What is Model United Nations?

In 1945, in the wake of World War II, the United Nations was founded with the original mission of preventing another world war. In the decades since, the UN has expanded to address issues that transcend national borders — from climate change and public health to human rights and international conflict.

Model United Nations, or MUN, is an educational simulation of the United Nations that engages students with international relations and diplomacy. Representing assigned countries, students assume the role of delegates in simulated committees, debating assigned topics with the aim of passing resolutions.

MUN conferences bring hundreds of students together from a variety of schools into concentrated committee sessions. Conferences are organized by student secretariats and chaired by experienced student leaders who guide debate, enforce procedure, and evaluate delegate performance.

Why MUN?

In and of itself, MUN is a globally unifying experience. Thousands of high school and college students across the country participate in Model United Nations each year. It develops critical skills for an increasingly interconnected world:

• Research & Analysis — understanding complex global issues and your country's position
• Public Speaking — delivering speeches, responding to points, and persuading peers
• Negotiation & Diplomacy — building coalitions and reaching compromise
• Resolution Writing — crafting formal policy documents in UN format
• Critical Thinking — responding to dynamic debate and evolving scenarios

The skills developed at TWHSMUN translate into abilities that will help delegates in law, international relations, business, medicine, engineering, and virtually every professional field.

About TWHSMUN

TWHSMUN is The Woodlands High School's annual Model United Nations conference, organized and run entirely by students in the TWHS MUN Club. Our conference is designed to provide a rigorous, welcoming, and memorable experience for high school delegates of all backgrounds and experience levels.

We are proud to host students from schools across the Houston metropolitan area and beyond for a full day of debate, diplomacy, and discovery.

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary procedure is the formal set of rules that governs debate in Model UN. Understanding it is essential to participating effectively. Here's the basic flow of a committee session:

Opening the Session

The chair calls the committee to order and takes roll call. Delegates respond "Present" or "Present and Voting" (the latter means you cannot abstain on substantive votes). A quorum must be established before debate can begin.

Setting the Agenda

If your committee has two topics, delegates will vote on which topic to debate first. This requires a motion, a second, limited debate, and a vote. Simple majority wins.

General Speaker's List (GSL)

The primary mode of formal debate. Delegates add themselves to the GSL and, when called upon, deliver speeches of a set time limit (usually 60–90 seconds). Speeches should address the topic and your country's position. After the GSL is established, debate proceeds.

Moderated Caucus

A more focused, structured discussion. Any delegate can motion for a moderated caucus, specifying a total time and speaking time per delegate (e.g., "10 minutes total, 30 seconds per speaker"). The chair calls on delegates directly. Great for focused debate on a specific sub-topic.

Unmoderated Caucus

Informal networking time. Delegates move freely, form blocs, negotiate, and begin drafting working papers and resolutions. This is where a lot of the real diplomacy happens.

Working Papers & Draft Resolutions

During unmoderated caucuses, delegates work together to draft documents that propose solutions. A working paper becomes a draft resolution when it has enough signatories and is approved by the dais for formal consideration. Once introduced, draft resolutions are debated, amended, and voted upon.

Voting

After debate closes, the committee votes on draft resolutions. A simple majority passes most resolutions. Delegates vote "Yes," "No," or "Abstain" (unless they said "Present and Voting" at roll call).

The Research Process

Good research is the foundation of great MUN performance. You need to research three things:

1. Your Country

As a delegate, your primary goal is to represent your country as realistically as possible. Research your country's government type, foreign policy positions, alliances, economic situation, and history with the topic. Ask yourself:

• What type of government does your country have?
• What are your country's major alliances and partnerships?
• How does your country's history shape its foreign policy?
• Which domestic issues influence how your country votes internationally?

2. Your Committee

Understand the committee you're in — its mandate, history, and how it operates within the UN system. Know what kinds of resolutions it can pass and what's within its authority.

3. Your Topic

Read your committee's background guide thoroughly. Then research beyond it. Ask:

• What is the core problem and why does it matter internationally?
• What has the UN done about this issue before?
• What is your country's official position?
• What solutions would your country support?
• Which other countries share your country's position?

Key Research Resources

• United Nations — un.org
• UN Member States
• UN General Assembly
• World Health Organization
• UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
• UN Environment Programme
• UNICEF

What is a Crisis Committee?

Much like a standard Security Council, crisis committees are fast-paced and require delegates to think on their feet. Unlike General Assembly committees, crisis committees are highly specialized — they often place delegates in the roles of individual actors, world leaders, military commanders, or cabinet officials, rather than national delegations.

Crisis scenarios can be historical, contemporary, or entirely fictional. Throughout the session, the "crisis staff" introduces breaking news, unexpected events, and escalating developments that delegates must respond to in real time. This is MUN at its most dynamic and creative.

Crisis vs. Standard Committees

In a standard committee, you represent a country. In crisis, you often play a specific character with a unique portfolio of powers, goals, and secrets. Your decisions can have real consequences within the committee's scenario.

Key Crisis Mechanics

Directives

The primary action document in crisis committees. Directives instruct the committee — or individuals within it — to take specific actions. They work similarly to draft resolutions but are faster-moving and more targeted. A directive might order a military action, deploy funds, or issue a public statement.

Press Releases

Public communications your character issues to the outside world. Press releases can influence media coverage in the simulation, shape public opinion, and affect how the crisis evolves. Write them carefully — they can help or hurt your position.

Crisis Notes (Backroom)

One of the most exciting parts of crisis. Delegates can send private notes to the crisis staff requesting personal actions — contacting an ally, moving assets, gathering intelligence, or executing a secret plan. Good crisis delegates use their backroom actions strategically alongside their front-room committee work.

Crisis Updates

The crisis staff will regularly introduce new developments — breaking news, military reports, diplomatic cables, or unexpected events — that change the situation the committee is dealing with. Stay flexible and ready to adapt.

Tips for Crisis Delegates

• Know your character's goals — both public and private ones
• Be bold — crisis rewards creative, decisive thinking
• Use the backroom strategically — don't just react, be proactive
• Build alliances — you'll need them when things escalate
• Read the room — when a crisis breaks, adapt your strategy immediately
• Write compelling press releases — they shape the narrative

Position Papers for Crisis

Crisis delegates are still required to submit a position paper. Crisis position papers focus on your character's background, goals, and opening policy position. Visit our Position Papers page for full guidelines.

What is a Position Paper?

At TWHSMUN, every delegate is required to research, write, and submit a position paper before the conference. A position paper is a formal document outlining your assigned country's stance on your committee's topic. It is required to be eligible for awards — and writing one will make you a far stronger delegate in committee.

It is imperative that delegates write their papers from their assigned country's perspective, not their own personal opinion.

Submission Requirements

• Length: 1–1.5 pages is ideal — clear and concise is better. Can extend up to 4 pages max if the content is strong.
• Font: 12pt Times New Roman
• Spacing: Double-spaced, standard margins
• Due: October 24th at 11:59 PM
• Submit via: The Google Form emailed to your sponsor
• File title: Country_Committee_Topic A/B (e.g., Malaysia_DISEC_Topic A)

Required Heading

Every position paper must begin with this heading:

The Six Components

An excellent position paper includes all of the following:

1. Heading

Use the exact format above so the dais can identify your committee, country, and topic at a glance.

2. Topic Background

Describe the history of the topic as your country would frame it. Include specific examples and recent international action. If the UN has acted on this issue before, mention it here. Give lots of data and statistics.

3. Country Policy

Clarify your country's position and the actions it has taken to enforce it. Include statements by your country's leaders, statistics, and research that support the effectiveness of those policies.

4. Proposed Solutions

Detail your country's proposed solutions thoroughly. Each idea should connect clearly to the problem it solves. Identify possible obstacles to implementation and how to avoid them. Solutions should be a natural extension of your country's policy and perspective.

5. Works Cited

Cite all sources in MLA format. If this page is missing, it counts as plagiarism and will disqualify you from receiving an award.

6. Document Title

Title your file Country_Committee_Topic A/B based on your assignment.

How to Write a Winning Paper

The TWHS MUN Writing a Winning Position Paper guide breaks a strong paper into three parts — the heading, the content, and the works cited. Here's how to make the content shine:

Formatting & Writing Tips

• No personal pronouns (I, you, we, etc.)
• Avoid excessive repetition — find new ways to phrase your country's name and the topic to keep the reader engaged
• No filler sentences — every line should explain, define, or suggest something
• Use Grammarly, even the free version
• Works Cited uses MLA format with a hanging indent and double spacing

The Introduction

1. Hook — open with an eye-catching, relevant statistic or quote to draw the reader in
2. Topic Background — explain what the topic is, why it's an issue, its causes, and why it's an object of international concern, with plenty of data
3. Strong Close — convey urgency while staying formal; a quote from a prominent UN figure or your country's leader lands well

Past International Actions

List specific past UN actions on the topic and whether your country supported or ratified them. Don't be vague — name the specific initiative, explain what it is, how it relates to the topic, and its results with real data. This specificity is what sets you apart (and naturally lengthens your paper).

Your Delegation's Policy

State your country's stance, its history with the issue, and how it's been affected. List specific legislation, programs, or initiatives your government has enacted and their results.

Recommendations for Future UN Action

Open by restating the topic and your delegation, then give 3–5 specific recommendations drawn from your research (who, what, where, when, why, how). Close with a strong, globally-minded statement that creates a sense of unity — a quote from a UN figure or your country's leader works well.

Additional Resources

If you'd like more detailed guidance, delegates may reference the NMUN Position Paper Guide or Best Delegate.

Award Criteria

All delegates who wish to receive an award must submit a position paper. Awards are given in each committee as follows:

Best Delegate

Consistently showcases diplomacy and collaboration through moderated caucuses, unmoderated caucuses, and outside of debate. Must submit a position paper that's up to par, show significant participation, engagement, and respect to all delegates and TWHSMUN staff, and demonstrate a strong understanding of their delegation's position backed by in-depth research.

Outstanding Delegate

Consistently showcases diplomacy and collaboration through moderated caucuses, unmoderated caucuses, and outside of debate. Must submit a position paper that's up to par and show significant participation, engagement, and respect to all delegates and TWHSMUN staff.

Honorable Mention (up to 2)

Must submit a position paper and showcase preparedness and respect to all TWHSMUN staff.

Best Position Paper

Awarded to the delegate whose paper best underscores understanding of the topic and their delegation's position. Must hit all the correct points listed on the background guide and be submitted before the TWHSMUN deadline to be eligible.

Dress Code

All delegates must adhere to Western business attire:

• Western business attire required
• No skirts or dresses
• Black socks (no white)
• Flats and dress shoes are highly encouraged
• No hats or sunglasses

What to Bring

• Laptop
• Water bottle
• Sticky notes
• Something to write with
• Research binder with your position paper
• Cash or card