Research Tips
Conducting thorough research is the foundation of being a successful delegate at all levels of Model United Nations simulations. An accessible starting place for research is the committee background guide. Committee chairs spend several months carefully writing the background guide to construct an in-depth discussion of the committee topics. Often, the background guide will contain information on past UN actions and country blocs. The bibliography of the background guide also includes many references that can form the foundation of your individual research.
Upon receiving your country assignment, you can start by researching background information on your country. This includes information on its history, economy, geography, demographics, government, political allies, and past actions within the UN. Use this information to begin understanding your country’s perspective and how it would approach the topics you will be discussing in committee. The most skilled delegates don’t have to think about how their country would react when presented with an issue in committee because they already have an instinctive response supported by deep research of their respective country.
It is also imperative to understand the function of your committee so you know which actions have already been taken and which are reasonable for you to recommend. Visit the website of the UN and the website of your specific committee to understand their official mission and their projects. Some committees may not have official websites and in those cases it is still helpful to find whatever information you can on the official actions of the body you will be participating in. For example, if a crisis committee is set in the presidential cabinet of a certain country then make it a point to research the members of the cabinet and what past actions the body has taken.
With an understanding of your country and your committee, the next step is to research the topic. This is arguably the most important step and therefore you should devote a majority of your time to gaining an in-depth understanding of the topic at hand. One challenge many delegates face in their research process is deciding where to start in terms of chronology of the topic because many of these topics go back hundreds, if not thousands of years. Beyond establishing a general understanding of the early history, the most time should be devoted to understanding the more recent history of the topic. It is important to understand the topic from the perspective of your country, which can be achieved by searching for past actions taken by your country’s government in relation to the topic and looking for news pieces from media outlets based in your country that give a sense of how citizens from your country view the topic. If your country is not involved in the issue, think of ways your country can be involved. The best delegates not only understand the topic from their country’s perspective, but also have a general understanding of how other major countries view the topic.
Your research should be geared towards finding solutions, rather than just topic background. This means both searching for solutions that have already been proposed and making an effort to be thinking about potential solutions as you gain an understanding of the existing problems. Choose research pieces from a variety of sources to gain multiple perspectives. Generally, credible news outlets are good sources of information because these topics are chosen based on their pertinence to current events. Think tanks and academic publications are also good resources and are filled with interesting ideas that experts have proposed in dealing with the topics you will be discussing in committee. The following list provides many credible sources for delegates to begin their research:
specific un sources
What to Wear
Western Business Attire is the formal dress code for Model United Nations Conferences in the Western Hemisphere. The intended purpose is to create an air of professionalism and seriousness to denote a sense of respect for the occasion. Here are some tips on how to enter committee in proper WBA:
For men, wear a dark-colored suit jacket, long-sleeved button-down shirt, dark dress pants, and dress shoes. A tie is an absolute must; try to pick out a tie that matches your shirt color. Keep hair clean-cut and facial hair trimmed; avoid hats and other accessories for a professional and mature look. As with any suit, do not wear white socks! Wear black or brown socks to match the color of your dress shoes. Always tuck in your shirt and wear a belt that matches your shoes — this means brown belt for brown shoes, black belt for black shoes.
For women, there is a bit more flexibility in what to wear, but think about visiting an embassy or other political office. In order to maintain professionalism, keep it limited to neutral tones such as black, grey, navy, beige, or blue. A suit is appropriate, but make sure the skirt is not too short (or wear dress slacks), and wear a blouse or button-down underneath the jacket. Straight pants and a blouse or a button-down is another good option, and so is a skirt (but again, not too short). Lastly, dresses are also acceptable; however, make sure they are professional looking by covering any sleeveless dresses with a blazer. For shoes, nice flats or loafers are appropriate, but if you want to wear heels, make sure they are comfortable and not too high.
Rules of Debate
GA/Specialized
A typical GA or specialized committee is usually structured as such:
Speaker’s List: open to any delegate to speak for a set amount of time on any topic
Motion to Vote on Topics: choosing between Topic A and topic B
Delegate’s Choice of Motions
Moderated Caucuses: a structured debate with a certain number of speakers, each with a specific speaking time, on a predetermined topic
Unmoderated Caucuses: a predetermined amount of time for delegates to deliberate among each other on any topic or work on resolution writing
Working Paper Submission: initial blocs (ideologically similar delegations working together) submit their proposals to be read aloud to the entire committee
Presentation and Q&A for each working paper
Mergers: Delegates combine their initial working papers into a smaller number of draft resolutions, which is set by the chairs. This is conducted through a series of moderated and unmoderated caucuses
Draft Resolution Submission
Presentation and Q&A for each draft resolutions
Draft resolution voting
Amendments
Crisis
The format of a crisis committee is much different than that of a GA. Crisis simulations are meant to happen in “real time,” meaning that there will be live updates from the chair about the progression of the committee. There are two elements of a crisis committee: the front room, which consists of the delegates and chairs, and the back room, which is where a crisis director and staff work to provide updates to the committee based on the delegate’s actions through crisis updates.
In the front room, delegates debate with each other to pass action directives, which are voted on by the entire committee to address the situation at hand. Here, regular debate rules will ensue, and delegates can propose moderated or unmoderated caucuses to voice their ideas. Delegates will also privately write crisis notes to the back room, which are “letters” that are used to describe and plan a crisis arc to eventually achieve some individual end goal. Committee flow will entail a constant back-and-forth between debate, action directives, and crisis updates from the back room staff.
Parliamentary Procedure
Parliamentary procedure involves the language that delegates utilize within committee to make an action. The document to the right provides an outline of the proper parliamentary procedure to use at ILMUNC:
Resolution Writing
Resolutions are written recommendations for how to address specific issues and suggestions for what actions should be taken going forward in these areas. These resolutions represent the culmination of all the discussions, speeches, and negotiations in a committee. Before resolutions are voted upon, they are referred to as draft resolutions. These documents are written by either a single delegation, or several delegations in collaboration. The authors of resolutions are referred to as its sponsors. The strongest draft resolutions are usually co-sponsored by several delegations, as this allows for a vast array of solutions and supporting details to enter the resolution. In order for a draft resolution to be presented to the committee, it must gain a certain amount of support from other delegations, which are referred to as the signatories. (The chairs will set what percentage of the room must sign in order for the draft resolution to be submitted for debate.)
The best resolutions are those that follow the resolution format completely. Draft resolutions contain three main parts, all technically contained within one very long sentence:
First is the heading, which introduces the committee, the topic, the sponsors, and the signatories.
The second part contains the preambulatory clauses, which state the specific issues that the committee is trying to solve and justifications for why the issue is important enough to be addressed by a resolution of the respective committee. It often refers to and cites past resolutions and international action that have attempted to alleviate the problem. Think of this as the section that sets the stage for the rest of your resolution. These clauses begin with an underlined preambulatory phrase and end with a comma.
The third part contains the operative clauses, which lay down the solutions the sponsors recommend to address the issues referred to in the preamble. These clauses are numbered, begin with an underlined operative phrase, and end with a semicolon (except for the final one that ends with a period). An ideal resolution will have fewer preambulatory clauses than it has operative clauses, to demonstrate that the sponsors have thought of an extensive set of solutions to the stated problems. An ideal resolution will also have extremely detailed operative clauses, that answer directly who, what, when, where, why, and how. For example, if a resolution proposes a new program, it should explain how the program will be funded, created, and managed. We recommend that operative clauses contain sub-operative clauses so as to allow for thorough explanation.
Public Speaking
As a delegate at ILMUNC, public speaking is your opportunity to effectively communicate your country's position and make a lasting impression on the committee. When giving speeches, especially during formal sessions like the Speaker’s List, focus on being concise and impactful. Your goal is to introduce your country’s stance clearly, using strong, relatable terms. Avoid overloading the audience with too many details—one or two well-chosen facts or statistics will help to back up your argument without overwhelming listeners. Using your position paper as a guide is a good strategy, but ensure that you speak naturally and engage with your audience rather than simply reading from your notes.
During moderated caucuses, you’ll need to defend your stance. Be prepared with both logic and evidence, but remember that the key here is clarity and persuasiveness, not necessarily deep detail. Time is often limited, so prioritize making a memorable point. Interacting with fellow delegates before and after speeches can help build rapport, making it more likely that others will listen to your contributions. Public speaking in MUN is not only about facts—it's about engaging your peers and driving the conversation forward.
When you move into the unmoderated caucuses, things become less formal, but don’t let your guard down. This is your best opportunity to discuss ideas in depth with other delegates, build alliances, and collaborate on resolutions. Speak confidently, share your ideas, and listen to others’ proposals—you might be surprised at how much progress you can make by building these connections.
Collaborating with other delgates
Collaboration is at the heart of Model UN, and at ILMUNC, it's how you’ll turn debate into action. Throughout the conference, you’ll engage with fellow delegates from various countries, working together to draft solutions to pressing global issues. In unmoderated caucuses, you’ll have the chance to form coalitions with those who share similar views and goals. These groups are vital for drafting resolutions, so take the time to connect with others, propose ideas, and merge your drafts to create stronger, more comprehensive solutions.
Good collaboration is built on active listening and compromise. While it’s important to advocate for your country’s interests, you’ll find that the best results come from understanding others’ perspectives and working towards common ground. Being respectful and open to new ideas is key. Sometimes, you’ll need to adjust your position or seek a middle ground, but that’s part of diplomacy. Successful delegates know that forming alliances and working in a team will not only help them achieve their objectives but also create lasting solutions that benefit everyone involved.