Bloccing, Q&A, and Presentation are core concepts in which delegates must be fluent with when attending a Model UN conference. These skills require outreach, diplomacy, and collaboration. With these, the ultimate goal is to create a group in which a successful paper can be written and passed, which can only be done if the paper is properly presented and justified.Â
Bloccing occurs during an unmoderated caucus (unmod), in which delegates come together to form groups called blocs based on their solutions, similar mindsets, and prior speech impressions. Delegates in a bloc must work together to come up with a working paper by the end of the first unmod. A working paper is a collection of clauses with solutions combined from delegates in the bloc. After the first round of presentations and Q&A, blocs typically form mergers with each other to form larger blocs based on similar solutions and country members with similar viewpoints and interests on the topic. In these (now larger) blocs, delegates will once again work together to form more comprehensive resolution papers, and will go on to later select individuals to represent the bloc in both presentation as well as Q&A. Once all unmoderated caucuses are completed, final resolution papers will be voted in a committee wide vote, with support being based on a paper's performance during Q&A as well as presentation. Please note that committee structure is often subject to change based on time and the number of participants. For this reason, mergers, numbers of blocs, and accepted papers will differ and may be announced during an unmoderated caucus.
Presentation occurs after the working papers or the resolution papers are submitted, a number of delegates from each bloc are chosen to represent the bloc's paper and are given the opportunity to go through and present the paper worked on during the unmoderated caucus. Throughout the prez the delegates presenting will explain their bloc's clauses regarding the issue. The goal of prez is to educate the delegates from other blocs on the paper. Once every bloc is done presenting, Q&A will begin (more on that below). In some cases, for and against speeches will also be included. Here, individuals will be required to make impromptu speeches either supporting a paper, or going against it. These speakers will typically be chosen after both presentation as well as Q&A are finished, and will be chosen on by chairs rather than a bloc itself. Keep in mind that many committees operate with unique schedules, and the placement as well as presence of for and against speeches may be subject to chance.
Questions and Answers are a vital part of supporting a paper, the intentions of the solutions, and the countries who drafted it. Here, individuals will be chosen to represent their bloc and paper and will strategically answer questions to both clarify and defend solutions that may be targeted from the rest of the committee. This will occur once the presentation of the paper has elapsed. Individuals will be chosen by the bloc itself in its chosen manner, but this must be done so diplomatically. One's presence during the Q&A decisions, along with their formality and sense of respect is often taken into account in the awards process as tight timeframes to choose individuals may spark chaos and undiplomatic behavior, and the position itself shows leadership and initiative. Please note that the number of delegates chosen for Q&A and number of times Q&A occurs may change based on a committee's size and schedule.