Transcript www.uhsmun.com

How To “MUN”
By: Lilia Abecassis and Trina Sarkar
Directors of Internal Affairs
1. What is MUN?
- a simulation of the United Nations
- each delegate represents a country
- countries debate on world issues and work
together to formulate creative solutions
2. Preparation for an MUN
Conference
i. Research
ii. Position Paper (* select conferences)
iii. Write draft of speeches (general and
substantive)
iv. Practice speeches
i) Research
- Websites:
● www.un.org - Official Web site of the UN
● http://bestdelegate.com/research/ - links to various websites
- Key Points
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A brief background on the topic itself
Key players in the topic -- LOOK TO CAUCUS WITH THEM
What is (Country Name) policy on (Topic)
Innovative solutions that are already being
discussed/implemented
● If you can’t find actions your country specifically has taken,
create solutions on your own. MUN is a lot of innovation.
- Bring a couple of articles/bulletpoints to
committee. If anything, it looks good.
iii) Write Drafts of Speeches
- Opening - your first speech. introduce your
ideas. (will explain more in next slides.)
- Subsequent: speeches after everyone has
gone through openings gives your country’s
policies regarding the topic and introduces
the committee to your proposed solutions
Speech Format
1. Intro. Standard formalities. Include 3-4
sentences on the problem. Remember,
everyone’s spent time researching, so don’t
waste precious time on too much background
info.
2. Country position. You want to make an
impression. Clearly outline your
plan/resolution ideas. Having an short, easily
memorable acronym works very well. Ex.
“PERI- Prevent, Enforce, Revoke, and
Inform.”
3. End with another formality. Courtesy and
Copyright Lilia and Trina Berkeley 2013
Honorable Chair and Fellow Delegates,
Throughout history, males have often been regarded as the stronger, more dominant
sex, and women were seen as their weaker counterpart. In some countries, where
having a son is more desirable than a daughter, parents have resorted to aborting a
fetus for the sole reason that it is female. It is estimated that nearly 10 million female
fetuses have been aborted in India alone. Because of this, India and China, among
other countries, now have an alarmingly large male to female ratio, and will soon
have a large surplus of men who cannot find wives.
A solution to this problem would be to automatically revoke the medical license of any
doctor found performing an abortion without medical reason. Medical reasons are
instances where the baby would be born with a deformity or disease, or if it would
cause harm to the mother. Germany realizes that most sex-selective abortions are
performed underground, and additional solutions are necessary. In countries where
female feticide is a prevalent issue, Germany proposes emphasizing the importance
of the female in society through forms of mass media. Ads on television, billboards,
and other forms of mass media will help change the mindset of these parents and
encourage them to not abort female fetuses. Educating citizens on the
accomplishments of women, especially from their own country, will help them realize
the importance of females. Additionally, due to the large gender gap, Germany
proposes giving citizens in countries like India and China, where the gender ratio has
become an issue, a small but noticeable tax cut for the sole purpose of raising a
daughter.
Germany looks forward to further discussing ideas during caucus. Thank you.
iv) Practice Speeches
- PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.
- incredibly impressive if a delegate can speak
without notes/faltering, but be careful. If you
go up without notes and mess up, it can end
badly. Playing it safe is always good.
- practice pacing (body and speech)
-time yourself with your phone to make sure
you hit the time limit/ don’t go over.
-record yourself so you can know if you sound
rushed or are going too slowly.
MOTIONS!
First motion= open debate.
Second motion= open speaker’s list. you want
to raise your placard for this one if you want
to speak first.
During opening statements, once in a while te
chair will “are there any motions on the
floor?”
At this point, you can say “motion for a 5/10
Point- raise placard at any time to
ask
Point of Inquiry: want clarification on
information, have a question any of that.
“Point of inquiry, what is a resolution?”
Point of personal privilege: bathroom, water,
need to leave the room for any reason.
Comments
After a delegate makes a speech, the chair will
usually take 1-3 people to make a brief
comment, usually around 30 seconds. These
are not worth as many points as speeches,
but still important.
Example of a comment. “Germany would like to commend Australia on a wellgiven speech, but would like to point out Germany is in fact a superior
nation and does not need to host koalas to feel better about itself. While
Australia does have superior wildlife, Germany would like to further
emphasize its rich cultural history. We look forward to discussing ideas
further during caucus. Thank you. ”
Caucasing
Unmoderated caucus- you get up and walk
around the room to talk with other delegates
and compare resolution ideas. You will form
your group and write your resolution during
this time.
Moderated caucus- the chair will call on you
and you will make a speech to pitch your
ideas.
Unmoderated caucus
Be a leader and make sure you take control of
the group, but don’t be too obnoxious and
overbearing. Explain your ideas, but also
allow others to share theirs. You want to lead
the group, but let other people give their two
cents.
When you find people who have similar ideas
to you, you will form a resolution group.
Together, you will write a resolution to
present to the committee.
Resolution
There are certain formalities to writing a
resolution. Your committee will likely explain
to you how this works.
1. List all the sponsors (countries in your
resolution group) and signatories.
2. Pre-ams- a bunch of words that mean
nothing but you need to inclue. EX. “Hoping
to decrease the number of deaths by malaria,
saddened by the loss of human life, etc.
Resolution, cont.
Operatives: Basically where you say what you
want to do.
Ex.
1. Encourages the use of nuclear missiles
against the moon,
a. to destroy alien populations
b. to further solidify Earthly dominance
Resolutions, cont.
Once you have presented your resolution, you
will enter “voting bloc” where you vote on
resolutions.
Do not veto every resolution simply because it
isn’t yours.
Nothing happens if they are passed or not.
After voting, someone will make a motion to
suspend debate. Time for Awards Ceremony!