MUN 2006

1. The Representative

1.1 Overview of the Delegate

Delegates are fundamental to any Model UN Conference. A delegate's job is to research the positions of a UN Member nation, both on the specific issues that will be discussed at the Conference and as a general overview of that nation's policies. Delegates then prepare draft resolutions for debate at the Conference. See Section 3, for details.

Finally, delegates attend the Conference to represent their nation in discussing the resolutions presented. When a delegate reaches the floor of the Model UN Conference, they assume the role of the Distinguished Representative from their country, with all the rights and responsibilities which that entails.

At the Conference, Representatives in the role of their countries' spokesperson will debate the issues on the agenda for discussion. They will also draft and discuss resolutions, caucus with Representatives who are role-playing other countries, and work to solve the problems facing the world. In the UN today, nations will usually debate an item in an attempt to reach a consensus that can be agreed to by all, or at least most, nations. The resolutions under discussion at Manlius Pebble Hill Model United Nations (MPHMUN) can be accepted by consensus, adopted, amended, combined or even debated to the point that no final document can be produced on a given issue.

1.2 The Role Playing Experience

MPHMUN is a simulation of the UN. By its very nature, the quality and tone of debate will be dramatically different than in the "real" UN. In the UN, Representatives and their consular staffs spend months in preparation, "behind doors" caucusing, and interacting with other nations before an issue is brought to a vote. A UN Representative, or Head of State, will almost always make a prepared speech that will not be "news" to the other Representatives present.

At MPHMUN, Representatives will have only one day to assume the role of their nation's Representative and simulate the actions of the UN. This consolidation of time leads to many different circumstances with which each delegation will have to contend. Among the considerations is the fact that Representatives will rarely have the opportunity to make a pre-written speech on an issue. Instead, they will often be forced to verbally react to circumstances as they arise, and they may be in a position where it is reasonable to reinterpret their nation's position in light of new facts. Representatives should not simply read from their country's established record on the issues presented: they should be prepared to compromise with the other nations represented, and where needed adapt their policies to meet the current circumstances of the world as simulated at the Conference.

Note that this in no way gives delegations license to act "out of character." Representatives should generally research and follow the policies of their country, modifying these as new circumstances dictate. Successful role playing involves walking a careful line on policy; avoid the extremes of either reading verbatim a country's past statements, or creating ad hoc policy with no previous basis, either in previous policy or at the Conference.

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