Before you start

How to take part in a MUN

A Model United Nations is a simulation in which you represent a country, work with other delegations and learn to debate, negotiate and build agreements following a United Nations-inspired format.

01 · Your role

You are not here to give your personal opinion

In a MUN you will be part of a delegation. The organisation will assign you a country and a role, and you will have to defend its position during the sessions.

02 · Your preparation

You will receive a starting point

We will provide preparation documents about the topic and how the committee works. From there, you will learn about the issue, research your country's position and prepare your arguments.

03 · Speak and listen

Diplomacy is practised out loud

You will take part in speeches, debates and conversations with other delegations. You will need to speak in public, respond to arguments and listen to other positions.

04 · Negotiate

Your goal is not to win

You will need to find common ground, make proposals and accept compromises. Negotiation means helping your position move forward alongside those of other delegations.

05 · Draft

Ideas become proposals

Together with other delegations, you will take part in the drafting and amending of resolutions, seeking to make the text reflect concrete agreements.

06 · Reach agreements

Consensus is part of the challenge

It is not only about defending a position. You will need to understand other perspectives and work to build the broadest possible agreement.

What if the country you are assigned thinks differently from you?

That is one of the key challenges of a MUN. You will need to represent a position even when it does not match your own, understand why it exists and defend it with arguments.

During RuralMUN, you will learn to think from another perspective and find a way forward together with other delegations.

RuralMUN topics

On Saturday we will work on two real topics included in the 81st session agenda of the United Nations General Assembly.

Room 1 · Third Committee · Item 24.b

Social development: who should ensure society's wellbeing?

What responsibility should States assume to ensure that everyone can live with dignity? Should they provide universal services and social protection, or focus resources on those who need them most? How should these policies be financed, and what role should public institutions, families and society play?

At RuralMUN we will debate these questions based on item 24.b, related to social development and issues such as youth, ageing, persons with disabilities and family. Delegations will defend their countries' priorities, negotiate and seek agreements, while also considering the specific challenges faced by rural populations.

Room 2 · Second Committee · Item 17.f

Harmony with Nature: how can we live well without exhausting the planet's resources?

How can we create jobs, produce food, develop our communities and improve quality of life without destroying the ecosystems on which we depend? Can economic development be reconciled with protecting nature?

At RuralMUN we will explore item 17.f, Harmony with Nature, exploring different development models and issues such as agriculture, energy, biodiversity, natural resource management and sustainable consumption, with special attention to the role of rural territories.

From international debate to the territory

Once the diplomatic negotiation is over, you will stop representing your country and work with the rest of the group as a team of young people advising the municipalities of Oscos-Eo. You will choose a local challenge related to your room's topic, analyse what can be done locally and design a realistic proposal to present on Sunday to the comarca's mayors and other public officials from Asturias.

How does the MUN end?

The work of the committees will culminate in the General Assembly · final plenary session: presentation of resolutions, debate, possible amendments and voting. At RuralMUN, we will also share the outcome of the work with the authorities attending the event.

Ready to prepare?

When you receive your country, role and committee documentation, use this sheet to organise your preparation.

Open the delegation sheet →