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Intro to Model UN

Model United Nations is a simulation of the real UN: you represent a country (not your own opinions), debate a global issue in a committee, and negotiate a resolution with your fellow delegates. No experience is required at Timișoara MUN — this page tells you everything you need to walk in confident.

How a committee session flows

  1. Roll call — the chairs call each country; you answer "present".
  2. Opening speeches — each delegate presents their country's position in about a minute.
  3. Debate — formal speeches alternate with "caucuses": focused mini-debates and free negotiation time.
  4. Drafting — groups of like-minded countries (blocs) write draft resolutions together.
  5. Voting — the committee debates, amends and votes the drafts. Pass one, and you've made UN history (almost).

The vocabulary

Delegate

You — the representative of a UN member state in a committee.

Chair / Chairperson

The moderators of your committee. They run debate, keep time, and help you when you're lost. Don't be afraid to ask them anything.

Placard

The card with your country's name. Raise it to speak, vote, or make a motion.

Motion

A proposal to change what the committee is doing — e.g. "Motion for a 10-minute moderated caucus on climate financing."

Caucus

Moderated = rapid-fire focused debate. Unmoderated = everyone stands up and negotiates freely. This is where the real diplomacy happens.

Position paper

A one-page summary of your country's stance, submitted before the conference — the structure guide arrives in your account once you are assigned.

Draft resolution

The document your bloc writes proposing solutions. If the committee votes it through, it becomes a resolution.

Sponsor / Signatory

Sponsors co-wrote the draft; signatories just want it debated. You'll be asked to be one or the other.

How to prepare (the honest version)

  1. Read the study guide your committee sends you. Seriously — most of what you need is in there.
  2. Spend one evening learning your country: who runs it, who its allies are, what it wants.
  3. Write your opening speech (60 seconds) and practice it out loud once.
  4. Remember: everyone in the room is also nervous. The delegates who talk to people during the first unmoderated caucus have the most fun.

At Timișoara MUN, every delegate package includes at least one preparation session before the conference — you won't be thrown in the deep end.

Apply now