NationStates Jolt Archive

Hey, just wondering if anyone here has participated in a Model United Nations through college/high school.

Yup. I was known for my resolution-killing ability. :D

Hey, just wondering if anyone here has participated in a Model United Nations through college/high school.

I did, primarily the Houston Area Model United Nations. I was the guy who first convinced everybody to simulate a United Nations Environment Programme -- though it drove me batty that the other kids running the MUN refused to spell the UNEP correctly. This was years ago, long before Netscape and the "internet" were popular, so I had to write Geneva and New York to get all the info I wanted. The UN sent me tons of papers, press releases, and reports. :)

I later organized a Texas A&M MUN and participated in the Arkansas MUN and MUN South West (located in Oaklahoma). I also once participated in a Model Arab League at the University of Texas and consulted with Berkeley's MUN (basically I met with the organizers and did some fact checking of their delegate handbooks).

Let me see if I can remember all the nations ...

Algeria, Belize, Peru, North Korea, Zimbabwe, India, United Arab Emirates ...

:)

I think Belize was the most memorable nation I RPed.

I am a member of St Andrews university model UN

I am a member of St Andrews university model UN

Is there a URL?

I'd be interested in reading what countries players have represented in various Model UNs.

I've got a session coming up in April. This will be my fifth year as a delegate (this year I'm on the lead delegation, Philippines). I'm really excited about this session; I've written the best resolution of my life (DPRK Nuclear Crisis) and I'm ready to fight all the way.

Last fall was not without its glory, however. Through discreet notes, open speeches and repeated motions for caucus, I was able to give myself enough time (several hours) to single-handedly convince the body to add a clause requiring North Korea to allow inspectors to the resolution up for vote. And it passed.

We built a 1:100ths scale model UN.......

I've got a session coming up in April. This will be my fifth year as a delegate (this year I'm on the lead delegation, Philippines). I'm really excited about this session; I've written the best resolution of my life (DPRK Nuclear Crisis) and I'm ready to fight all the way.

Last fall was not without its glory, however. Through discreet notes, open speeches and repeated motions for caucus, I was able to give myself enough time (several hours) to single-handedly convince the body to add a clause requiring North Korea to allow inspectors to the resolution up for vote. And it passed.

If you post your MUN resolution here, in the next few weeks I'd be happy to give you my opinions and tech writing review. :)

Shouldn't this be in General? :confused:

Shouldn't this be in General? :confused:

Perhaps, but some points to keep it here ... MUNs are where people adopt the role and viewpoint of another government and then seek to negotiate international agreements from those positions among other people representing other POVs.

The basic lessons that can be learned about writing, current events, and roleplaying are all more similar to concepts and day-to-day activities here.

The NationStates UN forum is not a "roleplaying" only forum. It is a forum about the NationStates UN, and I think that MUNs and NationStates can equally benefit from each other. In this case, Nargopia can use us as a test bed ... even without presenting a resolution / proposal through the formal process.

Twoud be cool to see NationStates influencing an MUN for a change! :)

Eh, it's okay. It can stay here.

Eh, it's okay. It can stay here.

Where do you want that tribute?

If you post your MUN resolution here, in the next few weeks I'd be happy to give you my opinions and tech writing review. :)
Thank you, that's very kind.

I understand that it's a bit (well, maybe more than a bit) strong, but I feel that the current situation merits such a solution.

Subject: Asia
Sponsored by: Republic of the Philippines
Submitted to: First Political Committee
Date: April 6, 2005

RECALLING the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968, the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of 1959, and the Joint North-South Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula of 1992, and

APPLAUDING the Agreed Framework of 1994 signed by the United States of America and the Democratic People’s Republic of (North) Korea, and

DISHEARTENED that in recent years, North Korea’s actions, namely the expulsion of UN inspectors, the re-opening of plutonium production facilities, and the reprocessing of over 8000 spent fuel rods, have caused the nation to be in violation of all of the above documents, and

NOTING WITH CONCERN North Korea’s recent hostility to surrounding nations, especially Japan and South Korea, including a recent surge in plutonium processing and uranium enrichment programs; acts of isolation; refusal to increase basic civil, human, and political rights; the refusal to return to six-party talks aimed at solving the North Korean nuclear crisis; the repeated lockout of UN inspectors; the use of intimidation as a method of diplomacy; and an intentionally visible mushroom cloud predicted to be a nuclear weapons test, and

AWARE that North Korea has stated that it will consider economic sanctions an act of war, but certain that if the issue remains unresolved, tensions will surely increase until conflict erupts between nuclear-equipped nations;

1) DEMANDS that North Korea immediately return to six-party talks, allow UN inspectors whenever the IAEA feels an inspection is warranted, and freeze nuclear weapons production;

2) ESTABLISHES a Denuclearization Program of 2005 in which:
a. North Korea increases civil and human rights in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Watch in exchange for food and medical supplies aid;

b. North Korea halts plutonium, uranium, and nuclear power research over five years in exchange for alternative energy research funding over seven years;

c. North Korea immediately discloses their current nuclear strength, including plutonium and uranium reserves and number of nuclear weapons in exchange for UN permission to keep those weapons already built;

3) PROPOSES that if North Korea is found not to be in compliance with the above clauses, then the following measures be taken:
a. China, Thailand, Japan, Germany, and South Korea, North Korea’s major trading partners, are to reduce their import/export relations with North Korea by 75% over two years;

b. All other UN members are to reduce their import/export relations with North Korea by 100% over two years;

c. As North Korea has said that it will consider economic sanctions an act of war, all trading partners are encouraged to heighten military alert and national security measures; should any nation be attacked by North Korea for participating in sanctions, the UN will designate a suitable military force from a willing nation that shall have UN approval for appropriate retaliation;

ENCOURAGES the United Nations to adapt the above Denuclearization Program to potential future situations of similar gravity.

I'm involved in the Mid-South MUNA. We pretend to be an organization that does nothing.

Thank you, that's very kind.

I understand that it's a bit (well, maybe more than a bit) strong, but I feel that the current situation merits such a solution.

WOW!

OK, I've not attempted to deconstruct it yet, but this is INCREDIBLY well written. :) I did quickly look for the common formatting issues, and really couldn't even find but one very minor nitpicking opinion / preference. I like to preface resolutions with a "The United Nations, [break]"

WOW.

Does your MUN allow references in resolutions? In real UN resolutions, when you write:

"DISHEARTENED that in recent years, North Korea’s actions, namely the expulsion of UN inspectors, the re-opening of plutonium production facilities, and the reprocessing of over 8000 spent fuel rods, have caused the nation to be in violation of all of the above documents, and"

I would have done this:

"DISHEARTENED that in recent years, North Korea’s actions, namely the expulsion of UN inspectors [1], the re-opening of plutonium production facilities [2], and the reprocessing of over 8000 spent fuel rods [3], have caused the nation to be in violation of all of the above documents, and"

And then include an annex of references to official government or credible news reports citing the above. It will make this damn near impossible for the North Korean delegation to deny this and still have a reputation for honesty ... and the Delegate will likely HATE you for cutting him / her off. :)

Oh, another minor formatting thing, I'd actually suggest that your use of "and" only be included at the end of the second to last activating clause. If you go to the real UN resolutions, the format is (notice if forgoes the use of "and" altoghter, though in theory resolutions are one giant runon sentence, so I like to put one at the end):

"The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution ... the International Year of Mountains,

Recalling also its resolutions ... 20 December 2002,

.
.
.

1. Takes note of the report ... International Year of Mountains, 2002; [4]

2. Welcomes the ... Johnanesburg Plan of Implementation; [2]

.
.
.
17. Requests the Secretary-General ... item entitled "Environment and sustainable development".


Do you have a copy of the real world United Nations Associations "A Guide to Delegate Preparation"? My copies are from over 10 years ago when I was active in MUNs, but I found the books to be the MUN equivalent of walking around carrying a suitcase bomb. :)

I'll look into this more later, but I think it is an extremely well done resolution! I hope that the Secretariat running that MUN accept it and give you and North Korea a chance to scream and yell. Having represented North Korea once, be prepared for a smart delegate to have a copy of the UN Charter in hand ... he / she will preach nothing but sovereignty until the end of time.

The other thing you will need to do to pull the rug out from North Korea is to talk about the numerous other times the UN has gone into other countries and prove to the committee that sovereignty only goes so far (even in the real UN). Back in the 1990s the big way to cut out a South Africa or North Korea was to talk about Article 42 and the role of the UN Security Council. In fact Chapter VII is how you'll be able to counter North Korea, or at least put reasonable doubt in other nation's heads about the bulletproofness of "sovereignty".

Between memorizing Chapter VII of the Charter, being able to talk about the UN's involvement in three or so other places, and the facts of what is going on, something like what you've written will make for one interesting debate and conference. If you establish yourself early enough, other players will tend to look to you for guidedance.

As the Phillipines, send notes to the USA and play the role of Bush's puppet. Tell them that you've done your homework and will focus on floor debate time *and* give the USA player an example / fact sheet if you have the time. The US player should be able to strong arm the 5 Security Council vetos (even China), and you can focus on the other nations.

I think you're gonna have a blast! :)

As the Phillipines, send notes to the USA and play the role of Bush's puppet.
ouch, but true :headbang:oohhh...you'll be hearing from our action movie "actors"/professional basketball players/senators now.:rolleyes: nope, wait till the media reporters to show up, then we'll hear it. :D I'm just glad in some imaginary world my country is actually being represented by someone able.

:D I'm just glad in some imaginary world my country is actually being represented by someone able.
Why thank you.


Thanks for everything, Miktivity. The formatting requirements for our resolutions is pretty strict, and I realize are not always in sync with the RL UN.

I had to submit this a couple weeks ago, but I'll definitely bring references with me to the session.

Do you have a copy of the real world United Nations Associations "A Guide to Delegate Preparation"? My copies are from over 10 years ago when I was active in MUNs, but I found the books to be the MUN equivalent of walking around carrying a suitcase bomb.

I've got until April, so I'll look around for a copy.

Oh, thanks for the Charter references too. I'll definitely get copies of those sections.

Thanks for the compliments and pointers; I'll be sure to let you know how the session goes once everything's over.

Oh, and I saved your suggestions in a Word Document in my Model UN folder. :)

Bahgum is currnelty hosting the international 'build a model UN from matchsticks' competition. We are hoping for high standards....

We'll bring the flamethrower.

I'm going to the NHSMUN next week in New York City as a delegate for Kyrgyzstan.