Chapter 1: Introduction
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Model United Nations, generally referred to as Model UN (MUN) is one of the most popular ways to learn about the United Nations (UN). Educational institutions hold MUN conferences so students can hold UN-style debates and conversations. However, not all students may be entirely familiar with the roles played by UN diplomats and staff. Therefore, MUN conferences often do not accurately reflect the true UN decision-making process.
MUN was established only a few years after the UN was created. Yet MUN was not initially monitored by the UN. The first time that a MUN conference was co-sponsored by the UN was in August 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York. The UN later organized three GMUN (Global MUN) conferences in 2009 - 2011. These three conferences led to new Rules of Procedure and a new approach for conducting MUN conferences. This Guide builds on the three conferences' pioneering approach.
Based on these conferences, the Outreach Division of the UN Department of Global Communications (UNDGC) decided to launch a series of workshops to give students and MUN advisors a basic understanding of:
- The General Assembly's (GA's) Rules of Procedure,
- The discussion and action phases of GA Committee meetings,
- How to draft and review resolutions,
- The duties and responsibilities of the GA and UN Secretariat officials, and how to capture the relationship between these two main organs within MUN conferences, and
- The role of consensus in making decisions, and how consensus is achieved.
The main motivation for organizing these workshops is to train MUN advisors in a new approach that more accurately represents the way the UN functions, as well as deepen students' knowledge of diplomacy and the critical role it plays at the UN.
As a companion to the workshops, this print and digital Official UN Guide to MUN details the structure, procedures, negotiation processes, and skills needed to conduct a conference that accurately captures the essence of the UN decision-making process.
Educational Value of Model UN Conferences
Model UN conferences help students develop public speaking, writing, and research skills. In addition, they often provide students with their first entry point into international affairs and concepts. These affairs and concepts include peace and security, human rights, development, and rule of law issues.
Yet Model UN conferences can also teach students about the UN as an institution, its role in world affairs, and the diplomacy involved in UN decisions.
Most Model UN conferences use Rules of Procedure that prevent students from gaining a true picture and appreciation of how the UN functions. This book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to assist Model UN programmes in organizing conferences that are more accurate. It also aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the role that diplomacy plays in the UN decision-making process.
It is our hope that you will find this Guide a useful resource.