Brighton High School

BRIEF HISTORY
• The UN is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in
international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human
rights, and achievement of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II
to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a
platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its
missions.
• There were simulations of the League of Nations as early as the 1920s. The earliest
Model UN conference began in 1952 at UC Berkeley, which still runs today.
• Today Model United Nations conferences are attended by thousands of middle, high
school, and college students all over the world.
• MUN is a learning experience which aims to educate participants about civics, current
events, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy
 WHAT IS MUN?
• Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations
where students role play as delegates to the UN. You will be
assigned a country, as well as a topic based on your committee.
For example, you could be China, on the Human Rights Council,
discussing the war in Myanmar
• You will attend conferences with other students posing as
delegates from other countries to create a function UN body.
• You will discuss and debate your topic with the end goal of
writing a resolution to solve it .
PREPARING FOR A CONFERENCE
• First you will be assigned a country and a committee (Human Rights, Economic and
Financial, Development Programme, Environmental Programme, Security Council, etc.)
• Depending on the conference and committee you may have a partner
• Each committee will be given 2 topics to address
• You will be writing a position paper on one or both topics (3-5 pages double spaced for
RHSMUN, 2-3 for Utah/BYU)
• You are representing your assigned country, and will write the paper from your country’s point
of view.
• Compile all your research in a 3-ringed binder, you will need it during the conference.
Highlight and mark important passages so you may quickly reference them during committee.
• Be well versed in your country’s viewpoint, and be prepared for topics you think will come up.
It’s okay to have pre-written speeches, and we will practice public speaking in meetings.
 WHAT TO EXPECT
• *This is a simplistic overview, we will discuss procedures and proper decorum in full later*
• Your committee will be headed by a Chair and a Co-Chair. They will guide the conference along and make sure
everything is running smoothly.
• MUN follows parliamentary procedure:
• You will begin the conference with a roll call of every country
• You will then vote on a topic to discuss (adopting the agenda)
• The speaker’s list will be opened. By raising your placard the Chair will place your country on the speaker’s list
and you will get a chance to make a speech when it’s your turn. Speaking times will usually be set between 45
seconds to 2 minutes
• Soon you will be entering caucuses – a moderated caucus is formal debate when speakers are called on by
the chair. Unmoderated will suspend the meeting, giving you a chance to meet with other delegates and draft
resolutions.
• When you and other delegates have drafted a set of ideas, you turn it into the chair, who will then look it over
and may ask you to make changes. When it is accepted you will be given a chance to present it to everyone.
• When all the draft resolutions have been presented you will have the opportunity to make amendments and
then you will enter voting block.
 BRIGHTON MUN
• Brighton MUN club members are expected to attend weekly meetings every Monday after
school. Expect to be here until 3:30 at the latest, though they may be shorter.
• You will be prepared for your first conference. By attending weekly meetings we will teach
you:
• How and what to research
• Effective speaking skills and how to frame dynamic speeches. You will get practice.
• The procedures and workings of an MUN conference. You will have a firm grasp of
parliamentary procedure.
• How to interact with different delegates
• Thorough knowledge of the politics of MUN. You will know what it takes to impress your
chair, take control of the conference, and respond to different situations within committee
 BRIGHTON MUN
-Don’t be intimidated, your first conference is tailored to delegates with all ranges of
experience. It’s okay if you don’t remember everything, just observe and you will pick things
-up very quickly.
-You will always have someone from Brighton in your committee.
-You can always go to your Chair for help, and fellow delegates from other schools are
generally very helpful as well
-MUN is fun as long as you are engaged in what’s happening. Brighton has a reputation of
doing very well in MUN conferences.
-For participating in MUN you will receive full enrichment points from Hodges. Ms. Mcdonald
will also give you full enrichment for a research paper.
 CONTACTING US
• Officers are here to help you – don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or help with
research
• We will give you our personal phone numbers and e-mail addresses
• You can also contact us through the BHSMUN Facebook Group – this is an open forum of
discussion where anyone can ask a question and anyone can answer it
• You can also e-mail us at BHSMUN@live.com
 CONFERENCES
• Salt Lake City
December 2-4
Attracts over 500 delegates from around the western United States

New York City

March 9-12

Attracts over 2.600 delegates from across the nation as well

as many international delegates
CONFERENCES
BYU conference in January

Lasts 1 day

U of U conference in
April or May

Lasts 1 day