Manager
Daniela Corona, Project Manager
Professor Daniela Corona is an adjunct professor of European Union Law in the Department of Law at Luiss Guido Carli, where she also serves as the scientific coordinator of the LL.M. in Food Law and is in charge of the Model UN Program.
Previously, she taught at the College of Europe in Bruges and was a researcher at the Robert Schuman Center of the European University Institute in Florence, where she earned her doctorate in law in 2011. She also worked as a legal advisor at the European Parliament in Brussels. She has authored numerous papers on European institutions and policies, and regularly teaches EU law, food safety regulation, and European sustainability policies in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Italy and abroad. As an expert, the professor also contributes to the evaluation of projects funded by the European Union on behalf of the European Commission.
Applications
To participate in Model UN 2025, you must be formally enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program.
You must complete the application form in full and attach the specified documents. Please note that admission is not guaranteed due to the initiative’s selective nature.
Participation is completely free. Students who complete the training program and participate in the simulation will receive an official certificate.
Key dates:
- Registration opens: June 30, 2025
- Registration deadline: July 30, 2025
- Notification of admissions: September 1, 2025
- Online training starts: September 15, 2025
- Final simulation at FAO HQ: October 16, 2025