🌐
Qatar Academy Sidra · Grades 8–10

Your Complete
MUN Guide

Everything you need to research, write, speak, and negotiate like a diplomat — from your first conference to the world stage.

📖 What is MUN? 📄 Write Documents 🎤 Conference Speech 💡 How to Practice
Chapter 1

What is Model United Nations?

MUN is a simulation of the United Nations where students represent countries, debate global issues, and work together to write resolutions. It is one of the most powerful ways to develop real-world skills while learning about international affairs.

🏛️

The Simulation

Each student is a delegate representing an assigned country in a committee. You debate, negotiate, and vote just like real UN diplomats do.

🌍

The Issues

Committees tackle real global challenges: climate change, human rights, conflict, poverty, technology, and more. Topics change every conference.

📜

The Goal

Your committee works together to produce a resolution: a formal document outlining causes, concerns, and solutions to the topic at hand.

🤝

The Process

Delegates debate formally in sessions, then negotiate informally in caucuses. Winning means building alliances and persuading others to support your position.

Key MUN Vocabulary +
  • Delegate: You! A student representing a country in a committee.
  • Chair / Dais: The student(s) running the committee session. They manage speakers, motions, and voting.
  • Committee: The group you debate in (e.g. UNSC, UNICEF, WHO).
  • Resolution: The final document your committee produces with solutions to the topic.
  • Clause: A single statement within a resolution (preambulatory or operative).
  • Motion: A formal request made by a delegate to the Chair (e.g. to open debate, take a break).
  • Caucus: An informal discussion session where delegates negotiate freely.
  • Quorum: The minimum number of delegates needed for the committee to function.
  • Placard: The sign with your country's name that you raise to be recognised to speak.
  • Bloc: A group of countries with similar positions who work together.
  • Amendment: A proposed change to a draft resolution before it is voted on.
  • Veto: The power of P5 members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) to block a UNSC resolution.
How a Conference Works: Step by Step +
  1. Roll Call: The Chair calls each country. Delegates respond "Present" or "Present and Voting" (the latter means you cannot abstain).
  2. Opening of Debate: A delegate motions to open debate on the agenda topic.
  3. Speakers' List: Delegates add their country to a list to give formal speeches.
  4. Formal Debate: Delegates deliver speeches from the Speakers' List. Each speech has a time limit (usually 60–90 seconds).
  5. Moderated Caucus: A structured informal debate on a specific sub-topic, with shorter speaking times.
  6. Unmoderated Caucus: Free time to move around, talk to other delegates, and build blocs or write working papers.
  7. Working Papers: Draft documents with proposed solutions, circulated for feedback.
  8. Draft Resolutions: Formalised working papers submitted to the Chair with enough sponsors and signatories.
  9. Voting: Delegates vote in favour, against, or abstain on each clause and the full resolution.
About CWMUN and Our Conferences +

At QAS, we participate in two types of conferences:

  • National Conferences: Organised by schools across Qatar. These are excellent starting points for new delegates and allow you to build confidence in a familiar environment.
  • Change the World MUN (CWMUN): An international circuit with conferences held in New York, Paris, Rome, Singapore, and the Emirates. CWMUN is one of the most prestigious MUN organisations in the world. Representing QAS internationally is a significant achievement. Visit cwmun.org →
Chapter 2

Skills You Will Develop

MUN connects directly to what you learn in Individuals & Societies and English, then takes those skills further into a real-world context.

🎤Public SpeakingDeliver timed speeches to a room of delegates with confidence and clarity.
🔍ResearchInvestigate your country's position, policies, and history on complex global issues.
✍️Academic WritingWrite formal documents following strict MUN protocol and diplomatic language.
🤝NegotiationBuild alliances, find compromise, and persuade others to support your position.
🌐Global CitizenshipUnderstand issues from your assigned country's perspective, not just your own.
⚡Critical ThinkingAnalyse causes, evaluate solutions, and respond to opposing arguments in real time.
👥CollaborationWork within blocs and across committees to co-write resolutions.
⏱️Time ManagementPrepare position papers, speeches, and documents within strict deadlines.
Chapter 3

UN Committees Explained

Each committee has its own mandate, topics, and rules. Knowing your committee gives you a major advantage before the conference begins.

Committee Full Name Focus Areas Notes
GA1 (DISEC)Disarmament & Int'l Security First Committee Arms control, nuclear weapons, cyber warfare, peacekeeping Common for beginners. Large committee, good for practising speeches.
GA2 (ECOFIN)Economic & Financial Second Committee Global economy, trade, development, poverty reduction Links well to I&S economics topics.
GA3 (SOCHUM)Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Third Committee Human rights, gender equality, refugees, child rights Often the most emotionally charged debates.
UNSCSecurity Council UN Security Council International peace and security, armed conflicts Advanced. Only 15 members. P5 have veto power.
UNICEF UN Children's Fund Child welfare, education, health, protection in conflict Accessible topics, strong humanitarian focus.
WHO World Health Organization Global health policy, pandemics, healthcare access Relevant after COVID-19 debates. Science-focused.
UNHRC UN Human Rights Council Human rights violations, civil liberties, justice Politically sensitive; requires careful country research.
UNESCO Education, Science & Culture Cultural heritage, press freedom, science cooperation Creative topics, often well-suited to I&S students.
Chapter 4

MUN Documents

There are three main documents you will write in MUN. Each has a specific purpose, format, and set of rules. Master these and you will stand out at any conference.

📋

1. The Position Paper

The position paper is submitted before the conference. It sets out your country's official stance on the topic. It is usually 1–2 pages long.

Structure
Heading: Committee name, topic, country, delegate name
Part 1: Background — what is the issue? Why does it matter?
Part 2: Your country's position — what does your country think? What has it done?
Part 3: Proposed solutions — what should the committee do?
Example Opening
"The Federal Republic of Germany strongly believes that access to clean water is a fundamental human right. As a nation committed to sustainable development, Germany has invested over €X billion in international water projects and calls upon the committee to..."
Top Tips
✔ Write as your country, not as yourself.
✔ Use formal, third-person language ("Germany believes..." not "I think...").
✔ Cite real UN resolutions, treaties, or data where possible.
✔ Keep it factual, not emotional.
📜

2. The Draft Resolution

The resolution is the committee's final product. It is written collaboratively during the conference. Every resolution follows a strict format.

Header Elements
Committee: e.g. United Nations Human Rights Council
Topic: e.g. Access to Education in Conflict Zones
Sponsors: Countries who wrote and fully support the resolution
Signatories: Countries who want to debate it (may not fully support it)
Part 1: Preambulatory Clauses
These clauses set the context. They begin with a present participle and are followed by a comma. They are NOT actions.
Common preambulatory phrases:
Affirming, Alarmed by, Bearing in mind, Convinced that, Deeply concerned, Emphasising, Fully aware, Guided by, Having considered, Noting with regret, Recognising, Recalling, Welcoming...

Example: "Deeply concerned by the estimated 222 million children worldwide who lack access to basic education,"
Part 2: Operative Clauses
These clauses are the actual decisions and actions. They begin with a simple present tense verb and are followed by a semicolon. The last clause ends with a full stop.
Common operative phrases:
Calls upon, Condemns, Demands, Encourages, Expresses, Invites, Reaffirms, Recommends, Requests, Strongly urges, Supports, Takes note of, Urges...

Example: "Calls upon all member states to allocate a minimum of 4% of GDP to public education funding;"
"Urges the Secretary-General to establish a task force to monitor progress in conflict-affected regions;"
Key Rules
✔ Each clause is one long sentence (no full stops mid-clause).
✔ Preambulatory clauses → comma. Operative clauses → semicolon. Last operative clause → full stop.
✔ Never use "I" or "we" — always refer to your country by name or use "this committee".
✔ Number all operative clauses.
✏️

3. The Amendment

Amendments are proposed changes to a draft resolution. They are submitted during debate, before the final vote.

Types of Amendments
Friendly Amendment: All sponsors agree to the change. It is automatically accepted.
Unfriendly Amendment: Not all sponsors agree. It must be debated and voted on separately.
Example
"The delegation of Canada proposes to add the following operative clause after OP3: 'Recommends that member states establish national funds dedicated to climate adaptation in developing countries;'"
📝

4. The Working Paper

A working paper is an informal draft you circulate during unmoderated caucuses to gather support. It does not need to follow full resolution format yet, but it should outline your key proposed solutions.

Tip
Think of a working paper as your "pitch" to other delegates. Make it clear, concise, and persuasive. Once enough countries support it, it becomes a draft resolution.
Chapter 5

How to Speak at a Conference

Diplomatic language has its own rules. Using the correct phrases shows respect for the process and signals that you are a prepared, credible delegate.

Being Recognised to Speak +

Raise your placard and wait for the Chair to call your country. Then stand and say:

  • "Thank you, honourable Chair."
  • "The delegation of [Country] thanks the Chair for this opportunity."
Giving a Formal Speech (Speakers' List) +

A good speech has three parts: hook, substance, call to action.

"Honourable Chair, distinguished delegates. The delegation of Brazil stands before this committee deeply alarmed by the accelerating deforestation of the Amazon basin. With over 17% of the Amazon already lost, this is not merely an environmental crisis — it is a humanitarian one. Brazil calls upon this committee to recognise the shared responsibility of all nations in preserving global biodiversity, and urges member states to support the draft resolution proposed by our bloc. The delegation of Brazil yields the floor to the Chair."
Making Motions +
  • "The delegation of [Country] moves to open the Speakers' List."
  • "The delegation of [Country] moves for a moderated caucus of [X] minutes with speaking time of [Y] seconds on the sub-topic of [topic]."
  • "The delegation of [Country] moves for an unmoderated caucus of [X] minutes."
  • "The delegation of [Country] moves to table the resolution." (pause debate)
  • "The delegation of [Country] moves to close debate and proceed to voting."
Points of Order and Procedure +
  • Point of Order: To question a procedural mistake. "Point of Order, honourable Chair — the delegate exceeded their speaking time."
  • Point of Information: To ask a question to the speaker (only allowed if the speaker yields). "Will the delegate yield to a point of information?"
  • Point of Personal Privilege: For personal discomfort (e.g. can't hear). "Point of Personal Privilege — the delegation cannot hear the speaker clearly."
  • Right of Reply: If your country is directly insulted. Used rarely and carefully.
Useful Phrases
Opening a speech
"Honourable Chair, distinguished delegates, the delegation of [Country] wishes to draw the committee's attention to..."
Showing agreement
"The delegation of [Country] strongly aligns with the position expressed by the distinguished delegate of [Country]..."
Disagreeing diplomatically
"While the delegation of [Country] appreciates the concerns raised, we must respectfully object to the proposed clause on the grounds that..."
Yielding the floor
"The delegation yields the floor to the Chair." / "...yields the remaining time to the delegate of [Country]."
Inviting to your bloc
"During the unmoderated caucus, the delegation of [Country] invites all interested parties to discuss our working paper on [topic]."
Calling for a vote
"The delegation of [Country] moves to close debate and proceed immediately to voting procedure."
Chapter 6

How to Prepare and Practice

The best delegates are the most prepared delegates. Here is a step-by-step approach to getting ready for any conference.

1️⃣

Research Your Country

Start with your country's geography, government, economy, alliances, and UN voting history. Know its strengths, weaknesses, and relationships with other nations. The CIA World Factbook and UN.org are great starting points.

2️⃣

Research the Topic

Read your committee's background guide thoroughly. Then go deeper: find recent news articles, UN reports, and data. Understand the causes, consequences, and existing responses to the issue.

3️⃣

Build Your Position

Combine your country research and topic research: what would YOUR country say about THIS topic? Note relevant treaties your country has signed, foreign aid it gives or receives, and past UN votes on related resolutions.

4️⃣

Write Your Position Paper

Use the format above. Write in third person. Aim for clarity over complexity. Have someone else read it and give feedback before submitting.

5️⃣

Prepare Your Opening Speech

Write and memorise a 60–90 second speech. Time yourself. Practise in front of a mirror or record yourself. Focus on confident delivery, not perfection.

6️⃣

Draft Clauses in Advance

Think about 3–5 operative clauses you want in the final resolution. Having these ready means you can contribute immediately to working papers during caucuses.

7️⃣

Know Other Countries' Positions

Research the likely positions of major powers and countries allied with yours. Know who to approach for your bloc, and who is likely to oppose you.

8️⃣

Practise Debate at Home

Watch real UN speeches on YouTube. Practise responding to counterarguments. Role-play debates with classmates. The more you speak aloud, the more natural it will feel in the conference room.

Research Resources +
  • UN.org — official UN documentation, resolutions, and reports
  • CIA World Factbook (cia.gov/the-world-factbook) — country profiles
  • UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO websites — agency-specific data and reports
  • BBC News / Al Jazeera — international news from multiple perspectives
  • Our World in Data (ourworldindata.org) — data and statistics on global issues
  • CWMUN Background Guides — provided by your committee chair before the conference
  • Past UN Resolutions — search on un.org to see how similar issues have been addressed before
Common Mistakes to Avoid +
  • Speaking as yourself, not your country. Always say "The delegation of [Country]..." not "I think..."
  • Not raising your placard. If you want to speak, be visible. Raise your placard confidently.
  • Reading your speech word-for-word. Notes are fine; staring at paper the whole time is not. Make eye contact with the room.
  • Ignoring the unmoderated caucus. This is where resolutions are actually built. Be active — circulate, negotiate, and join blocs.
  • Using informal language. Never say "like", "basically", or "you know" during formal debate.
  • Being unprepared for counterarguments. Other delegates will challenge your position. Know your response in advance.
  • Submitting a position paper at the last minute. Rushed papers show, and they are your first impression on the Chair.