Model United Nations

3rd Simulation Day of 3rd Model United Nations at AUPP

We see it quite often that the United Nations has passed a resolution on global issues such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine or urging both sides of the Israel-Palestine war to exercise restraint and come to a ceasefire. However not many are aware of the meetings and processes that went on behind the scenes prior to the passing of the resolution.

For further information, please refer to the official website for Model United Nations.

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations, or MUN, is a popular academic simulation internationally where students get to enact meetings conducted inside the United Nations. Students will be randomly assigned a country and they're tasked with sponsoring or co-sponsoring a resolution then debating their stance while also challenging other resolutions that threaten their national interests.

How Is it Conducted?

Meetings will also be conducted using Parliamentary Procedures, moderated by an Independent Chairman and Deputy-Chairman. Delegates are expected to debate with civility and with respect towards the Chairmen of the committee.

Any action must be authorized by the Chairmen prior to being enacted. This includes speaking, requesting for a vote, or a POI. Should the delegate request for a vote on the resolution, or moderated or unmoderated caucus, it must have seconds in order for the Chairman to call for a vote from everyone.

Should there be a majority, the action therefore is authorized to be executed. Decisions and resolutions are passed with a majority, in favor, or against.

What is Discussed?

Topics vary from each Model United Nations hosted has its own themes. However, it tends to focus on current international issues such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and crises like in Haiti.

However, topics discussed depend on the committee they are in. For example, committees such as the Security Council focuses on world security matters and ending wars. Whereas committees such as the Human Rights Commission (HRC) focuses on promoting human rights worldwide and ensuring that all member states of the UN are held accountable to the resolutions.

Common Committees

Some of the most common committees you'll see in Model UNs are:

General Assembly (GA):

6 committees, the most common being Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC/1st Committee).

Specialized Committees

Security Council (SC): maintain international peace, authorizes the use of force including economic sanctions, military intervention, peacekeeping etc. in order to stabilize a conflict zone. Permanent 5 has veto powers.
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Deals with human rights issues worldwide.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Promotes development in poorer countries to create sustainable growth.

Please bear in mind that each MUN has their own committees with their own rules. This is only a summary.

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What is a Plenary?

Usually held at the last day, the plenary is a session where every delegate from all committees gather together to debate issues related to the resolutions that were passed in committee meetings.

It functions similarly to committee meetings, with a minor difference that delegates with the same countries can coordinate with each other to make a stronger stance.

Regardless, everyone is still required to follow parliamentary procedures during the debates.