14-Aug-2025

MUN or Model United Nations, is a simulation of the United Nations (UN) for educational purposes. It is for school students to learn about the functioning of the global body in a hands-on approach. 

In the MUN, students act as UN delegates. They mock discuss and debate pressing global issues, trying to find solutions to them. All these occur in an MUN conference, a model of the UN General Assembly.

The MUN Conference

Mirroring the UN General Assembly, an MUN conference has similar Rules of Procedure to those of the United Nations. Here, students role-play as diplomats for countries to discuss on diverse topics. 

The MUN conference provides students with a real-world experience in debating, discussing, negotiating, arbitrating, and drafting resolutions. It helps students develop communication skills, understand international diplomacy, gain knowledge on global issues and more. 

How does the MUN Conference work?

Once you register for an MUN Conference, the organizer shares the topic beforehand. You will be assigned a portfolio. Here, "portfolio" implies a country or an organization that you will be representing. If multiple members from your school participate in the conference, you will be representing a single portfolio. For example, if you are assigned the climate change topic and your portfolio is China, you have to make your arguments from China’s perspective. 

Position Paper

After receiving the topic, the students are required to submit a position paper at the beginning of the MUN conference. A position paper is like a detailed document on the topic and the position your country is taking at the conference. 

For the delegates, the position paper acts like pre-conference homework on the given topic. It will help you research the topic. At the time of the conference, the research will help you present your arguments effectively. Also, the knowledge gained can help during the drafting of the final resolution. 

Opening Statements

The debate at the MUN conference opens with each delegate presenting their opening statements. Usually, opening statements last for 1 or 2 minutes. But the Chairman of the conference can decide on the time limit for opening statements. 

Opening statements give a good measure of the delegates in the conference about your country’s position on the agenda. It is also a great opportunity for you to explain your country's policy effectively. The student thus must research thoroughly and prepare a speech that creates an impact. You can use your position paper as a guide to make your speech. 

The Debate

After the opening speech of the delegates, the discussion now moves to the General Speaker’s List (GSL). This is the core of the MUN conference. From here, the actual discussions on the agenda begin. 

Countries that wish to participate give their names to the chair and are added to the GSL. The order of discussion is according to the names registered in the GSL. 

During the debate, each country is given a specific time to make its statements. While one country is debating, no other delegate or country can talk in between. However, a delegate can move a motion to curtail the time of the speaker, which the chair takes up through a procedural vote. Also, if a country is referenced directly by a speaker, that country has the right to reply by approaching the chair. The right to reply occurs immediately after the speech of the accusing country. 

Draft Resolution 

After the debate, the understanding of the current issue and the solutions provided will be drafted into a resolution. All country members will participate in the drafting process. Here again, the delegates have to negotiate with other country members over the details of the resolution. 

Once the draft resolution is presented to the chair, any changes to it are voted upon by the member delegates. 

Closing the Debate 

The chair chooses two members for and two members against for closing the debate. A majority of two-thirds members must vote to close the debate. 

An Enthralling Experience

An MUN Conference with people from different parts of a region participating is an enthralling experience for a student. They can learn more at such a conference than solely by their academic pursuit. It gives a hands-on experience on effective communication, teamwork, cooperation, negotiation, public speaking and more. 

Join a MUN Conference now and gain experience!

FAQ

What happens at a MUN conference?

Students debate international issues, draft resolutions, act as delegates, and collaborate to find diplomatic solutions at a MUN conference.

What do I need for a MUN conference?

Formal clothing, country-specific research, position papers, note-taking materials, and a diplomatic, self-assured attitude are all necessary for a MUN conference.