Teens for Peace MUN

An Introduction to MUN

Pre-Conference

Table of Contents

Pre-Conference:

• What is MUN?
• Choosing a Position
• Research
• Position Papers
• Opening Speeches

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Conference:

• Quick Tips
• Vocab
• Flow of Debate
• Review

What is MUN?

• A simulation of the real United Nations

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• Get a chance to experience how the real UN operates!

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• Represent a country of your choice

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• Explore the workings of a real UN committee (WHO, UNICEF, etc.)

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• Research and debate about real-world topics

Pre-Conference

What is MUN?

Research - Part 1

Pre-Conference

Research

Research - Part 2

Tips & Tricks:

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• Save your sources to cite them later!

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• Mark quotes, statistics, etc. that you think are important

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• Use official websites

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• Keep your position paper in mind

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Pre-Conference

Research

Position Papers

• A helpful way to organize your thoughts

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• Write formally, concisely, and clearly

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• Have unique, well-thought out solutions

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• Represent your country, not you!

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• Turn it in on time!

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• Example TPMUN Position Paper (these examples can be changed)

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Pre-Conference

Position Papers

Conference!

Opening Speeches

Structure:

• Greet the committee
• Introduce your country
• Briefly review the issue at hand
• List your arguments (clearly, persuasively)
• Conclude your speech, then yield the floor to the dais

Speak firmly! You want your committee to listen to you!

Example Opening Speech

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Pre-Conference

Opening Speeches

Quick Tips

• Multi-tasking will be key. Focus on what other delegates say and what you’re going to say next.

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• Don’t prewrite every speech!

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• Stay engaged in conversations, and be diplomatic throughout

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• If you’re confused, ask your dais!

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• Have fun!

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Conference

Quick Tips

Vocab - Part 1/2

• Delegate: You! A person representing a country in MUN
• Chair: The person/people facilitating debate
• Motion: Propositions to the chair
• Caucus: A meeting to discuss further with other delegates - two types!
• Moderated Caucus: Caucus with specific topic, total length, and individual speaking time
• Unmoderated Caucus: Caucus with specific total length, where delegates can move freely
• Clause: A section within a Working Paper/Draft Resolution
• Working Paper: Bare-bones Draft Resolution

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Conference

Vocab

Vocab - Part 2/2

• Draft Resolution: Formatted document that addresses the topic and the committee’s response
• Western Business Attire: The standard attire for Model UN

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Conference

Vocab

Flow of Debate

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 1/8

• Roll Call
• Goes through every country at the start of each session
• “Present” - you’re here; you can vote “Yes”, “No”, or “Abstain” on draft resolutions
• “Present and Voting” - you’re here; you must vote either “Yes” or “No” on draft resolutions
• Setting the Agenda
• Decides which topic will be discussed first
• Advocate for the one you know the most about!
• Requires ⅔ majority
• Most amount of time spent on chosen topic

Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 2/8

• General Speakers’ List
• Speak about whatever is relevant to what committee has been discussing
• At the start of the conference, you’ll say your opening speech
• Yields
• Used after GSL speeches are done in less than the allotted time
• Yield to the Chair - ends your speech
• Yield to Questions - 15 seconds given per question; 30 seconds to respond

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 3/8

• Moderated Caucuses
• On a specific subtopic of the broader issue
• Specific total time, speaking time, and topic
• “Nigeria motions for a 10 minute moderated caucus with a 1 minute speaking time on (topic).”
• Unmoderated Caucuses
• Delegates can discuss freely in breakout rooms
• Countries can form blocs, discuss solutions, working papers, draft resolutions, etc.
• Only a specified total time
• “Greece motions for a 10 minute unmoderated caucus.”

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 4/8

• Seconds
• Formal support for the motion that was raised
• Raise your hand to show support, or to second a motion
• Without a Second, the motion fails
• Objections
• Objections are asked for once a motion has been Seconded
• Without objections, the motion passes
• With a Second and an Objection, the motion is placed on a list to be voted on

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 5/8

• Note-passing
• Use messaging systems (WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.) to communicate privately with other delegates
• Keep it appropriate and respectful
• Working papers
• Formatting isn’t necessary
• Contain potential solutions
• Become Draft Resolutions after dais review
• Draft Resolutions
• Formal, formatted, include committee’s plan of action
• Written by a bloc

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 6/8

• Draft Resolutions (cont.)
• Have sponsors and signatories
• Must be chair-approved
• Draft Resolution Format
• Amendments
• Can be proposed after a Draft Resolution has been introduced
• Can add, strike, or change clauses
• Closing debate
• Done before voting procedure
• 2 speakers for, 2 speakers against - ⅔ needed to close

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 7/8

• Voting Procedure
• Unfriendly amendments are voted on
• Friendly amendments are added to the Draft Resolution
• Committee votes - only one resolution can pass!
• Points and Motions
• Point of Inquiry: Asks for explanation from Chair
• Point of Personal Privilege: When a delegate’s experience is impacted (tech issues, for example)
• Point of Information: Delegate has 15 seconds to ask another delegate a question; responder has 30 seconds

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate - Part 8/8

• Points and Motions (cont.)
• Point of Order: When delegate thinks the Chair made a mistake in procedure
• Motion to Open Debate: To start committee!
• Motion to Suspend Debate: To take a committee break
• Motion to Adjourn Debate: To close committee at the very end
• Motion to Change Speakers’ Time: Applies to GSL
• Right of Reply
• If a delegate is offended by another delegate; given 30 seconds to speak

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Conference

Flow of Debate

Review

• Pre-Conference:
• When you do your research, write your position paper, and plan your opening speech. Make sure to prep well!
• Conference:
• Committee goes through the Flow of Debate - you’ll be speaking a lot. The end goal is to write a resolution!
• Ask your Chair if you have any questions
• Wear WBA!
• Best Position Paper, Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, and Honorable Mention awards

For more details, check out this document!

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Conference

Review

Crisis

Directives and Crisis Notes

• Directives. Much like the working papers and draft resolutions that emerge from GA committees, directives are composed of sponsors, signatories, and clauses.
• Sponsors are those that have directly contributed to writing the document.
• Signatories are individuals who are interested in seeing the document presented for voting, but do not necessarily support the entirety of the document and did not contribute to writing it.
• Crisis notes. These multifaceted notes drive the flow of committee. Each delegate creates their own story-line, or crisis arc, as they accumulate as many resources as possible. Delegates address crisis notes to another character that is not represented by another person in the committee room that can offer them a path to acquire resources.

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Conference

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We don’t have enough time...

• We can’t cover everything in this short training, but here is a good resource:

https://www.wisemee.com/introduction-mun-crisis-committees/

• Don’t worry - your chairs will go over everything!
• Same awards and recognitions will be available

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Conference

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Official ROP - Please review

https://docs.google.com/document/d/138agBLWoEkniP5ZHid_QkqxLH18zGZxtCquFtPKGf8c/edit?usp=sharing

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Any Questions?

• We will now take questions by raising your hand or through the Zoom chat.

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Conference

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Schedule

The schedule is posted on Instagram, or can be viewed below.

Thank you!

We’re excited to see you in one of our amazing 3 committees at TPMUN 3.0, on June 11-12.

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