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Prepare for a conference
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Overview
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 Research Tips
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Model UN Experts
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Overview
Gathering
Information | Developing MUN Skills
| Tips from MUNers
| Other MUN organizations
You prepare by gathering information and developing Model UN skills.
Gathering Information
Read our Research Tips before getting
started on gathering information. The Research Tips will
help you research your assigned topic, your country's culture
and background as well as your country's position on your assigned
topic. In addition, check our links to
excellent web sites that can help you gather information on
topics and countries. If you still have a question after using
these resources, contact
a MUN Expert.
Here are six important areas for you to research as part of
your preparation for a conference:
- Know the UN system. We have created an on-line introduction
to and virtual tour of the UN for students who want a basic
understanding of the UN system.
- Become familiar with the your country's history, culture,
political structure, and current political affairs. In addition
to resources you may find at your school, university, or
public library and on the internet, it may be useful to
read fiction and non-fiction books (e.g., biographies) written
by authors who live in your country. They may offer insights
into the culture you are learning about.
- Learn about your country's viewpoints on as many of the
issues that will be discussed at the conference you will
be attending as you can.
- Know your allies and your opposition. In order to adequately
represent your country during the conference, you will need
to interact with delegates from other countries. Knowing
their positions on your topic will help you predict their
arguments during debate. This will be very useful in helping
you decide in advance where it might be useful to seek cooperation
or compromise.
- Be familiar with current statistical data on your topic
and country.
- Review the rules and procedures for your conference. These
rules are intended to create a level playing field allowing
each country to accomplish its individual goals in speaking
about their policies while maximizing opportunities for
the group to reach agreement or even consensus on the issue.
Each conference publishes a set of rules and procedures
that are derived from those used by the UN. There are many
resources on protocol and parliamentary procedure available
through MUN sites and books.
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Developing MUN Skills
Develop MUN skills by asking more experienced participants of MUN conferences and/or your advisor about exercises that will improve your abilities to: debate, speak publicly, negotiate, resolve conflicts, compromise, cooperate, write resolutions, and build consensus.
Most importantly, participate in as many conferences as you
can. This is the best way for you to sharpen your skills.
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Tips from MUNers
- Remember it is not your opinion you are expounding but
the country you are representing.
- Be willing to continuously improve and refine you capabilities.
- Do mock trials with team members and neighboring teams.
- Technique matters - so practice it.
- Be aware of different political perspectives - East vs.
West and North vs. South.
- Compromise is an art, treat it that way.
- Get hooked on MUN, this will change your life.
- Learn from your experience.
- Hold a debriefing session after each conference to discuss
things that worked and things that did not work.
- Keep a record of your feedback and plans for improvement.
- Congratulate your team members (and other players!) on
their contributions to the team and the conference.
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Other Model U.N. organizations
The United
Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA - USA)
is a non-profit organization that supports the work of the UN.
As part of its Model UN outreach, it publishes wonderful resources
which are described in its catalog.
Their publications include comprehensive information on how
to prepare for a conference, updates on global issues, policy
statements and analysis as well as an informative video on Model
U.N. with footage from actual conferences.
The American
Model United Nations (AMUN) has also put together some excellent
resources for student delegates, faculty advisors and student
leaders who are preparing their school for Model UN conferences.
Student delegates should look at AMUN's tricks
of the trade for pre-conference preparation tips as well
as tactics and strategies to use during the conference. Faculty
advisors and student leaders should consult the AMUN
Simulation Guide for activities on resolution writing and
caucusing as well as instructions for running a practice simulation.
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