Model UN Things

Hi!

MUN is basically about roleplaying countries and debating specific issues that may or may not apply to that country. The specific details on how it works change from conference to conference and committee to committee, but essentially you’re given a position as a country and are also given one or two topics to do research on. In committee, you talk with all the other delegates and try to come up with a solution in the form of a resolution.

Crisis committees are a different type of MUN committee, and in those you’re not guaranteed to be representing a country, you may be representing a specific person. Crisis committees are more fast-paced than a regular committee, and also involve writing directives usually, which are basically actions that you could be taking. 

Hey, I don’t know if I have any specific tips. I too, always get really stressed out, especially when speaking for the first few times, so for me, it’s just pushing myself over and actually standing up and speaking to the room that gets me through a lot more.

Research-wise, do as much research as you can, but also, remember that everyone is going to be looking at the topic a little differently, and there’s no way you can become a complete expert in ever aspect of the topic, and that is okay. 

It’s also okay to know, especially in a big conference, that you’re probably not going to be the best. Don’t worry about that, although do look at what other successful delegates are doing and try to emulate their techniques.

i’ve done 1 online conference and 1 online mock conference and i’ve got another one this weekend. so far all 3 have utilized 3-4 different applications and it’s pretty hard balancing them all. i’m primarily a crisis del and in all 3 we’ve had to switch between zoom for the actual committee, slack for messaging and unmods, google drive and docs for publicsand joint privates, email for your backroom, and something for your research and speech plans. it’s definitely something that takes getting used to.

for me the hardest part is having to look at the camera and not everyones little zoom boxes. i feel like i draw off the energy of everyone else in the room when i give speeches and not being able to hear or really see (since i’m always in split screen) people’s reactions definitely makes it more difficult.

i think it’s pretty amazing that some conferences have been able to set up a virtual version so quickly.

Aww, it always sucks when conferences get cancelled. I know for last year, my senior year, the conferences I was looking forward to the most were cancelled and that really sucked, since it was my last chance to be a delegate. I was primarily a crisis del too, and the conferences i was going to were ones that had some unique committees that I was really looking forward to, which really sucked for me.

I did also staff a conference that moved online really quickly, but it wasn’t really a crisis committee or a general committee, so I don’t think making speeches and worrying about a lot of different areas was particularly relevant. 

Hey! Crisis committees are my favorite, and the main tip I have for beginners in crisis committees is have fun!

Crisis committees, since they’re much more fast paced and action-oriented than regular committees do require more attention to be paid during committee sessions. With regular committees, there are a couple of times that you can zone out, but in my experience with crisis committees, it doesn’t work as well.

Hi! So depending on what your topic is, and what your country’s stake in the topic is, your role will change. Your age shouldn’t matter too much, as most people don’t go around asking people about their ages (in my experience) but it may be different for you.