Everything you need to know about MUN's
Model United Nations 101
By Notre Dame International Peace & Harmony Club(NDIPHC, formerly NDIURC)
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About This Course
This is a ten-article MUN learning series developed for delegates at all experience levels — from first-timers walking into their first committee session to seasoned veterans looking to sharpen specific skills.
Each article is self-contained and thorough, covering both foundational knowledge and advanced strategy. Together, they constitute one of the most comprehensive MUN preparation resources available.
The Articles
| Article | Title | Focus | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Welcome to Model United Nations | What MUN is, committee types, the conference structure, what makes a great delegate | Beginner |
| 02 | The United Nations: History, Structure & Organs | UN founding, the four pillars, all six organs, Charter provisions, binding vs. non-binding | Beginner |
| 03 | Know Your Country: Building a Country Profile | The complete country profile framework, foreign policy representation, common mistakes | Beginner–Intermediate |
| 04 | Research Like a Diplomat | The 8-step MUN research cycle, source evaluation, the 6W framework, research binder | Intermediate |
| 05 | Rules of Procedure: The Complete Guide | Full UNA-USA ROP: quorum, roll call, GSL, motions, points, order of disruption, decorum | Intermediate |
| 06 | The Art of Speaking in Committee | Speech structures, delivery techniques, strategic speech-making, language of diplomacy | Intermediate |
| 07 | Caucus Strategies and Negotiation | Moderated and unmoderated caucus tactics, alliance-building, the chit system, negotiation theory | Intermediate–Advanced |
| 08 | Writing Resolutions That Win | Full resolution anatomy, preambulatory and operative clauses, phrase lists, working paper strategy | Advanced |
| 09 | Amendments, POI Sessions & Voting | POI defense, the three amendment types, friendly vs. unfriendly, voting mechanics, position papers | Advanced |
| 10 | Crisis Committees: The Fast Lane | Crisis committee structure, all crisis document types, speed strategy, character consistency | Advanced |
How to Use This Course
If you are a first-time delegate: Read Articles 1–6 thoroughly before your conference. Articles 7–10 can be read more quickly for awareness.
If you are preparing for a General Assembly committee: Focus on Articles 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8.
If you are preparing for a Security Council simulation: Focus on Articles 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9. Note the specific UNSC-only rules throughout the text.
If you are preparing for a Crisis Committee: Read all ten articles, then re-read Article 10 carefully and study the document formats in detail.
If you are a returning delegate looking to improve: Jump directly to the articles covering your weakest areas.
A Note on Rules of Procedure
The Rules of Procedure covered in this course follow the UNA-USA framework — the most widely used standard in MUN. Individual conferences may modify specific rules. Always read the rules document distributed by your specific conference and use a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry if anything is unclear.
Quick Reference: Key MUN Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abstain | During a substantive vote, choosing neither Yes nor No |
| Agenda | The issues a committee will discuss |
| Amendment | A proposed change to a draft resolution (deletion, modification, or addition) |
| Bloc | A group of countries with similar positions on the agenda |
| Chair | The Executive Board member presiding over committee debate |
| Communiqué | An official public statement from a country, signed by the Head of State |
| Decorum | The formal, courteous conduct expected of all delegates |
| Directive | A crisis committee's collective response to a crisis update |
| Draft Resolution | A formally submitted resolution document that has not yet been voted upon |
| Executive Board (Dais) | The team running a specific committee |
| Friendly Amendment | An amendment accepted by sponsors; passes immediately without a vote |
| GSL | General Speakers' List — the primary formal debate format |
| Mandate | The defined scope of a committee's authority |
| Moderated Caucus | A focused, timed discussion on a specific sub-topic |
| Motion | A formal procedural proposal by a delegate |
| Operative Clause | The action-proposing section of a resolution |
| Placard | The card with a country's name, raised to seek recognition |
| Point | A procedural intervention (Personal Privilege, Parliamentary Inquiry, Order, Information) |
| Position Paper | A pre-conference document declaring a country's stance |
| Preambulatory Clause | The context-setting section of a resolution |
| Present | Roll call declaration; retains the right to abstain on substantive votes |
| Present and Voting | Roll call declaration; must vote Yes or No on all substantive matters |
| Quorum | Minimum delegates needed for official business |
| Resolution | A draft resolution that has been passed by committee vote |
| Right of Reply | A brief response when a country's sovereignty is directly attacked |
| Roll Call | The attendance-taking process at the start of each session |
| Signatory | A country that supports debating a resolution without committing to its substance |
| Sponsor | A primary author of a draft resolution; agrees with all its content |
| Substantive Vote | A vote on the content of decisions (resolutions, amendments) |
| Two-thirds Majority | Required for closing debate, unfriendly amendments, and member elections |
| Unmoderated Caucus | An informal break where delegates move freely and negotiate |
| Unfriendly Amendment | An amendment rejected by sponsors; requires a two-thirds majority to pass |
| Veto | The P5-exclusive power to block any UNSC substantive resolution with a single "No" vote |
| Working Paper | An informal preliminary draft of a resolution, before formal submission |
NDIPHC MUN 101 Course — All rights reserved. Based on the NDIPHC Delegate Handbook, NDCMUN.