MUN School Modul #1:

Introduction to MUN
What is MUN?
Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the real UN conference/meeting in respective
committee regarding topic that discussed. The body that can be simulated in MUN is usually any real
International body/organs/organization that existed and related with the United Nations itself. MUN
refers as an extra-curricular or academics activities because it’s offers an opportunity for education
experiences which student/participant typically roleplay (play the role) as delegates and act
diplomatically representing the the member state or organization practicing debate and discuss in the
committees/council to solve real global/world issue. MUN also involve the participant to do research for
preparation, also MUN will train the public speaking, debating, and writing skills, and skill such as critical
thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities will be sharpen as well, plus it’s good for networking
regarding MUN participants are across the country and around the world.
Key Definition
There are few basic definition but important that needed to know in order to understand references that
oftenly use in the conference following as:
a. Delegate is participant who represent certain country or organization that will be the main actor
of an MUN conference
b. Chair is head of committee/council that tasked to moderate and responsible for the flow of debate,
chair also assess the delegate’s performance and the one that will make the study guide
c. Council/Committee is a International body/organs/organization as a place to simulate the
conference regarding topic that discussed, for example discuss about Human Right in UNHRC
committee and discussing about WOMEN equality in UN WOMEN council/committee
d. Study Guide is a guide for research for further preparation that made by the chairs before
conference contain the explanation of the topic, but the delegates also encourage to do further
deep research with study guide as guidance in order not out of the topic
Key Definition #2
e. Placard for the delegates identification and also sign for all act, for example when the delegates
wanted to raise a motion or any personal needed they will asked to raise the placard, but need to
take noted that placard usually used in offline conference meanwhile in online conference will
using feature such as “raise hand” from the platform (Zoom Meeting)
f. Position Paper is Document that made and sent before the conference contain about the
country stance towards the topic (further detail will be explained in next meeting and modul)
g. Draft Resolution is the output of an Model United Nations conference, it’s a formal documents
as a result of discussion and contain the list of solution that have been discussed and agreed to
putted in and will be voted in the end of the conference (further detail will be explained in last
meeting and modul)
Flow of The Debate
An MUN conference flow of the debate could be so complicated when it comes to Rule of Procedure as a
whole, that’s why we’ll just give the highlight and important part in the flow of MUN debate, following as:
1. First is Roll Call, it’s the first time ever something that will be done in an MUN conference, it’s
something like doing absence where all country or organization will be called alphabetically to
state whether they are “present” or “present and voting.” Simply is “present” means that you will
able to abstain in documents voting (procedural voting) meanwhile “present and voting” you have
to vote
2. Second is General Speaker List (GSL), after the Roll Call it will open the debate and then moved to
GSL where the delegate will speak generally regarding the topic so make sure don’t be too specific,
GSL usually will using format time 90 sec and if the delegates still have remaining time they have
to yield the time to 3 option which is to the chair means you give it back to the chair, to other
delegates mean give the remaining time to other delegate to speak and to points of information
(POI) means you give other delegates if there is question or something to clarify from you
Flow of The Debate #2
3. Third is Formal Debate, in formal debate there is so many various way to conduct the debate but the
most commonly use is 2 way:
a. First is Moderated Caucus (MC) which is the most oftenly use where the delegates allows to raise
motions on specific sub-issue. For proposing delegates should raise their placards/raise hand
feature and the Chairs will call on delegates state their motion that include total time, each speaker
time, and the subtopic to be discussed. If approved the delegates will speak in order of the speaker
that recognized by the chair.
b. Second is Unmoderated Caucus (UMC) which is the informal way of MC or also refer as lobbying
sessions the delegates can freely leave their seats to talk with the others informally without
moderated by the chairs. For proposing it’s only need total time unlike MC. Usually UMC for
making bloc, find allies and working on drafting.
4. Fourth (Last) is Voting Procedure (Procedural Voting) when it’s already in the end of the session
where the Draft Resolution already made and presented and it’s time for voting