Purpose of Research
If you want to be successful in MUN, it is imperative that you complete your research. Below you find directions for various tasks you will be expected to complete for each conference you attend. Also, for more information, click here to be directed to the Best Delegate website. This particular page of the Best Delegate website offers many research websites for you to visit as you begin your research.
It is highly recommended that you have a binder that is devoted solely for the purpose of MUN. Often, the use of technology is not permitted in session. Click here to see what you should have in your binder.
It is highly recommended that you have a binder that is devoted solely for the purpose of MUN. Often, the use of technology is not permitted in session. Click here to see what you should have in your binder.
Country Research
Before you can begin to debate about your topic, you need to learn as much as you can about your country. Start with learning the following about your assigned country:
1) Geography
2) History
3) People
1) Geography
2) History
3) People
The UN Charter
To be effective in debate, you need to know the UN Charter. Understanding the UN Charter, what it says and what the UN can and cannot do is a very important component in being successful at MUN conferences. Be sure to have a copy of this for your MUN research binder. Click here for a PDF version of the UN Charter.
By the time you are done learning about the UN Charter, you should be able to answer the following questions:
1) What is the purpose of the UN?
2) How does a country join the UN?
3) How is the UN organized? How many different committees are there?
4) How does the UN deal with the sovereignty of a country? (And, what is sovereignty?)
5) Does the UN achieve its goals and help the world with peace and security or, do they maintain the "status-quo"?
By the time you are done learning about the UN Charter, you should be able to answer the following questions:
1) What is the purpose of the UN?
2) How does a country join the UN?
3) How is the UN organized? How many different committees are there?
4) How does the UN deal with the sovereignty of a country? (And, what is sovereignty?)
5) Does the UN achieve its goals and help the world with peace and security or, do they maintain the "status-quo"?
Topic Research
Once you have learned about your country, start to learn about your topic. The best place to begin is by understanding exactly what the issue being debated is. To be really effective in debate, research both sides of the issue. This way, when you are in debate, you will be able to speak to both sides and confront delegates that are debating on the opposite side of the issue as you.
Position Paper
This is essentially a 5 paragraph essay that outlines your countries position on the issue. While you never bring your position paper to the conference, by completing the position paper you will know exactly where your country stands on the issue you are preparing to debate for.
The Introduction:
Introduce the topic and which country you represent.
Body Paragraph One:
In this paragraph introduce what the UN has done in the past to resolve the issue being debated. You can go online and search for resolutions that have been debated in the UN to support your position. Understanding what has been attempted in the past puts you in a better position to create new ideas and resolutions.
Body Paragraph Two:
In this paragraph you will introduce what your country believes needs to be done to resolve the issue. Offer a minimum of three ideas to support your position.
Body Paragraph Three:
In this paragraph discuss the history of the issue. You will want to be sure to demonstrate an understanding of the past to understand how to best fix this issue for the future.
Conclusion:
In this paragraph, restate your position and ideas for resolution.
It is absolutely essential that your position paper is your own work. You cannot plagiarize in MUN. Click here to learn more about plagiarism and how to avoid it.
The Introduction:
Introduce the topic and which country you represent.
Body Paragraph One:
In this paragraph introduce what the UN has done in the past to resolve the issue being debated. You can go online and search for resolutions that have been debated in the UN to support your position. Understanding what has been attempted in the past puts you in a better position to create new ideas and resolutions.
Body Paragraph Two:
In this paragraph you will introduce what your country believes needs to be done to resolve the issue. Offer a minimum of three ideas to support your position.
Body Paragraph Three:
In this paragraph discuss the history of the issue. You will want to be sure to demonstrate an understanding of the past to understand how to best fix this issue for the future.
Conclusion:
In this paragraph, restate your position and ideas for resolution.
It is absolutely essential that your position paper is your own work. You cannot plagiarize in MUN. Click here to learn more about plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Opening Speech
The Opening Speech at a conference is typically limited to a 60 second introduction of your country and the country stance on the issues to be debated. Most conferences have 3 issues per committee, therefore, your introduction speech should touch on all three issues if possible. The Opening Speech is basically a very shortened version of your position paper. Remember, you must always speak in the 3rd person.
Resolutions
Resolutions are the culmination of your ideas along with the ideas of others. Resolutions are what you actually debate. A resolution is comprised of many components. Click here to see a sample resolution.
A resolution is comprised of many clauses and sub-clauses that demonstrate what action various countries would like to take to solve the issue being debated. The more thought out a set of clauses and ultimately the resolution is, the less likely it is to contain holes. When you create a clause, think about what kinds of questions someone could ask you. The answer of that question would then become a sub-clause. For example:
There are two kinds of clauses; pre-ambulatory (introductory) and operative (what are you going to do about?). A good resolution must contain both as the pre-ambulatory clauses state your position on the issue and the operative clauses discuss your suggested course of action. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 5 of each type of clause for merging with your allies at conference. The more you have, the better a position you put yourself in for being the main submitter of a resolution.
A resolution is comprised of many clauses and sub-clauses that demonstrate what action various countries would like to take to solve the issue being debated. The more thought out a set of clauses and ultimately the resolution is, the less likely it is to contain holes. When you create a clause, think about what kinds of questions someone could ask you. The answer of that question would then become a sub-clause. For example:
There are two kinds of clauses; pre-ambulatory (introductory) and operative (what are you going to do about?). A good resolution must contain both as the pre-ambulatory clauses state your position on the issue and the operative clauses discuss your suggested course of action. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 5 of each type of clause for merging with your allies at conference. The more you have, the better a position you put yourself in for being the main submitter of a resolution.