EuroMeme: Conference Communication Core

For Generation Z, memes are a piece of communication that not only serves as discourse, but a cultural memory. Memes illustrate contemporary socio political ongoings. They are the artefacts of digital culture, and in this year's EuroMUN, memes appear to be a pillar of the conference. 

In the dark, cold, isolated corner of the International Press Corps (IPC), when we are not running from session to session, sometimes the only intel we have on the committee's goings-on is a meme begging Chair Lena to stop hitting the gavel so hard. 

The padlet created for this EuroMUN is prolific, with over 300 contributors and regular updates. It’s not only this year’s EuroMUN, but memes are “essential for all MUNs”, says a head of the EuroMUN team. One meme even supports this sentiment.

Memes not only spark conversation amongst the delegates but also inform us of inter-committee gossip. How else would we know about the beef between ECOSOC and DISEC if not for the early morning invasion and the persistent Padlet war?

It is also now a precedent that most sessions open with a five-to-ten-minute meme debrief. Although this can be divisive, like how Rwanda appears to stand in opposition to the entire committee in UNHSC, it also creates a common ground against the delegates from diverse backgrounds. These online jokes have long since transformed from mere visual humour to a form of cultural economy. It also has a participatory function, which serves to make it an accessible and low-barrier form of creation.

On the other hand, whilst memes are foundational for gossip and light-hearted communication within MUNs, is there a downside to the meme culture? 

During the second day of sessions, the delegate from Angola was exposed for making memes rather than engaging in debates on international stability. The delegate spent more than one hour crafting memes rather than discussing the African Union’s security framing; they were reported to be “out-of-touch” with the ongoings of the session.

The delegate did not have the chance to respond to this allegation, as they were absent on the third day of the conference. Perhaps they were home, furthering their pursuit of the best meme. 

Controversy has also arisen regarding the circulation of memes. During the third day of the conference, an inappropriate meme was published and quickly removed on the African Union committee.

Additionally, an off-hand comment was made by a chair in the hall, in which they remarked, “I’m meme making while they’re debating”, referring to their committee. This chair suggested that the conversation during the session was so banal that they had to “create some gossip”.  

“Writing the Perfect MUN Opening Speech” (Turkey, ECOSOC)

Either way, the memes are here to stay. They keep the conference entertaining at the best of times and a distraction at worst. However, memes are not just funny quips, but also a valuable form of cultural discourse and expression. When the MUN ceases tomorrow afternoon, there will be no evidence the conference has occurred at all,  other than memories and memes.