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KUNA Overview
The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is a 3-day, experiential-learning conference in which students participate directly in simulated international diplomacy. KUNA offers students the opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with a wide variety of perspectives and global issues.
All KUNA 2026 activities will take place at the Crown Plaza in Louisville, Kentucky. (Some participants will be housed at nearby hotels).
ATTENTION ADVISORS:
SUBMIT YOUR KUNA INTENT TODAY!
Watch this short video on how to submit your intent.
Don't have access to the Advisor Portal? Need help submitting an intent? Reach out to your Director of Program Outreach.
Before requesting countries in your intent, please check out our list of available countries per conference: MS Reserved Countries List and HS Reserved Countries List.
Disclaimer: Special programs like chairperson and doorkeeper roles have limited availability and are not guaranteed. Priority will be given to those who register earlier when needed.
Conference Dates and Deadlines
** Please note, ACT testing may take place during the KUNA conference season.
2026 KUNA Conference Fees
STUDENT FEES
$290 for Student Y Members in rooms of 4-5 | $300 for Non-Members in rooms of 4-5
For student rooms of 3 or less, an additional fee of $139 will automatically be added to your invoice.
ADVISOR FEES
$155 for Advisors with Shared Room | $300 for Advisors with Private Room
Advisors may receive $155 discount for every 15 students registered for their conference.
Student Program Areas and Roles
At KUNA, students will participate in one of the Program Areas listed below at the Assembly based on their grade and experience. These Program Areas align with the UN Principal Organs (PDF) and each area is led by Presiding and Supporting Officers, with a variety of Ambassador Roles available to participants.
Use of AI at KUNA
Due to the increased use of AI, the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association recognizes the valuable role AI can play in enhancing learning and streamlining tasks. We encourage our students to rely on their own creativity and critical thinking when writing speeches, bills/resolutions, and developing materials for KYA and KUNA. Using AI tools for inspiration or research is fine, but we believe that the most impactful work comes from personal effort, originality, and genuine engagement with the material. By doing so, you’ll not only hone your skills but also create authentic content that reflects your unique voice and perspective.
Officer Positions | Elected and Assigned Positions
Presiding Officers are Student Y members elected from candidates or chosen by their program area to serve as Assembly leadership. They are assisted by Supporting Officers to ensure that their respective Program Areas are running smoothly. All Officers are supported by YMCA professionals, advisors, alumni, and parent volunteers. Specific roles can be found below in each of the related program areas.
Students interested in running for an elected Presiding Officer position should visit the Candidate and Election page to declare and review guidelines in preparation for their campaigns.
All students interested in leadership positions are encouraged to attend the Leadership Training Conference. This conference allows students to engage with other students from around the state and grow their skills in relationship building, empathy, leadership, and community.
Secretariat Research Commission (SRC) - resolution sponsors will be able to meet with Presiding Officers over Zoom to get feedback on their resolutions and ensure they're in the correct format. All resolutions that meet proper formatting guidelines will be given the SRC Seal of Approval on their KUNA resolution in their conference resolution book! Resolutions must be submitted by the registration deadline to be eligible for the SRC seal.
UN General Assembly | HS & MS | All Students Eligible
The primary organ of the UN, and the largest program area at KUNA – Ambassadors research, write, and debate resolutions on international policy issues. Delegations can sponsor 1 resolution in the UN General Assembly for each country they are representing.
Representing Countries
Each delegation selects the country or countries they choose to represent on a first-come, first-served basis as part of the KUNA Registration process. Please review the country representation chart, linked below, to know how many countries your school can represent. Note that students in special programs do not count toward your total ambassador numbers (see chart for more information).
Presiding Officers
President of United Nations General Assembly
Supporting Officers
Committee Chairs / Vice Presidents
Delegate Roles
Ambassadors
Resolution Sponsors (1-4 per res.)
UN Security Council | HS & MS | Gr. 7-8, 10-12, 1 or 2* teams of 1-3 students per delegation
The UN Security Council is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. At conference, each Security Council team will address 3 issues pertaining to international security in a specialized debate format. Teams will work together to draft and present resolutions. Teams will also participate in a Crisis Scenario, which is revealed at conference.
Presiding Officers
President of United Nations Security Council
Supporting Officers
Director of Security Council Affairs
Delegate Roles
United Nations Security Council Representative (1 per country)
Intl. Court of Justice (ICJ) | HS Only | Gr. 10-12, 1 team of 1-3 students per delegation
A first-come, first-served program area that mediates disputes between UN member states and provides advice on issues relating to international law. Students will research and present pre-assigned case arguments
Presiding Officers
ICJ Presidents (2)
Supporting Officers
ICJ Members of the Court (4)
ICJ Registrar**
Delegate Roles
UNSC Rep. (1 per country)
** must be in 12th grade to register, ICJ experience preferred
UN Secretariat | HS & MS | Gr. 7-8, 10-12
The Secretariat serves as the executive branch and has an important role in setting the agenda and implementation of UN decision-making bodies. Students will advise the Presiding Officer team on policy and legal issues related to resolutions presented by the General Assembly.
Presiding Officers
Secretary General
Deputy Sec. General
Supporting Officers
Sec. Gen. Chief of Staff
Under-Secs.-Gen. (7)
Delegate Roles
NGO Representatives
Media Corps | HS Only | Gr. 10-12, 2* per delegation
Media delegates craft compelling news stories on important Assembly topics. Students can find themselves working in written journalism, social media, photo journalism, and broadcast journalism.
*Assistant Editors count toward a delegation's total Media Corps delegate number
Presiding Officers
Editor-in-Chief
Supporting Officers
Assistant Editor(s)
Delegate Roles
Media Delegates
What Students Have to say ...
"Some of the greatest gifts you will receive will come from one of the most unexpected places. As a perfectionist, every homework assignment and every school project had to be near perfection. I spent hours on homework over the years, and while most of my elementary school and middle school years were manageable, I began to develop severe stress, anxiety, and depression. Things became harder to complete, I became uninterested in activities I once enjoyed, and most of all, I started distancing myself from others. Y conferences were something I decided to stick with however. The Y has given me something I never imagined I could receive: a second familY. With you guys, I’ve been able to truly express myself and show who I am. We, as a conference, are supportive of each other and teach each other lessons we may have not found elsewhere. You all are a gift, and a blessing to know."
MATEO - KUNA PARTICIPANT
"When I look back on my time at the Y it’s been both one of the most enlightening experiences and also one of the most humbling. I found that this was truly a place that accepts everyone for who they are and embraces the weird side of everyone and everything. I found that at Y-Conferences how to overcome loss and how to talk to people. I learned how to speak in front of huge crowds and how ideas become a law. I found out how to shape beliefs I have into tangible actions and how to shape the world around me. Even though this is all fake, it does truly lead to real change in the world, at least for me. These people around me, my PO (Presiding Officer) team have been some of my best friends. Through ups and downs we have done so well together. Thank you all."
SAM - KUNA PARTICIPANT
"I walked into my first Y-Conference as a reserved, insecure, and guarded 13 year-old. I hesitated to raise my placard, and I shied away from socializing with those not from my delegation. However, all of this changed once I discovered the judicial program. I found a new confidence, a new passion, and a new perspective. I grew comfortable pushing my boundaries and, most importantly, being myself. I shed the barriers that constricted my stone-faced thirteen year-old self, and became a confident young woman who now knows her worth. I look back fondly on my conferences remembering the silly moments and all the fun I had. Opening up to new experiences can be difficult, and for me it definitely was, but I have gained so much by leaving my comfort zone. I had many moments of doubt and despair, but overcoming those has empowered me to sit up here and lead a conference with 7 of my closest friends."
KYLIE - KUNA, PAST PARTICIPANT