MUN TOOLS

There are few vehicles as rich for students to practice communication techniques. Lifetime skills assist students to better pursue an education, profession and community interaction involving service club membership, assisting a hospital fundraising team or working out a family dispute. In addition, a wide knowledge base is fostered in history, geography, economics, culture, politics and world issues.

You are trying to persuade others! To be successful, you must attend to their feelings as well as their logic. To convince others that you have a solution to a specific problem or a valid point, you first, must get their attention. Then, using appropriate oral and body language, you must maintain their attention and make them want to act upon your instructions. Don’t forget: what you say and how you say it are equally important. In fact, many think the latter is actually far more important! Once you sit down, there will be many other speakers. How will you be remembered?

Assume you are a prosecuting attorney. You try to convict someone for a crime. To convince the jury, you must present proof. Your proof must be factual, supported by credible documents, expert witnesses and other established forms of evidence. When you make your summary statement to the jury, your position will have been carefully built up piece by piece with specific examples, clearly presented and covering all of the issues.

Now, assume that you are the attorney for the defense. Your task is to discredit all of the evidence above and to poke holes into every argument.

These dynamics are part of model U.N. debate. One delegate wants to proceed in one direction and sway others; another delegate is determined to proceed in an opposite direction. Often, because of the country that you represent, you may have to argue for things that you, as a Canadian, do not really believe in. Model U.N. skills allow you to see all sides of an issue and determine the strength and weakness of any stance.

1. A variety of sources demonstrate that you are resourceful and have done your homework. This impresses the judges.

2. Do not say that you used CNN or Time magazine. Western popular media is not good proof.

Try to quote from U.N. sources, resolutions, treaties, conventions, and speeches, recognized

3. If you do quote from a source such as the U.N. Charter, quote the exact paragraph. 8. A good practice is to use a variation of your topic sentence for your concluding sentence.

10. This can be embarrassing, particularly if things have dramatically changed in your country.

Abstention- abstaining from a vote means to withdraw from voting on a resolution instead of giving a “yes” or “no” answer.

Amendments- are made to resolutions. Friendly amendments require the support of the sponsors in order for changes to be made. Unfriendly amendments can be initiated by anyone in the committee but require supporters and a majority vote.

Arab League- a body independent of the UN comprised of Arab states in Africa and the Middle East. Some of its procedural rules differ (eg. Resolutions are non-binding to those who vote against it).

BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)- what if your preferred solution cannot be accomplished or agreed upon by the committee? Each delegate should have a BATNA on each issue that will be debated in order to promote compromise and co-operation.

Bloc- a group of countries that form a logical combination because of geographical, economic, or cultural considerations (eg. G8, African bloc, Arab League).

Caucus- a forum where the rules of debate are suspended and delegates are able to gather in groups and freely discuss and write with one another (for others a bathroom or socializing break). Usually some of a committee’s most productive work is accomplished during caucuses.

Comments- if a delegate doesn’t yield his/her time during a speech in formal debate, the chair may recognize two delegates to make comments specifically on that speech.

Dividing the Question- once in voting procedure, a motion to divide the question means splitting up operative clauses to be voted on separately (eg. Vote on Clauses 1 and 3 together, but the rest individually). This is useful if you agree with one part of a resolution but not the whole thing.

EU (European Union)- an economic and political union created under the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, it comprises most of Western Europe and Germany, and is poised for future expansion into Central and Eastern Europe. Most customs regulations in Europe have now been abolished and a single currency is now in place, the Euro. As a political unit it has formidable power vis-à-vis the United States.

Foreign Aid- money given by one country to another for humanitarian or developmental purposes. It plays a key role in shaping foreign policy.

Foreign Policy- the attitudes and interests of a state towards external issues. Foreign policy can be influenced by a variety of factors, i.e. Military strength, trading partners, history, domestic government.

Formal Debate- the committee follows a speaker’s list, and each speaker is given a strict time limit within which to make their point. They must also formally yield the floor to questions, the chair, or another delegate. Rules regarding motions, voting and “right of reply” are enforceable only in formal consideration, although at COWAC conferences informal debate is preferred for the most part.

G8 (Group of Eight)- a body comprised of eight of the world’s most powerful nations: Canada, the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Russia.

Informal Debate- can be entered into by a simple motion and majority vote. The chair recognizes delegates wishing to speak, but there are no yields, time limits or opportunities to directly question one another. However, it offers the chance to proceed quicker through various issues that arise during debate.

ICJ (International Court of Justice)- the ICJ is a body designed to resolve legal and territorial disputes between states.

Lobbying- refers to informal caucusing between a small group of delegates, usually outside the committee room while debate is still in progress. One may wish to lobby another delegate for support on a resolution or policy option, but use with caution. A delegation of two or more can afford to spare someone outside the room much more easily then a solo debater.

Motions- most motions can only be made in formal debate. In fact, the only motion permitted in informal debate is to move to formal debate. Motions must be made to open, close, postpone, or adjourn debate, to set the agenda, table the topic, enact right of reply, an caucus.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)- security organization created in 1949 by Western powers to provide a collective force against the Soviet Union. In the post-Cold War era it has taken on new responsibilities in peacekeeping and enforcement of international law (Bosnia, Kosovo).

NGO’s (Non-governmental Corporations)- are organizations or associations that are not associated with a specific country or international political organization. Their aims can be broad (World Vision International, Amnesty International, Greenpeace) or quite specific (Doctors Without Borders) in their activities and goals. The United Nations has a history of working closely with NGO’s on issues, especially relating to humanitarian projects.

Non-Members- delegates who sit in a committee and are allowed to speak but don’t have voting privileges.

OAS (Organization of American States)- an international political organization comprised of North and South American states.

Operative Clauses- are written in resolutions following the preamble. These numbered clauses set out actual solutions and initiatives for the committee to undertake.

Placard- is your key prop at all times. Just be sure not to replace it with your own creation, or to wave it hysterically while someone else is speaking.

Points- can be raised in formal or informal debate. There are two points that can interrupt a speech:

Position Paper- a written statement by a delegate on a particular agenda topic, outlining one’s foreign policy, proposed solutions and alternatives.

Preambulatory Clauses- these clauses go at the beginning of a resolution, and act to introduce the issue (concerns, previous UN actions, etc..). They are not numbered.

Rhetoric- using language designed to persuade that is often extravagant and laboured. In MUN debating chairs often penalize delegates who rely on rhetoric instead of making substantive speeches.

Right of Reply- This can only be asked for in formal debate, if a delegate feels another debater has insulted and/or slandered their country or them personally. It is easily the most over-attempted and misused motion in MUN debating.

Roll Call- a motion made in voting procedure to individually call out each country’s name for their vote. A delegate can vote for, vote against, abstain, or pass. A country that passes will be asked again at the end of the list, but cannot abstain.

Security Council- the most powerful body within the UN, it is comprised of fifteen members, five of whom are permanent (see Veto Powers). It is responsible for the UN’s peace and security policy, dealing with conflict through peacekeeping, sanctions and other measures.

Speaker’s List- In formal debate the chair follows the speaker’s list to recognize delegates. Your country’s name can’t be on it more than once at a time.

Sponsor/Co-sponsor- Working papers and resolutions require sponsors (the main authors) and in some cases co-sponsors. Being a co-sponsor does not necessarily mean being in support of the ideas presented, you may just want to see them debated in front of the rest of the committee.

UN (United Nations)- a good idea to learn this one. The international organization that was created in 1945 from the legacy of World War Two to promote and protect international peace and security, co-operation, and human rights worldwide. It’s legitimacy comes from the UN Charter, with its major bodies including the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the various committees that comprise the Economic and Social Council.

Veto Powers- the five permanent members of the Security Council (U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China) have the right to single-handedly veto a resolution by voting no.

Working Paper- sometimes referred to as an “idea paper” also, although working paper is the preferred formal term. It is drawn up in the form of a resolution, but its status as a “working paper” allows for easily made amendments that do not require the support of the entire committee, only the sponsors themselves. Working papers are one step below being a resolution, and many are often combined into one. Their overall purpose is to set out specific solutions or policy stances on an issue that can be debated within the committee.

Yield- In formal debate the delegate must yield his/her time a the beginning of their speech in one of three ways:

-to the chair: once the speech is over the chair takes the floor and moves on with the speaker’s list.

-to questions: delegates can ask questions to the speaker for his/her remaining time. (A recommended practice)

-to another delegate: another speaker uses up the remaining time to give a speech, but cannot yield themselves.

“Our secretary of state, (minister of foreign affairs, chief economist) Sir Francis Drake, stated that…”

“Our citizens in Montreal who are all fluently bi-lingual, would beg to differ with the honourable member from New Jersey. As our indigenous peoples, the Cumquoits, like to say, “a bird in the hand can be a messy proposition.””

“Security council resolution 666 refers to this devilish issue as does GA resolution 123 which was signed by your country as does the Bible and the Koran and the New Zealand Protocol and…..”

“You will recall that in the OAS meeting held in downtown Fort Erie in 1999, members of the WHO and UNICEF tackled the thorny question of …”

“UN publications distributed worldwide and presumably available to your country, state that global warming is proceeding at a rate of one mile per hour in the US and just as many equivalent metres in Europe.”

“I know the representative from Turkey may think our Thanksgiving Day celebrations somewhat crude; however, may I remind you of your own dismal record in WW2 when your country was forced to eat crow.”

“Zimbabwe representing only one one-hundredth of the world but sitting in this committee with the same number of votes as China thinks…”

“Gambia acknowledges the following (name them) and their contributions to this matter…we also suggest…”

“My learned friend from Cuba would do well to remember Gwilym George’s observation that “politicians are like monkeys; the higher they climb the tree, the more revolting are the parts they expose.””

“Our famous poet, Fred Smurtz, poet laureate of Bolivia, once said of this matter: “roses are red, but we would rather be fed.””

Never say that another country is “full of crap.” Instead, politely infer that the speaker has his facts wrong or might be suffering from jet lag or perhaps is out of contact with his foreign secretary because his position does not jive with a recent statement from Kabul or Tel Aviv where representatives of France have implied the opposite.”

Mention your “honourable friend” or “colleague” or the “distinguished representative from India”, not the “dumb ass” who just spoke. Use sophisticated language not “oh yeah” or “I am so sure.”

6. Use parliamentary procedure appropriately to assist the committee, not impede it

Don’t interrupt a speech with a silly point of order such as “the room is on fire.” If a savvy opponent is using a question as an excuse to launch a long speech, courteously turn to the chair and say, “Madame chair, is there a question?”

If someone foolishly asks you a yes/no question, reveal their silly mistake and your astuteness by saying “yes” or “no” but not “maybe.”

7. Always yield to questions as they represent more opportunity to speak. You can answer any question, even the most embarrassing BY RESORTING TO THIS TIME-HONOURED TECHNIQUE:

A Thank you for that question. How important is liberty to our country? We will do everything we can in the pursuit of democracy. All of our people are prepared to fight this battle, our women, children, the elderly, those suffering from dementia……

Q. Why have you not signed the landmine treaty that has been adopted by 88 other leading countries?

A. Good question. What can poor, impoverished countries do to combat those with advanced weaponry, stealth bombers, huge tanks…….

A. (not having any idea about what it is) Thank you. Our country responds to any plan with appropriate study, thought and analysis. This is how we approached the problem of mosquitoes……

A. Yes, Resolution 666 which of course precedes Res. 667. Unfortunately, I have misplaced that resolution but if the delegate would send me a copy I would be happy to review it (and shred it)

A. Yes. Just what can be done about ruthless dictators who suppress their people? For those of us who espouse democracy, the answer is self-sacrifice.

Q. Your policies have led to power failures all over the world. How do you explain your actions?

A. Exactly. That’s part of the bigger question: how do we manage the power of the sun? Our country is committed to solar panels….

Q. Your country intervened in Iraq stating that you were helping to free people from a tyrant yet when refugees tried to enter Australia, they were denied access. How do you explain the contradiction?

A. We have a record of working towards freedom yet freedom does not come without a price as the US learned Sept. 11. How does one maintain security yet remain open to liberty? It is a difficult task yet we shall meet it bravely and honestly...

A. This question bespeaks a complete misunderstanding of our intent. Let me take a few minutes to describe our success in assisting those who are dying for liberty. Perhaps I should first go back to our illustrious record during WW2…..Finally, I would remind the delegate that his own country has had some trouble with the infamous Spock affair. (if they ever get around to asking about it, slough it off as too distasteful to talk about or suggest that the entire country was wearing big ears in imitation of Star Trek’s Spock. (just kidding)

A. One would think that’s a simple question such as did you get enough sleep last night or was there an emergency or when a friend needs you, what should you do? Ten years from now, how will we look at this question? And just what is homework? Does it mean helping to prepare meals when your mom is working and your dad is in the hospital and your brother and sister…. Please stop me before it’s too late!

You get the idea. NO question is to be avoided. And NEVER assume that the question has merit. Look upon it as merely an opportunity for you to show your stuff. Watch politicians on TV. They are really good at it. Well, most of them.

8. In fact, ask allies to ask you “friendly” questions so you may add to your previous speech. And help them with friendly questions of your own.

Q. We in Liberia have been working closely with the Congo to eradicate mercenaries. Would the delegate please describe this cooperative effort?

9. Finally, your country always has good intentions and is essentially seeking good results associated with lofty abstractions such as “peace, justice, equal opportunity, democracy, understanding, health, welfare, progress, conflict resolution”, et cetera and these goals are NOT easy. They involve “struggle, risk, blood, sweat, tears”, et cetera and sometimes mistakes are made by honest people who act for noble causes. After all, isn’t that what friendly fire is all about? We admit that sometimes collateral damage occurs (never say death and dismemberment) but it is a price that courageous peoples have always made. When you speak, think Viagra commercial.

Fill out and add to the country outline on COWAC’s web page; get copies of other countries from your schoolmates. Build a country database: http://www.cowac.org/textmuntools.html#mun

In Model U.N. competition, delegates with superior vocabulary often emerge the victor. You should assemble a glossary of terms that you can use to your advantage. Here is a start:

Abrogation: repeal of a law, treaty, or contract unilaterally or by mutual consent.

Accord: agreement without same binding force as a treaty.

Achilles' heel: vulnerability.

Adjudication: hearing and deciding a legal case in a court.

Aegis: power that protects. (aegis of the UN)

Affidavit: written declaration signed and sworn under oath.

Affirmative action: preferential treatment for women and minorities in business and education to redress discrimination.

Appeasement: surrendering to unreasonable demands out of weakness or foolishness

Arraignment: court hearing where defendant is informed of rights and required to plea.

Autocracy: power rests with the ruler.

Cadre: nucleus for a permanent military unit or most dedicated members of a political party.

Carpetbagger: an outsider.

Carter Doctrine: 1980 - "An attempt by any outside forces to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force."

Chauvinism: unreasonable, aggressive patriotism or contemptuous attitude as in male chauvinism.

Christian Democrats: political parties in several European countries, usually Roman Catholics.

Conservatism: political philosophy that support the status quo and advocates only moderate change.

Coup d'etat: sudden revolt in which control of a government is seized by force.

De jure: opposite of de facto - by law.

Deflation: reduced economic activity, falling prices and wages, less employment, and less imports.

Demagogue: tries to win political support by playing to fear and prejudice, building hatred for groups.

Depression: prolonged business slump, low production, little capital investment, mass unemployment.

Despot: a tyrant; a ruler with absolute power.

Deterrence: defense policy that ensures sufficient military power to deter a potential enemy.

Devaluation: reduction in the value of a nation's currency in relation to other currencies.D

Envoy: sent by a government to a foreign country for diplomatic business.

Ethnocentrism: belief in the superiority of one's cultural, ethnic, or political group.

Fait accompli: an accomplished fact.

Fascism: nationalistic, authoritarian, anti-communist movement founded by Benito Mussolini in Italy.

Federation: state made up of a number of individual states that share power with the central government.

Fundamentalism: religious conservatism that takes the words of the Bible, or other sacred text, as literal truth.

Hegemony: dominance of a specific country as in Soviet hegemony.

Holocaust: extermination of 6,000,000 Jews by the Nazis in World War II.

Indoctrination: teaching of dogma, doctrine, principles, or beliefs, usually used in a negative sense.

Injunction: legal order preventing an individual or group from carrying out a certain action.

Keynesianism: the economy has no self-balancing equilibrium that results in full employment. Governments have since accepted responsibility to provide full employment.

Laissez-faire: government should not intervene in the conduct of trade and industry.

Macroeconomics: concerned with the overall picture of the economy, aggregates not individual parts. Malthusian: theory that the world's population grows faster than its food supply so famine, poverty, and war were natural checks against population growth.

Manifesto: public statement of beliefs.

Marxism: all aspects of society such as politics and religion conditioned by the economic system. Under capitalism, society divided into two classes: capitalists who own means of production and distribution, and workers or proletariat whose labour is exploited by ruling class. Capitalism eventually breaks down because of its own contradictions and this leads to proletarian revolution and classless society.

McCarthyism: accused of subversion by smear and half-truths without supporting evidence.

Microeconomics: the individual parts of an economy, rather than the aggregate.

Military-industrial complex: political, economic and bureaucratic relationship between the Pentagon and its network of defense contractors coined by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1961.

Mixed economy: elements from the free enterprise system combined with elements of socialism.

Monroe Doctrine: opposed European intervention in the political affairs of the Western hemisphere.

Nepotism: appointing relatives to positions for which others might are better qualified.

New Deal: social and economic programs enacted during the first and second terms of Franklin Roosevelt. Non-Aligned Movement: over 100 countries who do not belong to any military alliance.

Oligarchy: control by a small group of individuals governing in their own interests.

Ombudsman: public official appointed to investigate complaints about government agencies.

Paramilitary: forces work along side of or in place of regular military forces.

Parochialism: small, local, narrow thinking, opposed to universalism.

Partisan: reflecting one party on an issue.

Petit bourgeois: lower middle classes.

Philosopher king: the ruler should also be the wisest person.

Plebiscite: vote by all on an important issue.

Plenipotentiary: person invested with full authority to act as a government representative.

Plutocracy: government by the wealthy.

Pragmatic: whatever works rather than rely on ideology.

Preamble: introduction to a law or constitution that describes its purpose.

Precedent: a judicial decision serving as a guide for future decisions in similar cases.

Protocol: a document that records the basic agreements reached in negotiations prior to the final form.

Quorum: number of members that have to be present before official business may be conducted.

Realpolitik: politics based on practical not theoretical or idealistic notions.

Recession: a contraction in the Gross National Product that lasts six months or longer.

Red herring: something irrelevant used to confuse or take attention away from the something else.

Repatriation: sending back of a person to his country of origin.

Republic: ultimate power resides in the people, who elect representatives to participate in decision-making.

Revisionism: drastic reevaluation of an accepted theory or doctrine, or historical event.

Sanctions: punitive measures, to put pressure on a country to change its policy.

Sanctuary: place of refuge or protection, where a person is immune from punishment by the law.

Sect: religious group that breaks away from a mainstream church.

Secular: not connected with religion.

Sedition: plotting against or resisting a government.

Social contract: a state and its citizens have an unwritten agreement between them.

Social justice: all individuals and groups in society are treated fairly and equally.

Stagflation: high unemployment and inflation at the same time.

Straw vote: unofficial vote to predict an official vote or to gauge the relative strength of a candidates.

Symposium: conference for discussion of a particular subject.

Tariff: surcharge on imported goods and services to protect domestic products from foreign competition.

Theocracy: government run by priests or clergy.

Tribunal: a court or body empowered to hand down decisions.

Truman Doctrine: U.S. support for "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

Usury: loaning money at excessively high rate of interest.

Utilitarianism: the duty of government is to promote "the greatest good for the greatest number."

White elephant: something of little use or profit, maintained at great expense.

Xenophobia: irrational dislike of foreigners and foreign things.

Zealot: fanatic.

Zeitgeist: spirit of the times or prevailing current of thought and feeling in a society.

Zero-sum: gain for one results in a loss for another.

Zionism: a movement for return of the Jews to Palestine.

Information on your assigned country will improve your success. Well-prepared delegates work in facts about their countries whenever they speak. Besides formal speeches, include data in questions that are strategically phrased to other delegates. (ex: "In our country, such and such is the case, and this has proven successful. How do you explain your country’s use of such and such which does not appear favourable?" or: "In our country, our leader, so and so, has demonstrated that such and such is the case." or: "Our economy is based upon this stuff. How does what you are saying apply to us?") Your evaluation is determined in part by how well you portray your country. Research makes this the easiest component.

Rule number one: you are no longer a Canadian! You are the ambassador of the assigned foreign country. This is a good learning process. You will soon see world problems and solutions from the eyes of other countries. Some simulations encourage students to dress in the country’s national garb to help get into this spirit. You represent the people and government a non-Canadian country. Best you find out as much as you can about it!

Here is a brief organizer that will assist you. Many questions can be quickly answered by using a World Almanac reference book that contains information on every country. The pocketbook version is a wise purchase because it will give you important data on every other country as well. This helps you to understand important geographical, political, historical, cultural and economic differences and similarities.

9) Form of government: __________________________________________________________

10) Government leaders and parties: ________________________________________________

13) Gross National Product & average income: ________________________________________

14) Natural resources: ___________________________________________________________

15) Imports -- amount, item & country: ______________________________________________

16) Exports – amount, item & country: ____________________________________________________________________________

18) Do you receive or provide foreign aid (technical or economic)? Amount? From or to whom?

21) UN bloc: Western, Communist, African, Arab, Asian, Latin America, Non-aligned

22) Member of which international organizations: UN, NATO, EEC, OAS, OAU, SEATO,

23) Anything else pertinent – example: strong minorities, opposition in your country –

The most difficult mind-set to change particularly with elementary students but also quite evident in high school debates, is the portrayal of foreign policy that is filtered through a North American bias. This is a natural inclination, yet we should try to immerse students in the culture and history of the country that they represent.

There are several web sites that will help. Flags of the World is quite helpful. http://flagspot.net/flags/ Each country’s flag is portrayed. There are additional links to provide background on each flag, references which could be worked into a delegate’s speech, making the delegate more knowledgeable and comfortable with the assigned country.

For a quick source of information on any country,

A) go to Answers.com at http://www.answers.com/ and type in: foreign relations of… (insert your country name), and you will be provided with an overview of your assigned nation.
B) go to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia and type in the name of your country.

The initial task and prime obstacle for all students is a basic understanding of the foreign policies that they must defend as a representative of the country that they have been assigned. Most often, the biggest drawback is a North American bias vis-a-vis other countries. This is understandable as the established North American media generally portrays only one viewpoint on world events.

Thus, Rule Number One: you are no longer a Canadian! You are a Kenyan or an Indonesian or Swedish or the ambassador of whatever country you have been assigned. You speak for THAT nation. No other. This is where the fun begins! However, always remember, you must represent that nation accurately. We have recently added media links to the world press in our research section. Now, you may read newspapers from all over the world!

The best place to begin all of your research is right at our site.You will notice a Research section on our main page. It is composed of many useful Links and a separate COWAC search engine that will allow you to search through all of our study guides.

One practice that most MUN's support is that they allow delegates to dress in the native garb of their specific country. For example, wearing a robe and a headband might help make you feel more like an Arab. Anything that you can do to get into the shoes of a person from that country will make your role easier. If native dress is not an option, delegates dress as they would at the actual U.N. building. Time to get out the shirt, tie and suit, gentlemen! U.N. delegates do not wear jeans!

Sometimes, you will represent the most powerful economic nations in the world. On other occasions, you will represent the poorest, most backward countries on earth. During these varied experiences, you will begin to discover firsthand how various groups of countries act in their own best interests. You will uncover both allies and enemies. You will struggle with common problems and those unique to your country. You might have access to nuclear energy and satellite technology or you may be placed farther back in an agrarian economy, dependant on animals rather than machines.

If you are portraying a poor country, the issue of foreign aid will allow you to court other nations, often, however, at the expense of various tradeoffs. To succeed and prosper, you will become a strong negotiator. At MUN's, despite your country's relative stance in the world pecking order, you will have what every other nation there wants and desperately needs: one vote. That evens up the playing field. In fact, many students soon realize that it is far easier and advantageous to represent a country that others do not know much about versus one of those whose faults are always on display on CNN.

Politically, you might live in a democratic country or under the rule of a despot. Your country might welcome diverse religious choice or be committed to narrow fundamentalism. You might represent China with one-quarter of the population of the entire world or a nation of miniscule proportions. Your country may be at peace or at war. Your key initial contacts should be officials of those particular countries in Canada or at the UN itself, in New York City. We have links provided for you to accomplish this in our COWAC Search Engine & Links section. (see main page)

To succeed at any Model United Nations, a delegate needs to be well prepared by research into the following key areas: General information concerning the nation and/or region that they are representing and specific information on the current position taken on the simulation's issues or topics.

Libraries do not always contain adequate information to thoroughly deal with these issues. It is often useful to write directly to a representative of "your" country for some specific information. Remember these simple guidelines: Write early! You are not likely to be a top priority for an embassy's diplomat. Four to six weeks (or more) may be required for a reply Use the full address and direct the letter to the attention of the "Public Information Officer" Be brief and business-like, but be certain to identify yourself and your role, the exact nature of the topic(s) and the exact type of material requested. Request copies of any statements or policy papers made on your topic. Also request a copy of the opening speech at the beginning of the current U.N. General Assembly. Frequently, this speech will provide good background material on that country's views of the most vital issues of the day.

The more specific you can be, the easier it is for the official to organize relevant information and get your request en route to you. If possible, type the letter in full business letter format on school letterhead. Look professional! Remember your return address!! Remember that English is probably not the first language of communication for "your" country, and indicate if you can work with materials in another language. For French or Spanish-speaking countries, this device, with your teacher's concurrence, could easily become an interesting component of your high school language course.

For both efficient country and issue research, our COWAC Search Engine & Links page has been designed to allow you to perform all of your research from our site alone. >From our site, you may easily research your country, world issues, treaties and conventions, material from the U.N., etc., etc.

In fact, you will end up with far more material than you know what to do with. This becomes a MUN skill, prioritizing material. During the course of debate, you may work in your material to demonstrate that you know your country and its foreign policy. Anyone can prepare for a specific issue; however, your task is quite different and more challenging. You must accurately represent the country that you have been allotted.

Often, you will be arguing against things that you as a Canadian, might not actually believe in. This is one of the goals of MUN, to force you to look at all sides of an issue. You will become a far superior debater when you are able to see all sides.

A word of warning: if you represent countries that play a large role in world issues, you had best know their foreign policy. I recently witnessed a Russian delegate in an "experienced" Security Council simulation actually vote against his veto power! Knowledge of foreign policy should constitute a large portion of the delegate's evaluation. Otherwise, the simulation is lacking in history, accuracy and depth.

Use our COWAC Search Engine & Links section to your advantage! There, you will find amongst other things, links to:

Begin your speeches and questions with allusions to your country even if it is only your country's name. Every time you speak, even in caucus, try to bring in some relevant information about your country. You are the ambassador!

Position Papers

ã by Mike Keenan

As part of the research process prior to an MUN competition, delegates are often asked to submit a position paper. This is a brief overview, which clearly outlines the delegate's strategy vis-a-vis the committee issues and the country that is being represented. It indicates to both conference organizers and faculty advisors whether or not the student is on track. It is a valuable early warning sign if something is amiss. More importantly, whether the position paper is demanded or not, its use will serve as an important organizer from which the delegate may maintain consistent direction.

Long essay type position papers in which the student rewrites the history of the nation are counter-productive. A simple organizer that is succinct is needed. After all, it is basically employed as a road map.

I have enjoyed an opportunity to participate in a workshop led by Harvard's Roger Fisher, co-author of Getting To Yes. As a consequence, this conference position paper outline is adapted from co-author, William Ury and his work, Getting Past No.

Students are first encouraged to read the following material and to research their country carefully before writing a position paper.

Key Concepts

1) Interests

In multi-country negotiations on specific issues, joint problem solving centers upon the interests that lie behind each side's position. Your position will normally state the concrete things that you say that you want - the specific terms and conditions. Your interests, however, are the motives behind that position: your fears, desires, needs, concerns, aspirations. To achieve agreements that begin to satisfy all sides, you need to begin by trying to determine the nature of each side's interests. An obvious interest for all states is security. This applies to the state in its geographical position amidst allies and foes and also the state’s domestic political security involving an interaction with its citizens.

a) Your interests may be determined by asking why? Why does Syria want the Golan Heights? Why does the U.S. want to be on friendly terms with the Saudis? Why do you want that? What problem are you trying to solve? Is it geographical security or economic prosperity? Rank your interests such that you may be able to trade off lesser interests.

b) Their interests - place yourself in their shoes; forget your perception of the facts. What is their perception of the facts? Why do they act as they do? Why would someone deliberately bomb civilians?

2) Options

Once you know each side's interests, you can try to develop creative options. These are possible agreements or parts of agreements. Effective diplomats must learn how to expand the pie rather than slice a diminished area. Common mistakes at this point are single solutions or counterproductive criticism and evaluation versus suspended judgment, which will enable multiple ideas. Try to keep your options open. Another mistake is to try to accomplish too much, to solve all the problems of the world. Be realistic. Often, a major achievement is simply to get two adversarial sides together to talk.

3) Standards

A contest of wills degenerates into a conflict of egos. Effective negotiators search for fair and mutually satisfying solutions. Fair standards are useful measuring sticks that will help lead to fair solutions. These include the law, precedent, equal treatment, market value, UN resolutions and such. The key is that all sides may more easily defer to that which is seen to be fair.

4) Alternatives

The purpose of negotiation is not always to reach an agreement. The purpose of negotiation is to explore whether you can satisfy your interests better through an agreement versus pursuit of your own best alternative to a negotiated agreement. (BATNA) This is a significant issue.

The better your BATNA, the more leverage and power you will enjoy. For example, in the Security Council, a permanent member's BATNA might be a veto. If your BATNA's are weak, they may be developed and strengthened. In addition, several weaker countries might ultimately form a stronger alliance. Often, there are ready-made country blocs to help facilitate this. You must lobby and caucus with your fellow delegates. This is a significant portion of the MUN process. The use of a veto might cause lack of cooperation on other issues. You must assess the pro’s & con’s of each alternative, both short term & long term.

5) Proposals

Try to select an option that satisfies your interest particularly one better than your BATNA.

a) Aspirations: countries that begin with realistically high aspirations often enjoy better agreements. Realistic aspirations are bound however, by standards of fairness and the other's BATNA.

b) Content with: what agreement, far from perfect, would satisfy my basic interests to make me reasonably content?

c) Live with: What agreement would satisfy my interests marginally better than my BATNA?

a) a topic or issue from the study guide: _______________________________________________________________________

b) a country in your committee, deemed to be adversarial on the topic: ______________________________________________

Finally: Summarize your county's position on one of the assigned topics. More importantly, indicate some ways in which your strategies might be altered or adjusted during the conference debate. Type one-quarter page.

In smaller committees, the chair will often allow opening speeches by each country. In the larger committees, the chair might designate one nation to be the honorary opening speaker.

Keep this outline handy during the debate. Refer to it, and use it to help guide your efforts in debate and caucus. It will help to make you appear consistent and keep you on track.

Sample Position Paper

Your committee: Security Council

Your Country: USA

Your name(s): Ryan Sills

Your School: A.N. Myer

a) a topic or issue from the study guide: Conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Authority

b) a country in your committee, deemed to be adversarial on the topic: Syria

Your interests:

1. Demonstrate power & security to homeland & world.

2. Maintain Israel as a client state

3. Stability of supply & price of oil

4. Prosecute the war on terrorism

Their interests:

1. A secure border with Israel.

2. Fear of Turkish-Israel alliance

3. Halt aggressive actions of Israel in Lebanon

4. End Israeli occupation of Palestian land & Golan Heights.

Your Options:

1. Denounce terrorist acts & encourage resumption of peace talks.

2. Seek a multilateral solution through coalition building, which results in pressure from all sides on the parties to negotiate a settlement.

3. Provide economic & perhaps military support for nations who prosecute terrorists.

Standards:

1. Negotiated peace.

2. Rule of law.

3. Mediated settlement.

4. Cessation of hostilities to allow dialogue.

Your BATNA (Best alternative to a negotiated settlement): Veto any resolution which targets Israel solely as the belligerent.

Their perceived BATNA: Continue to condemn Israeli actions and peace initiatives that do not include the Golan.

Proposals

1) Aspirations: A permanent solution which provides for Israel’s security & creates an autonomous Palestinian state.

2) Content with: Resumption of peace talks.

3) Live with: An end to hostilities.

The following is an outline that may be used by teachers and students to prepare for MUN activities:

· Everything in politics is contestable…all writing is slanted in one way or another, even the author who states that he/she is basing their work on empirical data.

…issues in MUN can most often be rooted in history. It explains much about a given situation…ie Muslim/Serb conflict began on the Field of Blackbird in 1389 at the Battle of Kossovo and not a few years ago with some random ethnic cleansing.

· Often nations will act in predictable ways….ie the US will not send troops to Africa, China is opposed to the decline in importance of state sovereignty (ie NATO attack on Kossovo)

· Go through the resources available, focusing on the wonderful tool that is the internet…explain some websites….major benefits and downfalls.

· www.un.org ….great website…first one that we will rely on this year for a research project of our own…however be careful because the internet can also be a vast wasteland.

· Discuss books (remember those dust covered things in the school library), embassies, journals, newspapers and TV news. What is the alternative press? Who is Noam Chomsky and why is he not allowed into the mainstream press?

· Touch briefly on the fact that School Libraries may not be the best place to do research (even though their librarians may be great)…Use the University Library particularly if they have UN resources.

· What to do when you have to represent a Micro-state….it may be difficult to find the foreign policy of Mauritius for the next couple of years in the Security Council.

· Examine economic interests – if 75% of their trade is with the US, they will probably be friendly to American policies.

· Be aware of the domestic politics, the political splits and leaders and how that impinges on foreign policy. A good example is Israel’s Knesset. The role and power of the fundamentalist minority, etc.

· France will remain in Algeria. The bonds linking metropolitan France and Algeria are indissoluble.

· After Chiang Kai-Shek has landed and maintained himself for three months on the mainland, the communist menace to Asia will be finished and the whole of Asia will turn anti-Communist.

Henry Luce, Publisher of Time, 1952

· Castro has been accused of communist sympathies, but this means very little since all opponents of the regime are automatically called communists. In fact, he is further to the right than General Batista.

· The socialist German Democratic Republic and the capitalist Federal German Republic cannot be merged, let alone reunited. It is impossible as bringing together fire and water.

· Thank you for your continued support in our mutual efforts to suppress illicit drug trafficking and to ensure a safer and healthier environment for all of our citizens.

These MUN grads represent a wealth of knowledge from years of debate and chairing. As many will chair at INMUN, you may readily observe what they look for.

Novice: 1. Stay calm; the best speakers are those who are cool and collected. 2. Don't fear your chairs, they aren't there to judge you, they are there to moderate and help you to proceed hassle free. 3. TALK. Don’t sit for two days, wasting it by being too nervous to do what you came to do.

Experienced: 1. Don't come to win an award at all costs. 2. If you're going to bring a working paper, keep it short and simple to build on it with others. 3. Treat chairs with courtesy. Give them gifts: TV sets, iPods, etc.

Novice & Experienced: 1) research: knowledge is power. 2) research: It never hurts to do more. 3) research: Don't get lazy by researching on the net. Books and journals can often be better. This is a competition; you will never be hurt by knowing more than the person next to you. 4) quality of debate beats quantity (though you do have to speak)

Novice: 1. SPEAK UP! Don't be afraid to stand and offer your country's opinion on something. 2. Don't read and mumble. Know your main points; use paper for reference. Look people in the eye. Provoke a reaction. 3. Don't go at it all alone. Someone on council has a position similar to yours. Find them. Pool resources. Gather support. Check you bloc.

Experienced: 1. KNOW YOUR STUFF. Research: any fact about your country that may come up. 2. Debate is never entirely in the open. If you can get more done in a smaller group of allies, go for it. Grab people, pull them into the hall; get working. You are under no obligation to stay in your assigned seat for the entire debate, in fact, most chairs discourage it. 3. The ultimate goal is NOT to pass resolutions. Excellent debates get sidetracked because everyone wants to rush into a vote.

Novices: 1. Study your foreign policy, but branch out to other sources of information (government documents, books, etc.) 2. Don't be afraid to participate. 3. Know your allies. Be ahead of the game when it comes time to caucus.

Experienced: 1. Study! There is always more to learn! Keep a well-organized binder of notes! 2. Know other countries’ foreign policy. This helps with caucus.

Novice: 1, Be focused. Know what's best for you and focus on getting that accomplished. 2,Don't be afraid to be controversial. There's diplomacy and tact, and there's meek and unproductive. Be the former not the latter. 3.Ask questions, and make mistakes. It's the fastest, most efficient way to learn.

Experienced: 1. Don't ramble. The best speeches/statements/points etc. are short, sweet, and direct. Fancy footwork just confuses the council and lessens the impact. 2.Know the stats: a good supply of up-to-date facts, statements, etc. is great for lobbying support and gaining trust as a leader. 3. Don't be afraid to be controversial.

Novices: 1. Know your country, but also the topic; don't get bogged down on fluff: the colours of your flag. 2. Get on the speaker’s list, but be prepared - plan your speech ahead. Do not simply agree with points; if you can't add something constructive, be quiet. 3. Use un-moderated caucuses; do not abuse them. Talk to everyone in the room, not just your bloc

Experts: 1. Keep it simple: short meaningful comments beat long ramblings. 2. Be prepared to compromise: if you forge a resolution with most of your main interests, you will be successful.

3. Have fun: don't take things personally; likewise, do not personally attack others.

Novices: 1. Speak up but say something relevant; add to the debate. 2. Don't aim for a quick fix: UN pros haven't been able to solve their issues. Concentrate on your country: what your government is willing and not willing to do to help. 3. Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Novice: 1: Don't assume a country's policy will be in the best interest of the majority of its citizens. 2: Don't be in a rush to pass a resolution; debate is more meaningful if it isn't hurried. 3: Don't be afraid to speak up: ask questions, and try some motions in the procedure guide!

Experienced: 1: Speaking every turn and getting your name on every working paper is no measure of success. Aim for substance. 2: Try "strategic procedure." Yield to friendly delegates and coordinate speaking points to maximize effect. Make the right motions at the right time to ensure debate goes in the direction you want. 3: Be nuanced in your positions. You don't have to be entirely "for or against" a non-resolution proposal.

Novices: 1. Remember: you are no longer a Canadian; you are an Ambassador of your country. 2. Do not let personal feelings influence policy decisions. 3. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH

Experienced: 1. Remember your allies and your enemies & act accordingly. 2. Speaking a lot doesn't mean you're the best speaker. 3. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH

Novices: 1. Have a plan - know what it is that you want to accomplish. 2. Write it down - get your ideas on paper so that you can share them with others. 3. Listen - don't hesitate to recognize when other people have great ideas too.

Novice: 1. Do your research, and do it well. Know your country's foreign policy inside-out and explore every possible angle or perspective to a given issue, especially those your country would not necessarily subscribe to. 2. Don't be afraid to speak-up and take charge when things get off-track during an un-moderated caucus. 3. Most importantly: HAVE FUN! You are the representative of a member-nation to the United Nations. Get into character and take advantage of every opportunity to speak and make yourself (and your nation) heard. If you don't, others will.

Your Interests:	Their Interests:
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2.	2.
3.	3.