DPSMUN 2009

Q: What is Model United Nations?

A: Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student "delegates" make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their committee will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way. The delegates' in-depth knowledge of their countries guarantees a lively and memorable experience.

Q: How did Model UN begin?
A: While there is no official record of how Model UN began, we do know that Model UN is the successor of a series of student-led Model League of Nations simulations. Some people believe that the first Model UN conference was held at Harvard University, although other colleges claim they held the first conference. Regardless, simulations of international organizations began even before the birth of the United Nations!

Learn more about UNA-USA and get involved today through our many programs.

Q: Who participates in Model United Nations?
A: The popularity of Model UN continues to grow and more than 400,000 middle school, high school and college/university students worldwide participate every year.

Q: What types of topics are discussed in Model UN conferences?
A: The agenda items discussed in committee vary at each conference. Most conferences tend to focus on current affairs issues that are being discussed in the United Nations. These issues can highlight political, financial and/or social concerns. However, the task of some committees might be to address hypothetical concerns or issues from the past or future. For example, many conferences have "crisis" committees, in which delegates must react to a hypothetical or actual crisis situation. Other conferences host historical or future Security Council simulations.

Q: What is a Model UN delegate?
A: A Model UN delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations in a Model UN simulation. Prior to a conference or event, a Model UN delegate does not need extensive experience in international relations. Anyone can participate in Model UN, so long as they have the ambition to learn something new and to work with people to try and make a difference in the world. Model UN students tend to go on to become great leaders in politics, law, business, education and medicine, such as the people mentioned above.

Q: Why should I participate in Model UN?
A: Model UN promotes students' and teachers' interest in world around them and broadens a student's knowledge in a variety of subjects. Model UN also teaches vital skills in negotiation, public speaking, problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication. Model UN also gives students and teachers the opportunity to meet interesting new people and make new friends.

Q: What are some of the educational benefits of Model UN?
A: For almost 60 years, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience. It not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues, but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives, such as negresearch, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and compromise and cooperation.

Q: What is the role of a Model UN faculty advisor?
A: The faculty advisor is a teacher who takes responsibility for students when the team attends a Model UN conference. Usually the faculty advisor should be fully committed to Model UN, but he or she does not need prior Model UN experience. This person should be able to assist students with their research, serve as a coach during the conference and assist with all of the logistics of attending a conference.

Model UN Conferences

Q: What is a Model UN conference?
A: Some Model UN exercises take place in the classroom and others are school-wide. Model UN events that are regional, national or international are called conferences. Conferences are much larger, with participants from all over the United States and the world. More than one million people have participated in Model UN conferences around the world since they became popular over 50 years ago. Today there are more than 400 conferences that take place in 52 countries. Conference can have as few as 30 students or as many as 3,000.

Q: When and where are Model UN conferences held?
A: There are an estimated 400 Model UN conferences held annually worldwide. These conferences take place virtually every month throughout the school year, with fewer events during the summer and standardized testing dates.

Q: Where can I find information about conferences in my area?
A: For dates and more information on conferences all over the world, please visit UNA-USA's Model UN Conference Calendar. If you are a conference organizer, you can also input your conference's information to be accessed by everyone. In addition, you can join our mun-e-news yahoo group to receive messages regarding Model UN conferences. Lastly, you can simply search for "Model UN conferences" and your location on the internet.

Model UN Preparation

Q: How should I prepare for my Model UN conference?
A: Researching is the first and most important step in preparing for a conference. Not only is it necessary to have a grasp on information about the country you are representing and its position on the policies being discussed, it is also important to understand the UN body that your committee is representing. For an overview of research suggestions, as well as useful links, visit our Research Overview from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Q: What is a position paper and how do I write one?
A: Before attending a conference, it is necessary to have a clear understanding about the workings of your country, as well as its position on the issues that are being discussed. Most conferences will even require a position paper in advance to ensure that delegates have properly researched their country. Position papers should contain your country's relation to the topic, as well as its suggestions for how to solve the issues discussed. For more information about position paper form, as well as a sample position paper, visit the Position Paper section from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Q: What should I wear to a Model UN conference?
A: Dressing professionally and appropriately is an important aspect of Model United Nations preparations. Just like being polite and having proper manners, dressing appropriately is an important way to show respect for the nation you are representing, for your fellow delegates and for the United Nations. At some conferences, delegates may wear their own national dress; however, most conferences require western business attire. Western business attire, or international standard business attire, serves as customary dress for workplaces. It includes wearing a suit, which is made up of pants, a matching jacket, a button-down dress shirt, and a tie. Conservative dress shoes and socks are also important. Skirts and dresses may also be worn as long as they fall to a respectable length and do not expose a lot of skin. The main thing to remember is to always insure that your appearance is tidy and put together, and that you are well covered.

Q: What are the rules of procedure at a conference?
A: In order for a committee session to progress smoothly, it is important for delegates to follow the rules of procedure. These rules ensure that order is kept and delegates have equal opportunities to contribute to the discussion. Rules of procedure also provide the proper format to ask questions and make speeches. Conference organizers usually provide schools with their rules of procedure, sometimes posting them on their website. For a complete explanation or the rules of procedure, visit the Rules of Procedure section from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Q: What is caucusing?
A: Caucusing is informal debate that occurs during a Model UN conference. It serves as an important method of discussion because it allows for greater participation and consensus building. Caucusing can be either "moderated" when speakers are called on by the chair after raising their placards or "un-moderated", which is a designated time for delegates without the intervention of the chair to have discussion and work on resolutions. For more information on the different types of caucuses, as well as tips on how to use caucus time successfully, visit the Caucusing section from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Q: How do I write a resolution?
A: During a committee session resolutions are essential to promote debate and create solutions to issues that are being discussed. Resolutions not only acknowledge the issues that are being debated, but they also present a series of steps that can be taken resolve the conflict. Writing resolutions can be challenging since they must appeal to a broad range of members with differing concerns if they are going to be successfully passed. For information on correct format and helpful tips, visit the Resolutions section from the from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Q: How can I feel more confident speaking in public?
A: Public speaking is a big component of a Model UN conference and an essential skill to ensure that your nation's concerns are represented. Speeches are made by individual nations throughout committee sessions from the speaker's list and during moderated caucuses. Negotiation can also occur on an individual and informal level; however, it is important to present your nation's views clearly and eloquently to the entire committee. For more help and information about public speaking, visit the Public Speaking from the Model UN Preparation Guide.

Registering for a Conference

Q: How does my team register for a Model UN Conference?
A: Visit DPS  website   www.dpssharjah.com is designed to make it as easy as possible for you to select the  country best suited to you. Schedule and the conference details.

To register for a Model UN Conference, your team should:

·                          Collect  the code from DPS Sharjah and register on line.

·                          Once you have received conference registration forms, complete and return the requested information and fees. Your group will soon receive confirmation of registration and a country assignment as well as a conference schedule, background materials and information. Remember to keep a copy of all materials and checks sent to conference organizers.

Q: How do we select a country?
A: When registering for a Model UN conference, participants will usually be asked to indicate which countries they want to role-play at the conference. Although there are 192 countries to choose from, many schools compete for the 15 countries on the Security Council, especially the five permanent members with veto power: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

New teams should request mid-sized countries, as they play an integral role in debate but are not overwhelming. It is worth noting, however, that in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and most other UN committees and agencies, the principle of sovereign equality governs the proceedings. This means each member state has one vote. Even the "smallest" member state not only has an important role to play, but can sometimes wield considerable influence. Therefore, bear in mind that size and power are the not only important criteria for choosing an interesting country to represent.

Most conferences work on a first-come, first-served basis when it comes to country assignments. Usually, the sooner you send in your registration materials and fees, the better your chances of getting the country of your choice. However, some conference organizers give priority to schools that received awards the previous year.

It may be helpful to consider some of the following criteria when narrowing down country preferences:

·                          What would your group like to learn from this experience?

·                          Which countries would help to enhance this learning experience?

·                          How does each country fit into the group's course of study?
For example, an advisor wishing to teach a course on economic development may wish to choose a developing or newly-developed economy.

·                          How much of a challenge does each country pose for the group?

·                          How familiar are the students in the group with each country or region you are considering?

·                          Are there enough participants in the group to represent the countries you have chosen? Most conferences provide a matrix that lists the minimum and maximum numbers of delegates needed to represent each country. You may have enough members to represent just one country or several.

Can't find your question?

·                          For Model UN preparation questions, please visit our MUN Preparation Section

·                          For Model UN events hosted by UNA-USA, please visit us on our conferences page.