opening speech mun length

10 Steps to prepare for your first MUN conference

Many of you ask us, “How should I prepare for a MUN if it’s my first time?” Your first MUN conference can seem overwhelming. There are lots of things to read and research to do be done and you might not know much about the UN. We are happy to let you know that Model UN is not that complicated once you get the hang of it. These 10 steps will help you give you will give you what you need to survive, and thrive at your first Model United Nations conference.

Understand What is MUN?

• Before you start researching, reading and preparing you need to do is understand how MUN works.
• Each delegate represents a country in a UN committee to discuss an important global issue. Information about the said issue is provided by the conference in a Study Guide.
• Debate your ideas and practical solutions together with the other delegates in the committee.
• Combine your ideas with others in a document called a Draft Resolutions. Multiple drafts can be created by different groupings (blocks) of countries.
• Vote on the Draft Resolutions in the committee. A resolution needs a majority to be passed.

Learn the Basics About Your Country

Before you read the Study Guide / Background Guide the conference provides, it’s best to learn a bit about the country you will be representing to get over any natural biases you might have. Try to keep an open your mind towards the country you will be representing.

Things you should look up about your country:

• Land  – Find your country on a map. Check out your size, terrain and neighbors.
• Politics  – Check if you’re a democracy, a pseudo-democracy or an authoritarian power. If a democracy, check with party is in power.
• Data  – Population size, main languages, demographic breakdown and wealth, usually by looking at the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• News  – Glance at the news and see what your country has been up to most recently.

Doing this research will help you come up with valuable ideas when you read the Study Guide.

Read the Study Guide

The Study Guide (sometimes referred to as a Background Guide or Issue Summary) is where you will get the basic important information about the topic your MUN committee will be discussing. When you finish reading the guide you should have a basic understanding of the topic and what you are expected to debate. (If your guide sucks, check out our guide on what to do with your MUN study guide sucks).

The Study Guide should give you:

• General background about the topic
• Current issues relating to the topic
• Relevant numbers and data  (in good guides at least)
• Information about your UN committee
• Block positions  (not in every guide)
• Guiding questions  (not in every guide)
• Further reading  (not in every guide)

Study Guides are also important because they help you understand where the chairs want the debate to go. Now that you understand the topic you will be discussing, it’s time to fill in the blanks about your country.

Learn About your Committee

This should be covered in your Study Guide. If it wasn’t, now is the time to learn about your committee. A quick glance at the Wikipedia page should give you context.

You want to get a basic idea of:

• Objectives of the committee
• Current committee activities
• Past actions of the committee

Knowing your MUN committee mandate will help you understand what your committee can do and what it cannot. This will be helpful when the time comes to write practical ideas

Research your Countries Position

To understand your countries position, you will need to look at the news to get an idea of what policies your country would implement. For example, if you are representing Spain, you may what to look into things like… Did Spain ever send aid workers to natural disasters? Does Spain contribute to global anti-virus efforts? The answers to those questions will help you know where your country stands, even if there is nothing directly written about your countries connection to the topic you will be discussing.

The reason you should search like this is due to the fact you will not always find exactly what you’re looking for when you Google your country + topic. For example, if you search for “Spain policy on the flooding in Sri Lanka” or “Spain Zika Virus” you’re likely to come up with nothing.

There are three reasons for this:

• Most countries don’t publish their information in English
• Politicians don’t like to make committing statements
• Your country has no direct relation to the topic

This is why you should broaden your search terms and try to get a richer overview of your country so you will have a more well-rounded pool of information to work from.

If after all this you still find nothing about yourself, look at your neighboring countries, or countries similar to you. See how they deal with the issue. Sometimes a well-educated guess is all you will get if your country seems to be unrelated to the topic being discussed. Luckily, when there is little information, it is often more than enough.

Find The Opening Speech Speaker Time

Now it’s time to get ready to write our first speech. Most conferences require a mandatory Opening Speech for every delegate. At conferences without opening speeches, the first speech you give will serve a similar function.

The opening speech is usually 60 seconds. To make sure, take a look at the Rules of Procedure to see what the opening speaker time is at the conference you will be attending sometimes it could be a bit tricky since the conference may let the chairs decide how long the opening speech will be. It is usually between 60-90 seconds but can go as low as 30 and as high as 120.

If you can’t find a clear-cut answer its a good idea to email the MUN conference directly and ask them how long you will have for opening speeches.

Write Your Opening Speech

Your first speech should give a general impression of your countries view of the topic and ideas to solve the problems your committee is discussing. In your speech should include facts and practical policies to solve the problem. Your solution should be in line with your countries interests.

To take your opening speech to the next level check out our How to Write a MUN speech bible. In the MUN speech Bible, we teach the Clash, Information, Call to Action (CIA) method of speechwriting, a serious game changer when it comes to MUN speechwriting.

Learn the Rules of Procedure

When it comes to flow the flow of a MUN simulation, here is what you need to know.

3 Modes of a MUN Debate Simplified General Speaker’s List  – Default speech platform. Anyone can talk about anything and can yield time. Moderated Caucus  – Faster discussion on a subtopic voted to be discussed by a majority of the committee. Unmoderated Caucus  – Lobbying time. Everyone gets out of their seats and speaks one on one / in a group. Resolutions are written during this time as well.

This should be enough to get you started but to learn more check out our article on MUN Rule of Procedures.

How to Write a Resolution

MUN Draft Resolution Clauses Simplified Preambulatory Clause  – Clauses explaining why we are doing it. Operative Clause  – Clauses explaining what we plan to do. Operative clauses are instructions which should be clear, concise and written using emotionless language.

You can check out more about how this should be done in our article about how to write a MUN Resolution

Have an Open Mind

If it’s your first MUN, I am happy to let you know that after reading this short guide (and followed the steps we laid out) you probably did more research and preparation than most other first-time MUNers : ) and one significant step closer to winning Best Delegate.

MUN is a lot of fun and when you come prepared you are setting yourself up to enjoy the conference that much more. This is because you will have an idea where things are going and how to achieve your desired result. Go out and enjoy your first MUN conference to the fullest. You should also enjoy the sites, the socials and make new friends.

There you have it. Once you finish your first conference your eyes will be open to the world of MUN. Moving forward, know that all aspects of our 10 points are just scratching the surface and all of them can be improved upon.

If you have any MUN questions along the way feel free to reach out to the HelpMyMUN team to help you take your MUN to the next level.

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Dos and Don’ts of a Model UN Opening Speech

Written by Michael Dianetti

Mun articles | strategy, april 17, 2018, action | comprehensive | filler words | hook | multifaceted | opening speech | point | speaking | speeches | three-pronged.

Roll Call has been taken, decorum set, placards distributed, seats taken, debate open – it’s time for your first speech. The opening speech is often regarded as one of the most important parts of a Model United Conference. If it’s good it sets you apart. If it’s bad it seals your fate before the first unmod even begins. In some cases this assumption can be correct; however, it is important to remember that the opening speech is a maximum one minute of the conference that will be buried by two dozen hours more of committee. Nevertheless, an opening speech can be a powerful tool for an aspiring delegate to immediately set themselves apart and take control of committee. Below are our tips on how to deliver that perfect opening speech and start on the path to the gavel.

Break the Cadence

At the beginning of your MUN career, you may have been told to begin your opening speech or every speech, with the phrase  “Fellow Delegates, Honorable Chair…..” If you’ve been doing this, I’m here to tell you that it’s wrong. Please stop. Whether your committee has forty people or four-hundred, a boring introduction is the easiest way to put your ”fellow delegates” to sleep and erase yourself from the memory of your “honorable chair.” Opening speeches are all about breaking the mold and standing out. Don’t be the person that gives the same rise and fall speech that follows the same structure, and uses the same words.

Catch Everyone’s Attention

You might be wondering, “If I don’t start my speech with ‘fellow delegates, Honorable chair’ how do I start my speech?’ Easy answer. There is a multitude of ways to open your speech memorable. Many delegates go with a statistic, others use quotes, but the best opening speeches do something a little different. In a huge General Assembly, the same amount of people are going to use quotes and statistics as those who say “Fellow Delegates, Honorable Chair.” Before long every “hook” is lost among the excess of numbers and references to famous humanitarians and leaders. To be different, you have to be a little theatrical, a little sarcastic, and extremely bold. My personal favorite opener involves clapping my hands for ten seconds before explaining what my clapping represents. For example, I might clap and then say “Every time I clap my hands a Syrian refugee is denied refuge because of the isolationist policy of many members of the international community.” A delegate I know begins every opening speech by asking her committee to look at their watches and cleverly telling them that “It’s time for a change.” While these methods may seem a little excessive and silly, they are exactly what is needed to catch the attention of any delegates who have zoned out to the monotony of opening speeches and keep them engaged for the rest of your speech.

Avoid Filler Words and Jargon

“Comprehensive” “Multifaceted” “Three-Pronged” “Quasi” ”Collaborative” You may recognize these as some of the most common Model UN “filler” words that almost every delegate has used at some time in their MUN career. I can’t recount how many times I have heard a delegate give a minute-long speech that effectively accomplishes nothing because all they said was a mixed-up jumble of these words. The use of filler words is the easiest way to disengage from your audience and bury your speech among the hundreds of others that will be given during the conference. The goal of any speech is to set yourself apart from the rest of committee, prove that you are a better orator, and dispense your ideas in a clear and unique manner.

Speak Loud, Clear, and Slow

When you’re giving your opening speech it’s easy to become overwhelmed with nerves and anxiety. If you forget everything else remember that when giving your speech speak loud, clear, and slow. You want everyone in the room to be able to hear and understand what you are saying. You could have the most eloquent beautiful speech but if you botch the delivery it will mean nothing. Conversely, you can have a sub-par speech that becomes invaluable if you deliver it correctly.

Don’t Read

More than eighty percent of your committee will be reading carefully written opening speeches from a piece of paper. This can be intimidating, they know exactly what they are going to say, they have pre-prepared analogies and similes, and if you don’t have the same it may feel as if you are at a disadvantage. You aren’t. On a broad scale, these pre-prepared, written down speeches will all be grouped together in the minds of your committee members, while, if you give a more impromptu speech that addresses committee in a more personal and tangible manner you will stand out among the other delegates.

Even experienced delegates often forget the last, and most important, part of an opening speech – the ending.  A speech that brings attention to a problem or employs attention-grabbing techniques will always fall short if they don’t have an ending that rounds everything out. In the last line, call committee to do something, make a bold statement, share your plan. The last line is going to be what’s left in the ends of your “Fellow Delegates and Honorable Chair” long after your speech.

Up Your MUN Game this Summer The Ad Hoc Academy at Johns Hopkins University will give students plenty of opportunities to practice their speaking skills while taking advantage of professional coaching and guidance. Compete in six simulations in six days for over $6,000 in prizes. Apply today!  

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Public Speaking Tips

Writing and delivering speeches is an important aspect of the MUN simulation. Speeches help delegates convey the positions of their Member States, help build consensus and start formulating resolutions. Usually, the committee sets the speaking time, as the delegates make a motion to set the duration and if the motion has been seconded, the body then votes upon the suggestion.

Although speechmaking is very important to the MUN simulation, many delegates’ biggest fear is public speaking. It is essential that delegates come to the conference well prepared: meaning that they have completed prior research, know their country’s position, and even have objectives for a resolution.

Delegates should observe ‘decorum’ (i.e., be polite) when speaking. The opening of a speech should begin with: “Thank you- Honorable-Chair, Fellow delegates…”

An opening speech should include:

• Brief introduction of your country’s history of the topic
• Past actions taken by the U.N., Member States, NGOs, etc. to combat the problem
• The current situation of the topic
• Your country’s overall position on the topic/reason for position
• Possible ideas or goals for a resolution
• Whether there is room for negotiation on your position

As there are no set guidelines for how delegates should execute their speeches, delegates should decide how they feel most comfortable delivering their speeches. Some delegates utilize their position papers as their opening speeches, others just write out some key points, and many just speak without any aides. Since public speaking is a skill it is important to practice, practice, practice.

Remember the audience should always be considered when making a speech. Be aware of the audience and their diversity. The beginning of the speech must captivate the audience and motivate them to want to hear more. It must pertain to an audience’s interests.

Mr. Anthony Hogan, Model U.N. International, suggests the system of six “C’s” to improve your ability:

1. Confidence Confidence is portrayed by being as knowledgeable as possible on your subject and conveying this knowledge through the power of your voice and eyes. As a Model U.N. delegate, you are the authority and representative of your respective country. Research well and speak as if you know you are undoubtedly right. As the speaker, you must have confidence in yourself; otherwise, the audience will have little confidence in you.

2. Clear A speaker can do many things beforehand to assist them in speaking clearly. Write an outline of the topics that are going to be said, and follow it when speaking. Always speak slowly. This will allow the audience to hear everything that is said. Know your terminology well beforehand to avoid fumbling with words. Try to enunciate words properly.

3. Concise A good public speaker presents his/her points in a clean and clear-cut fashion. Unnecessary words and information should not be used to fill in the speech. The speech should be brief and to the point—say what you have to say. Do not ramble on about the topic in order to appear knowledgeable.

4. Constructive An effective public speech needs to be constructed properly. Start with a solid foundation that brings together all of your ideas, present your points, and then connect them by reviewing what was said. There should be an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. It is a known fact that three is a magic number. Say it once, say it and review it, then say it again. This method will help the audience to remember what was said.

5. “Con Passion” It is always important to speak from the heart—with passion—hence the Spanish term “con passion”. Always maintain eye contact with the audience. In doing so the audience will feel connected to you and your speech. This is what you want. You want to grab and hold the audience’s attention.

6. Critique It is better to critique than to criticize. Critiquing is constructive and allows for people to grow and improve. Criticizing brings peoples’ motivation and confidence down. A critique should be accepted positively since it is a tool that is used to strengthen one’s public speaking.

Some additional tips for effective public speaking

• ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY SPEECH FILLERS from your communication. Fillers are words and phrases such as “umm,” “well,” “it is sort-a like,” “it’s kinda like.” These take away from the message you want to convey. Some of the words and phrases to eliminate include: “you know,” “I think,” “I’m sorry,” “just,” “but,” “should,” “like,” “um,” and, “a,” etc.
• USE THE POWERFUL PAUSE. Do not be afraid to have a moment of silence between sentences. A pause, after thought, and prefacing a response to a question holds the attention of the listener.
• BREATHE from the diaphragm. Breathe deeply and often.
• PACE YOURSELF. Do not talk too fast or too slow.
• PHYSICALLY POSITION YOURSELF POWERFULLY. Be aware of your posture when you speak. Slouching, tilting your head, and crossing your arms or legs diminishes the message. Stand up straight, shoulders down, feet firmly planted, and knees unlocked.
• PROJECT YOUR PRESENCE. Your voice is the herald that carries your message. Speak from your diaphragm not your throat. Keep the sound in the low- to medium-range. This projects authority. Speak loudly enough to be easily heard. Focus on speaking with enthusiasm, and energy and create color with your voice.
• GESTURES. Do not be a statue. Consider occasionally exaggerating a gesture. Speaking from a platform is different than holding a one on one conversation. Use your whole body when you speak.
• CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE. Use a lot of eye contact. Speak directly to individual members of the audience. Do not take your eyes off your audience or focus on a point over their heads.
• COMMUNICATE CONFIDENCE. Make a conscious effort to project yourself confidently. This is as important as the message.

[Source: MKCMUN]

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A Guide to a Successful First Opening Speech (Even Though You’re Terrified)

Opening speeches can be a terrifying thing. Especially if you are unsure how to strucutre them. But do not worry, I know how you feel. I have been there myself, having no real clue on what makes a good opening speech a good opening speech. In fact, it took me being at my first MUN and observing other students to learn what really makes a speech impactful. Today Im gonna share my system with you. I call it the PPP structure.

Power. Purpose. Problems. You have NEVER done anything like this before, and genuinely, you have no clue how you really ended up here. Trying to look inconspicuous, you doodle on the Notebook that was provided in your goodiebag. If it looks like you are taking notes, you should be fine right? Mentally, you are preparing yourself for the worst. You sing the Alphabet to yourself, trying to count how many more Countries will speak before it is your time. Three. Well, that’s not good. You start panicking slightly now. How can you best get your point across? You focus once more on the speaker you are currently listening to, and the first thing you notice is the POWERFUL way with which they start their speech. You look at the document you wrote before partaking in the MUN. It includes your country’s standpoints, its plans and of course the things it criticises on an international level. Now you just need to find a way to bring it across, the information is all there! You made sure to be prepared. Now…you just have to make your speech attention grabbing. You yourself are barely able to really listen to the others, as nervous as you are. You ask yourself how you can ensure that you stay in people’s minds, how you make them take you seriously. What is powerful? You could ask a question, you suppose. An audience will want to engage with you if you make them ponder a problem. Giving the answer yourself in your speech will automatically put you on the map as someone who believes in their cause and can provide steps to reach it. Other than that, you could also go with a quote or a statistic. A Quote has the benefit of giving your speech weight, since unlike the simulation itself, its context is very real. It allows you to really partake in the roleplaying aspect of being a delegate at an MUN, as it solidifies your stance as the Diplomat of your country. On the other hand a statistic has the benefit of really staying in ones mind if surprising or interesting, and is normally build on stonecold facts. You can’t really go wrong with a statistic. Not a lot of people will argue them, and if chosen correctly they are a valuable narrative tool to come back to during discussions

“Just make it powerful and engaging.” You think to yourself. Get the audience in, Hook, Line, and Sinker. Two Countries left until you have to speek. A new speaker rises, and you immediately feel an authoritative air around them. They are playing an important country for the debate at hand, and you can immediately tell by the way they act and create tension, using their voice and body. Still, this time, you try to ignore all of that, wanting to understand the point of their speech more than you want to be enthrilled by it. They could be an important ally of yours, who knows Once again, you aren’t disappointed. While MUN Speeches are generally short, sticking to one point only really helps in making them understandable, and the structure used by the current speaker really gets its Purpose across. They mention why they have decided to adopt certain policies, and even mention your country’s name quite openly, making eye contact once and already singling you out as someone who they wish to pursue relations with in this council. Your heartbeat slightly ticks up at that. You now do not only know what this Delegate is after, but also whom they would like to work with. You can not help but be a little bit flattered at the charming way they have included you in their speech. It really makes you want to get to know them better. The speeker sits down, and you sigh. Damn it. Only one Country left until it is your turn. No time to get all crazy, you tell yourself, as you try to get your pulse to come down. You already know that the beginning of your speech should have a powerful hook, you know that you need to get the purpose behind your country’s wishes across, and now…now you just have to steal the ending concept of this last speech before yours. Well, aren’t you lucky, you think to yourself. Observing how others do their opening speeches really is an educational tool in its own right… BANG! You are suddenly and unexpectedly torn from your musings when a loud thud echoes through the room. The delegate beside you just passionately smashed their fist on the table next to yours. Are these people out here to give you a heart attack? Your brow furrows as you look at your pencil that has now fallen to the floor, and back up to the girl standing next to you. She hasn’t said anything since creating the sudden boom, and you realize that the way she uses silence makes her next words seem so much more impactful. It’s a call to action, as she looks at every single country across the room and voices her frustration, pleads the audience to do something, to take note of the dire situation at hand. It pulls at your heartstrings, the determined way which which she speaks. She even mentions which funds to donate to alleviate the problems she so vividly describes. Huh, you think to yourself. Power, Purpose, Problems. What a nice aliteration to have. That should really help you structure your own Opening speech. Zero. It’s your turn. You open your mouth, and you just…start. The next time you are actively present again in this reality, is after you have finished your speech. The chair nods at you approvingly. All seems well.

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Preparing for Model United Nations: What You Need to Know About Your First MUN Conference

What should I prepare for a MUN conference?

Your first Model UN conference is always an unforgettable experience, it can be one of the best or one of the worst that you will ever attend in your MUN career. Whether your experience comes out amazing or terrible, it all depends on how you prepare for your conference. Before stepping into your committee, delegates NEED to prepare these 5 things:

Position Paper (or Policy Statement)

Opening Speech

Research Binder

Country Profile

MUN Position Paper

The position paper is essentially a one or two page long summary of your knowledge of the topic and the position of your country or your country stance regarding the topic. The position paper is composed of 3 parts:

Background of Topic

Past actions (Domestic and International)

Proposed solutions

The position paper is usually due before the committee and in some conferences, delegates need to submit their position paper in order to be eligible for awards. Aside from being a requirement to be qualified for awards, position paper is a very useful paper that you can always come back to during the conference when you need to reference your country stance.

MUN Opening Speech

The opening speech is the first speech that delegates are going to give in front of the committee that generally lasts around 1 minute to 1 minute and 30 seconds. The opening speech is the best opportunity for delegates to convey their country stance as well as the key sub-issue that they are interested in discussing. Substantially, delegates’ opening speeches are the main way for others to decide which country they want to work with, so it is crucial to prepare a speech that conveys your country’s interest and be confident to create a good first impression with other delegates. As it is the main way to identify your allies, it is also very important to pay attention to other delegates’ opening speeches. There are many strategies to prepare an opening speech but one huge tip that you can follow is to use your position paper when you are starting out. 

MUN Research Binder

Given that many conferences do not allow the use of technology during the committee session, it would be useful to prepare a research binder as it would act as a go to source for your information related to the topic, which can include:

Comittee’s Procedures

Past Treaties

Organization names

An organized research binder will be incredibly useful for delegates when writing a resolution since it will shorten the time needed to gather information as well as helping delegates to make speeches as they advance along the session. Especially in conferences that apply UNA USA procedures where delegates need to make many speeches.

How to write a Resolution for MUN

A resolution is generally a document that delegates will be working on during the conference and as most conferences don’t allow pre-written resolution, knowing the format and the phrasing of a resolution would be essential skills that would help delegates to work and collaborate more efficiently.

A country profile is generally a worksheet where you research and fill out information about your assigned country. Having a good understanding of your own country would be essential as you need to know what is a favourable outcome for you, this will vary among different countries.

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How does MUN work?

The model un masterclass.

By award winning MUNers. For you. For free. Because MUN is about learning.

The basics. So you always know what's going on.

• Find definitions of all important terms in our MUN Cheat Sheet
• Read some real world UN Resolutions here .
• Read the rules of procedure of one of our partner conferences Karlsruhe Model United Nations (KAMUN) here .
• Deliver a 1-minute speech in front of a mirror on the topic Pizza vs. Burgers. Take into account the three essential speech guidelines of the General Speaker's List.
• What's the difference between being "present" and being "present and voting"? Show Answer
• What is a moderated caucus? Show Answer
• How can I ask the chair about how the rules of procedure work when in session? Show Answer
• What's the most important thing to know about MUN? Show Answer

How to prepare for your next conference without wasting time.

• Read some actual Security Council resolutions .
• Find country facts in the CIA World Factbook .
• Discover more about your country using the Freedom House Index .
• Discover background information on the topic of your next conference. If you're just practicing search for the current agenda of the UNGA Security Council resolutions and pick the first topic they are going to discuss.
• Discover who your allies are. If you are preparing for a specific conference search for allies of the country assigned to you, else find a random country here .
• Figure out your country's (approximate) policy on the issue and write a 300 word abstract about it.

How to overcome anxiety and deliver award-winning speeches.

• Our friends from Wisemee assembled a clever list of 20 tips for delivering speeches in Model UN here .
• On the UN Web TV page for the General Assembly you can find an archive of speeches. Finding one of the country you're representing can give you a great idea of what tone you might want to strike during your speeches too. UN Web TV .
• Watch this speech this speech by Barack Obama, by some considered the speech that made him president.
• Which elements can you use to deliver a great speech in MUN? Show Answer
• To get a sense for the time limit start by scripting and delivering in front of a mirror a 60s speech on why weekends should be three days instead of two.
• Deliver a 60s speech in front of a mirror on the topic of why coffee and tea should be drank out of mugs instead of glass cups. Give yourself no more than 90s to prepare and only note bullet points.
• Deliver a 90s speech on why it should be international law that every person in the world should have your favorite food at least once a week. Prepare for no more than 60s and only note bullet points.

How to write working papers and resolutions that hold up in committee.

• Find a list of operators used in UN resolutions here .
• A guide by the United Nations for drafting resolutions can be found here .
• The Security Council resolution Alex is looking at in the video can be found here
• What's the purpose of a position paper? Show Answer
• What is the difference between operative clauses and preambulatory clauses in a draft resolution? Show Answer
• In which three kinds of ways can amendments change operative clauses of a draft resolution? Show Answer
• Which questions should any operative clause answer? Show Answer
• Write an operative clause with the goal of trying to get member states to ensure that every fast food restaurant also has broccoli on the menu. It should answer all questions every operative clause should answer. Remember, no full stops are allowed in clauses. Example Solution