SMAMUN Toolbox
SMAMUN Toolbox
Feel free to use these resources as you prepare for the Conference.
What is Model United Nations? Model United Nations (MUN) is a form of international relations debate that places students acting in the capacity of diplomats and ambassadors of a country. MUN seeks to promote awareness of the many issues facing the international community and to allow students to engage in critical thinking about how to address those issues. Students or "delegates" must step into the role of the country or position they are assigned.
What is the purpose and practice of being a delegate? The most vital aspect of participating in this learning experience is taking on the role of delegate. A delegate assumes the role of a foreign diplomat or ambassador. In this role, delegates act as representatives of the Member State to which they have been assigned. Delegates are reminded that professional diplomats conduct themselves and regard one another with respect and dignity, regardless of foreign policy position and ideological differences. Delegates should also be able to compromise and negotiate with fellow delegates with diverse backgrounds. Delegates at MUN should interact with one another in this manner.
Where should I go from here? At SMAMUN, being well-versed in the debated topics on the committee is important. Here are some suggested steps to preparing for your committee:
Read Your Case Briefing Before doing anything else, read the case briefing. It will provide a digest of the topics to be debated - typically explicating the issue's history, previous international actions, and traditional voting blocks - and is an important start in your preparatory research. Pay close attention to the sources used in each guide as well as in the citations, as they can give you an idea of where to look for information (after all, that's where your chairs and dais staff compiled their research!).
Gather Basic Country Information. Research the basic facts and history of your country. Even if some of this information does not seemingly relate to the topics to be debated in your committee, having a broad general knowledge of your country will increase your ability to improvise in debate and generate creative, out-of-the-box solutions to difficult international problems. It will also provide insights into challenges your country may face upon (dis)agreeing to a particular action. A working knowledge of the following information is a great start:
Population
Major Religions
Type of Government
Government Structure
Major political parties
International organization participation
Economic structure
GDP
Transnational issues (e.g. territory and trade disputes, drug trafficking, etc.)
These basic facts are easily obtained from the CIA World Factbook.
Consider Current Political Events. Look at the major social, political, and economic issues currently confronting your country.
What issues are important to the people?
What actions is the government focused on?
What are the major sources of debate within the country?
Are there any internal or external conflicts in which the country is currently embroiled?
Define the Country's Position. Determine your country's stance on the topics your committee will debate. This may be easy if your country has a clearly stated opinion or if your country is actively involved in those issues. For many smaller countries, this can be difficult since they may not have a vested interest - as demonstrated in written legislation, the signing of international agreements, or political action - in a particular topic. Searching for your country's position on similar issues can often lead to helpful information. If your country's known allies have a specific stance on an issue, then your country probably has a similar viewpoint, and likewise for those countries in an opposing voting block.
Frequently Check the News. Keep checking the news for your country. An easy way to do this is to point your browser to Google News and type your country's name in the search box.
Outline Your Position Material. Write out some notes of things you might want to say or points you want to make during the committee session. Highlight some of your research, and if you have the time, copy/paste key information onto a single page to make it easily accessible.
Get Ready For A Great Weekend! Take a deep breath, relax, and prepare for a fun weekend that will surely provide a memorable experience! Delegates new to MUN need not worry about being unfamiliar with parliamentary procedure and resolution writing. Remember that your chairs are always available to help whenever needed, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any preparatory difficulties or have a question regarding your committee.