Awards

Introduction

Once a delegate has attended a few Model UN conferences, earning awards is the next step on the road to becoming a great delegate. However, these desirable recognitions are not easy to get, especially at international conferences with hundreds of delegates in each committee! Fortunately, with enough effort, the tried-and-true methods explained below boost any delegate'schances of receiving an award.

All Times

  • Research and prepare as much as possible leading up to the conference; background information never hurts.

  • Put effort into all work; the dais can tell how much effort a delegate puts into the conference and respects those who work hard.

  • Be respectful; the dais appreciates respectful delegates.

  • Be consistent; it can be easy to get tired during a committee, so make sure to stay consistent and fight through any fatigue.

  • Be detailed and clear.

  • Eye contact, good posture, and confident voice at all times.

  • A delegate should speak professionally, but still sound like themselves.

  • A delegate should never address themselves as "I" or "we", but as "the delegation of ____".

  • Represent a position's policies accurately; Model UN is not the place to be expressing personal opinions.

Moderated Caucus

  • Memorize the opening speech for a strong impression; make sure to include a strong opening, the position name, a clear statement of the position's policy, and effective rhetoric.

  • A delegate should address sub-issues during their speeches.

  • Take notes during speeches; having background knowledge on other specific perspectives early into the conference is vital to a delegate's success.

  • A delegate should raise their placard at all times (unless they have already spoken in the moderated caucus).

  • A delegate should send notes to other delegates telling them to come to find them during unmoderated caucuses; this helps the delegate reaching out be seen as a leader.

Unmoderated Caucus

  • Show cooperation; the dais actively seeks out leaders and collaborators.

  • Address other delegates by their first name during the unmoderated caucus; this makes the speaker seem more personable and approachable.

  • Distribute tasks; this makes a delegate be seen as a leader.

  • Contribute to the resolution paper (it is typically better to contribute to the main body than the preambulatory clauses because the main body has the most substance).

  • Write creative solutions by thinking outside of the box (but stay realistic).

  • Write creative solutions by learning from the United Nations' successes and failures in real life concerning the committee's topic.

  • A delegate should ensure that any solutions they propose solve the problem and aren't too extreme or unrealistic.

  • Regarding the resolution paper, be willing to compromise with collaborators or other blocs; this shows flexibility.

  • Push to get a Q&A session or a presentation spot for the resolution paper presentation (preferably Q&A) and be prepared to take that role.

Crisis-Specific

  • Balance the front room and back room (don't focus too much on one or the other).

  • Be ready to speak twice in the same moderated caucus (but delegates should not be repeating what was already said).

  • Create a directive and come up with the main ideas for it, then pass it around to let others write the details. This shows collaboration and leadership.

  • Write multiple directives to address crisis updates.

  • Try to be the primary speaker for directives.

  • Clarity and specificity are key regarding crisis notes.

  • A delegate should be creative and multidimensional with their crisis arc.

  • If a delegate's crisis notes are not being approved, they should try different angles.

  • A delegate should always use their personal powers (outlined in the background guide).

  • A delegate should not worry if they are assassinated; it means someone recognized their influence and the attention is on them (the dais will give the victim a new position).