Webadmin at 22:45, 22 March 2010

2010-03-22T22:45:25Z

New page

==Introduction==

Model [[About the United Nations|United Nations]] committees operate in much the same manner as [[About the United Nations|real UN bodies]]. The topics you discuss in committee are complex and controversial. Your mission is to develop feasible solutions through dialogue, consensus building, and reconciliation. It is the goal of this guide to provide you with the information which you need to begin your [[Model U.N. Debate|Model U.N.]] and [[Crisis Debate|Crisis]] delegate experience. Although this guide is thorough, it should be understood that there are many things which you will find useful that are not included within this guide.

The three most important words that an effective delegate must keep in mind are communication, compromise, and consensus. Delegates must be able to effectively communicate their nation's policies and objectives and this can only be accomplished with [[research and preparation|Guide to Research]] prior to the conference. Having a strong knowledge of your nation's policies will enable you to negotiate and [[Guide to Writing Resolutions|write resolutions more effectively]].

Compromise should be one of the goals of the effective communicator. Compromise does not involve one nation sacrificing its beliefs or policies for the sake of being "part of" a resolution. Compromise is instead being sensitive to the objections of other nations and attempting, through formal debate and caucusing, to minimize negotiable differences as much as possible. Through effective compromise a consensus can be reached. No resolution, no matter how well written or constructed, will pass unless it has the support of the majority of the body. The best way to accomplish this is by cooperating on resolutions that consider a variety of opinions.

Debate in committee takes place in two ways: formal debate and caucusing. During formal debate, a nation requests to be placed on the speakers list and, when called, s/he will address the body for an allotted time. You will be in formal debate during much of your initial committee session because it is the most effective way for each nation to introduce its ideas to the entire committee. Additionally, all resolutions will be introduced and voted upon during formal debate. You should familiarize yourself with the [[Model U.N. Rules and Procedure|rules of procedure]] prior to a conference, as they will help you greatly during formal session.

Caucusing is a suspension of the meeting for the purpose of an informal session. A caucus is usually a time to draft working papers, work out conflicts, and discuss issues freely. This is the time when most of the substantive work is accomplished. Although the work done in caucus is unofficial, it provides the director an opportunity to gauge the progress of the committee (and you).

The first step in [[Guide to Resolution Writing|resolution writing]] is creating a working paper, which is a rough draft. A working paper can be as simple as a list of ideas or can take the form of a resolution. Delegates circulate working papers to gain support for their ideas. Consensus should be built in the working paper stage to minimize later rapprochement during the amending process. It is important to sponsor one resolution per topic and strive to include as many people in the process as needed to successfully build a strong coalition. Prepared resolutions cannot be brought to the conference and are seriously discouraged, as they do not involve the work of the committee. The success of a committee and the goal of your MUN experience lie not with individual achievement; rather, it is found in cooperation and teamwork.



{{:What is WAP? What is model UN?}}

{{:About the United Nations}}

{{:Guide to Research}}

{{:Guide to Writing Resolutions}}

{{:Model U.N. Rules and Procedure}}

[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Debate Tactics]]

Delegate Handbook - Revision history

Webadmin at 22:45, 22 March 2010