Model United Nations MUN
Diplomacy simulation. Represent a country, negotiate resolutions, navigate parliamentary procedure across committees.
Model UN is a diplomacy simulation, not a debate format per se — but the competitive overlap is substantial. Delegates represent assigned countries in simulated UN committees (General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, specialized agencies), debate position papers on a docket of topics, and negotiate working papers that become draft resolutions.
Speaking time is short — most delegates get 60 to 90 seconds at a time on a speaker's list. The real work happens in unmoderated caucus, where delegates form blocs, draft language, and trade amendments. The best MUN delegates combine sharp public speaking with patient backroom negotiation.
Major conferences (THIMUN, HMUN, NHSMUN) host hundreds of schools across dozens of committees. Awards include Best Delegate, Outstanding, Honorable Mention, and Verbal Commendation — though competitive culture varies significantly by circuit.
Speech structure
| Speech | Time | Side |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers' List Formal speeches | 60-90 sec ea | Various |
| Moderated Caucus Topic-focused short speeches | 30-90 sec | Various |
| Unmoderated Negotiation + drafting time | 5-20 min | Open |
| Working Paper Bloc drafts circulated | Async | Various |
| Draft Resolution Formal motion to vote | Async | Various |
| Voting Procedure Resolution passes or fails | — | Various |
How judges score it
- Position-paper accuracy: do you actually represent your country's real-world policy?
- Speaking-list performance: clarity, frequency, substance.
- Negotiation: blocs formed, amendments authored, resolutions sponsored.
- Parliamentary procedure use: motions, points of order, points of inquiry.
- Crisis simulations are scored on real-time adaptation, not prepared content.
What wins this format
- A position paper your bloc actually wants to merge into.
- Speaking-list visibility AND substance — frequency without depth backfires.
- Amendment authorship — your name on the resolution as a sponsor matters more than your vote.
- Crisis-committee adaptation when the simulation moves faster than your prep.
What loses this format
- Going off-policy because your assigned country is unpopular.
- Hogging the speakers list without contributing to drafts.
- Confrontational floor speeches that block bloc formation.
- Ignoring the rules of procedure (the chair will penalize).
Sample motions
- Draft resolution on the regulation of autonomous weapons systems (DISEC).
- Resolution on humanitarian access in conflict zones (UNHCR).
- Framework convention on digital identity for refugees (ECOSOC).
- Joint statement on critical-mineral supply chains (UNEP).
Try a MUN round against the AI.
The AI knows the structure, the judging criteria, and the moves that win this format specifically. Pick a side, give a speech, get a judge ballot.
Start a MUN round →