<p>Hello,
I just started a Model UN club in my almost nameless school and I plan to compete in the UNA-USA tournament at LA this Spring. Since this will be our first conference, can anyone give me advice on how we should prepare, etc.
I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>Ooh Model UN is kind of my thing, so here we go…</p>
<p>Do you have your country/your committee yet? Did you get a background guide? I’m assuming you’re in a General Assembly. You need to research your country’s position and foreign policy - who do they trade with? who will they never ever negotiate with? any big wars/conflicts recently? Check out your country’s website. This is a little iffy, but most of the developed countries have great “ministry of foreign affairs” type pages with great information.</p>
<p>Then, research your topics. What has been done in the past? Has it worked? Why or why not? Look at the UN website and find resolutions that have been passed - has your country signed on to them? Why or why not? Has your country done anything else besides signed a resolution? Given aid, money, refused to sign a treaty, whatever? In addition to un.org, look at think tank websites - Cato, Heritage, Brookings, Council on Foreign Relations, etc. These sites have way more reliable and interesting information than a quick Google search will give you.</p>
<p>And now the fun part: if you were in charge of this (and for a conference, you are), what would you do differently to help the situation? Maybe you would do the same thing that’s happening right now, but chances are you shouldn’t (it’s a topic you were assigned, after all). Come up with your own solutions to the problems, because that’s what you’re going to create during the conference.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask…I spend too much time on my MUN stuff anyway. Good luck!</p>