What is Model UN?
Model UN is club where students take on the role of delegates of the United Nations. At competitions you give speeches, write resolution papers, and caucus to stand out to the judges. There are two forms of the club, the first is GA or General Assembly were you debate and plan with the whole room with topics planned ahead of time. The second is a crisis committee where you get "new information" in session and you have to adjust. Both events are fun and will help you be a better speaker.
More information and tips on Model UN
Model UN basics PowerPoint
Information and tips Blog
Hey everyone!!!
If you are in High School you probably have a club called Model United Nations (or MUN for short). This club is very similar to Congressional Debate in the Speech and Debate club. I will give you some help in this club. Go to this slide show for more details
Before I go into tips let's talk very brief overview of competitions. In competitions you represent a country (sometimes a organizations). You are in a room with other countries trying to discuss issues involving the world. Your goal is to act as your country would and pass resolutions that accomplish your countries wishes. Knowing that lets move on.
If you are in High School you probably have a club called Model United Nations (or MUN for short). This club is very similar to Congressional Debate in the Speech and Debate club. I will give you some help in this club. Go to this slide show for more details
Before I go into tips let's talk very brief overview of competitions. In competitions you represent a country (sometimes a organizations). You are in a room with other countries trying to discuss issues involving the world. Your goal is to act as your country would and pass resolutions that accomplish your countries wishes. Knowing that lets move on.
- There are two types of Model United Nations events.
- General Assembly
- Is where students represent countries debating about a variety of topics that involve international community. There are lots of students in teams of two people. If you probably want to start of here for your first competition.
- Crisis Committee
- This is more advanced. You will have to deal with issues that are brought up live in committee. You can send something called "crisis notes" which is a note you send to the people running the committee. When you send one you can change what is "happening" outside of the committee. It is a lot harder because you have to send crisis notes, send notes to other countries, and speak on the topics.
- General Assembly
- How do you use motions to your advantage?
- First what are motions? (If you know skip the next paragraph )
- Model UN uses parliamentary procedure. So to start debate or talk you motion (Just like Congress Debate). After you motion to have speak on a topic (and it gets voted in) you get to chose to speak first or last.
- Why speak first?
- If you got attack in the last speaking period or you have something important that happened in the last un-moderated caucus.
- Why speak last?
- This is what I would suggest you do. This way after hearing both side you can comment on all of it. You get the last word in which is always good.
- First what are motions? (If you know skip the next paragraph )
- What about if I got a country like Russia or North Korea?
- This is even better than a country like America or Britain in my opinion. Why? Because you can isolate the common country by saying you and the other 2nd and 3rd world countries never have voice. If you relate to the majority you will win the competition. If you are a country like America don't isolate because there are more 2nd and 3rd world countries. If you are a 1st world then find another way to relate with majority.