MUN Foundatons
MUN Foundations — Lesson 1
What Is Model UN
and How Conferences Work
Before you write a word of your opening speech or do any research, you need to understand what you’re getting yourself into. This module will cover everything a first-time delegate needs to know about how MUN works. It can still be useful for beginners in general who need a refresh on committee procedure.
What is Model UN?
Model UN is a simulation of the UN where students represent countries, debate global issues, and work together to write resolutions. It's a big mix of so many important skills: debate, negotiation, writing, researching, and public speaking. Getting good at MUN means you'll get good at most of these skills, so stay committed. .
Unlike a traditional debate, Model UN isn't an argument between two sides and one wins, it's much more complex than that. You have to be collaborative. The end goal is to pass your resolution, not beat the other side. By having the mentality of “beating the other side,” you can come off as too aggressive and lose potential votes. The best delegates know how to get what they want for their country while also acquiring the most amount of votes.
The key mindset shift
It'll be hard at first, but you cannot play as yourself. You have to literally become the country you represent. Your personal opinions don't matter, the opinion of your country does.
How a Conference is Structured
Every MUN conference has the same basic structure, whether it's a small local conference with 100 students or an international conference like HMUN or NAIMUN with thousands. Conferences might differ in small specific details, but overall, this will be a good guide for every conference you go to:
The anatomy of a MUN conference
The Secretariat
This is the organizing body of the conference. It's a team of experienced college students who run the event. The Secretary-General is at the top. You'll see them in opening and closing ceremonies.
Committees
The heart of the conference. Each committee will differ in the UN body, like the General Assembly, Security Council, Human Rights Council, etc. or a specialized committee. You'll spend almost all of your conference time in your committee room debating one or two topics.
The Dais
This is the panel at the front of your committee room. The number of chairs will differ based on the committee/conference size, but either way they will control the flow of the committee and are the ones who evaluate your performance.
Delegates
You. Each delegate is assigned a country and represents a country's position throughout the conference. In some committees, you may represent an NGO, a historical figure, or a company instead of a country.
Resolutions
The formal documents you produce. The main goal of the committee. Resolutions have preambulatory clauses (context and background), and operative clauses (the actual content).
What a conference day actually looks like
First-time delegates don't know how the committee is structured, let alone the entire conference. Here's the typical structure of a MUN conference (usually 1-3 days)
Morning - Opening
Opening ceremony & roll call
Day one typically starts with an opening ceremony in a large auditorium. Everyone from every committee attends the opening ceremony, so expect lots of people. After that, delegates go to their assigned committee rooms, usually found on a packet the conference provides.
Morning - Session 1
Setting the agenda & opening speeches
If your committee has multiple topics, delegates vote on which to address first. Then the speakers' list opens. Delegates who want to give an opening speech add their country to the list. This is your first moment to introduce your country's stance to the room.
Late morning
Formal debate begins
Delegates make motions to open moderated or unmoderated caucuses. In a moderated caucus, speakers take turns giving speeches at a podium on a specific sub-topic. This is where substantive debate happens and where blocs begin to take shape.
Afternoon
Unmoderated caucuses & working papers
Delegates leave their seats and walk around freely. This is where the bloc-building happens. You find allies, negotiate, and start drafting working papers. This is arguably the most important part of the conference.
Final session
Voting bloc & awards
On the final day, the committee votes on which working papers to advance to resolutions, then votes on the resolutions themselves. After voting, the dais will make a decision on awards, and they'll be announced at closing ceremonies. The number of awards depends on the size of the committee and the conference.
Types of committees you might encounter
Not all committees work the same way. Knowing what type of committee you're in will shape how you prepare and how you behave.
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General Assembly (GA)
The most common type, and typically the largest committees. These can range anywhere between 50 to 200+ delegates debating broad policy topics. ALl countries have equal voting power. This is the perfect beginner conference.
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Security Council (SC)
Small (15-50 delegates), fast-paced, and high-stakes. Five permanent members (US, China, Russia, France, UK) have veto power. Topics are usually active crises. These committees have more experienced delegates.
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Crisis Committee
Fast-moving, scenario-based committees where a “crisis” evolves in real time. Delegates have to adapt quickly to unexpected scenarios. Crisis committees could be based on a real or historical event, or they could be based on references to pop culture. More theatrical and less procedural than GA, very popular at advanced conferences. Crisis committees will have the most experienced delegates.
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Specialized Committees
Simulations of specific UN bodies like UNICEF, WHO, or the Human Rights Council, or other historical committees, joint crisis committees, or ad hoc bodies. Rules vary slightly by each type.
Starting out? Aim for GA
If you're choosing your first conference, then look for one with GA committees. The larger size means less individual pressure, and the procedure is more standardized, which makes it the best environment to learn fundamentals.
Being a good delegate — etiquette and expectations
MUN has a formal culture, and first-time delegates often don't realize how much of their evaluation is based on how they carry themselves — not just what they say. Here's what the Dais notices.
Dress code
Western business formal is the standard at most conferences — suits, blazers, dress shirts, ties, dress pants or skirts. When in doubt, overdress. You will never be penalized for looking too professional, but you can absolutely be marked down for showing up in jeans. Check your specific conference's dress code in advance.
In committee
Refer to yourself as your country, not as "I." Say "The delegate of Brazil believes…" not "I think…". Address the Chair as "Honorable Chair" and other delegates as "the distinguished delegate of [country]." Raise your placard to be recognized before speaking — always.
Note-passing
During formal session, you can pass written notes to other delegates to build alliances. Keep them professional and on-topic. Chairs can see what you're doing — social notes signal disengagement.
Don't use your phone in formal session
It signals to the Dais that you're not engaged, and it's prohibited at most conferences. Save it for breaks.
Lesson 1 checklist
Before you move to Lesson 2, make sure you can check off every item below.
- I can explain what Model UN is to someone who has never heard of it
- I understand the difference between a moderated and unmoderated caucus
- I know what the Dais is and what each role (Chair, Director, Rapporteur) does
- I know the difference between sponsors and signatories on a working paper
- I understand that I represent my country — not my personal views — in committee
- I know the difference between a substantive and procedural vote
- I can explain what a resolution is and what its two main parts are
- I know what type of committee I'm in for my next conference