Preparing for the conference

Gathering Information
Read the Research Tips before getting started on gathering information. The Research Tips will help you research your assigned topic, your country's culture and background as well as your country's position on your assigned topic.

Here are six important areas for you to research as part of your preparation for a conference:

1. Know the UN system. We have created an on-line introduction to and virtual tour of the UN for students who want a basic understanding of the UN system.
2. Become familiar with your country's history, culture, political structure, and current political affairs. In addition to resources you may find at your school, university, or public library and on the internet, it may be useful to read fiction and non-fiction books (e.g., biographies) written by authors who live in your country. They may offer insights into the culture you are learning about.
3. Learn about your country's viewpoints on as many of the issues that will be discussed at the conference you will be attending as you can.
4. Know your allies and your opposition. In order to adequately represent your country during the conference, you will need to interact with delegates from other countries. Knowing their positions on your topic will help you predict their arguments during debate. This will be very useful in helping you decide in advance where it might be useful to seek cooperation or compromise.
5. Be familiar with current statistical data on your topic and country.
6. Review the rules and procedures for your conference. These rules are intended to create a level playing field allowing each country to accomplish its individual goals in speaking about their policies while maximizing opportunities for the group to reach agreement or even consensus on the issue. Each conference publishes a set of rules and procedures that are derived from those used by the UN. There are many resources on protocol and parliamentary procedure available through MUN sites and books.