Embedded Files
How to MUN
How to MUN
What and why?
What and why?
How to be a delegate?
How to be a delegate?
How to research?
How to research?
How to write a resolution?
How to write a resolution?
How to lobby?
How to lobby?
How to debate?
How to debate?
How to prepare
How to prepare
Once you’ve been assigned your committee and country, this is what you must do to prepare:
Once you’ve been assigned your committee and country, this is what you must do to prepare:
Research Your Country:
Research Your Country:
Understand your country's position on the issue being debated in your committee. Focus on their historical stance, allies, and any relevant domestic policies.
Know Your Committee’s Agenda:
Know Your Committee’s Agenda:
Every committee will have a list of topics or issues they are addressing. Make sure you understand the specific topic your committee is debating and how it connects to your country’s interests.
Prepare Opening Statements:
Prepare Opening Statements:
Draft a short speech - about 1-2 minutes - that introduces your country’s stance on the topic. This is usually the first impression you’ll make at the conference, so make it clear and compelling.
Formulate Policy Ideas:
Formulate Policy Ideas:
Based on your research, start thinking about the policies you want to propose. Be ready to negotiate and compromise with other countries.
If you know what you are doing, you can write up a resolution of your own to be debated on within the committee, the topic of which is found in the committee's agenda. It is also advisable to attempt, even if you havent done MUN beforehand, to write one as the research necessary to do so will also be helpful during debate.
MUN procedure
MUN procedure
Model UN follows a structured process from debate to voting. Below is a brief guide to the key stages you'll encounter.
Model UN follows a structured process from debate to voting. Below is a brief guide to the key stages you'll encounter.
Lobbying / caucus:
Lobbying / caucus:
Before formal debate starts, you’ll lobby with other countries to find allies who support similar policies, you can also present your resolution, if you have one, to the other delegates.
Formal Debate:
Formal Debate:
- Resolution picked
Once delegates submit their draft resolutions, the Chair approves and selects resolutions for debate. The selected resolution becomes the focus of the committee’s discussion.
- Opening statements
Each delegate, submitter and co submitter of the resolution delivers an opening statement to introduce the key points and objectives of the resolution. This speech sets the tone for the debate and provides an overview of the proposed solutions.
- Points of information (POI)
After the opening statements, delegates may raise Points of Information (questions) to the submitters to clarify parts of the resolution. Delegates use POIs to ask direct questions and clarify ambiguities in the resolution or as an attack to reduce the credibility of a resolution.
- General debate
The committee moves into general debate, where countries give speeches either supporting or opposing the resolution. During this phase, countries express their stance on the resolution as a whole.
- Amendments
Delegates can propose amendments to the resolution to change or improve specific clauses. There are two types of amendments:
Friendly Amendments: These are changes that the submitters of the resolution agree to. (PLEASE DON'T AMEND PUNCTUATION OR GRAMMAR)
Unfriendly Amendments: These are changes that the submitters do not agree with, and they require debate and a vote.
- Voting procedure
Once debate concludes, the Chair moves the committee into voting procedure, where the committee votes on the resolution as a whole, this includes changes made with amendments. Countries vote “Yes,” “No,” or abstain (if allowed). A simple majority (more than 50%) is required for a resolution to pass. If the resolution passes, it may be presented in the General Assembly (GA).
How to write a resolution
How to write a resolution
Head of the resolution
Head of the resolution
State the forum (e.g., The General Assembly)
then the topic you are writing about and your committee will be debating on (QUESTION OF etc.)
List the Main Submitter (only one) and at least five Co-Submitters who support the resolution.
Begin with “THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,” followed by a comma.
Preambulatory clauses
Preambulatory clauses
Include preambulatory clauses that provide background and context, they show your perspective.
Use phrases such as “Reminding,” “Reaffirming,” or “Noting”. Each preambulatory clause should be italicized and separated by a comma and a line break.
Operative clauses
Operative clauses
The operative clauses are your actions, they show what changes you want and what actions to be done.
Number each operative clause starting with “1.” Use action verbs like “Encourages,” “Urges,” or “Requests,” and underline each operative phrase. Separate each clause with a semicolon and a line break. Avoid starting two consecutive clauses with the same word/phrase.
Sub-clauses
Sub-clauses
Sub-clauses provide specific details or steps related to the main clause.
Use colons to introduce sub-clauses within an operative clause. Separate each sub-clause with a line break, and avoid using additional punctuation like semicolons.
Sub-sub-clauses
Sub-sub-clauses
Used further detail is required, (see example)
Use colons to introduce sub-sub-clauses under each sub-clause. List sub-sub-clauses in sequence (i, ii, iii) and ensure there is no additional spacing or punctuation between them.
End with a final operative clause and ensure it ends with a period.
End with a final operative clause and ensure it ends with a period.
The formatting rules can vary at different conferences but they generally remain the same. Check what their rules are whilst writing your resolution. If your formatting isn't spot on, the chairs probably wouldn't bother you about it but it is still a testament to the amount of effort put in.
The formatting rules can vary at different conferences but they generally remain the same. Check what their rules are whilst writing your resolution. If your formatting isn't spot on, the chairs probably wouldn't bother you about it but it is still a testament to the amount of effort put in.
Page updated
Report abuse