Model United Nations or MUNs are simulations of conferences that occur in the United Nations. Through MUNS, students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and global affairs, it involves speaking, debating, and finding solutions to global affairs which develops an individual’s confidence, leadership, teamwork, speaking, and critical thinking abilities. Students learn discipline and self-control and develop a deeper understanding of the world.
In MUNs, the participants are called delegates and represent a specific country or organization. They put their country’s stance and debate to lead the committee to a solution that benefits their own portfolio. They receive the topic which they have to discuss beforehand which is called the “Agenda”. They conduct research and formulate documents containing their policy proposal. They conduct discussions and at the end of the debate, they vote a policy proposal called “draft resolution” with the goal of passing it with a majority vote. The best performing delegates are awarded awards.
Every committee is moderated by the Executive Board who also judges the delegates. The Executive Board is usually made up of 2-3 seasoned MUNers with a certain hierarchy, most common designations are the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Rapporteur. The Executive Board is appointed by the Secretariat who are the organizers of the MUN. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General and each department is headed by an Under-Secretary-General. They are responsible for the overall administration of the conference as well as deciding every part of it.
MUNs are conducted from middle school to university levels and is a platform for individuals to develop their practical skills. There are many types of committees simulated in MUNs, they can be classified in conventional and unconventional committees.
CONVENTIONAL COMMITTEES-
These are committees are formal committees that follow certain rules and procedures, the common set of rules used are UNA USA and UN4MUN rules and procedures. They deal with global issues that affect all countries. These committees simulate the actual organs of the United Nations and well as their subsidiaries. Some examples are the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and social council, G20, etc.
UNCONVENTIONAL COMMITTEES-
These committees do not a set of rules and procedures, they are decided by the EB of the committee through their own convenience. Such committees require a lot of research and an in-depth understanding of the situation and on the spot thinking. Such committees usually involve solving crises which are presented to the delegates in the committee themselves. These committees usually focus on solving the problems of one country. Most unconventional committees are war committees and those simulating meetings of domestic organizations
Try MUNs, they develop your practical skills and are also very fun.
