D AIS T RAINING : P RE - C ONFERENCE EDUMUN 2015 AVI SOVAL

DAIS SELECTION

Application Tips Know exactly why you’re applying ◦ Don’t be vague about reasons or motivations ◦ Need to show a dedication to MUN Don’t rush ◦ Take your time and fill everything carefully ◦ MAKE SURE you mention previous experience! Demonstrate awareness + perspective ◦ Want to prove that you can apply MUN to the world ◦ More knowledge + real life experience with politics/diplomacy = good Review before submitting

How to Interview First impressions are key ◦ Dress well = Formal/Western Business Attire ◦ Shower (lol), look presentable Be confident ◦ Don’t look unsure + nervous about applying ◦ Make it seem like you know what you are talking about Cite your application ◦ Proves that you didn’t skim the app Seem genuinely passionate ◦ Don’t come across as shallow and “résumé – hunter”

TOPICS AND BG GUIDES

Selecting Topics Needs to apply to Committee ◦ Make sure that resolutions are w/in committee jurisdiction ◦ All solutions should be in spirit of committee aims Analyze country matrix ◦ Topic should be applicable to most countries ◦ Less power imbalance = better Topic should be researchable ◦ U.N resolutions + primary resources are priceless DON’T do Israel/Palestine or Middle East Violence

Researching Background Guides Use the primary resources + U.N material ◦ Strengthen your personal understanding ◦ Apply U.N precedent to BG Need to be aware of bias ◦ Reporting/country bias is HUGE ◦ Learn to identify prejudice and look for objective reporting Data and statistics are key ◦ Can make your own extrapolations + correlations ◦ Used to back up all claims + theories Each dais member should have specialty

Writing Background Guides Dais Introduction Overview Previous U.N Action Case Study 1 Current Situation Timeline Historical Analysis Case Study 2 Bloc Positions Possible Solutions Guiding Questions References

POSITION PAPERS

Grading Position Papers Most important = following country policy ◦ Future action + solutions MUST abide by foreign policy ◦ e.g. Iran should not have pro-Israel solutions ◦ Position paper should account for status of country ◦ Take into account socioeconomic/cultural/political factors Should show some degree of effort Research should be clear and thorough Conventions and grammar unimportant

CRISIS PREPARATION

Creating a Crisis Literally can choose anything ◦ Nuclear bomb, assassination, energy crisis, stock crash, natural disaster, etc. Topic should be expandable ◦ Can easily add to it + make it complex Possible solutions should include all countries ◦ Can modify crisis to focus on individual delegates ◦ But each nation should be able to participate ◦ Don’t always want domineering by power states; depends on committee Solutions should be multifaceted ◦ More complicated than simple yes/no – should be different factions

Planning the Crisis Design within a greater context ◦ Example: fighter jet downed Create a “crisis tree” ◦ Highlights possible developments +scenarios for crisis ◦ Should carefully consider different outcomes Can alter crisis based on committee ◦ Place more/less emphasis on certain blocs depending on performance ◦ Try to focus on committee-specific solutions Prepare for cross-committee communication

QUESTIONS?