The 4 Key Elements of Model UN
Students step into the role of delegates representing countries.
Students take on the perspective of delegates who represent the official policies of the country that they have been assigned. Often delegates are assigned to represent countries in pairs. In “Crisis Style” MUN delegates often represent an individual person.
Simulations focus on a specific global issue.
In addition to a country and committee, students are assigned a global issue that will be the focus of the conference. These topics can be broad, like “food security,” or very specific, such as the “the humanitarian response to the food security crisis in South Sudan. Often the conference organizers will provide a topic guide and recommended resources to start research on the global issue.
Model UN is a simulation of a meeting of a UN committee or agency.
Different committees have different responsibilities and powers. For example, a topic addressed by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) would have a different focus from a UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) committee.
Delegates try to pass resolutions.
The goal of a Model UN conference is for delegates to work together to find solutions to the global issue. They do this by drafting resolutions. Those resolutions are voted upon by the countries participating in the simulation. In most cases a simple majority, 50% is required to pass a resolution. Once a resolution passes it becomes the official recommendation of the committee.