Welcome to your complete Model United Nations (MUN) training hub. Whether you’re stepping into your first committee session or preparing a delegation for a major conference, this guide walks through everything: committees, rules of procedure, session flow, document drafting, essential vocabulary, and dress code.
| 📘 What is MUN? | 🏛️ Committees | 📜 Rules of Procedure |
| 🗳️ Voting | 📝 Document Drafting | 📖 Vocabulary |
| 👔 Dress Code | 🕒 Conference Sessions | 💡 Tips for Delegates |
1. What Is Model United Nations?
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations system. Students act as “delegates” representing a country (or sometimes a historical figure, organization, or individual in crisis committees), researching that entity’s real positions, and debating global issues inside a simulated committee following formal parliamentary procedure. The goal is to negotiate, build coalitions, and ultimately draft and pass a resolution that reflects a workable, realistic compromise.
MUN develops public speaking, negotiation, research, writing, and diplomacy skills. Delegates are graded (formally or informally) on preparation, participation, use of procedure, and — most importantly — how effectively and diplomatically they advance their country’s position while working with others.
2. MUN Committees Explained
Every conference is organized into committees, each with its own mandate, size, and level of formality. Knowing the type of committee you’re assigned to changes how you prepare.
| Committee | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Assembly (GA) — Plenary | Broad global issues, open to all UN member states | Very large; usually split into sub-committees (DISEC, SOCHUM, ECOFIN, SPECPOL, Legal) |
| DISEC (First Committee) | Disarmament & International Security | Focus on weapons, conflict, military cooperation |
| SOCHUM (Third Committee) | Social, Humanitarian & Cultural issues | Human rights, refugees, education, gender equality |
| ECOFIN (Second Committee) | Economic & Financial issues | Trade, development, debt, sustainable growth |
| Legal Committee (Sixth Committee) | International law | Treaties, war crimes, legal frameworks |
| Security Council (UNSC) | International peace & security | Only 15 members (5 permanent with veto power); binding resolutions |
| ECOSOC | Economic & Social Council | Coordinates specialized agencies like UNICEF, WHO, UNHCR |
| Human Rights Council (HRC) | Human rights violations worldwide | Smaller, often fast-paced debate |
| Specialized Agencies (WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, etc.) | Sector-specific mandates | Narrower, highly technical topics |
| Crisis Committees | Fast-moving, improvised scenarios | Delegates react to breaking “crisis updates”; often historical or fictional |
| Historical / Specialized Committees | Simulate a specific moment in history | e.g., Cuban Missile Crisis, Congress of Vienna |
3. Delegate Roles & Responsibilities
- Delegate — represents a country/entity; researches policy, speaks, negotiates, drafts documents.
- Head Delegate — leads a school/team’s full delegation across multiple committees.
- Chair / President — presides over the committee, enforces rules of procedure, keeps time, recognizes speakers.
- Vice-Chair / Co-Chair — assists the Chair, may track the speakers list or count votes.
- Rapporteur — records committee proceedings and helps manage paperwork (resolutions, amendments).
- Page — carries notes (“diplomacy notes”) between delegates during session.
4. Conference Structure & Sessions
A typical multi-day MUN conference follows this rhythm:
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony | Welcome speeches, keynote address, introduction of Secretariat |
| Committee Session 1 | Roll call, setting the agenda, opening speeches (General Speakers List) |
| Formal Debate | Structured speeches via the Speakers List; delegates yield time or floor |
| Caucusing (Moderated/Unmoderated) | Focused, faster exchanges; forming blocs and drafting documents |
| Lobbying & Merging | Blocs combine working papers into full draft resolutions |
| Voting Procedure | Amendments and draft resolutions are voted on |
| Closing Ceremony | Awards (Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honorable Mention), closing remarks |
Each committee session alternates between formal debate (structured, one speaker at a time via the Speakers List) and caucuses (informal, flexible discussion) — a Chair moves between the two based on motions raised by delegates.
5. Rules of Procedure
5.1 Roll Call & Setting the Agenda
Session opens with roll call: delegates respond “present” or “present and voting” (the latter forfeits abstention rights on substantive votes). The committee then votes to set the agenda when there is more than one topic.
5.2 The General Speakers List (GSL)
Delegates sign up to give speeches on the topic in order. Each speech has a set time limit (commonly 60–90 seconds). At the end of a speech, other delegates may raise Points or the speaker may open the floor to Points of Information (questions).
5.3 Caucuses
- Moderated Caucus — Chair calls on delegates one at a time for short speeches on a specific sub-topic, without a pre-set list. Proposed via motion, stating topic, total time, and speaking time per delegate.
- Unmoderated Caucus — Free movement; delegates leave their seats to negotiate directly, form blocs, and draft papers. Also proposed via motion with a stated total time.
5.4 Points (raised any time debate is open)
| Point | Use |
|---|---|
| Point of Order | Flag a procedural mistake by the Chair or another delegate |
| Point of Personal Privilege | Raise a personal comfort issue (can’t hear, room too cold, etc.); may interrupt a speaker |
| Point of Parliamentary Inquiry | Ask the Chair a question about procedure |
| Point of Information | Ask a question directly to the speaker after their speech |
5.5 Common Motions
| Motion | Purpose | Majority Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Motion to Open/Close Debate | Begin or end formal debate on the topic | Simple majority |
| Motion for a Moderated Caucus | Start focused, chair-led discussion | Simple majority |
| Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus | Start free negotiation/drafting time | Simple majority |
| Motion to Introduce a Draft Resolution/Amendment | Bring a document to the floor | Simple majority (procedural) |
| Motion to Move into Voting Procedure | End debate and vote | Simple majority (sometimes 2/3) |
| Motion to Adjourn | End the session | Simple majority |
| Motion to Table the Topic | Postpone the topic indefinitely | Simple majority |
6. Voting Procedures
- Procedural votes (motions) — everyone must vote; no abstentions; simple majority.
- Substantive votes (resolutions, amendments) — delegates may abstain, unless they registered as “present and voting” at roll call.
- Amendments usually need a simple majority.
- Draft resolutions typically need a simple majority to pass, though some committees (like the Security Council) require higher thresholds or unanimous permanent-member consent.
- Placards are raised to vote “for,” “against,” or “abstain”; in the Security Council, permanent members can cast a veto.
7. Document Drafting
7.1 Position Paper
Submitted before the conference. Usually one page per topic. Structure:
- Brief background on the topic (global context)
- Your country’s specific stance, history, and relevant statistics
- Actions your country has already taken (domestically or internationally)
- Proposed solutions your delegation wants the committee to consider
7.2 Working Paper
An informal, non-binding draft of ideas — no set format, no signatures needed. Used during unmoderated caucus to organize a bloc’s ideas before turning them into a formal draft resolution.
7.3 Draft Resolution
The formal document the committee debates and votes on. Structure:
- Heading — Committee, topic, sponsors (main authors) and signatories (support enough to introduce it, not necessarily agree with it)
- Preambulatory Clauses — background, justification, references to past UN action (italicized, ends with commas)
- Operative Clauses — numbered, action-oriented proposals (underlined verb, ends with semicolons; final clause ends with a period)
Preambulatory Phrases
| Affirming | Noting with concern | Recalling |
| Alarmed by | Observing | Recognizing |
| Bearing in mind | Reaffirming | Guided by |
| Convinced | Referring | Emphasizing |
| Deeply concerned | Taking into account | Fully aware |
| Expressing its appreciation | Viewing with appreciation | Keeping in mind |
Operative Phrases
| Calls upon | Encourages | Recommends |
| Condemns | Endorses | Requests |
| Declares | Further invites | Resolves |
| Demands | Further recommends | Strongly urges |
| Draws attention to | Notes | Supports |
| Emphasizes | Reaffirms | Urges |
7.4 Amendments
- Friendly Amendment — all sponsors of the resolution agree; passes automatically without a vote.
- Unfriendly Amendment — sponsors do not all agree; must be voted on by the full committee before being added.
8. MUN Vocabulary & Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bloc | A group of delegates with similar positions who work together on a document |
| Dais | The Chair, Vice-Chair, and Rapporteur seated at the front of the room |
| Delegation | The full team representing one country across all committees |
| Diplomacy Note / Note-passing | Written message passed between delegates during session, usually via a Page |
| Draft Resolution | The formal document proposing committee action |
| Floor | The right to speak; “yielding the floor” passes speaking rights to someone else |
| Gavel | Symbol of the Chair’s authority; also a prize sometimes given to the best delegation |
| Placard | Card with a country’s name, raised to speak or vote |
| Quorum | The minimum number of members present needed to conduct business |
| Rapporteur | The dais member who records proceedings and manages documents |
| Right of Reply | Chance to respond when a delegate feels personally or nationally insulted |
| Sponsor | A main author of a draft resolution |
| Signatory | A delegate who supports introducing a resolution for debate (not necessarily agreeing with it) |
| Speakers List | The queue of delegates waiting to give a formal speech |
| Veto | The power of the 5 permanent Security Council members to block a resolution |
| Yield | Give up remaining speech time — to another delegate, to questions, or back to the Chair |
9. Dress Code
MUN conferences use “Western business attire” as the standard, unless national dress is specified as an alternative.
| ✅ Appropriate | ❌ Avoid |
|---|---|
| Suit or blazer with dress pants/skirt | Jeans, shorts, sneakers |
| Button-down shirt or blouse | T-shirts, graphic tees |
| Tie (optional but common) | Flip-flops or sandals |
| Closed-toe dress shoes | Overly casual or club-style clothing |
| Conservative colors (navy, black, grey, white) | Loud patterns, excessive jewelry |
| Authentic national dress (when allowed) | Costume-like or joke attire |
Always check your specific conference’s dress code policy — some allow “smart casual” during committee prep days, and formal wear is often required for the opening/closing ceremonies and social events.
10. Tips for First-Time Delegates
- Research your country’s real foreign policy — don’t invent a position.
- Write your position paper early; it forces you to know your stance cold.
- Speak early in committee to establish presence, even briefly.
- Listen for common ground — most resolutions succeed through compromise, not stubbornness.
- Master 2–3 key procedural motions rather than trying to use everything at once.
- Stay in character/policy, but stay respectful — MUN rewards diplomacy over aggression.
- Bring a notepad, pens, a printed position paper, and a bottle of water.
Use this page as a living reference — bookmark it and revisit each section before your next conference.
Koray Teacher 