Model United Nations

MUN CONFERENCES
 

Each country at a MUN conference has two delegates. 

The aim of a conference is to debate and pass resolutions in order to solve world problems.

Resolutions are written by delegates before the conference. Countries with a similar view on an issue will join together to support a resolution which serves their interests, e.g. countries like the USA, UK, Australia and Canada will probably have a similar view on an issue, while Iraq, Libya, Palestine and Sudan would have a different view. Groups of similar countries are called blocs. 

Resolutions have to be set out in the form of clauses. There are two types of clauses:

1.      Preambulatory clauses set out the nature of the problem to be solved

2.    Operative clauses set out proposed solutions to the problem and how the United Nations can     help.
 

Each clause begins with key words. A list of these words is provided.

Resolutions have co-submitters and sponsors. The co-submitters are the countries who write the resolution together. The co-sponsors are the ones who agree with the resolution. All may speak in support of the resolution but the co-submitters take priority.

At the conference there are two stages:

1.      Committees: are made up of one delegate from each country. Delegates are divided into up to four committees at a MUN conference. Committees are Humanitarian, Technology, Political and Environment. In each committee several resolutions are debated and amended. The aim is to pass at least one resolution to the General Assembly. Only one of the two delegates of each country meet in the same committee.

2.      General Assembly: all delegates meet in the GA. The GA debates and amends one resolution from each committee. If the resolution is supported by a majority of delegates it becomes the policy of the United Nations.

H. Berghuis