Model United Nations - preparation guide

I. Understand United Nations

The Purposes of the United Nations are:

The Purposes of the United Nations are:

  1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
  2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
  3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
  4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

II. Understand your topic

Information management

  1. Check the page of your committee (https://www.zilinamun.sk/zilinamun-2023-online-hub/)
  2. Read the Study Guide from your President (published in the pages)
  3. Research – use RECENT and RELEVANT sources of information (e.g. Google News, quality newspaper, multimedia – Youtube, Vimeo, Google video, …)
  4. Take time – you need to understand the reasons and consequences of the global issue you will deal with

III. Understand your country

Multicultural understanding

  • there are so many countries in the world and all of them can teach you something new – and now you will be their international representative – A DELEGATE
  • learn about your people – their beliefs, religion, culture, economy, priorities
  • learn how the topic relates to your country: How does it affect your country? Are you a for/against/neutral country? Who are your international allies (especially superpowers)?
  • who are your main representatives (presidents, prime ministers, and what do they think about the topic)?

IV. Create your Policy Paper

Analysis

Position Paper (Policy Statement) – a brief overview which clearly outlines the delegate’s strategy vis-a-vis the committee issues and the country that is being represented. It indicates to Chairpersons whether or not the student is on track. It is a valuable early warning sign if something is amiss. More importantly, whether the position paper is demanded or not, its use will serve as an important organizer from which the delegate may maintain consistent direction.

NO MORE THAN ONE PAGE 🙂 

EXAMPLE:

Policy statement

 Committee: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Delegation: The Swiss Confederation

Delegate: Michaela Dorčíková, Martin Hudoba, Juraj Majcin

The Swiss Confederation concerning the issue: Crisis in Mali

It was exactly ten years ago that Switzerland joined the United Nations as the one hundred and ninetieth member state. The United Nations and Switzerland share the same values and pursue the same goals: the promotion of peace and security, sustainable development, the protection and promotion of human rights and the provision of emergency relief to victims of conflicts.

Switzerland recognized Mali as an independent state in 1960 and the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. For over 30 years Mali has been a priority country for Swiss development cooperation (SDC). We support various projects in the areas of healthcare, sustainable management of natural resources, decentralisation and we continuously provide food aid.

The Malian coup d’état quickened the political crisis and Switzerland is tracking the current situation with deep concern. Following the events connected with the military coup, the SDC has suspended a part of its programmes in view of the current instability in the region. This essentially concerns its activities in the north of the country where the security situation is especially tense. In the next three years our objective will be to contribute to the creation of a society and institutions capable of promoting dynamic local economies and ensuring basic education.

We condemn the human rights abuses, the international law violations and the destruction of cultural sites that we can see in the northern part of Mali.

As Switzerland traditionally defends dialogue, we call upon negotiation process to seek a sustainable political solution with the North. If all our diplomatic efforts fail, we are ready to support an international military force that would assist the Malian army in recuperation of sovereignty over their own country, which is partially under the control of terrorist groups, fundamentalists and separatists. This intervention should be performed by ECOWAS and the African Union with significant support from the United Nations community.

In today’s world we face pressing global challenges which threaten entire regions. Climate change, food security, water scarcity, migration, organised crime, terrorism and the proliferation of weapons. In an increasingly interconnected world, we have to search for global solutions which enjoy regional and national support. It is not enough to simply maintain the status quo. We have to find solutions today for the challenges we will face tomorrow.

V. Understand the Rules of procedure