www.mcbmun.

com  

   MCBMUNXIII 24th—26th June 2011 

A partnership of Queens University Belfast, United Na ons Associa on UK (CEWC) and Methodist College Belfast 

 TO TEACHERS AND PUPILS,
I am happy to invite you to Methodist College's annual MUN conference. As faculty advisor to the Model
UN programme I facilitate many of the logistics of the conference and am a key contact for all students and
advisors.

I believe the MCB conference is an exciting opportunity to cultivate political and global awareness in your
school. It is a chance to develop pivotal presentation and persuasion skills and interact with peers in a healthy and
constructive manner. Most of all, it is a structured challenge to pupils to leave their comfort zones and explore new
countries, cultures, and political scenarios.

I left my own comfort zone this year to lead this group and it has been a highly rewarding experience. I
understand the trepidation and uncertainty you may be feeling as you consider promoting and assembling this
program at your school. We are keen this year to open up the conference to Northern Ireland in particular as
politics is an important aspect of the community and this is an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with
each other in a peaceful and productive manner, free from sectarian attitudes.

MCB has a well established MUN programme. The students are experienced and eager to help your students
prepare for the conference. In these tight times I am aware of the financial restraints on schools, families, and
teachers. Belfast is an affordable and intimate city, meaning accommodation, food, and transportation can be
organised with relatively little hassle. Additionally, we are exploring every possible avenue to make this conference
affordable. More details will follow as negotiations progress.

Invita on      02 

Contents

What is MUN?   

Our Conference   
04 

06 
“  We the peoples of the
United Nations are

Get in touch    08 
determined...
”   

I recently listened to an account of a small primary school in the USA that is - like the MUN conference - run
by its students. Whereas many thought the experiment would result in disaster, exactly the opposite transpired.
When given the responsibility of 'free reign' students took it upon themselves to create a social environment built
on diplomacy and consensus seeking. Like this school, Model UN serves as a microcosm for the 'real world'. Pupils
do not simply gain valuable communication and debate skills - they gain first-hand experience of diplomacy.

If you have any questions or want to express your intention to attend, I can be reached at
skallock@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warmly,

SARA KALLOCK | DIRECTOR OF MUN AT METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST

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DEAR SIR/MADAM,
I am writing to invite you to attend the 13th Model United Nations (MUN) conference to be held in my
school, Methodist College Belfast (Methody). Each year since 1998 we have hosted a conference for 400 young
people who are informed, passionate and eloquent in their interest in politics. This is not only because activism is
inherent to our youthful minds, but because we have had these passions channelled, informed and developed
through Model United Nations.

We invite you to attend our 13th

Model United Nations conference...

Model United Nations is an activity of growing prominence in the UK and Ireland, since 2008 we have seen
the first conferences in Scotland (George Watsons College) and our sister school, Wesley College Dublin, started
the first MUN conference in the Republic of Ireland. Despite this growth, we still feel that there are far too many
young people who have not been provided with the opportunity to take part in a Model United Nations conference.
That is why we are making an extra effort this year to reach not only the long established schools, but also schools
who have never taken part in an MUN conference or schools who are new on the scene and are looking to increase
their involvement.

It is my hope that once you have read about our programme you will bring your pupils to our conference, so
they can benefit from the same opportunities as I have. I look forward to seeing you this July!

EDWARD NICKELL | SECRETARY GENERAL OF MCBMUN, YEAR 13

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 MUN stands for Model United Nations. This is a type of debating which follows the format of the real United
Nations. Participants – known as delegates – represent a world nation, and bring the views of that nation to the
metaphorical table when debating a world issue. MUN debating uses and develops a number of skills.
Research is undertaken by Delegates into their allocated country, as well as on the specific issues they will be
discussing. The chairs – the students who take charge of and direct debate – provide briefing papers to help
delegates with their research. These briefing papers give background information on the issues for debate, as well
as giving delegates guidance on what to research, and suggesting useful starting points to find the necessary
information. Most delegates will write a resolution—a document outlining ideas that could ‘resolve’ or improve
the situation that they have researched.
Debate takes place in ‘committees’. These committees include The Security Council, Human Rights,
Environment, Health, Political, Science and Technology, Economic and Social. Each nation is represented by a
team of six or seven delegates, known as a delegation. Each member of the delegation specialises in one of the
committees, spending the majority of their time there. Example topics for debate and information on each
committee can be found on pages 6 and 7 of this booklet.
Guest Speakers offer delegates a unique opportunity to be privy to the experience of individuals at the top of the
world of current affairs. Past speakers have include Rt. Hon Naomi Long MP, Lord David Hannay former UNSC
diplomat, Moazzam Begg and Bill Neely of ITN.
Debate format is fairly typical and easily picked up by those with no or little prior experience. Delegates debate the
resolution (similar to a motion) proposed to them, with speakers ‘for’ (in support of) the resolution and speakers
‘against’. There is also the opportunity for questions, known as points of information.
Teamwork is vital for the ‘General Assembly’ at the end of the conference. General Assembly or ‘GA’ features all
the delegates from every committee. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience with
public speaking in front of a larger group of people.

What is MUN? Model United Nations is an activity organised

within schools and universities to simulate the activities of the United Nations. It
involves debating, research, making speeches, and a lot of diplomacy.

Registra on Online 
Each school registers their students to take part 
The Road to an MUN   and is allocated a na on. Registra on occurs 
Conference  online, simplifying and automa ng the process. 
Teachers will be provided with advice about 
accommoda on, catering and transport. 

4
 Taking part in an MUN conference is an extraordinarily
enjoyable, educational, and worthwhile undertaking.
Students gain confidence through public speaking, and
develop an active and informed interest in politics and
current affairs. They get the opportunity to meet – and to
work together with - other young people from a variety of
backgrounds and traditions. The process of debating in
committee improves public speaking abilities, but also helps
students to learn to think on their feet.
MUN can be particularly beneficial to students of politics
and social sciences such as Geography, Economics and
Social Policy or those considering the vocation of law. This
style of debating has more general benefits to other career
paths and subjects. Skills such as research, evidence based argument and problem solving are necessary to the
study of arts, humanities and sciences. The variety of committees can accommodate students interests, for
example Health committee for those interested in medicine. The experience of MUN is frequently a talking point
in interviews with both universities and employers who recognise the merit of the experience it provides.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, attending an MUN conference is an excellent opportunity to learn new
skills, meet new friends, and have a lot of fun while doing so. At MCB MUN, we run a social evening during the
conference. Its quite normal for delegates to stay in touch for years after the conference and often MUN creates
contacts that last through many future conferences and even to university.

CHARLOTTE HIGGINS | PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, YEAR 13

Past Guests
Research 
Debate 
Students research their na on and topics 
Students a end the three day conference. 
for debate. Some of this research is 
Most  me is spent in commi ee debates 
independent and some is provided by the 
with around 40 other delegates. Students 
conference organisers through 
will also take part in a General Assembly 
documents and e‐mail contact with the 
debate with over 350 others. 
students.  

5
 Issues for
debate:


geo‐engineering, prisoner votes, women’s health,
climate refugees, rights of the deceased, medical tourism,
TBA, TBA,
TBA,
Environment  Human Rights  Health 

travelling communities, unplugging the internet, arab revolution,

banking regulation, ‘anonymous’ hackers, wikileaks,
TBA, TBA, TBA,
(Economic and Social) (Science and Technology)

EcoSoc  SciTech  Political 

Our Conference

Run as a partnership between MCB MUN, Queens University Belfast (QUB MUN) and The United Nations Associat

The conference held at Methody is unique in several ways. We typically

include between 250-400 delegates from about 15 different schools.
These delegates are divided up into around 6 committees.

Our conference is student run. This includes chairing debates, ad-

ministration, the website, choice of committees and topics for debate,
the press team and the majority of other jobs.

Our conference is the longest established running conference in Ireland.

Our conference’s system of committees and debate was chosen to be the basis for the first Scottish conference
at George Watsons College.

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 Location
Belfast is an ideal location, for the MUN conference.
North Korea, Transport is cheap and quick with two airports both
The Ivory Coast, within a short bus journey of the city. The confer-
ence takes place in Methodist College Belfast and
TBA, Queens University Belfast, both of which are within
(Security Council)
10 minutes walk of over a dozen hotels, lodges and
SC  motels.

Belfast is a city, large enough to offer a number of sites of historical interest but
small enough to be seen over a weekend.

Date
The conference will take place from the evening of Friday the 24th of June to the
afternoon of Sunday the 26th of June.
The conference date has been chosen to avoid any clashes with GCSE or GCE for-
mal examinations on the boards CCEA, AQA, OCR and EDEXCEL. This is an ide-
al ‘wind down’ of the academic year, but also a climax for your students.

Belfast  

tion UK. 

7
 MCBMUN.COM is the easiest source for information on Model United Nations. You may be inter-
ested in our guide to MUN and help for advisors regarding accommodation. The technologically
advanced website built by students automates the administrative process and is also used to pro-
vide useful links and research to delegates who are preparing for debates.

Get in touch
 
web: www.mcbmun.com 
 
email: info@mcbmun.com 
 
post: 1 Malone Rd, BT9 6BY Belfast