Published on June 30, 2022

Did you know that the United Nations got its name when Churchill was enjoying a bubble bath in Washington and Roosevelt barged in to declare that United Nations shall be the name of the Allies in the middle of WW2!

Model UN Conferences are a great tool for students to practice as the in-depth simulation equips the students with a number of very important skills – leadership, debating, researching, etc. Students also learn to negotiate and develop problem-solving skills through drafting resolutions and responding to real-world problems. 

How Does a MUN Conference Work?

At every conference, delegates representing different countries in a UN Committee come together to discuss a global issue (climate change, poverty, access to education, etc) which is passed on to the delegates beforehand. This way, they can make a policy sheet to gather information about their country’s policies and laws on the issue at hand. This is followed by debates between the delegates of different countries in that committee to come up with practical solutions (resolutions) to solve any issue. These resolutions are then voted upon by the committee and will be passed only if there is a majority in favor of it.

What are The Different Stages of a Conference?

1. The Pre-Conference Stage: Before every Conference, students are assigned countries and given the topic that the committee will discuss upon. During this time, the delegates must research about their country and its policies regarding the topic to be discussed in the committee. At this point of the conference, you must prepare your opening speech and deliver it in a way that clearly presents your country’s position.
2. Morning Session: The chair of the conference briefs the delegates about the logistics of the conference and the format that the same would follow. The Morning Session is also where the delegates interact with each other and deliver their opening speeches to voice their country’s perspective on the issue at hand. Through this session, the delegates can decide to collaborate with other countries that might share a similar problem or ideology to form blocs.
3. Afternoon Session: This is a very important stage of every conference. Real-world solutions to the problems regarding the issue being discussed in the committee are drafted into documents – Resolutions. Upon approval of the resolution, delegates partake in an Authors Panel. In the Authors Panel, delegates present their resolutions and respond to any questions the opposing delegates might have about the resolution or the procedure involved in its execution.
4. Resolution Voting: Finally, the committee transitions into a Voting Phase where the resolutions are voted upon to be either approved or rejected. Delegates also have the freedom to abstain from partaking in the voting procedure. Whatever motions get the majority of votes are passed and with this, the conference is adjourned!

Final Tips and Takeaways:

Now that you know how MUNs work, do you want to win the Best Delegate award at your next conference? Of course, you do! Here are a few tips that might help you become a better MUNner:

1. Research! Research! Research! This is the only weapon that you take with yourself into the battlefield that we call Model UN. Facts and statistics regarding the particular issue being discussed might favor your country’s agenda and make it easier to respond to any objections. Also, maintaining a research binder where you collate all important information regarding the pressing issue in the committee will greatly help you!
2. Do NOT badger the chair! I am not kidding. Chairs are humans too and being respectful to them will only work in your favor. You could address them as ‘honorable chair’ and be polite whenever you talk to them. Apart from being respectful to the chair and other senior officials, you must also keep in mind the importance of proper etiquette. This would ease the process of making connections with representatives of other countries and forming blocs later in the conference!
3. Listen! A good delegate focuses on listening over talking more. Your speeches must be in line with the facts other delegates are stating and you could also use the same against them or in favor of your country. This is very difficult to master but actively listening to other delegates would greatly help you in forming solutions that benefit all.
4. Engage! Try to participate in all discussions that are taking place in the committee. Try to look for ways that the particular topic affects your country and present your country as relevant to the discussion. I’m not telling you to become the “loudest” delegate at the conference because that does not mean that people would be interested in hearing what you have to say. Incorporate some value in your words every time you get to speak.

Conclusions:

These pointers and tips are surely going to prepare you for any MUN Conference that comes your way. Now that you are equipped with all the foundational knowledge regarding the world of MUNs, take a look at our [MUN plug]