Speak with purpose
Turn research into clear, persuasive speeches.
Your first conference starts here
MUN made clear.
Model United Nations may sound formal, but the idea is simple: represent a country, understand a global problem, work with other delegates and build a solution together.
The foundation
What is Model United Nations?
MUN is an educational simulation in which students take the role of diplomats. Each delegate represents a country inside a committee and discusses an international issue from that country’s perspective—not from their own.
Delegates research, speak, listen, negotiate and write proposals called resolutions. The aim is not simply to “win” an argument. It is to understand competing interests and find language that enough countries can support.
Along the way, MUN develops public speaking, research, writing, teamwork, diplomacy and critical thinking. It also makes international affairs much easier to understand because you experience how difficult cooperation can be.
Listen and negotiate
Find common ground without abandoning country policy.
Write solutions
Build precise proposals with other delegations.
From assignment to final vote
How a conference works
Every committee has its own subject, but the journey follows the same basic path.
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01
Receive your assignment
You are given a country, a committee and the agenda topics that committee will debate.
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02
Prepare your position
Read the BGP, research the country’s policy and prepare a short opening statement plus realistic solution ideas.
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03
Lobby and build alliances
Meet delegates with compatible positions, compare clauses and combine the strongest ideas into a draft resolution.
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04
Debate and amend
Chairs recognise speakers. Delegates defend, question and improve the draft through formal debate and amendments.
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05
Vote
The committee decides whether the resolution or amendment passes, fails or needs further compromise.
The final AML MUN Rules of Procedure will define the exact points, motions and voting sequence. Until then, use the Delegates Manual as your preparation reference.
Speak the language
Key terms, without the jargon
You do not need to memorise everything at once. These are the words you will meet most often.
Delegate
A participant representing an assigned country and speaking according to that country’s policy.
Delegation
All delegates representing the same country, usually across several different committees.
Committee
The room or body focused on a specific area, such as security, health, economics or the environment.
Chairs
The student officers who manage the debate, recognise speakers, receive amendments and apply procedure fairly.
Secretariat
The conference leadership team responsible for its academic direction and overall organisation.
Placard
The country sign raised to ask for the floor, answer a vote or identify a delegation.
BGP
The committee’s Background Paper. It introduces the topic, key questions and starting sources for further research.
Policy statement
A brief opening speech explaining what your country believes and what kind of action it supports.
Lobbying
The negotiation period when delegates form alliances, compare proposals and draft shared clauses.
Resolution
The committee’s proposed response to an issue, written and negotiated by a group of delegates.
Amendment
A formal proposal to add, remove or change part of a draft resolution during debate.
Point or motion
A point raises a procedural or personal matter; a motion asks the committee to take a procedural action.
The document you build together
Anatomy of a resolution
A resolution moves from context to action. Each clause should be relevant to the agenda and consistent with the powers of the committee.
Why action is needed
Preambulatory clauses
These establish the background: earlier UN action, relevant principles, evidence and the reasons the committee is concerned. They provide context rather than new measures.
What should happen next
Operative clauses
These contain the concrete proposals. Strong clauses identify who should act, what they should do and how the measure could work in practice.
How the text improves
Amendments
Delegates can propose precise changes during debate. An amendment may strengthen a measure, remove disputed wording or create a compromise.
The 5th AML MUN programme
Ten committees, different perspectives
You will participate in one committee. Each has its own agenda and area of responsibility.
GA1 · DISECDisarmament and International Security
GA2 · ECOFINEconomic and Financial Committee
GA3 · SOCHUMSocial, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee
GA4 · SPECPOLSpecial Political and Decolonization Committee
GA6Legal Committee
WHOWorld Health Organization
ECOSOCEconomic and Social Council
SCSecurity Council
UNEPUnited Nations Environmental Programme
HCHistorical Crisis · The Korean War
Explore every committee topic on the Conference Agenda
Your first-conference checklist
Arrive prepared, not perfect
Good preparation gives you confidence. Participation is how you learn.
Before the conference
- Read your agenda topic, BGP and Delegates Manual.
- Research your country, its foreign policy and previous UN positions.
- Prepare a one-minute policy statement and several practical clause ideas.
- Use reliable sources and keep your work original.
What to bring
- Formal clothing suitable for a diplomatic conference.
- A charged laptop or tablet, charger and any digital notes.
- A notebook, pens and printed backups of important material.
- Your confidence—and questions for the Chairs when you are unsure.
Inside committee
- Use English and speak only after the Chairs recognise you.
- Refer to your country or “the delegation”; avoid personal arguments.
- Keep your phone muted and use devices only for committee work.
- Listen respectfully, protect your placard and participate whenever you can.
One last reminder
Every experienced delegate once gave a first speech. Raise your placard, speak clearly and treat every mistake as part of the learning.