Model United Nations (MUN) is a scholastic simulation where students act as delegates representing a member state or organization in a specific UN body or committee. Participants research complex global issues, debate solutions, and attempt to resolve conflicts from the perspective of their assigned country’s foreign policy. The goal of the multi-day conference is to produce written documents, known as resolutions, that propose detailed solutions to the problems on the committee’s agenda.
Delegate Preparation and Roles
Before the conference begins, students are assigned the specific country they will represent and the committee in which they will serve, such as the General Assembly or the Security Council. Delegates must conduct extensive research to understand their assigned country’s history, political structure, and stance on the topics slated for discussion. This ensures the delegate advocates for solutions that align with the assigned nation’s actual foreign policy.
The second primary task is the creation of a Position Paper, a document that summarizes the delegate’s knowledge of the topic and outlines the country’s proposed solutions. This document typically includes a background of the issue, the nation’s past actions related to it, and a clear policy statement. Delegates also prepare an opening speech, a short statement delivered early in the session to introduce the country’s views to the committee.
The flow of debate is managed by the Dais, a group of student officers that includes the Chair, who guides the committee’s proceedings. The Chair enforces the rules of procedure and maintains decorum throughout the session. Delegates are expected to uphold their country’s position while utilizing the formal rules to advance the discussion toward a resolution.
Navigating the Committee Session
A committee session begins with a Roll Call, where delegates announce their presence to establish the quorum needed for decisions. If the committee has multiple topics, a delegate must then make a Motion to set the agenda, which requires a vote to determine the order of discussion. Once the agenda is set, the committee enters the formal debate phase, which centers on the General Speakers List (GSL).
The GSL is the default mode of discussion where delegates take turns delivering formal speeches to the entire committee. This phase allows countries to clearly state their initial positions, identify potential allies, and introduce their foundational ideas. After a delegate finishes their speech, they may yield their remaining time to the Chair, to another delegate, or to questions.
To move the debate to focused negotiation, delegates make a Motion for a Moderated Caucus. If approved by a simple majority vote, this temporary suspension of the GSL allows for shorter, more frequent speeches focused on a specific sub-issue, such as funding mechanisms or regional impact. When the committee needs unstructured time for lobbying and drafting documents, a Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus is made, which temporarily suspends all formal rules. During this informal time, delegates actively circulate, build voting blocs with like-minded countries, and collaborate on the text of their written proposals.
Formal Rules of Procedure
The committee’s proceedings are governed by specific parliamentary rules, which delegates use to control the debate’s direction and pace. Procedural actions are categorized as either Points or Motions, each serving a distinct purpose. Points address immediate issues that do not require a vote, such as a Point of Personal Privilege, which a delegate may raise to address an urgent personal discomfort.
Points and Motions
The Point of Order corrects a procedural error made by the Chair or another delegate, while a Point of Inquiry asks the Dais a question regarding the rules of procedure. Motions are formal requests for the committee to take a specific action that affects the entire body and typically require a vote to pass. Examples include moving into a caucus format or proposing a Motion to Close Debate.
The Motion to Close Debate is significant, as it signals the committee’s readiness to conclude discussion and move directly into the voting procedure. This motion usually requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass, reflecting the seriousness of ending the debate prematurely. Most other procedural motions, such as setting the agenda or entering a caucus, require only a simple majority.
Drafting and Adopting Resolutions
The ultimate written output of the committee is the resolution, a formal document outlining the solutions agreed upon by the body. The process begins with a Working Paper, an initial draft of ideas collaboratively developed by delegates during caucuses. Once this paper is developed and approved by the Dais, it becomes a Draft Resolution.
Delegates who author the document and strongly support its contents are listed as Sponsors, while other delegates who wish to see the proposal debated sign on as Signatories. To formally introduce the document for debate, a Motion to Introduce the Draft Resolution is required, which generally passes with a simple majority. Once introduced, delegates may propose Amendments, which are proposed changes to the operative clauses (the solution-oriented sections) of the draft resolution.
Friendly Amendments are agreed upon by all the sponsors and are automatically incorporated, whereas Unfriendly Amendments are voted on by the entire committee before the final vote on the resolution. The final step is the substantive vote on the Draft Resolution itself, which occurs after the Motion to Close Debate has passed. Delegates may vote “yes,” “no,” or “abstain,” and the document passes to become a formal resolution if it receives a simple majority of “yes” votes.