What is Model United Nations(MUN) & THIMUN

Introduction 

Model United Nations(MUN) has grown to be one of the most popular extracurricular activities for both high school students and university students. MUN conferences allow students to debate on real world issues. This significantly improves public speaking, negotiation, diplomacy skills while also making students face realities like hypocrisy. To do so students put on the shoes of diplomats and provide solutions to real world issues in their committees while representing their nation and protecting its best interest, exactly like a model of the United Nations(UN). Today, thousands of conferences are taking place all across the globe uniting students from various schools and backgrounds to engage in issues that matter. To understand MUN the topics;

• What is MUN

• Format of THIMUN Procedure

• Important MUN Terminology

Will be discussed. 

What is MUN?

Model United Nation(MUN) conferences are mostly organized by high schools or universities. The scale of the conferences varies significantly from conference to conference where it could be as little as 100 all the way up to a thousand. However, regardless of the scale the core principles and the structures are similar. For example, no matter the conference students represent nations as delegates or leaders in a given committee. These committees on the other hand could differ. Yet even then there are certain limitations because Model United Nations have the same committees such as, but not limited to: DISEC, ECOFIN, SOCHUM, SPECPOL, UNSC, or other special committees that are similar in some sense. 

Yet if everything is so similar it brings up the question: “What sets the difference between one MUN conference and another?” The answer is quite simple, the agenda items. The agenda items are the real world issues that will be discussed within that committee. Most conferences have 3 agenda items to be discussed over the course of the 3 to 4 days of the conference. But this points towards a new question: “What is the purpose of these discussions and debating?”. 

The purpose is to pass or fail a draft resolution. Draft resolutions are new United Nations agreement drafts that strive to solve the issue in the agenda item. Based on their country’s perspective or its effectiveness, delegates discuss whether a resolution is worthy to be adapted or not. This process starts at the lobbying where delegates try to find enough co-submitters. Co-submitters are delegates who are willing to open the draft resolution to debate. If the pre-set bar of co-submitter is met before the lobbying ends then it will be debated upon. During the debating, willing delegates take the floor and give speeches about their thoughts. Sometimes to praise or to point out shortcomings. This process continues until it is time for voting. When the time comes chairs, the presidents of the committee, order admins, staff members that help with logistical operations, to secure the doors. Following the order the chairs ask delegates that are  for, against, and abstain to raise their placards, a card where the nation's name is written on. If the number of “for” delegates overwhelms the delegates against the resolution is passed. Clapping is in order. 

Format of THIMUN Procedure

THIMUN is one of the world's largest conferences and considered the golden standard of MUN’s. Therefore its procedure is adapted by most conferences around the world. MUN Conferences that have adopted the THIMIN procedure starts every delegate from the committee reading out their policy/position papers brief speeches no longer than a minute and a half where each delegate addresses the committee about their take on the agenda items. After this session delegates lobby in order to find co-submitters and possible allies during the discussions. The lobbying session only takes place at the beginning of the conference. 

After the lobbying time is elapsed the chair board chooses a draft resolution from the eligible draft resolutions. The order of what resolution to be discussed can change but mostly the order is from first agenda item to last and respective submitting times within that agenda item. During debating the chairs call for the main submitter of the resolution to give a main submitter speech where the delegate first reads out their resolution and gives a one minute speech. Afterwards the delegate may choose to take questions or simply yield the floor. When the floor is yielded the floor is open for any and all delegates wishing to give a speech. However, the chair board may restrain the floor for only against or for speeches depending on the process. 

When the allocated time for debating elapses or there are no delegates wishing to give a speech remains the voting procedure starts. When the voting is taking place some delegates may be for, against, or abstain. If the number of for overwhelms against the resolution is passed, if not then it is failed. However, if neither scenario happens then a specific motion can be given called “Motion to divide the house” this forces the delegates that abstained to choose one of for or against, determining the fate of the draft resolution. 

Finally, every committee holds a final vote, usually on the day before the last. The purpose of this vote is to determine which resolution the committee puts forward to be discussed in the General Assembly(GA). The General Assembly takes place on the last day where all members of all the committees gather, except the members of the special committees, to have a final debate on the chosen resolutions of each committee. When the last resolution is debated and voted out the conference ends. 

Important MUN Terminology

1. The Chair's role is to conduct the debate by overseeing the procedure and maintaining order while remaining totally impartial. This role is carried out by the President in the more important forums, e.g the General Assembly, the Security Council. 

2. The House/Assembly/Forum All participants in the debate except the Chair. 

3. Submitter The delegate presenting a draft resolution for debate. A draft resolution may have a main submitter and several co-submitters 

4. Motion The subject currently under debate or question e.g. the draft resolution as a whole, an amendment, or a procedural motion such as calling for an adjournment or closure of debate 

5. A resolution In its draft form, a resolution is a long, complex motion, or series of motions, for debate. Once it has been voted on and adopted, it becomes the decision and policy of the forum which has debated it. To have the floor To have been given the right to speak in debate before the house. 

6. To yield the floor To give up the right to speak either temporarily when yielding to a point of information or permanently at the conclusion of one's speech. 

7. A point of information A question directed either to the speaker who has the floor or to the Chair by a delegate after having been duly recognized by the Chair. 

8. A point of order A question directed to the Chair by a delegate who feels that a mistake has been made in the order of debate or who requires clarification of the rules of procedure. 

9. A point of personal privilege A question referring to the comfort and well-being of the delegate or delegates; in the case of O-MUN referring to audibility only and signified by the confused face emoticon. Amendment A change to the original draft resolution 

10. Amendment to the Second Degree An amendment to an amendment.

11. Moving the Previous Question: Calls for the closure of debate and a vote to be taken on the resolution or amendment pending 

12. Division of the House: Roll call vote, only used in cases where the result of the original vote is in doubt, during which delegates respond to the calling our of their delegation's name by stating clearly how they voted, i.e. FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN 

-Derin HALATCI