KUMUNC Frequently Asked Questions
Simulation Information
1. How many countries will be represented?
1a. Most likely between 10-20 countries. We will have a better idea after schools begin registering for the conference. As a general rule we try to match schools with the regions and countries they are the most interested in. Consequently, the European, American and the more powerful economic and military countries tend to make up the majority of the countries represented.
2. What are the categories for awards?
2a. Awards will be given to the top two delegations. Additionally, two delegates from each committee and two delegates during the crisis committee will receive the distinguished delegate award.
3. What are the criteria for winning awards?
3a. Judges will assess delegates on the basis of the delegates:
4. What fees are involved?
4a. Each school is required to pay a single fee of $55. Payment can be made at the day of the conference.
5. How many delegates may each school bring?
5a. Unlimited
6. How do I get to KU?
6a. Directions
7. Where do I park?
7a. Lot A-2. Map
Delegate Preparation
1. What is the best way for delegates to prepare for the simulation?
1a: Since the KU conference is a combination simulation featuring both parliamentary procedure and crisis components, delegates should begin by getting familiar with standard United Nations terminology. Students will find this Glossary of Terms particularly helpful. Furthermore, students should have a working knowledge of the United Nations and its functions and method of operation, including how its committees and councils work. Students should be intimately familiar with their assigned state and should be able to convey accurately their state's history, political and economic systems, and cultural values. Participating students should also be comfortable with negotiation in a group setting as well as public speaking and debate, and should be able to caucus effectively.
2. What are the rules and procedures governing the committees?
2a. We will be using an adopted version of the the rules and procedure that govern the WAMUNC competition. Every conference is governed by a slightly different set of rules that are drawn from Roberts Rules of Order and the United Nations so even if you are well versed in parliamentary procedure be sure to review ours before attending.
3. What is the difference between the procedural simulation and crisis simulation?
3a. Students will participate in both a crisis and procedural simulation. Procedural simulations seek to mimic the various committees of the United Nations (or in some conferences various international organizations) and follow the standard parliamentary procedures as delegates attempt to reach various agreements in respect to "real life" problems facing the international community today. In general, procedural simulations stress parliamentary procedure and require a basic understanding of the various substantive international issues (e.g. child labor or nuclear power). In contrast, during a crisis simulation delegates represent various countries as they react to a fictitious international crisis. For example, what would you do if you were President of France and you believed that a Algerian terrorist organization was plotting to launch a major attack against Paris? Could you rally the international community to support a preemptive military strike? How would the Middle Eastern countries react? Could you contain this conflict from spreading throughout the Middle East and perhaps Europe?
It will then be your job to gather your team, determine your national interests and goals for the day and develop a strategy that will achieve your team's objectives. For example, some countries will be content with simply surviving the day while others will see the crisis as an opportunity to expand their influence in a region. You will be forced to turn to other countries and international actors and seek their support and cooperation. Moreover, as the afternoon unfolds other crises might erupt producing an unexpected chain of events. Unlike the procedural simulation where you work in a single committee, negotiations will talk place in numerous settings. Much of the diplomacy will take place in small groups in a country's "home room." (i.e. informal caucusing between delegates). However, a United Nations, NATO, EU, and Arab League Room will also be open giving delegates the option of utilizing the advantages inherent to each organization. The rules governing parliamentary procedure used during the procedural simulation will govern each of these international organizations formal sessions. We will run the crisis and procedural simulation simultaneously.
SMALL school delegations will either begin
their day in the crisis or procedural simulation and then switch for the
afternoon. Large school
delegations will be broken into half (note: delegations classified as LARGE
teams should be broken into two groups prior to the day of the
simulation) and half your group will begin with the crisis and half will begin
with the procedural and then switch after lunch. Please
see your country assignment letter to see if your school was classified as a
LARGE or SMALL school delegation.
4. Since I wont know the crisis in advance what is the best way to prepare for the crisis simulation?
4a. Although you will not know what the crisis will be until the start of the simulation, you will know what country you will represent. The better delegates will have a solid understanding of their country's basic political make up and their general international orientation. For example, if you are assigned to represent Russia you would need to have firm grasp of the country's basic history. Additionally what modern events have shaped Russian society today? What kind of government do you have? How representative is it? Who are your allies and whom do you consider an adversary? Who will expect you to ally with them and whom would you like to expand your influence over? What major international organizations do you belong to and what is your general orientation toward them (i.e. are you an active member)? What is the relative strength of your military and economy?
Some great places to start reviewing your country's basics include: CIA World Factbook, The US State Department, The BBC World News, Country Studies, KU Dept of Political Science Virtual News Room, The Political Handbook of the World, and the Statesmen's Yearbook.
5. How do I write a resolution?
5a. An effective resolution often reflects both the authors' knowledge of the subject area and their ability to balance the interests of many competing actors. This "learned art" of statecraft may seem prohibitively difficult but with some practice most students quickly become proficient. Our best advice is to visit the United Nations website and begin reading some of the resolutions written on your assigned committee. Resolutions are broken into a pre-ambulatory and operative section. Ask yourself what the sponsors in the resolution are trying to achieve in each. The United Nations Association maintains an exceptionally valuable website that offers a step-by-step review of how to write a resolution.
6. Can I bring a pre-written resolution?
6a. Sort of. You may bring a memo that is written in a standard resolution format to share with other delegates. This memo will only be referred to as a working paper once it has been accepted by the chair and introduced to the committee. If the committee passes the working paper then it will be formally referred to as a resolution.
However, remember the purpose of the UN committees is seek an international consensus on an issue. Do not expect your fellow delegates to simply adopt your pre-written resolution. They will seek to amend, adopt, or even block your resolution as you see fit.
7. Should I bring a laptop?
7a. You are welcome to bring a laptop computer or any other research materials. However, you will be responsible for securing these at all times. The KU Student Union Building, the primary building we will be using for the day, is a public building. During the course of the crisis simulation you will be moving from room to room quite frequently and guarding a laptop might become burdensome.
8. How should I dress?
8a. Dress as professionally as possible. Western business dress is preferred, however, business casual is acceptable. The wearing of cultural costumes is prohibited.
Have a question that's not answered on this page? E-mail modelun@kutztown.edu.