Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
page
The third section deals with what comes after a MUN conference
- that is, why every delegate has to reflect on what this or that MUN
means to him or her. Preparing for your next Model UN can also
be a matter of routine, but in the majority of the cases it is a very
unique and exciting experience. One notes the advancement
and development of the MUN performance as time goes by. It
is the delegates that make the Model UNs, and we - together
- make this specific experience unique. Thinking about what
MUNs are and what they mean to us or the broader society
contributes to the development of the conference itself, or to us,
in that we are growing conscious of our self-development, which
is reflected during a session. We are actors and active subjects
who, in the community discussions, participate in the shaping
of the vision of MUNs in the future. Thus MUNs are a living
thing whose purpose is spreading the culture of cooperation
and learning globally.
page
About MUNPlanet
MUNPlanet has been serving its members as
an information, social and knowledge platform
a community where the members talk about
how MUNs are done and how they resonate with
the wider global affairs. Our members answered
more than 4,000 questions, provided more than
6,000 comments, followed over 275,000 topics,
and engaged in a number of discussions, from
Model UN experiences and international security
to sustainability and career development.
The Model UN community has engaged MUNPlanet to discuss the nuts, bolts and the advanced approach to doing and organising
MUNs over the past two years, and we are proud to present you the collection of the best pieces of writing, based on insights and
practices lived and experienced by MUNers from all parts of the world. Some of them have tailored their texts specifically for this
publication, while the others have taken part in online discussions at various occasions. There are hundreds of questions, articles
and discussion threads that cover the aspects of MUNing - conceptual, organisational, social, research-oriented or geared toward
shedding light on the links between Model UN and early stages of career building. This testifies to the vibrancy of the MUNPlanet
community and the fact that its members see the importance of leaving a legacy of their Model UN conferences to the next generation
while simultaneously learning about the experiences of others, which on the other hand helps them improve their own performance.
This enables the innovation of the working process and improvement of organisational knowledge. It doesnt matter whether you have
attended 20 conferences or are completely new to your local or global MUN circuit - this interactive Q and A exchange benefits both
those who are willing to share and those who are willing to learn.
MUNPlanet helps MUN delegates and conference organisers exchange information and knowledge that complements the process
of advancing the culture of MUNing globally - going beyond the traditional centres of MUN tradition and spreading the story about
why MUNs are probably the best hobby for globally-minded students and those who want to develop their leadership potential.
1.
INTRODUCTION
page
2.
Pre-Conference
phase
08-09
18-20
10
21-28
11
12
13-15
Relations
29-31
32-33
MUN Delegate?
16 Conclusion
34-40
41-49
Model UN Research
50-61
Public Speaking
Conclusion
62
3. Conference phase
64
4. post-Conference
phase
82-83
65
66
67-68
69-70
In-Session Dynamics
71-76
77-79
80 Conclusion
represent a country
84-87
88-89
90-91
92-94
95-97
98-99
Conclusion
Christopher Bergedahl
page
Rory Mondshein
Eduardo Palomino
International Slovenia.
Vid Tomi
page
Yasmin Helmy
Bushra Hashem
Allan Munyao
1.0.
Introduction
The Meaning of Model UN
MUN s defined by MUN ers
History of MUN s : Globalising the Practice
Why MUN s Are Important Today
What Does it Mean to Be a Successful MUN Delegate?
page
page
country and issue, which can include topics such as human rights,
peace and security, food and hunger, economic development, and the
conferences, where they give speeches, negotiate with other states, draft
page
Model United Nations is a proven method for practicing and teaching international relations,
born in the United States in the first half of the 20th century. The first MUN conference,
which simulated the work of the League of Nations, was held at Harvard in 1927. Limited to
the United States for several decades, the MUNs started spreading first to Europe, in the
second half of the past century, and then to other parts of the world at the beginning of the
21st century. Today, MUNs are organised at various levels from school-level conferences
in small towns, to big international conferences that take place in official UN buildings.
Hundreds of thousands of students from all the levels attend MUNs every year to practice
diplomacy and learn about the United Nations system in an interesting and fun way. They
make friends and establish networks of valuable contacts.
MUNPlanet has envisaged the present eBook as more than a plain guide to doing MUNs.
Various resources for Model UN can be found on the Internet (see, for example, UNAUSA), and they are good and extensive in that they offer the overview of the essential steps
every MUNer must take. However, this publication takes a different approach, offering
you a living, breathing document written by MUN delegates and authors who explain
and analyse the crucial aspects of MUN activity from the perspective of beginners. In this
publication you will learn more about the ways to get the most out of MUNs and be able
to understand why this is one of the best hobbies and activities students can take up.
In this collection of global voices and relevant insights, the authors outline and discuss
practices and paths to doing MUNs and understanding them as a way of learning, personal
development and social interaction.
page 10
Model United Nations has moved beyond an activity undertaken by internationally minded individuals.
Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular activity designed for students
In many ways, it has become rather central to how I work. The principles it instils, those of analysis,
who wish to place themselves in the shoes of diplomats, politicians, government officials or journalists to
debate and productivity, are vital. It teaches you how to work within a deadline, how to manage a group
discuss current issues and offer new solutions to political, economic or social problems. Despite its name,
of people with different objectives. It teaches you to compromise. All these things create a concept
Model UN encompasses the world of international politics: the UN, OPEC, European Union, G7/8/20, domestic
larger than the basic understanding of what MUN is. It has become an output device for individuals
relations cabinets, historic events, the world of the press, etc. Every year, more than 200,000 universities and
striving for more. It allows people to grow and develop. Ultimately, MUN is a learning tool, one that has
high schools come together in conferences across the globe to share their passion for international affairs, the
art of diplomacy, and the principles of the United Nations and many other international organisations.
Wilf Mountfield,
LIMUN, London
WebMUN 2014
page 11
History of MUNs:
Globalising the Practice
From the first simulation of the League of Nations at Harvard (1927), to the first simulations of the
work of the United Nations (1953), the Model UN has been the focus of hundreds of thousands
of students all over the world. In the early stages of its development, mostly reserved for a small
number of Western countries, the Model UN has started to gradually spread both horizontally (to
other countries) and vertically (to different levels of the education system). In the United States
there are various levels of MUN simulation: from K-12 and university, to international conferences,
and those are counted in thousands.
Europe has been a host to some of the most prominent MUN conferences in the world, and has
been developing its MUN scene for several decades now (since 1968). From the beginning of
the 21st century, MUNs have spread not only throughout Europe and become more connected
(both horizontally and vertically), but have also become popular in Asia, South America, Africa and
Australia. It can be said that Model UN went global.
page 12
others, and act for the benefit of everyone, not just yourself.
community special.
Tomas Ocampo,
Wilf Mountfield,
LIMUN
are real and cannot be wished away. The Model UN experience was also a
good introduction to the procedural issues that regulate many UN meetings
and operations, which are rarely in the news but are an important part of
the knowledge needed to function at the UN.
*From a MUNPlanet interview with professor Ian Hurd, Northwestern University
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
How is Model UN Useful?
An MUNer Who Has Become
a Leading UN Scholar:
Interview With Professor
Ian Hurd
page 13
page 14
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
54 Conferences Later:
Diego Salama on Leadership
and Key MUN Lessons
Living in the Golden Age
of MUN s
page 15
the recipient of an award or accolade whereas the truth is far from it.
your skills during the conference. That the committee has allowed you
topic, or simply just getting involved, then I'd say it was pretty
to grow, even if in just some small way. In many ways, I would see
successful. Ultimately, how well they meet those needs and provide
If you are going to Model UNs you are already taking steps
Tomas Ocampo,
towards developing yourself and learning. You can sit there for the
whole conference and not speak, and yet you will still be learning,
subconsciously if not actively.
Wilf Mountfield,
LIMUN, London
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
Five Model UN Organizers on Good Practices
and Future of Model United Nations
Questions:
What are the benefits of attending a Model UN?
page 16
This is how MUNPlanet can help you become a more proficient MUNer:
We work to enable MUN delegates to learn about the culture of MUNing all around the world, while taking part in
interactive discussions on the topics most relevant to the MUN community.
MUN delegates, chairs, and conference organisers can improve their own performance by learning from their fellow MUNers.
If you had participated in20 conferences, your knowledge and experience may be useful to other, less experienced
delegates. On the other hand, more experienced MUNers may find inspiration to drive their conference participation
further and work on the small details, while benefiting from the interaction within the biggest MUN online community.
MUNPlanet helps the newbies as well as experienced delegates exchange information and knowledge that complements
the process of proliferation and raising the level of professionalism of MUNs. Hundreds of conference opportunities
are promoted on MUNPlanet through its high-school and university-level MUN calendar and you can browse through
a comprehensive MUN conference calendar when looking for your next MUN.
2.0.
PRE-CONFERENCE
PHASE
What MUNs mean?
MUN and the World of International Relations
Why people join MUN?
Special Focus: How to prepare for your first high-school MUN
Key Pillars of MUN Preparation
Model UN Research
Public Speaking
page 17
page 18
By Vid Tomi
Pioneering fields are usually
those connected with biggest
misunderstandings of the
concepts pertinent to its
existence. The same logic
applies to the world of MUNs,
which, after long years of
pioneering quest, still suffers
from lack of recognition.
Thus, the first questions we
MUN enthusiasts and alumni
have to answer are usually
Defining MUN is as tricky as trying to explain the functioning of the rocket engines to a five year
old or to somebody like the author of this text. It is, in other words, rocket science. Thus, let us try
to explain this phenomenon using a definition accessible via the Internet. Model United Nations,
also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation and/or academic competition
in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations.
MUN involves and teaches researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition
to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. Usually an extracurricular activity, some
schools also offer MUN as a class.[1] In other words, anyone, irrespective of their background,
knowledge or education, can step into the shoes of professional diplomats and use the tools they
have at their disposal, in a genuine setting, wearing the same clothing and using the established
code of conduct, to tackle relevant issues in the international community. For a limited period of
time, they take on the roles of the leaders they respected, criticised, hated or feared, and try to do
a better job. They can also learn, meet their peers from all over the world, and push themselves
out of their comfort zone.
page 19
a difference!
page 20
men and women who will be tomorrows world leaders, but also for
get across is that the work does not stop with the delegates dance,
the future world citizens who may, one day, each with their own
culture of solidarity and basing our future decisions in our jobs on that
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
Why We Need Global Civics?
Questions:
How to become an MUNer?
page 21
When we hear the phrase Model United Nations, the words United Nations
are often associated with the International Relations major. No wonder; the
conference is mostly attended by International Relations students, and many
have believed this sort of conference is only available to those who practice
in the field of International Relations (IR). I would raise an objection to that and
would rather claim that Model UN conferences go beyond this field of study.
MUNs taught me character building, conflict resolution and leadership, and
no matter what your background is, you can be a Model UN delegate.
But then again why should we participate in a MUN Conference if you said that MUN is
correlated with politics and IRs? I am an engineer, or a lawyer, or a medical student.
This type of question is mostly raised by non-IRs or non-Political Science majors. I am an IR
student, and practicing all the theories and knowledge that I have received at school is the
most fundamental reason why I participate in MUN. However, although atmosphere of the
conference is indeed ours, the technical issues are yours.
page 22
Similar to the international community, MUN conferences are adjusting to global change and
trends, and the agenda and topics of discussion are evolving. Jean-Robert Leguey-Feilleux
emphasised redefining the actors involved in the conduct of diplomacy within the international
community in his book Dynamics of Diplomacy. He called upon the involvement of new types
of practitioners and professionals to contribute in the policy-making process.
Greater involvement of experts in the decision-making process is a key to successful promotion
of ones interests. This is manifested by the growing number of international conferences that
deal with technical issues, such as global warming, arms control, population and development,
crime prevention or drug abuse. True, it is the duty of diplomats to engage in diplomatic conduct,
negotiation and policy-making process, but diplomats are not always experts, and they are not
fully acquainted with the technicalities of the problems and the core of substantive matters. This
is why in many international forums, even in the United Nations, meetings are hosted where
experts can engage in the decision-making process and supervise the negotiation of policies
between diplomats or heads of state. The importance of the chamber of experts, widely known
as the Committee of Experts, is that it ensures that policies which are negotiated can actually
be applied globally.
page 23
page 24
Examples of diplomatic
expertise
You do not need to have an IRs background to attend an MUN conference; you just need to have
the courage to apply your expertise in a global context. I would truly suggest to those with legal
backgrounds - especially international lawyers - to also take part in MUN conferences. The reason
is, simply, because politics is the process of reaching legal outcomes. MUN brings a different
approach to understanding legal science to those who are involved in legal affairs. It will not only
teach you how to understand the legal grounds and interpret each of the clauses, but also to
understand why specific legal documents are created, and even draft a few that would only be
possible to understand from the political side of legal science. Legal science frequently provides a
framework for understanding and analysing the law, often forgetting however that the law itself will
never escape the influence of power politics. This aspect is frequently neglected by legal scholars.
Many have believed that it is less important for those who practice law to study the power politics,
but I would say that this is a common mistake. For students of international law it is especially
important to actively engage in MUN in order to understand the nature of power in the making of
international law. MUNs will help us understand how international laws are politically biased towards
the states interests. As Martti Koskenniemi argued, evidence that international law is being too
dependent on the states reflects its character as a manipulable faade for power politics.
Let us review a case to reflect the explanation above, the Conference of the
Parties (COP) 21, held in Paris in December 2015. The conference was also
known as the UN Climate Change Conference, and was aimed at reaching an
agreement on how to tackle global warming as one of the worlds most pressing
issues and negotiate proposals based on the interests of each of the state
parties. The conference was regulated under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). However, not many people know
that under the framework of the UNFCCC there is a chamber known as the
UNFCCC Roster of Experts. These experts are nominated by the respective
parties of the convention to evaluate, monitor, and review the implementation
of the policies that have been agreed upon at the related conventions. Experts
are needed to ensure that the negotiated policies are concretely implemented
worldwide. Imagine if diplomats were also experts in a given thematic field.
Policies would certainly be more concrete and less politicised.
page 25
First, if you are a medical student, you might want to know why
during the Ebola outbreak not all countries in the world imposed
travel restrictions to isolate the African countries, even though this
would have been the most efficient way to contain the outbreak.
You will not find the answers to such questions in medicine and
health science books you can find them by participating in MUN,
bringing with you your expert knowledge of the technical topic. The
answer, of course, would be to defend ones interests.
Several years ago, when the outbreak of Ebola was at its highest
point, many MUN conferences tried to simulate the World Health
Assembly (WHA) committee by debating this topic, and finding
solutions that would serve the common interests of the world.
According to medical research, the only feasible and logical solution
to end the outbreak of a disease is to isolate the infected patients
and provide them with special treatment. However, this is purely the
medical perspective which, if transformed into international policy,
would lead to a much worse situation on top of the objections of
the infected African countries.
C o u r te s y of M U N S C S a l i e n t
page 26
After introducing the importance of joining MUN conferences, another challenge that might pop up is finding MUN
conferences that most suit your background. This is not to say that being a delegate in an MUN should always be
related to our backgrounds, but choosing MUNs related to what we have practiced in daily life would always provide
additional advantage, especially for first timers.
Today, MUN conferences are organised throughout the world. Finding a conference that matches your educational
background requires patience and enthusiasm and, of course, time! Those specialising in Legal Science might want to
try MUN as an alternative to Moot Courts. The MUN chamber most similar to Moot Courts would be the simulation of
the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, not all MUN conferences
host ICC or International Court of Justice (ICJ) as their committees. For instance, if you are a legal scholar and you
wish to try something new in an MUN that is still closely related to your field of study, the Legal Committee of the UN
General Assembly would probably suit you the most, as the mandate of this committee is to legislate international
law, and you will get to practice how to negotiate and enact legal documents within an international arena. If you are
a medical student, you might want to try to get involved in the chamber of the WHA committee of the World Health
Organization (WHO). If you are an environmentalist or a Sustainable Development student, try to debate world issues
in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
page 27
by J o p R a n g
On the other hand, I would define horizontal society as our home society, the one with which
we deal in our daily lives. The overall experience that you will bring back home from any of the
conferences would undoubtedly benefit your home society, as MUNs affect people and their
environment in both direct and indirect ways.
This does not necessarily mean that when you come back home after the conferences you will be
a public figure that will advance the grassroots in your home society. I mean, yes, you could. But
most of the time the impact of your involvement in a domestic or international scale of MUN activity
would be shared mouth-to-mouth and your story could inspire others. The changes that you
bring from the conferences will be reflected in the improvement of your soft skills (e.g. leadership,
communication and public speaking). These kinds of improvements would turn into public attention,
deserving to be emulated. Moreover, after coming back home from MUN conferences, you could
empower others by becoming an MUN coach in the MUN clubs or somewhere else. Perhaps the
changes that they see in you will influence them to take steps to get involved in MUN activity and
impact the society too!
page 28
All in all, taking part in MUNs does not require you to be a Political Science or IR student, as these
conferences are not provided to them exclusively they are for everyone. Being involved in MUN
conferences will provide you with a unique and memorable experience, but will also contribute to
your character building and soft skills. It will not only benefit you exclusively but also your society.
I hope this little picture of MUN will inspire you to start your MUN career. Happy MUN-ing!
MUN buddies
are lifelong friends
page 29
of the UN was superficial back then, but they had the Self-
teamwork. These are the skills that you will need throughout
zeroes and ones, and in my MUN world I get to speak out loud
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
MUNs are everywhere - why?
Team work - what MUN can
teach you
Key Questions:
Why should every student
attend Model UN?
page 30
Second, you need to become very familiar with the rules of procedure of the body you are
knowledge of the United Nations system and your oral communication skills.
acting in. Theyre often considered unimportant or boring. However, rules of procedure
are fundamental and raising a relevant point of procedure may prove tactically very helpful
MUNs force you to engage in quite intensive debates with your fellow delegates and to be
during a debate.
very reactive in order to push forward the interests of the States youre representing.
This is equally true for drafting rules. UN language is very specific and every word has a
However, defending your States interests efficiently requires some preparation.
This preparation enables you to get acquainted with both the legal and political
aspects of the UN system. First, you need to identify the position and alliances of the
The second is more personal but no less important. I met some great people with whom Im
State youre representing concerning the issue considered during the conference.
During the preparation of BIMUN 2008, I met in a person in Paris, at the Embassy
of the Republic of India which I represented at the General Assembly, and discussed
the position of India on the revitalisation of the role of the General Assembly.
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
5 Things I Learned From My
First International MUN
Experience
Key questions:
How do I prepare for my first
MUN?
What moved you to attend
your first MUN?
page 31
You can figure out which committees are more suitable for beginners (WHO, UNEP, all the big committees
like the GA) - sometimes you cannot place delegates according to their level of expertise, as beginners tend
to lean toward different committees unlike the pros who are probably more likely to choose the SC over,
let's say, DISEC. You can practice mock-debate with them, but what I think is crucial is to get compassionate
chairs who will explain what is going on in the debate every now and then, and who will not get easily
discouraged by questions or mistakes made by the delegates. Many beginners I talked to got blocked and
remained passive during the debate simply in fear of being mocked or making a mistake. Once you create a
"learning-friendly" atmosphere in the committee, it becomes easier for them to open up. Try engaging more
points.
advanced delegates into that, too. Otherwise they can get bored and refrain from serious debate.
MUNPlanet link
page 32
Special Focus:
i m a g e s o u rc e s h u t te r s to c k
page 33
Luckily, doing well at MUNs also makes you enjoy them, so dont worry if you still want to be the
best delegate. But you must know what the focus of High School Models is if you want to be on
the same page.
MUNs, being an educational tool, will always have a special focus, and in the case of the high
school model, it is to introduce you to being a leader. Yep, the best delegates at these conferences
receive awards because of their leadership. Best delegate awards are not given according to a strict
standard which takes into account foreign policy, but are based on the ability of a delegate to achieve
consensus. So, what you can expect from your first high school level MUN is to be introduced
to the art of getting your way while simultaneously letting everyone else think its their way too.
Of course, as you will be developing your skills, you will soon realise that winning a discussion
is not a guarantee to being the best delegate. But for the time being, your focus should be on
losing your fear of speaking publicly. High school-level conferences similarly work as a preface or
prologue to international relations. Participating in them, you will learn to deliver speeches, argue,
research information and make connections.
page 34
Without exception, I always commence the introductory session of any training programme
for a Model UN delegation by posing the following question:
For this reason it is crucial that you familiarise yourself with the history, structure and role of the
United Nations. Whilst it is true that Model UNs are not a perfect simulation of the workings of the
United Nations, grossly exceeding the scope of a committees remit prejudices the authenticity
of the simulation and undermines the hard work of those who spent hours preparing the content.
Case in point: I once attended a simulation where a bloc of nations represented in the Council of
Europe attempted to force through a resolution regulating the fiscal policies of its member states.
The outcome was both frustrating and poorly constructed.
If one had to ask Joe Citizen about the United Nations, its highly
likely that his answer would allude to the General Assembly. This
is unsurprising as the General Assembly is the main organ of the
United Nations and is furthermore considered to be a spectacle
of international politics: it is one of those rare occasions when
world leaders simultaneously convene. However, delegates
must understand that there is much more to the United Nations
than simply the General Assembly. The United Nations is
made up of a myriad of agencies, programmes, funds and
related organisations; each with its own unique composition,
functions and responsibilities. Coming to terms with the sheer
complexity of it all is by no means an easy feat; however,
even being vaguely familiar with the overall hierarchy goes a
long way to demonstrating your understanding of the system.
This can work in your favour.
page 35
Delegates must also be taught to appreciate that the United Nations is not perfect. All things
considered, it has performed admirably in the face of a habitually disunited front and geopolitical
realities. The organisation is routinely criticised in the media for being bloated and ineffectual.
This guide wont delve into the merits of this particular discussion; however, for now I feel that
it is appropriate to remind aspiring delegates of an inconvenient truth of the United Nations.
In the words of its second Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjld:
page 36
Regardless of the set-up, there is one thing that delegates must keep in mind: that although Model
UNs strive for authenticity, the reality is that time constraints only allow delegates to simulate a
fraction of the workings of their particular committee. In last years Malta Model United Nations, the
local representative from the UNHCR attended the final committee session to observe proceedings,
and whilst commending delegates on their fruitful debate, reminded them that their efforts were
only the tip of the iceberg.
The point here is that delegates must remain grounded in what they seek to achieve at the
conference, as many fundamentally misunderstand their role as delegates. On many occasions
I have seen delegates resorting blindly to rhetoric, hyperbole or gesticulating speeches to try to
make point that was quite unnecessary. It is crucial that delegates are made aware of the core
MUN Philosophy from the outset.
page 37
C o u r te s y of M U N S C S a l i e n t
character. The fact of the matter is that delegates are not representing
an eye on the bigger picture. Filibustering and torpedo tactics for the
sake of authenticity will not make you a popular delegate and will likely
ruin the fun for everybody else. Yes, you should properly represent
of diplomacy awards.
your countrys interests, but you should also be pragmatic and work
often criticised for achieving watered down versions of their policy goals
page 38
By Bushra Hashem
Debating skills
Academic information about the committee/ council
Public speaking skills
Information about the rules of procedure and
conference regulations
Mock conference sessions
page 39
MUN trainings (training sessions and what you will learn from them;
how many sessions; how important your performance is during a session)
Training sessions:
They can vary from once a week to once every two weeks, or
once a month. You should expect to gain much knowledge from
the sessions, but you should also expect to do some work. The
organisers can assign you tasks such as giving a speech or a
presentation, creative fun tasks like coming up with plays or
stories that are relevant to the topic, or preparing a mini/mock
conference so you can gain some experience. You should also
expect to perform many of these tasks in teams, as this will
prepare you for teamwork and leadership.
The number of sessions can vary significantly; some clubs will
have only a handful of sessions (4 6), while others will have
as many as 10. But don't worry; MUN clubs always interrupt
their activities during the midterms and the period of the finals,
as well as during the breaks.
page 40
first MUN
Are you infected by the MUN
virus? Symptoms and cure (?)
Key questions:
What are the peculiarities in
the addressing beginners vs
pros at the conference?
page 41
page 42
For basic information on current events, start from news sources. Use a major Internet search
engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and look for news. For primary sources such as speeches,
reports, resolutions, use the official United Nations and governmental websites. Then, you can
try searching various tanks (but pay attention to their objectivity) for specialised thematic areas.
For additional reference, use academic publications, books and articles.
Once you have figured out which sources to use,
you should determine how to use them to fit your MUN needs.
i m a g e s o u rc e f re e s to c k p h oto s
Model UN Research:
Rules of Procedure
By Christopher Bergedahl
The Rules of Procedure (RoP) are a bit like taxes: nobody really likes them but
they are absolutely essential to the smooth running of a committee session.
Consequently, delegates often overlook the RoP in favour of other aspects of
Model UN training, reasoning that they can pick them up during the conference. It
is my duty to inform you that this is a woefully incorrect attitude to take.
page 43
The RoP are the strongest tool in a delegate's arsenal. A thorough knowledge of the RoPs technical
details can empower delegates to take the lead in a committee by setting the agenda and directing
the flow of debate. Grabbing the bull by the horns from an early stage - such as guiding the debate
to one topic or another - is a strategic way to assert your authority and encourage more timid
delegates to gravitate towards you. The benefits of this simply cannot be overstated. Case in point:
I had once participated in a committee whose first topic heavily favoured larger developed nations
at the expense of less developed ones. The second topic was much more equitable in this respect
and would have ensured the active participation of all delegates. Unfortunately for the delegates
representing the smaller states, a seasoned veteran immediately took charge by convincing the
committee to opt for the first topic. This particular delegates actions set the tone for the weekend
and he was revered by his fellow colleagues for his striking competence.
page 44
In addition, directors often look favourably upon delegates who have taken an interest in preparing
themselves adequately in the RoP. Considerable time is wasted on reprimanding delegates for
incorrect use of the RoP, particularly where points and motions are concerned. On the flip side,
delegates refrain from overzealous behaviour such as directly challenging committee directors for
the sake of demonstrating proficiency in the RoP.
Delegates with a Machiavellian flair can also use the RoP to gain a tactical advantage at a crucial
point. One of the most well known strategies is the disruptiveness doctrine - whereby motions that
are considered to be most disruptive are voted upon first.
page 45
page 46
The position paper is another underrated element of the Model UN experience. It is the first port of call
for (i) directors interacting with delegates; and (ii) delegates between themselves. A thought-provoking
and carefully constructed position paper goes a long way to winning the favour of your directors.
If one is eyeing a prize, then position papers cannot be underestimated. Directors interact directly
with delegates only sparingly, especially if the size of the committee ranges from medium to large.
Consequently, position papers are one of the few ways that directors can monitor whether delegates
are presenting themselves in a clear and consistent manner to their fellow colleagues. Incidentally,
this point was stressed upon by the directors of a committee that I recently participated in. During
a feedback session, the directors praised those delegates whose opening speeches, alliances
and personal initiatives were at harmony with the policy goals outlined in their position papers.
Invariably it was these delegates who garnered an overall better performance.
page 47
1. Designations
Every position paper should kick off with the following basic information:
Committee name (e.g. WHO)
Country represented
Delegate name & MUN club represented
Topic
Committee:
Country:
Delegate:
Topic A:
page 48
The second section focuses exclusively on a countrys current policy towards the topic in question. Obviously this needs to be adapted to the topic
background of the topic. This operative word here is brief: the directors
discussed: some times this section will be laden with statistics, at others with statements by government officials. This can prove tricky in certain
would already (hopefully!) know the topic like the back of their hands,
instances as some states do not collect reliable data for public dissemination. Thus, delegates must show some ingenuity when developing their
and will be in no mood to beat around the bush. That being said, a
countrys profile. Take for example this extract from my position paper when representing the Central African Republic at the International Monetary Fund:
The Central African Republic is no stranger to these challenges, albeit it has suffered considerably more than its neighbours due to ongoing internal
directors often hint the issues that they deem worthy of inclusion in a
strife. The government has been involved in protracted struggles against various rebel groups, effectively impeding the implementation of any coherent or
long term macroeconomic policy. Although it was reported that the economy grew marginally in 2014 following a contraction of 36% of GDP in 2013, the
succinctly.
Central African Republic faces an uphill struggle for a number of structural reasons.
These difficulties have been acknowledged by successive governments and have led to a strategic partnership with the IMF and the World Bank. In 2012,
the IMF approved a request under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) to the tune of SDR 41.775 million in an attempt to facilitate economic recovery. The
government planned to use the funds to increase human and institutional capacity in order for it to proceed with plans to bring about a comprehensive
tax policy and the implementation of an adequate system of public financial management. The resultant fiscal space derived from increased efficiency
would be utilised to alleviate poverty, invest in infrastructural projects and maintain a sustainable level of debt. Notwithstanding this, the IMF noted that the
Central African Republic was under moderate risk of debt distress, and thus any new debt issued by third parties ought to be on a concessional basis.
page 49
Helpful tip:
Section three:
policy goals
This is the most important section
governments
issuing
sovereign
debt
at
competitive
rates.
easily readable.
fiscal consolidation.
Republic
at
Monetary Fund:
the
International
assistance
in
civil/commercial
law
reform;
and
supporting
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Articles:
MUN Research:
3 Basic Components
MUN Research Sources
Position Paper Writing
Model Un Glossary: Words
Every MUNer Should Know
MUN resolution No.1:
Encourages in-depth
research
Researching:
Four Surefire Facts
How to write a standard
and alternative versions
of MUN study guide
Public Speaking
page 50
page 51
(1) "Public Speaking." Def. 2. Merriam Webster. Merriam Webster, n.d. Web.
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20speaking>.
page 52
What is it that draws us to great public speakers? Charisma is usually the first thing that comes
to peoples minds, but theyre wrong to think so - not because the speaker isnt charismatic, but
because all that people see is the speech as its being delivered; what they dont see is the hard
work behind it. Their mind will never immediately go to the fact that a 10-minute speech took many
gruelling hours to compose and prepare. We only see the pretty picture, and not the blood, sweat
and tears put into creating the picture-perfect result we see as the final result.
Whenever you see a politician giving an eloquent address, or a performer giving an acceptance
speech that really touches you, rest assured its no rabbit pulled out of a magicians hat - hardly
any successful end-result ever is. You can say with certainty that the quality of a public speaker
depends vastly on how much effort was put into the preparation of his/her speech, and on how
this effort was invested. You can spend much time in preparation and still not get the end result
you want, simply because you misdirected your efforts.
Dont be disheartened if you realise that your peers are getting the hang of public speaking better
than you are, they probably invested their efforts correctly from the get-go. Or it was beginners
luck, you can say, that makes it seem like they have the genes (or talent) that make them ingenious
public speakers; so dont give up easily and read on to find out how you can become the next
Nelson Mandela.
page 53
page 54
This is, perhaps, the most important of the three elements. The audience will determine everything
It is very important to answer these questions. Its also very important to know why your audience
that goes in a public speaking performance, and if the speaker does not keep the audience a
is there and where they have come to listen to you as speak. These factors will determine
everything you need to include in your speech; what sort of language you will use - formal,
speaking it is important
that you truly understand
and study up-close the
three elements without
slang, or something in between - whether or not youll be allowed to incorporate humour, what
The key to efficiently preparing for public speaking is to respect your audience. Think of it this
kind of analogies itll be okay to use, should you choose to include them, what youre going to
way: when an audience is listening to you speak, theyve put their obligations on hold and
wear for your speech, your approach to your own message - everything.
sacrificed their time and attention to listen to someone theyve probably never met and know
nothing about. This is not meant to scare you even more as a potential speaker, but to make it
clear that being a public speaker is an honour which you should not take lightly.
Well, one way to put it is this: less is always more. When it comes to public speaking, once you
understand what it means to respect your audience, it should come as no surprise that there
is no need to waste your audiences time, or your own breath for that matter, by saying things
Simply, once you regard being a public speaker as an honour bestowed upon you by your
that will add nothing to the message youre trying to communicate. Dont waste time explaining
audience, rather than a means to show off, or as a means to have attention focused on you,
or repeating really mundane things or going around in circles just so you can talk more. Instead,
You may very well be wondering what it means to respect an audience. Well, rest assured
you dont need to repeat the words ladies and gentlemen or sirs and madams, a lot, if at
family? Are they friends from work? A team youre leading? What about their age range? Are
speech.
all. Respecting your audience entails many things. First, know who your audience is. Are they
page 55
The message is the core, what you want to communicate; what you want the entire room to realise - if not the whole
The speakers role, other than to deliver the actual message, is to construct the best strategy to deliver the message
wide world. It is what you are there for. Ideas are a powerful thing; youll find it quite surprising how many good ones
to the audience under the present circumstances. As mentioned above, the audience determines everything about
go to waste because they are never written down or said out loud, or are said inadequately.
how a speech is to be delivered. The message, on the other hand, determines what it is that the speaker must
deliver; so the speakers role is to decide how to effectively put those two together so that they fit perfectly.
A speakers message doesnt have to be revolutionary, progressive and/or radical for the speech to be good,
sometimes even fantastic. Theres so much more to it than just that. It doesnt really matter what people think of your
This perfect fit can only be achieved through research and practice.
ideas; what matters is that you believe in them - and thats part of respecting your audience, too.
Speakers must have adequate knowledge of the topic theyre discussing and the message theyre trying to deliver
When your audience sees your passion, and how much you believe in what you are saying, they will listen to you
within the framework of the topic. Not only will this give you a better idea of what youd like to see, and help you
even if they disagree with you. The audience will want to see the limits of your conviction, try to figure out why its
decide which points you will want to cover; it will also give you the confidence you need to speak.
there in the first place, and it will all be because you believe in every syllable youre saying. This is important.
Once you have your topic and the message youre interested in delivering figured out, youll need to decide on your
But remember, when you sign up as a delegate for MUN you will not always be assigned a country whose beliefs
strategy of delivery, which will be determined by the composition of your audience. You should really try to figure out
match yours word for word, so generating conviction will be difficult, and this is where youll need to use your
who your audience are; this will help you in deciding what kind of analogies to use, whether or not youre allowed
imagination (and research) to understand your assigned countrys conviction and make it your own.
to use subtle sarcasm, it will also determine the tone and the different vocal levels you will use. This is where you
add your personal touch to your performance by utilising different styles of public speaking.
Speaking of research, thats important, too. Your passion is what you display to the audience in order to get them
engaged, but if you show little or no knowledge of what you're talking about, it will manifest as lack of credibility and
the audience will ignore you completely. It's not enough to say you believe in your message; you also need to show
that your conviction is well-grounded and that its roots are not imaginary.
page 56
Diplomat-in-the-making:
how to prepare to be a public speaker
Suit and Tie: opening speeches and formal debate
As weve mentioned earlier, its very easy
to mistake public speaking for purely a talent.
In the previous few paragraphs we have
described the end-result. Now, we move on
Not many MUNers prefer formal debate (actually, they hate it), because
Formal debate, in every essence of the phrase, requires the use of more
delegations speak following a certain order (the list of speakers), and you
points that have been put forward before you got your turn. So the idea is
they think about the topic and how they believe the debate is proceeding
to make your speech sound natural and flow smoothly, rather than present
a rigid collection of bullet points (which is what you will have in your notes).
are discussed during the informal debate (moderated caucus) and un-
moderated caucus.
In the actual UN, during a so-called formal debate, the speakers time is not
limited (though there is a list of speakers). As MUN conferences are relatively
You can say that due to the general nature of formal debate foreign policy is
most evident there, since delegates express their opinions concerning the
page 57
This is just a sample of how you should prepare for your opening speech
of the topic or crisis at hand; where it came from; how it all started; why it is
average, if youre facing a large audience, to ensure that all of your audience
still a problem; what steps have been taken to fix it; and whether the UN has
before, this is all part of knowing what youre going to say and how youre
members have an idea of what youre talking about (again, this all depends
on how much time you have, and how much content and substance you
have put in your speech).
missions, different programmes, etc.) and if no, why not (was the UN slow to
react, did a veto power purposefully cause a resolution to fail in the Security
Time is of the essence, is perhaps the most applicable phrase for MUN
Council, etc.); how did different segments of the ideological spectrum analyse
It's also important to remember that the larger your audience is, the smaller
others its between 50 seconds and a minute and a half, so be very careful
the words in your speech need to be - like four syllables and less. For one
forth.
of how much content you put in your speech. If you have a short amount
thing, this will ensure that all the audience members are following you. It
of time, give a vague and general overview of your countrys opinion on the
will also make it easier for you to pronounce everything clearly, which will
Following this process, once you have a very clear idea of the topic, its history,
topic at hand; if you have a bit longer, you can use the time to boast about
its global effect and importance and how different international organisations
- primarily the UN - have dealt with it, its time to look at your own country,
and maybe propose a course of action - should time allow this, of course.
Don't be afraid to reach out to your audience, ask rhetorical questions, give
examples by placing the audience in certain situations, or by sharing an
what it thinks of the topic; whether it has released any statements or not;
whether it has played an active role or not; whether it has had any substantive
However, to reiterate, the purpose of giving a speech is not to just talk, its
role within the UN itself, and of course, what kind of rhetoric your delegation
to deliver a message you (or in this case, your delegation) believe in, and
page 58
RELATED LINKS
This is where you need to focus more on your body than on your vocal movement and the content of your
Articles:
possible. The better the audience sees you, the more attentive they'll be.
It is preferable that public speakers move around, but MUNers have to stay put. So, you need to remember
that your hand and arm movements are just as important in your speech as anything else; they are a part of
your speech. Keep your hand and arm movements within a 10cm radius (approximately) from yourself. That
should be enough moving space for you to be expressive without looking like a crazy person set on fire.
Key questions:
How to overcome the fear of public speaking
What are the most common mistakes the first time MUNers make?
page 59
Being a Chair
avid MUNer.
You are the one who gets the debates going and sets
But once you learn to get out of the bubble of the other
a lot of fun.
in MUNs.
conference chair.
a friendly character.
gained as a delegate.
page 60
At your first conference, the chair may look scary. But remember,
they are just experienced, not mean. They are human beings,
and they will not harm you in any way. What you must take into
account, though, is that there are many situations chairs may
put you into, and you must know how to cope with them. Chairs
are there to make the best of the MUN experience. However,
still in high school, chairs tend to be young and usually dont
have more than five MUNs of experience. They have some
particular characteristics you may want to take into account. What
you should know after reading this is that, apart from delegates,
chairs will have a major influence on your performance.
The first chair type you may encounter is the Blind and Deaf
Chair. You will try to speak and they wont give you the word.
This is really frustrating, because during a conference discussion
the point changes so quickly that if you havent spoken after
ten interventions, your participation may have already become
obsolete. However, they do not do this intentionally - moderating
a committee is not easy. Imagine having to administrate the
participation of twenty delegates who participate at different
frequencies, whose interventions focus on different matters,
who are either shy or extrovert - where you must make sure that
all have had the same opportunities to speak, while keeping the
flow of the debate stable and productive.
So please, if you are nervous, think through what you are going
to say and make sure it relates to what somebody else has
just said. Even quote other delegates. This lets the chair know
that you are following the debate and that the committee is not
in complete chaos. That way they will give you the word more
often than if you just agreed with everyone else.
The next type is the Hitler Chair. The strictest moderators and presidents may prey on less cautious delegates, because order is
sometimes what keeps the committee productive. Their voices may be loud and some of them may be intimidating. But they are
never hateful or mean. Dont play games with this type of chair; do not be insolent or submissive. Answer politely to whatever they
tell you and avoid excessive contact with them. Chairs are sometimes just a way for you to communicate to other delegates, so if a
chair is too strict, keep interaction with him/her to a minimum and focus on the delegates. No delegate likes these kinds of chairs,
but they indeed ensure a productive ambiance. However, if a chair becomes abusive and intransigent, you better report this to the
organisers; you arent in the army, youre simulating the UN. One simply doesnt yell at diplomats.
Finally, theres the Amity Chair. These people are excellent diplomats, and they will thank you even for participating. Having these
kinds of chairs is really comfortable, but as a result the debate may be less intense. They focus on participation rather than on
comprehension. They look for a consensus instead of sanctioning a country. They always smile and may act informally from time to
time. You, as a delegate, must balance the attitudes of the chair with yours to always keep the environment productive yet diplomatic.
If your chair is aggressive, be polite. If your chair is passive, be proactive. Chairs also learn and gain experience in MUNs. They are
the fuel that turns on the engine of your committee, but you must cooperate.
They are there to help you, and you should also help them if they seem to be in trouble. If there is a clever delegate who is outsmarting
the chair, a good Point of Order can make a difference. Do not annoy them because, in the end, you are under their authority.
Respect them, and they will always respect you. If you ever encounter an inexperienced chair, do not worry or try to by-pass the
rules; its best to support them. You are playing on the same team, the team of the UN.
page 61
RELATED LINKS
Key questions:
What are the most critical traits of a good MUN committee
chairperson?
What makes a good committee chair?
How to become a committee chair?
page 62
This is how MUNPlanet can help you go through the pre-conference preparation phase successfully:
By becoming a MUNPlanet member, you can read about all things MUN and get a more profound understanding
of the key challenges ahead of first-time MUNers;
Hundreds of conference opportunities are promoted on MUNPlanet through its high-school and university-level
MUN calendar and you can browse through a comprehensive MUN conference calendar when looking for your next MUN;
MUN delegates, chairs, and conference organisers can improve their own performance by learning from their fellow MUNers.
You can read about all the stages of the pre-conference phase, from the conference choice, through the basics of the MUN culture,
MUN research, position paper writing, public speaking, to MUN roles and what it takes to progress down your Model UN path.
3.0.
conference
Phase
On MUN s and what it means to represent a country
Representing a Country at Model UN
Model UN Conference Activity
The Opening Speech
In-Session Dynamics
Negotiation and Lobbying
MUN s : Learning and/or competition?
page 64
page 65
In my first MUN we were discussing the Gaza Strip. Neither the participants nor the organisers were aware
increases mutual understanding between the delegates, because you perceive the world from a different angle. For
of the fact that the representative of a Muslim country was from Israel, which made the whole session quite
example, if you are a Dutch national, you read more or less the same newspaper every day, you look at the same
difficult. The simulation game became very real to her. However, she remained in her role until the end and did
(Dutch) news every day, and you talk to your (Dutch) friends about the news and problems in the world. It is fairly
a great job representing the views of a government with an entirely different opinion.
ease to represent and protect these interests, because you were raised in a certain environment and with certain
beliefs. But when you are encouraged to step into someone elses shoes, you have to step out of your comfort zone
I could go on with more examples, but this one is sufficient to illustrate the point. The most common mistake that
and suddenly take someone elses preferences and ideas into account.
many MUN beginners make is that they represent their own opinions rather than those of the country they were
assigned. It is understandable that someone who has always lived, for example, in the UK might have different
From my own experience I know that this can be quite a challenge; but if you succeed, this increases your
opinions of certain issues than the government of Gabon. It is also very likely that most governments, even from
understanding of the world and will bring you closer to your fellow delegates. Therefore, I believe that MUNs do not
your own home country, have opinions on some issues that are very different from yours.
necessarily change the way you perceive the world, but they broaden your world. By doing MUN conferences we
will not be able to bring everlasting peace, but we can try to take baby steps by creating awareness and facilitating
It is always important to have your own personal opinions, to be able to justify and reason them. However,
international dialogue.
sometimes the time and place are not right. This is why its important to learn to recognise the right time to be
a person with strong opinions and when to practise diplomacy, and also to be able to represent opinions that
might not be in line with your own. This is what we can learn from Model United Nations: how to represent a
country and views that might differ from our own.
page 66
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A Typical Model UN Conference
Story Told Through 15 Obama GIFs
C o u r te s y of M U N S C S a l i e n t
page 67
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
A to Z of Your Opening Speech
The importance of representing
your own country
Key questions:
How should delegations present
their opening speeches?
The opening speech is definitely your time to shine. You should be adequately prepared, and should quote
several referential documents on your country or region in connection to the topic you are addressing.
If you are presenting your country as a delegation, one person - probably the one who is most
outspoken and has the least stage fright - should address the audience in the opening speech.
Others should make their say in coordination with the entire delegation as the session proceeds.
It is always important to think of the desirable outcome, i.e. "What does your delegation or country
want to achieve?" and to project your activities in that direction.
Remember that the opening speech is the first contact that fellow delegates from other countries are having
with you. Depending on the desirable outcome which your delegation has identified and wants to pursue, you will
position yourself and your country as straightforward and brutally honest, with an ultimatum which symbolises
a call for action; or you will be a leader seeking allies, solving a conflict situation, providing security
In your opening speech, what you say matters (the content) as much as how you say it (your intonation,
the choice of words and pauses, your body language, the personality traits you expressed).
page 68
Team Building
This skill is not as obvious as research or public speaking, but it is
crucial to your success in committee. When you are in un-moderated
caucus, meeting people and finding others you can work with - you are
essentially building a team. Your team, also known as a caucus bloc or
an alliance, needs to work together to write resolutions and get them
passed. Being a leader of your team also helps you become a leader in
committee and in the eyes of your chair.
MUNPlanet link
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
7 most common MUN fears (and how to overcome them)
Key questions:
When and how delegates should exercise the right of reply?
Five skills every delegate should learn
page 69
In-Session Dynamics
Just to give you an idea of how a moderated caucus works, picture the following: it is a period
of the conference when you can raise your placard to ask for the word, and if you are given
the word you may speak for a set amount of time about anything you think pertinent. You
can make remarks, question someone, attack or compliment someones proposal. Everyone
in the room will listen to you, so you have better lost your fear of public speaking by then.
Arguments strike everyone, and you should be ready to quarrel. Although the main purpose
of the caucus is to start finding common viewpoints with other delegations - and you should
absolutely do that there are many delegates who enjoy debating and destroying others
proposals. In negotiation you have two options: to prove that your proposal is the best or
destroy all the other ones until the only remaining option for them is yours. If you are attacked,
do not feel discouraged; attack harder.
After you have made alliances and enemies during the moderated caucus, its time for unmoderated caucus. Here, you may speak directly to other delegates, or walk around the room,
just like regular people do. This is where you must be as diplomatic as possible. At this time you
should negotiate for consensus. By then you should have reunited with your bloc, the countries
that came together by way of geopolitical ties or positions during the debate. The ideal is that the
highest number of countries agreeing on the same point write a draft resolution and put all their
ideas together. Here, every single idea is valuable, because the stronger your draft resolution
is, the more chances it has to be accepted by the entire committee. This time, you should act
differently from the way you acted in moderated caucus. It is now useless to fight; you must find
common ground. Always say what your delegation wants, and how you plan to include that in
what your fellow delegations seek. Important: do not get personal. Dont say what YOU want;
instead use the words what your delegation wants. Dont place your own ideology at risk of
being criticised. After all, you are a country and whatever they are saying they are saying it to
your country, not to you. With these tips in mind, you should build an awesome draft resolution
together with your bloc. Cooperation is key here.
page 70
Please note that you may be going back to moderated caucus after the un-moderated. These
are the final steps on the path to a resolution, so do your best. Be sure to engage with other
delegates and never stand in isolation. Even when someone starts to write the resolution on
the computer, do not leave! Stay next to them, ready to suggest something new or correct
something you dont like. Remember that the essence of MUNs is union and cooperation.
What other reason would there be to call them Model UNITED Nations? Work together and,
always, always, always, enjoy the caucus.
delegates".
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Key questions:
How do you create a good
speech on any topic for the
moderated caucuses?
page 71
C o u r te s y of M U N S C S a l i e n t
page 72
Approach
Collaboration
Compromise
Competition
Accommodation
Avoidance
AKA
Win-Win Solution
Survivalofthe Fittest //
I Win, You Lose
Characteristics
is characterized by active
by understanding individual
listening.
interests
by coercion
>
"NOTE": Although it
is often lambasted,
the Accommodations
useful in situations or
be resolved by working
personal relationship
social dominance.
differences.
Result
everyone
demands.
> Jealousy.
page 73
Conflict resolution
B. Methods of conflict resolution
page 74
Fact-Finding
Ethical evaluations
In addition to contemplating the current conflict, it is important to consider and find core catalysts that
motivate individuals/countries to behave in a certain way. In other words, we must know the actors
and their central values, including their backgrounds, beliefs and goals in order to paint a complete
picture of the problem, understand everyones role in it and identify what can(not) be compromised.
The Tree Model in Figure 2 provides a visual explanation for understanding the role that individuals
backgrounds and ethics play in understanding and resolving conflicts.
page 75
page 76
Conclusion
Conflicts are inevitable, but there are many different ways to
solve them. In order to determine the best possible approach it
is important to use active listening, as well as critical thinking to
evaluate the situation based on the actors involved, their history
and their goals. In some ways, Model United Nations is structured
towards this approach because the Background Guide lays the
groundwork for explaining the problem, and the Country List
outlines the groups affected. Now, it is up to us to evaluate each
actor involved, consider their interests, and create a plan of action
to resolve the conflict -- and we must apply the same approach
to our personal and professional conflicts.
Special thanks to Jonathan Becker, the Bard College Model
United Nations and Change in Action programs, as well as
UC Irvine for assistance with the technical terms.
page 77
page 78
I believe it is counter-productive, if not even destructive, for delegates to focus on what they can
do to win an award. For this reason, during the year when I was president of SMUN I encouraged
presidents of all the councils to consider which, if any, delegates had shown sincere effort of
cooperation and unity in the spirit of the United Nations. For this reason we had a varying number
of awards in each council.
However, this does not mean that awards cannot be used in a fun and productive way. It is essential
that due consideration be given to keeping MUN from becoming a competitive event where the
person who manages to dominate a council is automatically given an award. Stepping between
the countries with strong opinions and mediating to reach a common compromise represents one
of the more difficult tasks in an MUN.
RELATED LINKS
Key questions:
How do you evaluate best
delegates at MUN conferences?
What is the role of awards at
your Model UN conference?
page 79
Learning by doing
This way, the knowledge and cognitive intuition of more students could be utilised to search for
solutions not yet found. It was evident that the introduction of an incentive came at a cost. Much
like with any platform involving with a scoring system, competition arose between delegates. This
was the death of MUN.
What do we see at MUN conferences today? We see delegates blindly voting for resolutions,
based either on where their friends allegiances lie, or simply for resolutions of which they are
signatories. The delegates, especially in GA, dont truly understand what is listed within the
operatives, the purpose of operative clause 6; sub-clause b; part ii. But this is just the beginning.
The lack of understanding can be solved, but the key underlying issue, which is slightly more
difficult to deal with, is the thirst for awards.
MUNPlanet link
RELATED LINKS
Key questions:
How do you evaluate best
delegates at MUN conferences?
What is the role of awards at
your Model UN conference?
page 80
This is how MUNPlanet can help you become a more proficient MUNer and perform well during the conference:
We work to enable MUN delegates to learn about the culture of MUNing all around the world, while taking part in interactive
discussions on the topics most relevant to the MUN community.
MUN delegates, chairs, and conference organisers can improve their own performance by learning from their fellow MUNers.
If you had participated in20 conferences, your knowledge and experience may be useful to other, less experienced delegates.
On the other hand, more experienced MUNers may find inspiration to drive their conference participation further and work on
the small details, while benefiting from the interaction within the biggest MUN online community.
MUNPlanet helps the newbies as well as experienced delegates exchange information and knowledge that complements
the process of proliferation and raising the level of professionalism of MUNs. Hundreds of conference opportunities
are promoted on MUNPlanet through its high-school and university-level MUN calendar and you can browse through
a comprehensive MUN conference calendar when looking for your next MUN.
4.0.
POST-CONFERENCE
PHASE
How to Become a Better Delegate? Better vs. Best Delegate
Becoming a better UN delegate
Becoming a Model UN Chairperson
A Note on Organizing Model UN
Thinking about the Key Value of MUN s
Model UN and Careers
page 82
You are more skilful with your public appearances; your understanding of substance, strategy
and tactics on the grand chessboard makes your solutions and negotiation capabilities more
prominent. Not to mention the confidence and comfort while dealing with the topics and crisis
situations that appeal to an increased capacity to involve in problem solving. This boosts
your creativity and fits well with your overall academic development as a student and young
professional. However, there is a difference between becoming a better delegate in terms of
continuous self-development and becoming best delegate who wins awards. Below is the
discussion from the MUNPlanet community of what these two positions mean:
page 83
C o u r te s y of M U N S C S a l i e n t
page 84
Write them on a small piece of paper, put the paper in your back pocket and check it constantly during the conference to remind yourself
what your goals were before different factors started to influence your behaviour. After the conference, check the list and evaluate whether
you have reached all of your goals. If yes, at what cost? What did you have to sacrifice and what was a good pay-off? If not, why were
you unable to achieve them? Could you have performed better and is there anything you would have done differently, given the chance?
This technique is one of the best tools to use if you want to improve as a delegate and a negotiator in general.
The second thing to do is to think about your strengths and weaknesses during the conference. If you are attending a conference
as a delegation, make sure that your co-delegates/colleagues give you feedback on your performance and vice-versa. Constructive
and objective self-criticism is your best friend if you wish to evolve as a delegate. Once you identify your weak points, you have to
make sure to challenge yourself next time and try to master the techniques. For example, if you have received several awards as
a delegate of rogue states, think about trying something else and next time pick a country that is the flagship of democracy and
respect for human rights. Try a committee you are not familiar with and a topic you know nothing about. You will evolve only if you
push yourself further and dive deeper.
page 85
What do chairpersons look for when selecting the Best Delegate? As discussed earlier, everyone has
their own way of evaluating performance. My approach, based on years of careful development of
the method, includes several factors. The best delegate has to show clear and in-depth knowledge
of the topics on the agenda, the workings of the United Nations and international community in
general, and s/he has to master the Rules of Procedure and know how to (mis)use them. When
it comes to performance, s/he has to be a confident speaker who can steer the debate in a
productive manner while respecting his/her countrys policies, propose solutions, and potentially
draft the resolution (this should not be the decisive factor). In general, s/he has to be the driving
force in a committee, a true leader who knows when to speak and when to listen, and someone
who can consistently produce results. In reality, there is rarely a delegate who does all of the things
mentioned above brilliantly, but these are the factors that must be taken into consideration before
taking the final decision. A proper chairperson will keep track of these things during the conference
and make a substantial amount of effort before taking this decision.
RELATED LINKS
Key questions:
Discussion points
How can I win the best delegate
award?
How to bull$@!t through a
conference and get an award
in the end
page 86
Like other people might take drugs, I attend MUNs and simply cannot
Well, it is hard to retire because its fantastic to have the chance to leave your day to day life behind for a long
weekend, travel with your friends, play the role of a diplomat, and get to know people from all over the world.
Every MUN is a new opportunity to make new friends and engage in global dialogue. I believe that MUNs are
the perfect platform for young people to practice cultural diplomacy because, even though we play a certain role
fact that you get to put the theories you encounter while studying into
during sessions, at the end of day we are all students who have similar goals and cal learn much from each other.
practice, and negotiate and lobby just like a real diplomat. Besides
that, you also get to meet some of the best people and build long-
I tried to retire twice so far. Now Im hoping I will actually succeed after EuroMUN 2014. I believe that after you hit
lasting friendships even when you only see each other twice a year
a certain age and/or a certain stage in your career it is no longer beneficial to actively participate in conferences.
Moreover, seasoned MUNers have the responsibility to train the future generation of delegates, chairs, organisers
and, when the time comes, take a step back and let them lead.
to matter and you grow very close with the people you meet.
However, the fact that someone isnt going to MUNs anymore doesnt necessarily mean that they have retired
from the MUN Community altogether. Its possible to stay in touch with organisers and give advice when advice
is solicited. I think that spaces like MUN:Planet allow retired MUNers to keep in touch and support the current
leaders of the international MUN circuit.
page 87
You may wonder what happens after you have attended multiple
school, university or international MUNs as a delegate. Having
gathered a vast amount of experience and a network of contacts,
the best MUNers usually continue their journey as conference chairs
or organisers. What follows is a brief discussion of such possibilities.
page 88
chair
to effectively communicate
first-timers)
self-
with
backgrounds
in
activities
good
committee
to
gain
people
mind
that
from
diverse
or
varying
our
delegates
committee.
Procedure:
delegates
real issues.
still, a marriage!
into
After
chairing
in
the
committee,
page 89
RELATED LINKS
Key questions:
the diplomatic effectiveness of the delegates, is a very important skill when it comes to chairing.
Finally, to be able to recognise and award the most effective diplomats correctly, will leave all the delegates in the room
3. Be confident
this can be done in many different ways, effective teaching and guidance can make or break a committee.
Giving equal speaking time, while still choosing the right people to facilitate debate, is fulfilled by a talented mediator who
will guide the debate from motion to motion and speakers list to caucus. To be able to do this, and still objectively observe
with the feeling that they were properly watched and guided over the duration of the conference. In contrast, when a chair
makes the wrong call, the delegates can feel that no one was watching them and that their chair either didnt know how
4. Be organised
to read a room or wasnt mentally there. As such, if you want to be a good chairperson, or identify one, look for someone
who, measured by their actions, can observe, mediate, adjudicate and teach.
MUNPlanet link
page 90
A Note
on Organizing
Model UN
Last year MUNPlanet has published an eBook titled Organising Successful
MUNs that extensively covers the steps, processes and key challenges
of organising a conference. One of the co-authors, Maria Gomez de Olea
nicely captures the rationale and importance of organising MUNs and how
the delegates can see this process - and, more importantly, if they are
thinking of joining a MUN secretariat or organising another conference.
The main reason why we organise MUN conferences is this: we have loads of
fun doing so, and it is a great experience. Organisers and participants are all very
motivated and dynamic, which contributes to the creation of a wonderful environment
and a strong sense of community. The other reason we organize MUNs is, in my
opinion, academic. As veterans, we want to contribute to the continuity of the
activity and share our knowledge on various topics we have discussed throughout
the years. After all, there has always been a sense that whenever we take over
a position in a MUN team, we become the conference for a certain period of
time. It is not about us, its about the MUN. Moreover, as active citizens, MUNers
tend to have a strong sense of civic engagement and are pushing for youth that
is more informed and engaged in global issues. We organise MUNs because we
believe that, by doing so, we are creating a better world. To be quite honest, we
are creating a future that we think is best for us (p. 42).
page 91
Model United Nations is organised at many different places (and levels) from
elementary school classrooms to universities, to conference centres and highprofile UN buildings. Its essence and focus is youth who think about the world
and believe in MUN as a concept that aims at fostering peaceful coexistence and
cooperation among people and peoples through education and socialisation.
In the early 21st century we have been experiencing a third wave of MUN
development and its proliferation throughout the world. With the advent of
modern technologies and the availability of ideas and opportunities for learning
and action for youth in various parts of the world the MUNs have become
widely popular and are enjoying a historical peak. We expect to see this trend
continue, and the benefits of MUN to become greater for socialisation and
promotion of a new generation of leaders, scholars, practitioners and globallyminded social entrepreneurs. This wonderful opportunity, however, also requires
responsibility and use of knowledge and practices to preserve and improve
MUNs for the future generations while expecting to see their impact on life and
culture of peace in the world.
RELATED LINKS
SPECIAL FOCUS:
Organizing Successful MUNs
eBook
Organizing Successful MUNs
topic
page 92
Thinking about
the Key Value of MUNs
The value of MUN conferences lies in the fact that many people, with
Being a global citizen means you are feeling the problems of people who
are thousands of miles away as if they were your very own, that you are
importance. They apply a full set of skills they have previously learned,
not feeling the distance of a TV screen, but seeing this as a call for your
now with the aim to solve the problems, not of 10 freshman students,
experience and opinion in the search for solutions. It means you are willing
but of millions of people they don't know, but who are expecting them
to give up a little time out of your life for others. And this is, I believe, what
to speak on their behalf and provide a solution so that they can have a
it takes to be a true MUNer: to feel the call for public service and be willing
page 93
There are, of course, tangible skills you will take home after an MUN, and you will use those references to add
value to your CV later on. But for me, the real benefits of MUNs go far beyond this, because MUNs are the golden
must realise that they cannot save the world on their own: they need to
gate to a world of innumerable opportunities. First and foremost, theres the networking. Talk to as many people
as possible, exchange ideas and perspectives, learn an expression or two and stay in touch! These people will
science, economics, etc. - in which they can optimise their skills. MUNs are
most likely be the ones you will encounter in your professional life a few years from now. Second, always take the
activities that can help build bridges between inspiration and knowledge,
opportunity to participate, because starting from that one point may lead you to unexpected new journeys. I am
but the real transition between knowledge and action depends on the
stunned by how much I learn and grow every day thanks to this experience, but most of all I am delighted to see
where it has led me, with what kind of people I have interacted and what kind of new, undiscovered worlds I have
been able to enter. MUNs have that power to truly connect you to the world and those who think like you do.
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
Learning About MUN Interactive Game
Is being an MUNer the new
black?
Learning by Doing - In the
Stronghold of MUNing with
Finn Carlson
page 94
First and most importantly, have fun! Second, while MUN is a great
Clearly, MUNs are far more than just plain acting: participants get to
confront their views and meet people from different parts of the world.
question is a yes.
substitute for getting your hands dirty and helping out people in real life,
Not only that, but also by having to defend interests you are not personally
linked with, you learn to understand others and adjust your perspective.
local political party can be tiring but it teaches you a great deal about
ever be able to make substantial change. Most decisions are still made at
a country level and most nations are unwilling to give up their sovereignty
are, and find opportunities to step in the real United Nations. It happened
in that regard. Maybe that will change in the future but I honestly do
That way, when you finally make it to Turtle Bay, you wont be so horrified
to some of our friends, and they notably said that the experience they
not see that coming anytime soon. Most people who follow international
politics are aware that supranational institutions such as the UN are often
more of symbolic value than of actual impact. That is, in my opinion,
the sad reality. I would much rather see a more liberalist world where
nations cooperate more effectively. But, as said, I have doubts that this
will happen anytime soon.
page 95
Model United Nations, since middle school. Living in the United States, with
University, in New York. My advisor was Herbert Briggs who had written
the basic textbook, The Law of Nations and was a long time member of
the International Law Commission. The great human rights lawyer, Harrup
Freeman, first took me with him to the Trusteeship Council in connection with
my first boss ever since. It was the time of the cold war
his plea on behalf of the Micronesians. I was also privileged to study under
the great comparative law professor, Rudolf Schlesinger and Professor John
Barcelo, with whom we founded the International Law Journal. My big life
intern in the Human Rights office in the summer of 1970. I was lucky to work
with the original UN staffers, The Last of the Mohicans who had joined the
Michael Platzer,
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
Four Decades in the United
Nations: Michael Platzer
Reflects on His Life and Career
page 96
So, I went down that road, never expecting it to change me into actually wanting something different.
United Nations has been a great school for me, by any means. I met a lot of interesting people, I saw and learned a
Consecutive MUNs enriched me mostly by having to interact with people from different countries and cultures,
lot of things about how the organisation functions and got a chance to represent my country in the first committee
expanding my horizon and challenging my views of different subjects, understanding that things are more
of the General Assembly, as well as in the European Union negotiations! For me this was a fascinating experience,
complex that one would expect and that actually everything is subject to interpretation or individual interests.
but on the other hand, speaking of the negative aspects of it, I saw that multilateralism can sometimes be quite
disheartening: the decision-making process is extremely slow and when decisions are finally made, they are not
It was an exciting time and a lot of serious fun but my heart slowly wandered away from diplomacy to
very ground breaking in the sense that they do not end up making a lot of changes, and each and every state can
development and humanitarian affairs, partly due to disillusionment, partly due to a newfound passion. How I
interpret a resolution in a way that suits them best by simply twisting the meaning of the words.
actually got into the UN? On the surface, by doing what I loved, working hard, not stopping to learn, and by being
always ready to seize an opportunity. In practice: a friend of mine, with whom we organised EuroMUN, saw the
As regards my MUN experience, I can say that it was very relevant! When I first entered an official session I didnt
stuff I was posting on Facebook and then shared this link with me. I applied and six months later found myself in
see many differences, especially in the debating process. The rules of procedure were the same, the debates were
Gambiayep, another vagary of life. (Dear friend, if you read this you should know you saved my life!).
quite similar, but the only thing that differed, as I mentioned above, was that the negotiation process was slow,
producing not that many results.
page 97
RELATED LINKS
Articles:
Four Decades in the United Nations: Michael Platzer reflects
on his life and career
of the political discourse we often see on TV, and more likely to embrace common objectives.
What we as MUN organisers or MUN alumni should be trying to get across is that the work does not stop
with the delegates dance, but that it can be the beginning of a long journey to make a positive contribution to
(our shared) world, at our own individual pace and sphere of influence of course. Getting involved in projects or
Want to work for the UN, know the UN career application process
supporting causes of a social nature is one dimension of it, developing a whole culture of solidarity and basing
our future decisions in our jobs on that type of culture is yet another dimension. Of course, all this probably
sounds as overloaded idealism, but I think we simply cannot afford to do less than that.
Darko Petrovic
Benjamin Samson
Nareman Darwish
Diego Salama
page 98
CONCLUSION
For more than 80 years, the case study method and simulation has been a way
to learn about various subjects, including international relations and diplomacy.
Model United Nations, from its beginnings in the 1920s, to its successors in the
1950s, to the present day serve as a convenient educational device for teaching
and learning about the UN and international organisations in general. The essence
and focus of this educational activity is the young generation, the one that thinks
about the world and learns about the globalised international relations. The MUNers
take part in spreading the culture, whereas the aim is coexistence and cooperation
through international socialisation.
Early in the 21st century the MUNs have been riding the third wave spreading to all the continents
and levels from high schools and universities to big international conferences. Today, an estimated
number of more than 600,000 students take part in this unique learning and networking experience.
We believe in MUNs as a community of practice which contributes to the quality and quantity of
interactions that benefit the development of the international community and global citizens. The United
Nations have been committed to learning and acting to spread the culture of peace, and MUNs are
in an interconnected way a compatible vehicle for addressing the virtues and the quality of leadership
needed for successful international cooperation. It is the values of tolerance and cooperation that are
essential for building this type of inclusive and democratic culture, and the MUNers develop a set of
research, public speaking, negotiation and writing skills that enable them to be active participants in this
process. The key benefits of the MUN simulations are: knowledge of the UN system and international
relations, development of the soft skills, and an opportunity to socialise and develop an international
network in a unique community and its multicultural environment. Such environment seeks the best
from each of us, and thats how one can achieve ones own personal development.
page 99
CONCLUSION
Attending an MUN, the delegates get a ticket and are off on an amazing journey
which they get to co-create with other members of the community. As in every
community, one gets to improve his or her skills, and look for opportunities that are
compatible with his or her overall goals and objectives in life and career. In one word,
we belong to a big MUN alumni family that provides a number of opportunities.
It is not just by getting the awards at the conferences that we become better
MUNers, but also by feeling that we have progressed by attending the MUNs
and learning in that process. And not just that in a way, we are also preparing to
be competent in the world of international careers, and for living in a world that is
more cosmopolitan and globalised every day. MUNs are an activity that exposes
us to the closest thing available to the real practices and international experiences
one can expect as a future leader, diplomat or international civil servant.
page 100
Publication Editor:
Marko Kovaevi
thank
you