THIMUN: Behind the Scenes

Since 1968, The Hague International Model United Nations, or more commonly referred to as THIMUN, has welcomed thousands of students to the World Forum. The doors open early to delegates and chairs pooling into the main lobby. To follow protocol for everyone to stay safe during their 9 to 5 positions, the security staff keeps a keen eye on entrants. Following the masses, each delegate roams the halls in search of their assigned rooms. Once everything starts to settle, the admins check badges, to ensure everyone is where they need to be. Also confirming that people stay on task during lobbying.

The permanent staff of the Hague office consists of the managing director and the conference manager. Esmeralda van der Hout has kept her position of managing director since 2020. During THIMUN she ensures that everything in the building is ready to use, from logistics to the microphones to the basic little things that are beyond one’s imagination. Van der Hout communicates with executive staff, student officers, Secretary General and collaborates with them as a team. 

Just like the participants of today’s THIMUN, she participated in the conference herself. “I started as an admin staff for The British School in the Netherlands, that’s where I was a student in High School.” After graduation, Van der Hout went to study Public Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam. While there, she was informed of an opening for the Conference Management position at THIMUN. She took this position part time and after leaving for a few years to try out different work opportunities, Van der Hout soon returned in 2019 and started working as Managing Director the year after that. Van Der Hout expressed that her favourite part of THIMUN is “working with the students, it’s part of what makes THIMUN, it’s really the most important part.”

After one conference, the board gets together and tries to focus on what the next theme will be, from there, the focus is to gather keynote speakers and invite schools. In preparation, she starts working with student officers six months prior, to build a relationship that can prosper over time. Logistics begin in October, where questions arise of how many people will attend and among other aspects, how many rooms are needed. Van der Hout collaborates with the World Forum staff, which she has known for many years now. “It’s like coming back home for THIMUN.” 

There are many important people who make this conference possible. Esmeralda Van der Hout alongside the board of directors, holds a significant role in the organization and success of THIMUN.  Delegates should not miss the chance to give thanks to Ms Van der Hout, if she is around.