Model UN
Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation activity where students represent different countries and debate global issues. Students research, draft resolutions, and engage in diplomatic negotiations, aiming to find solutions to real-world problems.
| Topic | Description | Goals |
| Lesson 1 Intro to Diplomacy | This lesson will be the student’s first introduction to Model United Nations. Students will learn about the United Nations, its history and what it’s doing today. The students will then get an overview of how Model United Nations works. After the introduction, students will be given countries and introduced to a topic they will simulate guided by the facilitator. The simulation will involve caucusing with countries getting the chance to speak and express their opinion on the topic being discussed. | Introducing the United Nations. Introducing the Model United Nations. Introduce Topic A Practice speaking as countries in the Caucus Game |
| Lessons 2 Opening speeches | In this lesson students will learn how to write a MUN opening speech. They will learn the Clash, Information, Action (CIA) method of speechwriting. After the theory section, students will be able to practice the different segments of an opening speech. | Learn the MUN opening speech template Clash, Information, Action. Practice writing a CIA opening speech. |
| Lesson 3 Rules of Procedure | Students will be introduced to the Model United Nations Rules of Procedure. Through the steps of Role Call, Opening Speeches, Debate, Resolutions, Voting participants will get an understanding of the major segments of Model UN procedure. | Learn about specifics. How to use specific details to make a story stronger. |
| Lesson 4 Resolutions | Students will be introduced to UN Resolutions, their structure, formatting and content. Students will then put theory into practice by turning their policy ideas into clauses. Students will use this class as a way to add depth and detail to their Calls to Action. | Learn about UN Resolutions Practice writing clauses |
| Lesson 5 Research | There are all too many ways a public speaker can approach research and analysis in preparation for their presentation. To minimize choice paralysis, students will be introduced to the most efficient ways to prepare background knowledge for a Model UN simulation. Secondly, students will simulate this preparation using example challenge topics. | Learn core research tools. Practice researching for specific information. |
| Lesson 6 Simulation | Students will simulate Topic A using everything they have learned so far. | Simulation of Topic A |
| Lesson 7 Position Papers | MUN Position Papers are used to prepare for MUN conferences. In this lesson, students will learn to write position papers. After that, students will be introduced to Topic B, for which they will need to prepare a position paper. | Learn about MUN Position Papers Introduce Topic B Practice writing a Position Paper |
| Lesson 8 Points and Motions | Students will learn additional MUN Rules of Procedure in the form of points and motions. Students will begin the simulation of Topic B using points and motions. | Learn about the types of Points used in MUN. Practise the use of Motions to drive the simulation forward. |
| Lesson 9 Mods and Unmods | Moderated Caucus (mods) is the role of the procedure to narrow the discussion to speak about something specific. It needs to pass with a majority vote, requiring a majority of participants to want to speak about that specific subject. Unmoderated Caucuses (unmods) are informal discussions which involve lobbying between the participants. The informal nature of unmods gives space for a lot of progress to be made on the debate. Unmods are also the time to write resolutions. Moving the discussion between the public speaking and interpersonal lobbying is an important part of Model UN and is what is practiced during this class. | Learn to motion for Moderated Caucuses and Unmoderated Caucuses. Practice the transition between them. |
| Lesson 10 Amendments | Amendments are the modification of written clauses. Delegates can add, remove or change existing clauses. | Learn the theory of MUN amendments. Practice using amendments on the draft resolutions. |
| Lesson 11 Conference | All the tools learned thus far will be used to conclude the situation for Topic 2. A focus will be given to resolutions and amendments. | Use MUN rules and procedures to conclude the simulation. |
| Lesson 12 Semester review | Reflection is an important part of growth in Model UN. During this lesson students will share what they learned, their personal growth and what they learned from observing others over the simulations.Following the guided reflection the floor will be open to free discussion and sharing to conclude the first semester. | Guiding questions and discussion about what was learned so far. |
| Lesson 13 5 Stages of MUN | MUN has 5 stages, which start with the formulation of ideas and policies and end with the final vote. The 5 Stages take into account the formal session and the lobbying that is done informally during meals and breaks. The overview of a full Model UN simulation will help participants better prepare and simulate. | Learn about the 5 Stages of MUN. Introducing Topic C. Start preparing for Topic C |
| Lesson 14 Public Speaking for MUN | There is more to public speaking than persuading a monolithic audience. In this class, students will learn speech tips to make the speech more clear, concise and well presented.Students will learn how to show their policies research, as well as their research in an interesting and engaging way. | Learn how to use public speaking for Model UN. Incorporate public speaking elements into a MUN Opening Speech. |
| Lesson 15 Simulation | Simulate Topic C with a focus on Roll call, Opening speeches, General Speakers List and first Moderated Caucuses. | Simulate Topic C part 1 |
| Lesson 16 Simulation | Simulate Topic C with a focus on Unmoderated Caucuses and Resolution Writing. | Simulate Topic C part 2 |
| Lesson 17 Voting Procedure | Voting procedure is a stage of MUN all its own with rules and procedures that apply only to it. Students will learn the options and procedures that can take place only in the final stages of a Model UN simulation during voting procedure. These lessons will be incorporated into the conclusion of Topic C. | Simulate Topic C part 3 |
| Lesson 18 Study Guide | This class will discuss what to do when the study guide provided does not provide clear instructions. The process of narrowing the discussion and grounding the topic in real world examples helps participants find the basis with which to create effective policies. The ability to research a topic and make in concrete is very important and has a lot of utility when preparing for Model UN. After learning the theory, participants will practice the theory with a new topic. | Learn the tool to make a vague topic debatable. Introduce Topic D. Practice learned tools on Topic D. |
| Lesson 19 Representing your country | This class explores how a participant can show the interest of their country in their speeches and actions. This can be done during the opening speech as well as follow-up speeches. This is done through showing facts and showing interests through nuance in responses to the speechs of others. Students will incorporate this lesson in their speeches and plan to use the ideas during the next simulation. | Learn how to represent countries and speeches. Incorporate improved representation of the country into opening speeches. |
| Lesson 20 Simulation | Simulate Topic D with a focus on Roll call, Opening speeches, General Speakers List and first Moderated Caucuses. | Simulate Topic D part 1 |
| Lesson 21 Making Your Clause More Important | Policy ideas should be offered by each delegate. This lesson will focus on methods to help specific ideas rise above others. Different clauses will have different ways to be made more important. A few different ways to be important converge on an idea make it much stronger. Participants will learn these methods and then incorporate them into the simulation. | Simulate Topic D part 2 |
| Lesson 22 Losing Gloriously | In this class, students will be given an opportunity to explore the position of finishing a MUN simulation from the minority position. Sometimes a delegate will find themselves in a position where they cannot get a majority. This lesson will review the strategies of what to do in that type of situation, how to adapt and try to make the most of it. | Learn the theory of how to Lose Gloriously in MUN Simulate Topic D part 3 |
| Lesson 23 Simulation | Simulate Topic D with a focus on Resolution Writing, Amendments, Voting Procedure and Losing Gloriously. | Conclude Topic D |
| Lesson 24 Conclusion of Program | In this class students will be given the opportunity to share what they have learned throughout the year and how their Model UN skills have improved. Following the guided reflection the floor will be open to free discussion and sharing to conclude the first semester. | Review the year. Share thoughts and lessons learned. |