How and what is MUN

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations refers to the simulation of various bodies with the purpose of developing solutions to pressing and relevant issues. These bodies may include UN committees, governmental organizations, cabinets, boards of directors, and other influential groups. The main purpose of Model UN is to give students the platform to shape their leadership and problem-solving skills. Model UN is an internationally recognized program, and students can compete from the middle school level all the way through their college education.

What types of committees are usually offered?

A Model UN conference will typically offer the option of several committees that operate under different procedures. They typically fall into the category of a “General Assembly” style committee, a “Crisis” style committee, or a “Specialized General Assembly” style committee. A General Assembly committee, committee tends to more closely model the procedures of actual United Nations bodies, wherein the agenda is set to discuss a particular topic and the conference is structured in a cycle of debate and drafting of legislation, called resolutions, in order to ultimately culminate in a vote for which resolutions will be adopted by the body. A Crisis committee often consists of a smaller group of delegates who are gathered to discuss a pressing issue or event. Crisis committees differ from GA committees mainly because of the inclusion of crisis updates, which force the delegates of the committee to quickly address issues as they arise. Further, crisis delegates are given the opportunity to influence the events of the committee through the writing of crisis notes which call upon figures outside of the committee to manipulate events behind the scenes. Crisis delegates also are given the opportunity to participate in debate and the passage of directives, which are similar to shorter versions of resolutions. A Specialized General Assembly combines elements of both Crisis and GA. Most commonly, a Spec GA will proceed like a typical GA committee, with the key difference being that the delegates are receiving crisis updates throughout the committee, and are given the ability to write directives in addition to resolutions. As far as the subject matter of committees, they can span different historical, modern, futuristic, pop-culture, or fantasy topics!

What are the benefits of participating in Model UN?

Model UN presents students with the unique opportunity to take on the role of diplomats and other world leaders in order to develop solutions to pressing world issues. Through this process, delegates are able to develop the cooperative and leadership skills that many employers are looking for. Model UN offers students the ability to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through participation in wargaming and table-top simulations as well as in the debate and drafting of relevant policy. Because Model UN is such a widespread program, delegates are given the chance to meet students from across the world and to develop a strong network of students from other top universities around the world.

What conferences does FSU MUN attend?

In the past, FSU’s Model UN team has attended conferences such as:

• Boston Area Model United Nations Conference (BarMUN) - Boston University

• National Collegiate Security Conference (NCSC) - Georgetown

• University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference (UPMUNC) - University of Pennsylvania

• University of North Carolina Model UN Conference (UNCMUNC) - UNC-Chapel Hill

• Harvard National Model UN Conference (HNMUN) - Harvard University

• Model UN at Emory (MUNE) - Emory

• McGill University Model UN Conference (MCMUN) - McGill University (Quebec, Canada)

• Florida International Crisis Simulation (FLICS) - University of Florida

• University of California Berkeley Model UN (UCBMUN) - University of California, Berkeley

• Virginia International Crisis Simulation (VICS) - University of Virginia

• University of Chicago Model UN (ChoMUN) - University of Chicago

• & Model United Nations (&MUN) - College of William and Mary

How are travel teams selected?

Travel teams are selected based on delegate performance at tryouts hosted throughout the year. Delegates will be given several chances to try out throughout the year so they can continuously show off how much they have improved. Tryouts typically take the form of simulated committees which model the procedures and difficulty of the conferences that the tryout is for.

What are the typical costs associated with travel?

FSU’s Model UN team asks that all delegates pay a “delegate fee” in order to attend conferences. This delegate fee covers conference registration, lodging, and travel. This delegate fee usually ranges from $100 to $200 and is subsidized by the World Affairs Program’s budget. We have also had systems in place to assist delegates in tough financial situations with conference affordability. Beyond these delegate fees, delegates do not typically have to pay for anything besides food and occasionally transportation such as ride-sharing or metro travel. 

How is performance measured at a conference?

At a conference, there are several different awards that delegations and their delegates can be eligible for. While this may differ at each conference, typically each committee offers several individual awards based on the performance of the delegates in the room. This typically includes a Best Delegate (1st place), Outstanding Delegate (2nd place), Honorable Delegate (3rd place), and Verbal Commendation (4th place). Additionally, schools are eligible for delegation awards, which are typically calculated based on the number of awards that delegates from that school have won. 

How can I become a better delegate?

Our program offers numerous opportunities to strengthen your skills through training workshops and simulated committees that our program will host throughout the year. Additionally, we encourage all delegates to attend the World Affairs Program’s general body meetings in order to stay up to date with global events and sharpen their debate skills.

What does the World Affairs Program have to do with the Model UN team?

The World Affairs Program is the student organization that encompasses FSU’s Model UN Team! The World Affairs Program offers many opportunities to its members, including the opportunity to travel and compete on our MUN team. Many members of the World Affairs Program have found lasting friendships through the program, and have built a strong sense of identity around their membership in the organization. WAP also offers numerous opportunities to network with not only fellow students but a wide network of successful alumni. The program even offers a mentor-mentee program that pairs new members with more experienced members for guidance through their college experience. WAP strongly encourages any interested students to attend our General Body Meetings, which cover diverse topics related to world affairs as well as provide a platform for respectful and constructive debate amongst peers.

How can I find more information?

For more information, check out our About Us Page or our page on Nole Central (https://nolecentral.dsa.fsu.edu/organization/worldaffairsprogram) or reach out to our director at director@fsuwap.org.