The basic principles

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The basic principles
Model United Nations Assembly

• The Model UN Assembly is a simulation of the
  United Nations
• Participants role play delegates from member
  nations
• Country delegates research the selected topic
  thoroughly and learn about their countrys
  position on the issue
• The delegations come together and enact a UN
  meeting they draft, discuss, amend and vote on a
  resolutions

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The basic process
Model United Nations Assembly
The Model UN Assembly has three crucial
elements 1. Preparation learning something
about the UN and how it works, the Model UN
process and researching thoroughly before the
Assembly. 2. The Model UN Assembly itself the
one day structured role play event for country
delegates to come together to debate important
global issues. 3. Debriefing some time after
the Assembly for reflection on involvement.
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The 3 stages of enacting a UN Assembly
Model United Nations Assembly
Stage 1 First plenary session Country position
statements Each country presents a short
statement expressing their countrys concerns
relating to the issue under debate, actions they
as a nation are taking and further actions they
believe need to be taken by the global community.
This statement needs to be prepared and sent to
the Model UN Assembly coordinator several days in
advance of the Assembly as it will form the basis
of the initial resolution.
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The 3 stages of enacting a UN Assembly
Model United Nations Assembly
Stage 2 Recess session Drafting a resolution A
draft resolution is prepared based on the Country
Position Statements. Country delegates consider
to what extent they can support the resolution
they decide what they will seek to have added,
removed or amended. This is a crucial time for
countries to lobby each other and come together
to form blocs or alliances for or against
particular proposed actions. Proposed changes to
the resolution are submitted in writing to the
Secretary General.
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The 3 stages of enacting a UN Assembly
Model United Nations Assembly
Stage 3 Second plenary session Debating and
amending a resolution A structured debate in
which each country (or alliance/group of nations)
argues hard and works towards a final resolution
that they and others can agree to sign up
to. Statements for the final resolution are read
out to delegates at various stages during the
debate for further discussion and/or for
agreement.
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Learning opportunities from a Model UN
Assembly
Model United Nations Assembly

• Taking part in a Model United Nations conference
  offers the following
• A structured approach to debating crucial issues
  that confront world leaders
• Role play which offers an insight into the
  complexities and limitations of international
  negotiations
• An experience of teamwork and group cooperation,
  conflict resolution, negotiation and
  consensus-building
• An opportunity to draft resolutions and so learn
  about the various possible responses at a global
  level to important global issues

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What makes a successful Model UN Assembly?
Model United Nations Assembly

• Certain factors determine how successful a Model
  UN Assembly is
• Participants need to be well briefed so they
  have clear expectations and understand the
  process
• Plenty of time for participants to research and
  prepare
• Good quality support materials and resources
• Guided research - suggested links and sources of
  information for country delegates
• A good venue to create a sense of occasion
• Staying in role throughout the Model UN Assembly
• Support of teaching staff and external staff
• A chance to reflect on involvement in the
  process
• From role play to reality! A successful Model UN
  Assembly should empower active global
  citizenship!

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What makes a successful Model UN Assembly?
Model United Nations Assembly

• Delegates checklist 1 your responsibility as a
  delegate
• understand your countrys position in relation
  to other nations represented
• understand your countrys position in relation
  to the topics being debated
• be able to present a short prepared statement of
  your countrys position on the issues being
  debated
• be able to prepare amendments in line with your
  countrys interests and in the light of the
  debate
• be able to negotiate for support with other
  delegations (form alliances outside the
  debating room)
• debate amendments, vote on them and on the
  Resolution.

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What makes a successful Model UN Assembly?
Model United Nations Assembly

• Delegates checklist 2 using your skills
• Research well - know your countrys key
  policies/actions in relation to the issues under
  discussion be able to respond spontaneously if
  challenged by another delegate
• Be your country! - remember it is not your
  opinion you are expounding but the country you
  are representing put your own countrys
  interests first
• Know your friends - identify as soon as possible
  countries you can form Alliances with
• Stay in role - even during recess and lunch
  sessions if you can!
• Be willing to negotiate compromises to reach a
  consensus - but only in line with your countrys
  interests

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The Torbay Model UN Assembly20th March 2009
Model United Nations Assembly

• The Torbay Model UN Assembly will focus on
  climate change and its potential economic, social
  and environmental impacts. If you are
  representing a poor country it is important to
  highlight the potential impacts on development
  and in particular to impacts on achieving the
  Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Sixth form
  students from five schools will be taking part
  South Devon College, Churston Ferrers Grammar
  School, Torquay Boys Grammar School, Paignton
  Community College and St Cuthbert Mayne.
• Countries represented will be Bangladesh,
  China, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden,
  Tuvalu, UK and USA

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Example of a final resolution
Model United Nations Assembly
The following provides an idea of the format and
language used in a final resolution, agreed at
the Plymouth Model UN Assembly held on 24th
September 2008 at Plymouth Civic Centre We the
nations present 1. Acknowledge that changes in
the Earths climate and consequent adverse
effects are real and serious, are the result of
human activity and are a common threat to
humankind and the biodiversity of the planet. 2.
Reaffirm that the environment is the
responsibility of all nations developed, less
developed and emerging economies and that to
resolve the potential threats posed by climate
change requires a global partnership involving
all nations. 3. In recognition of the seriousness
of the challenges facing the globe due to climate
change, commit ourselves as an international
community, to reduce carbon emissions by at least
60 by 2050 with a 1.5 annual milestone in
relation to 2008 emission levels.
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Example of a final resolution
Model United Nations Assembly
Example of final resolutioncontinued 4. Further
recognise that developed nations (Annex 1
countries and those with the largest total carbon
emissions) have the greatest responsibility for
current and historic carbon emissions and resolve
that these nations ensure the targets in clause 3
are achieved. 5. Recognise that energy derived
from renewable energy sources including nuclear
energy as a transitional form of energy must be
increased significantly, while energy derived
from fossil fuels must be decreased
substantially. 6. In recognition of the
importance of a move away from fossil fuels
towards renewable energy including nuclear energy
as a transitional form of energy, commit
ourselves as an international community, to
ensure that the proportion of energy derived form
renewable forms exceed the proportion derived
form fossil fuels (namely oil, coal and gas) by
2050. 7. Acknowledge that a movement from fossil
fuels to renewable energy will be the
responsibility of all nations but principally the
responsibility of developed nations (Annex 1
countries) through transforming their energy
generating capacities and through technology
transfer of low carbon and renewable technologies
to less developed nations and island states. 8.
Acknowledge that mitigation is primarily the
responsibility of developed nations (Annex 1
countries) and emerging economies, while
adaptation to climate change must be the
priority for less developed countries and island
states.
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Example of a final resolution
Model United Nations Assembly
Example of final resolutioncontinued 9. In
recognition of the urgent adaptation needs in
less developed countries and small island states,
resolve to establish a new global adaptation
fund. 10. Further resolve that the global
adaptation fund should be funded by developed
nations (Annex 1 countries) and emerging
economies, be legally binding and administered by
the United Nations, to ensure sustained long-term
funding. 11. Resolve that less developed
countries and island states use the global
adaptation fund to achieve measurable and
verifiable sustainable development, focusing on
the most vulnerable in their societies and to be
administered by the United Nations. 12.
Recognising the importance of forest conservation
in combating climate change, resolve that a new
forest conservation fund be established and
administered and monitored by the United Nations
to manage the protection of all forests including
those threatened by pollution and financially
compensate nations heavily reliant on exploiting
their forest resources. 2. Further resolve that
the forest conservation fund be funded by a tax
on all international flights, a carbon tax on
fossil fuel energy generators and suppliers and
energy intensive businesses, and that businesses
be compelled to contribute to the fund.