17-Feb-2022

It is never easier for a newbie Model United Nation delegate to sit at the conference hall, surrounded by professionals or repeater delegates who know how to perform well in these conferences’ debates.  

 It is important that you master your speeches and learn to direct the flow of the council debate with your good skills. Good communication skill is the most invaluable weapon in the art gallery of the best delegate.  

In this article, we will give you a set of small yet powerful tips so that you can transform your speeches from good to influential, effective, and memorable

1. Be prepared

Many Model United Nations aspirants will be surprised to know how many people miss this. To start discussing your perspective; you must ensure that you are actually well informed. When you walk into the room, you should ensure that you fully understand the topic, know your country's stance on the case very well, and have a very influential strong opening statement. 

To make an impact on the model United Nations conferences, you should not just come prepared with papers of speeches written down. In fact, you should know your delegations' previous issues, economic weaknesses, and questionable actions regarding the case. This will be a strong offensive and defensive stance. You know that other delegates will also come prepared. Therefore, it is your job to be well aware. There will be attacks from other delegates, and therefore you should know the answers to refute them.  

 2. Maintain Diplomacy. 

 In the model United Nations conferences, the biggest indicator of a valued debate is that the two opponents have great respect for each other. Here the delegates do not throw diplomatic decorum out of the window when they are provoked. In fact, they always maintain decorum inside the room or outside the room  

You shouldn't undermine your opponent by rolling your eyes or interrupting or ridiculing them. Doing this will be a sign of insecurity, and the audience will perceive it negatively. You should respect the other delegates even if they are completely opposed to your opinion or views. Acknowledging and respecting other people's views will make you look more professional and serve to strengthen your arguments. 

Also Read: How To Save Money by writing a MUN position paper?

3. Get the best defense 

If your opponent is criticizing you, it is better to start the criticism with important facts that you have discovered in their stance. During the model United Nations debates, you can ask your opponent to explain the specific actions or statements made by them. You can be the first to stir the water so that they are preoccupied long enough in refuting your attacks.  

Doing this will help you gain valuable time in which you can form a dialogue with other delegations. You can secure ground in the debate flow and put your position in the defender mode rather than the attacker position.  

 4. Be a good listener. 

If you think that the best debater is someone who talks the most, then you should think again. If you keep on talking and nobody listens to you, then it means that your speech will leave no value for impact. Unfortunately, most delegates make this mistake in model United Nations debates. Most delegates don't listen carefully to each other because they're too busy formulating their own speeches.  

What is important is that your speech should be dependent on what your opponent is speaking. You should make other delegation speeches- your biggest asset.