How to be a delegate

What is MUN?

Model United Nations or MUN is a simulation where students act as delegates representing
countries to debate global issues, draft resolutions, and propose solutions.

Your Role as a Delegate

To thrive as a delegate, preparation is key. Study the topic thoroughly and understand your
country’s position and stance by asking, “What would my country do?”

●​ Understand the committee – Know its structure, purpose, and powers.

●​ Know the subject – Research the topic and its importance in global affairs.
●​ Identify allies – Find countries with similar viewpoints or interests.
●​ Understand your country's role – Be aware of your nation’s views,
contributions, and stance on the issue.
●​ Write your opening speech last – Use your research to craft a strong
introduction that reflects your position.

Delegate Rules:

●​ No personal pronouns: The delegate can instead say “the delegation of”, “the
delegate of” and etc.
●​ Follow proper dress code: only formal clothing is allowed.
●​ Refrain from using foul language.
●​ Only leave the room with an admin.
●​ Delegates have to raise their placards in order to talk (in moderated caucus),
they must wait for the chairs to recognize them.

1. Moderated Caucus: A structured debate format where delegates share brief remarks on a specific
subtopic. Delegates raise their placards to indicate their interest in speaking, and the chair calls on
them one by one. To propose a motion for a moderated caucus, the sub-issue, total duration, and
speaking time per delegate must be specified.

2. Unmoderated Caucus: An informal debate format where delegates can leave their seats to engage in
open, unrestricted discussions with others. Also referred to as Informal Caucus or Lobbying Sessions,
this phase allows delegates to find allies and start collaborating on draft resolutions.

3. Blocs: Groups formed by delegates with similar ideas and perspectives on the topic. Unlike the
geographical blocs in the real UN, Model UN delegates can create their own alliances. These blocs
typically work together to draft resolutions.
MUN DAY
PROCEDURE

1)​ Icebreakers: breaking the ice and getting to know one another! This is a non-formal
exercise to ease the tension and help everyone warm up.

2)​ Roll call: chairs will call on delegates to see if they’re present in committee and
delegates can respond with either:
●​ Present : the delegate is present in the committee and has the choice
to abstain from voting.
●​ Present and voting: the delegate is present in committee and
cannot abstain from voting (has to vote every time)

3)​ Opening speeches: After roll call, chairs will open the “speakers list”. Delegates
who are added to the speakers list will then say a short 1 minute speech providing
basic insight on their country’s opinions on the topic, and goals from this conference.
- After approaching the floor and stating your opening speech, the chair will ask “is
the delegate open to any poi’s” meaning if the delegate is open to answering any
questions. The delegate has three options to reply with:

●​ Any and all: the delegate has to answer all the questions asked by the
delegations recognized by the chairs.
●​ Specific number: delegates can be open to any number of questions
they want.
●​ None: delegate is not open to answer any question.
●​ When the delegate is done answering questions, the delegate should
yield the floor. The chair may ask "does the delegate yield the floor
back to the chair” the delegate may reply with “floor yielded” or “ the
delegate yields the floor back to the chair”.

4)​ Forming blocs: the delegates must form groups with their allies (countries that
have the same stance as them).

5)​ Resolutions: delegates must do one resolution with their bloc (each bloc has to do
one resolution).
Resolutions are a document paper that provides a set of solutions to the issue being
discussed.

6)​ Debating and voting process: Debating and presenting resolutions. Main
submitters will read out the entire resolution, then will say a speech supporting their
resolution. After that the floor will be open to speeches for/against the resolution,
and amendments.

7)​ Voting on amendments and resolutions: After an amendment/resolution has

been voted upon, delegates can motion to vote on resolutions/amendments.
 If an amendment is passed, it’ll be added to the resolution, if a resolution passes
clapping will be in order.

Opening Speeches

Key Elements of an Opening Speech:

1. Hook: Begin with a strong attention-grabber like a quote, statistic, story, or question.
2. Greetings: Address the audience respectfully.
Examples:
●​ "Honorable chair and fellow delegates"
●​ "Esteemed chairs, respected delegates, and diligent admins"
3. Background: Briefly introduce the topic, explain your country’s position, and provide
relevant historical context.
4. Country’s Stance: Clearly state your country’s view and highlight any actions it has
taken regarding the issue.
5. Goals: Conclude with your country’s objectives and proposed actions for solving the
issue.

Tips on Writing a Good Opening Speech:

●​ Make it concise and straight to the point
●​ Read it aloud to a friend prior to the conference to practice
●​ Compile useful research to understand the content of your speech
●​ Speak confidently and don't rush your speech
●​ Make your speech compelling.
●​ Make eye contact
●​ Stick to the time limits (1 minute)
●​ Tackle the issues at hand from your nations point of view

Opening Speech Sample

Country: United Kingdom

Council: ECOSOC

Chairperson, fellow delegates, honored guests:

With the set milestones reached and the first steps towards a bright and prosperous future taken with great
success, it is time once again to gaze forward and set goals for yet another stage of development. This
next stage is the stage of advancement, where practices already set into place should be improved on, and
any remaining forms of corruption should be eliminated completely.

Globalization and development should be promoted, and the UN plays a major role in ensuring that this
occurs. Amidst all this, we should not lose sight of certain vital things. The UK respects different cultures
and believes that they should be embraced. Corrupt practices should be singled out and extinguished.

The UK believes that it plays a major role in the world economy of today. It believes that through
cooperation and understanding, international trade disputes can be resolved and debt problems, especially
in developing countries, can be cleared. It also believes that the market economy-based global financial
the system is heading the world economy in the right direction. Finally, the UK also believes that women's
rights and status should continue to escalate in order to ensure a fair and balanced global society.

Points and Motions

What are points and motions?

●​ A motion is a formal proposal by a delegate to carry out a certain duty at a meeting.
(The motions will only be applied if it gets passed by the chairpersons)
●​ By raising his or her placard and outlining the issue, a delegate may make a proposal.
Although there is no vote on points, a chairperson has the authority to reject them if
they are thought harmful or unneeded.

Motions:

1. Motion to extend the debate

2. Motion to move to the previous question
3. Motion to reconsider a resolution
4. Motion to withdraw a resolution
5. Motion to refer a resolution to another forum
6. Motion to adjourn the debate
7. Objection to the main motion

Points:

1. Point of Personal Privilege:

This is used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their participation, such as
difficulty hearing the speaker, room temperature issues, or needing a break. It allows delegates to
request accommodations to ensure effective participation.

2. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry:

Raised to ask the chair a question about the rules or procedures of the conference. Delegates may use
this point to clarify terms, processes, or the correct course of action in a specific situation.

3. Point of Information to the Speaker:

A question directed to a speaker after they finish their speech. Delegates raise this point to seek
clarification, challenge a statement, or gain more insight into the speaker's argument.

4. Point of Information to the Chair:

Used to ask the chair a question about the proceedings or request procedural clarification unrelated to
personal discomfort or parliamentary rules.

5. Point of Order:
Raised to address a procedural error made by the chair or another delegate. This ensures that the rules
are followed correctly and fairly, and it must be made respectfully.
Resolutions
Resolutions are written documents outlining solutions to a particular issue.
They are developed by a bloc (a group of allied countries) working toward
shared objectives.
Resolutions make up the concluding moments of the conference and are the
MUN's primary focus.
Representatives propose solutions to their debated issues.

Format of a resolution paper:

1)​ Heading- Four lines located above the main body of the resolution
Includes the name of the council, issue, the main submitter, and co-submitters,
in that specific order.

2)​ Body- written in the form of a long sentence divided into clauses and
subclauses
Each clause deals with a certain aspect of the problem.

-Perambulatory clauses come first; they deal with background information

including the problem addressed, actions taken in the past, the purpose of the
resolution, and
reasons for taking action in the operative clauses.

-The next section contains numbered operative clauses that suggest actions that
should be taken by the UN to resolve the problem, justifying the ‘who’ and ‘how’
involved in
implementing the suggested actions.
Resolution Sample
Preambulatory Clauses​

Affirming Determined Having reviewed

Alarmed Emphasizing Having studied

Anxious Encouraged Keeping in mind

Appreciating Endorsing Mindful

Aware Expressing deep concern Noting further

Bearing in mind Expressing its appreciation Noting with approval

Believing Expressing its satisfaction Noting with grave concern

Cognizant Fulfilling Noting with regret

Concerned Fully alarmed Noting with satisfaction

Confident Fully believing Observing

Conscious Further depicting Reaffirming

Considering Further recalling Realizing

Declaring Having adapted Reiterating

Deeply concerned Having considered Seeking

Deeply conscious Having decided Stressing

Deeply convinced Having devoted attention Taking into account

Deeply disturbed Having examined Taking into consideration

Deeply regretting Having heard Viewing with appreciation

Operative Clauses

Accepts Draws attention Notes with regret

Acknowledges Emphasizes Proclaims

Adopts Endorses Reaffirms

Affirms Expresses its appreciation Recognizes

Appeals Expresses its conviction Recommends

Applauds Expresses the hope Regrets

Appreciates Expresses its regret Reminds

Approves Expresses its sympathy Renews its appeal

Authorizes Expresses its thanks Repeals

Calls Further invites Requests

Commends Further proclaims Solemnly affirms

Concurs Further recommends Stresses

Condemns Further reminds Strongly condemns

Confirms Further requests Suggests

Congratulates Further resolves Supports

Considers Has/Have resolved Takes note of

Decides Instructs Transmits

Declares Invites Trusts

Demands Notes Urges

Deplores Notes with approval Welcomes

Designates Notes with interest

Directs Notes with satisfaction

Debating and voting process

For and Against Speeches

Once resolutions are submitted, delegates will have the opportunity to give a for or against
speech in which they will either argue for the resolution to pass or for the resolution not to
pass.

Tips
●​ Your speech shouldn't be more than 2 minutes long
●​ Use quotes from the resolution to convince delegates
●​ Focus on undeniable facts and statistics
●​ Emphasize the weaknesses/strengths of the resolution, speak confidently and use
hand gestures.

Phrases to use
The delegate of .... strongly opposes/agrees with this resolution since ...... based on this the
delegate wishes that the council come to an agreement to strike it out/pass it.

Amendments

What Are Amendments?

●​ Amendments are modifications made to the operative clauses or subclauses of
a resolution, including deletions, additions, or corrections. These proposed
changes are submitted to the chairs in a note, indicating the delegate's country
and the suggested revision.
●​ Once an amendment is introduced and explained by its submitter, the
chairperson will set aside time for both supporters and opponents to present
their views.

Friendly

○​ Changes grammar or spelling Unfriendly

mistakes
○​ Doesn't change the meaning of the ○​ Adds a clause
clause ○​ Changes a clause
○​ Must be approved by main ○​ Strikes or replaces a clause​
submitter Must be debated and voted
MUN terminology
Abstain: During a vote on a substantive matter, delegates may abstain rather than vote yes
or no. This generally signals that a country does not support the resolution being voted on,
but does not oppose it enough to vote no.

Bloc: A group of countries in a similar geographical region or with a similar opinion on a

particular topic. Blocs typically vote together.

Agenda: The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed. The d) first
duty of a committee following the roll call is usually to set the agenda.

Draft resolution: A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN
committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution then be called the resolution.

Moderated Caucus: A type of caucus in which delegates remain seated and the Chair calls
on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time, this is a formal type of debate.

Placard: A piece of cardstock with a country's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to
signal to the Chair that she wishes to speak.

Voting procedure: The period at the end of a committee session during which delegates
vote on proposed amendments and draft resolutions. Nobody may enter or leave the
committee at that time and the doors are secured.

Veto: The ability, held by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and
the United States to prevent any draft resolution in the Security Council from passing by
voting no.

Operative clause: The part of a resolution which describes how the UN should address a
problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.).

Motion: A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole does something. Some
motions might be to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a draft resolution, or to move
into voting procedure.

To have the floor: to have been given the right to speak in debate before the house.

To yield the floor: to give up one's right to the floor either finally or temporally for a point
of information to be asked

The house: all members of the forum excluding the chair. Parliamentary behavior by
delegates:

Point of Information: Used to ask a delegate a question about their speech. Wait for the
chair to open the floor for points of information, then raise your placard and wait to be
recognized.

Point of Inquiry: Used to ask a question about procedure, such as clarifying a term or
understanding what is happening. Raise your placard and state your point.
Point of Personal Privilege: Raised to address personal discomfort, such as difficulty
hearing a speaker, needing to adjust the room temperature, or requesting a break.

Point of Order:Used to respectfully correct the chair if they make a procedural mistake.
Raise your placard and explain the error.

Amendment: A proposed change to the draft resolution.

Friendly Amendment: Adjusts grammar or spelling without altering the meaning of a

clause and requires no debate or vote.

Unfriendly Amendment: Changes the meaning of a clause and must be debated and
voted on.