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ABOUT MUN
WHAT IS MUN?
Model United Nations is a simulation of what truly happens within the diplomatic world. From impactful plaidoyers and tense debates to dramatic crisis, MUN delegates embody a chosen country or cause while finding solutions to the world's most pressing issues. The purpose of Model UN is to hone your public speaking, negotiation and diplomacy skills while discussing real world topics. Below we've gone through some of the key stages of how Model UN works to help you get started.
DEBATES
A Model UN debate is structured so that delegates, representing one of the 193 UN member states, take turns in giving 90 second speeches on the set topics within a committee. The set topic can be anything imaginable but is usually tied to the type of committee you are debating within. The purpose of the debate is to pass a resolution that should provide a solution to the topic.
During the debate delegates can introduce motions and points in order to drive debate forwards. This can include a motion for a moderated caucus where the topic of the debate is specified to a smaller part of the wider topic, a consultation of the whole where delegates freely pass around the right to speak, or an unmoderated caucus where speaking rules are dropped and delegates may rise from their seats and freely talk.
For example, in a UNEP debate on deforestation, a delegate may choose to motion for a moderated caucus on illegal logging in order to bring attention to that specific part of the topic.
As debate progresses delegates will work together to produce working papers, presenting rough solutions that they believe will work, presenting them to other delegates and debating the pros and cons of each. At the end of the debate, draft resolutions will be submitted based on the working papers, all those that are submitted will go to a vote and the first draft resolution to pass the threshold will be adopted by the committee.
PAPERS AND RESOLUTIONS
Working papers and resolutions are where delegates present their solutions to the topic at hand. While a working paper is a rough list of ideas on what may provide a solution, a draft resolution is a highly structured document following many rules to its presentation.
Delegates can begin working on a working paper at any point during debate (but not before, or during breaks). Using messaging or talking to delegates during unmoderated caucuses to garner support but they can only discuss the working papers in formal debate after a motion to introduce the working paper has been passed. Towards the end of the debate, all the ideas proposed within the working papers will be collected into draft resolutions, debated further, and then voted on.
VOTING
There are two main types of voting within MUN, substantive and non-substanive voting. Non-substantive voting is often used for voting on simple motions and procedure, usually by the raising of your delegation placard.
Substantive voting is done delegate-by-delegate to vote on the final draft resolutions. During non-substantive voting everyone must vote either for or against, during substantive voting, delegates can either vote in favour, abstain or against. A roll call vote also occurs during the start of the debate, asking delegates if they are "present" or "present and voting", delegates who declare themselves to be present and voting cannot abstain in substantive votes.
Certain committees will also have delegates with veto power, meaning if they vote against a substantive motion it automatically fails.
SOCIETIES
Each British university typically organises Model UN through a society or association. These can take many forms such as a dedicated MUN society (such as Bath Model UN Society), a United Nations association (such as King's College UN Association) or as part of a politics or international relations group (such as Royal Holloway Politics & IR Society). These groups then run training sessions, form delegations and travel to conferences such as BATHMUN to meet new people and win awards!
Below is a map of the British MUN circuit (desktop only), we do not promise that it is comprehensive, but we hope you enjoy looking through it!
CONFERENCES
BATHMUN is one of a number of weekend based conferences where delegates gather at universities for around 15 hours of debating over three days. Solutions take longer to be found, working papers are rewritten multiple times, nations form alliances and great socials are had. Awards are given out based on aptitude during debate at the end of the conference. Conferences are the pinnacle of the MUN experience and provide countless opportunities to meet new people and explore the world.
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