RESEARCH
Research is one of the most essential parts of MUN in means of being a successful delegate. A well-prepared delegate knows his or her facts well regarding the issue and the country's stance.
I. Researching Your Issue
As issues are always categorized within different committees, a general understanding of the committee is a good way to start off your research on your issue. Every committee in the United Nations has a specific purpose, and to know how the committee works is crucial in means of understanding your issue.
Every issue targets a specific subject, group, area, or country. Looking into the background of your issue is a great way to understand the issue better. Understand what is happening and why it is occurring. Who or what is the issue concerning? Consider all these possible branches that could relate to your issue and finally draw your understanding of the issue to one question: What plausible solutions can my country offer that is appropriate for the United Nations and the respected member states? To answer this question, you would have to know the country you are representing well.
II. Researching Your Country
Every country has its own stance in the United Nations. A country is usually in favor, against, or in abstention (neutral) of the issue at hand. Each and every country has its distinct culture, language, and way of function (governmental wise), therefore, stances on issues vary. A commonly used website for MUN delegates is the CIA World Factbook. The CIA World Factbook contains specific details of countries around the world that can assist you in understanding your country better. You can also consider visiting the country's official website to understand it better. Here is a list you can use as a guide to see what you need to look out for when you research:
Political Structures Natural Resources
Origin of Political Structures Basic Commodities
Constitution and Government Trade Agreements
Stability and Policy of Present Degree of Self-sufficiency
Cultural Factors Defense
Ethnic Groups Military Structure
Religions Dependency on Other Nations
Cultural History Membership of Alliances
Geography Views on World Problems
Bordering Countries Role and Influence in the World
Topography Membership of Blocks and
Geo-political Considerations Geo-political groupings
Economy History
Monetary System General
Dependency and Debt Last 50 years
Membership of Economic and Recent History
Trade Organizations
III. Useful Sites
II. Researching Your Country
Every country has its own stance in the United Nations. A country is usually in favor, against, or in abstention (neutral) of the issue at hand. Each and every country has its distinct culture, language, and way of function (governmental wise), therefore, stances on issues vary. A commonly used website for MUN delegates is the CIA World Factbook. The CIA World Factbook contains specific details of countries around the world that can assist you in understanding your country better. You can also consider visiting the country's official website to understand it better. Here is a list you can use as a guide to see what you need to look out for when you research:
Political Structures Natural Resources
Origin of Political Structures Basic Commodities
Constitution and Government Trade Agreements
Stability and Policy of Present Degree of Self-sufficiency
Cultural Factors Defense
Ethnic Groups Military Structure
Religions Dependency on Other Nations
Cultural History Membership of Alliances
Geography Views on World Problems
Bordering Countries Role and Influence in the World
Topography Membership of Blocks and
Geo-political Considerations Geo-political groupings
Economy History
Monetary System General
Dependency and Debt Last 50 years
Membership of Economic and Recent History
Trade Organizations
III. Useful Sites
