This will determine the category of topics you'll be researching & debating on. Each committee in JMUN has a different background, and thus unique world topics, that only they discuss. Some focus on the environment (UNEP), medicine (WHO), poverty (UNDP), and the economy (ECOSOC), while others strive to prevent WW3 (Security Council).

As a delegate, you will choose what committee you want to be apart of. Make sure you do your research and choose the committee whose topics/issues speak out to you the most. While it's important to be passionate about the issues your committee targets, it's how you approach those topics that will matter. You will then be assigned a mentor (see Secretariat Resources > Mentor Assignments), based on your committee, who will personally guide you throughout the year. For this year's mentor assignments, see below.

This is the country that you will represent in your committee. Nations are assigned randomly and thus, you must be open to acting based on radically different morals. Your nation's geography and policy will dictate who your nation's allies are, because their interests will align with yours the most. Ultimately, the popularity of your nation will not matter as much as you think it might. Your chairs will judge you based on your ability to portray your nation, not how much preexisting "clout" your nation has. Remember, there are no small delegates, only small nations.

A sample position paper can be found under Resources.

Position papers are essentially research papers that include (1) general background info on the topic, (2) the UN's involvement, and (3) your country's stance on the issue and past efforts (if any). These papers are one page in length. They are written towards the beginning of the year, and upon submission are read and graded by your chairs. A few delegates, normally two per topic, will be selected to read their position papers in conference.

Resolutions are your proposed solutions to the provided agenda topics, and arguably the most important step in preparing for conference. The goal when writing resolutions is to be as biased (to your country's position), realistic, and creative as possible. These should be no more than two pages in length. They, too, will be read and graded by your chairs, and a handful will be chosen to be included in your committee's 'resolution packet'. Each resolution in the packet will have the opportunity to be discussed/debated in conference.

Note: Some committees are excluded from or have different guidelines for certain writing assignments

Speeches & Comments - For each resolution, the chairs will open a speakers list (unless a motion for a moderated caucus - see below - is passed). This is your opportunity to deliver speeches. You'll raise your placard when the chair asks who would like to be added to the speaker's list, and hope the chair calls on you. If you are added to the speaker's list, you'll simply deliver your speech at the front of the committee room when it is your turn. (Note: your speech should be 1 min, 30 sec maximum.) Normally, there will be a set number of comments after each speech is delivered. Comments should be up to 45 seconds, and should be delivered in direct response to the speech that was just given. This can include, but is not limited to, agreeing with the speech, adding bits of information, or disagreeing with the speech.

Caucuses -

• • Moderated (mod) caucus: Moderated caucuses are ways to get through a resolution quicker or to address a specific topic. As a delegate, you can "motion for a moderated caucus" as long as you can provide a topic or reason for it and an overall time duration (+individual speaking times); other delegates may propose different time frames as well. Then, as expected, these times will be voted on until one is passed.

  • Unmoderated (unmod) caucus: This type of caucus is much more informal. When someone "motions for an unmoderated caucus," they do not need to provide a reason, just a time duration (typically 5-30 min). Then, once a time is voted on, you are free to move about the committee room and mingle. But beware: the chairs will be walking around and taking note of who is speaking with other delegates, so don't use unmods as an excuse to relax; use them to your advantage! Ask people about sponsoring amendments, make allies, ask a questions about resolutions, etc.

Amendments - These documents are basically a fancy way to edit a resolution. There are two types:

• • Friendly: Friendly amendments have the consent and support of the writer of the resolution you are amending. These amendments are automatically added to the resolution, and no voting will be necessary. Note: you can also amend your own resolution, and these amendments are automatically friendly.

  • Unfriendly: These are a little more tricky. Unfriendly amendments do not have the consent of the resolution writer. In order to pass these, you need the majority, or two-thirds, of the delegates in your committee to support and vote for the amendment.

The Crisis

Towards the end of the first day of conference, one of the Upper Secretariat members will enter your committee room claiming there is a crisis. They will then read a very long piece of text that describes an insanely complicated global crisis that they have created (don't worry, it's not real). Make sure to take notes on what the Secretariat member says when they reach the part of the text regarding your committee (but don't worry too much about getting every word...they'll leave copies in the room).

Then, debate on resolutions is suspended and you will enter an unmoderated caucus to discuss the crisis. Here, it is highly recommended that you get into groups with other delegates whose countries share your same opinions. Once in your groups, you should exchange emails with each person so someone will be able to create and share the document. For more information on formatting, see the sample crisis resolution under Resources. Make sure you talk with your groups to establish what solution(s) you will be proposing in your resolution, as well as some ideas for funding sources, a timeline, etc. Be warned, you will need to work on these resolutions when you get home. Once your group is finished writing the resolution, make sure someone prints hard copies that you can give to the other delegates the next day.

The next morning in committee, you will begin the day with each group sharing their resolutions and answering any questions the fellow delegates may have. Typically, once all the resolutions have been shared, you'll move into voting bloc to determine which resolutions pass and fail. After this, normal debate will resume.