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The preceding Units in this Handbook, even those covering more advanced skills, have focused on the traditional Model UN format, in which you go to a conference in your home country, where delegates, representing member states, converse in English about a topic that is not influenced by ongoing events.
However, in recent years, several conferences have made innovations that make the Model UN format more complex. These conferences may be:
- International and Multi-Lingual: Some conferences draw students from around the world, meaning you may have to travel abroad to go to a conference. Some of these conferences operate, like the real UN, in multiple languages and with simultaneous translation.
- Dynamic: Unlike traditional Model UN conferences which have, in effect, a “time freeze” (you discuss a topic without the situation changing), many Model UN conferences now have “Crisis” or “Real-Time” elements. These committees receive updates that change the situation faced by the committee even as they are deliberating.
- Multi-Actor: Recognizing that many global policy discussion now involve actors other than UN member states, several Model UN conferences have including NGO or Non-State Actor delegations.
- Producing Reports, Declarations or Treaties: Some Model UN conferences have begun simulating policymaking processes that end up with a product other than a resolution, such as a policy report, declaration on treaty.
To learn more about these new and complex innovations in Model UN, click on the following links:
- 6.1 Preparing for an International Conference
- 6.2 Participating in a Multi-Language Conference
- 6.3 Participating in a Crisis or Real-Time Committee
- 6.4 Representing an NGO or Non-State Actor
- 6.5 Position Paper Outline Template for NGOs [Password protected — Pace NYC use only]
- 6.6 Playing the Role of a Journalist
- 6.7 Writing Reports
- 6.8 Writing Treaties
- 6.9 Representing Small Powers and Microstates
(c) Pace University, 2013. Version 3.0 BETA. For information, permissions or corrections, contact Dr. Matthew Bolton, mbolton@pace.edu