Welcome to the Model United Nations (MUN) Conference!
This delegate handbook is your guide to navigating the conference, ensuring you are fully prepared to engage in debates, formulate resolutions, and participate in MUN procedures. Whether you are a first-time delegate or a seasoned participant, this handbook will help you understand everything you need to know to succeed.
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Role as a Delegate How to Research Your Country and Knowing Your Country Preparing for the Conference Effective Debate and Speaking Tips Additional Resources and Support 1. What is MUN?
Model UN events are simply a role-play of a UN meeting. Events can last from a few hours to a week and can involve people of all ages. The Security Council and the General Assembly are the most popular. However, the basic principles remain the same, regardless of the UN body being modelled:
Participants are assigned a UN Member State. They assume the role of that country’s diplomats and each delegation represents the views of ‘their’ country, reflecting that country’s national interests, rather than their own personal opinions on an issue. The delegates research their country’s position on selected topics, paying particular attention to their country’s perspective on the topics to be discussed at the Model UN. The most important thing to remember is that you are representing the values of your country. This means that when you are discussing a topic with the other delegations/countries, you have to remain in character and put forward the values of your assigned country. To do this, you will have to research your country, a skill which will be discussed in the next few sections. Model UN is, in essence, a diplomatic role play. It will give you useful experience in how to present an idea and convince your fellows of your point of view.
2. Understanding Your Role as a Delegate
As a delegate, you will represent a country and work to promote its interests in committee discussions. Your main responsibilities include:
Study the country you represent, its foreign policy, position on global issues, and recent involvement in international organizations. Actively participate in committee discussions, make speeches, and negotiate with other delegates. Collaborate with fellow delegates to draft resolutions that address the committee's agenda. Vote on resolutions and amendments during the formal voting process. Your goal is to represent your country’s perspective while striving to find cooperative solutions to global challenges.
3. How to Research Your Country and Knowing Your Country
The emphasis of a Model UN event is on delegates finding out about their country themselves. One of the skills that you will gain is spotting bias in your sources – always bear in mind the origin and purpose of your source.
Some sources may give accurate information, but only about their narrow area of focus. For example, websites from human rights campaigners are useful for understanding civil and political rights, but less useful for understanding economic development.
A Model UN event is an opportunity to see what cooperation between states could achieve, and also to see why the international community has not solved all the world’s problems. This is why you should be ready to reflect the real views of the country you represent, even if you disagree with them. Only then can you understand the complex reasons why the world is the way it is and what has to change to make it better.
The following are suggestions for how to research your country:
The BBC website produces country profiles which are useful as a starting point. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (‘FCO’) produces country briefings. See the website of your country’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva. Search the UN website for information regarding your country and the issue to be debated. Look at the website of your country’s Embassy or High Commission (if they are a member of the Commonwealth) in the UK. Search for the website of your country’s central government ministry which deals with the topic to be debated. Be aware that ministries may have a different name to that which you expected. For example, the US equivalent of the FCO is the Department of State. Also, a single Model UN issue may straddle many ministries. For example, internal water issues in the UK may fall under the Home Office or the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; external water issues may fall under the FCO or the Department for International Development. Every year since 1990, the UN Development Programme has produced a Human Development Report, detailing all aspects of every country’s state of development. You can search by country and by theme. Freedom House produces audits of a country’s political rights and civil liberties, together with other useful information. Human Rights Watch produces country guides on states’ human rights records. Infoplease gives brief historical and other information on every UN state. Transparency International gives information about corruption worldwide. Find out which international organisations, apart from the UN, that your country is a member of. The aims of these organisations will give you an indication of the type of country that you have been assigned. Get a feel for the type of country that you have been assigned by searching for programmes or books about ordinary life in that country. Knowing your country
Where is it in the world and what are its neighbours? Which countries are powerful in its region? What system of government does it have and who is its leader? What type of government does it have, e.g. is the government elected or is it a dictatorship? Is its economy industrialised or mostly agricultural? What are its main sources of income? What is the role of religion in the state? Do all or most of its people belong to the same religion? How tolerant of different religions and beliefs is its government? Are its laws based on religion or is it secular? Are there minority groups which are different to the majority because of their race, language or culture? Are these groups treated differently to the majority? Do the minorities have links with similar people in other countries? Are there civil conflicts (groups of people within the same country which are violently opposed to each other)? What is the government’s response to this? Are there any groups that are fighting to be independent or autonomous? What is the country’s history? Was it a colony? What country was its colonial power? Has it had revolutions? Is it a developed or developing country? Does it have adequate roads, schools and hospitals? Does it struggle to feed its population? Do most people have jobs? Does it owe money to other countries or is it able to be a lender? What is the state of your country’s environment? What is the climate like? Do people have access to fresh water? Are there high levels of pollution? Is your country being affected by global warming? What is the political and social position of women and girls? Can they go to school and get jobs? Can they vote for the government and be elected themselves? Has the country been guilty of human rights violations? What kinds and to what extent? Is it open to contacts with other countries? These contacts could be through tourism, business, schools and universities etc. How does the government get on with other countries? Does it cooperate with or is it a member of international groupings, such as NATO, the European Union, the African Union, the Commonwealth or the Non-Aligned Movement? Are there individual countries with which it has especially strong ties (or animosity towards)? Who are its competitors and its allies? Major trading partners? Aid donors or recipients? Has it ever fought a way against another country and are there continued bad feelings as a result? 4. Rules of Procedure
Familiarize yourself with the following rules of procedure, which govern debate and decision-making in MUN:
1. Points
Point of Order: To address a procedural mistake or clarification. Point of Personal Privilege: To request a break or address an issue affecting your ability to participate. Point of Information: To ask a direct question of the speaker (only during specific parts of debate). Point of Parliamentary Procedure: To raise questions about the formal procedure in the session. 2. Motions
Motion to Open Debate: To start formal debate on a topic. Motion for Moderated Caucus: To allow delegates to speak freely in a structured format, with limited speaking times. Motion for Unmoderated Caucus: A break in debate for delegates to discuss informally, often used for drafting resolutions. Motion to Close Debate: To end discussion on a topic and proceed to voting. 3. Voting
Delegates vote on resolutions and amendments after debate has ended. Voting may be conducted by show of hands or electronic voting, depending on the conference setup.
5. Preparing for the Conference
1. Research
Before the conference, you must conduct extensive research on the country you represent. Focus on the following aspects:
Geopolitical history, political system, and economic structure. Key international relations, alliances, and treaties. Your country's stance on the topics being discussed in your committee. Involvement in global organizations (e.g., UN, WHO, WTO, etc.). 2. Position Paper
Most conferences require delegates to submit a position paper before the conference begins. A position paper includes:
Brief overview of the topic and the country’s involvement. Your country's policy position on the issue. How your country proposes to address the issue. 6. Effective Debate and Speaking Tips
1. Speech Tips
Speak clearly and with authority, even if you are nervous. Ensure that your speech focuses on the country’s position and proposed solutions. Stick to time limits set by the Chair. Always speak with respect for other delegates, even when disagreeing. 2. Negotiation Tips
Listen to other countries’ views and be prepared to compromise. Build coalitions with other delegates whose views align with your country’s position. Emphasize diplomatic language and avoid aggressive statements. 7. Resolution Writing
A resolution is a formal proposal that presents a solution to the committee’s topic. It is written in collaboration with other delegates and follows a specific format:
Includes the committee name, topic, and sponsoring countries. Provide background information, historical context, and references to previous UN actions. Outline the proposed solutions in a clear, actionable way. Do not put a full stop until the last word of the entire paper 8. The MUN Code of Conduct
MUN operates in a formal, respectful, and professional environment. The following guidelines must be followed:
Treat all delegates, the Chair, and staff with respect. Do not misrepresent your country’s position or resort to dishonesty in your arguments. Actively engage in discussions, even if you have differing opinions. Formal business (minimum of smart casual) attire is expected during all conference sessions. 9. Additional Resources and Support
1. MUN Training
Join our training session!
2. Conference Materials
Ensure you have access to:
Background Guides: Provide important information on the topics to be discussed. Resolution Templates: Format your resolutions correctly. Country Profile: Understand your country’s key interests and foreign policy. 10. FAQs
1. What if I don’t know how to write a resolution?
You will be paired with experienced delegates to help you draft your resolution, and the Chair will provide guidance throughout the process. We have training sessions.
2. What happens if I can’t attend a session?
Notify the conference organizers in advance. If you miss a session, it may impact your performance and participation, however, no delegate will be able to attend all due to time zones.
3. How can I stand out in a conference?
Prepare thoroughly, participate actively in debates, build strong alliances, and present well-researched resolutions.
Good Luck!
We wish you the best of luck during the Model United Nations conference. Remember, MUN is about learning, networking, and representing your country to the best of your abilities. Enjoy the experience!
Delegate Handbook