Tips for Success in DISEC

Come Prepared

1. Understand the topic fully: Our first topic is on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and our second topic is small arms and light weapons. We highly value delegates who are able to demonstrate strong research in all of these fields.

2. Know your nation's stance well: While some nations take relatively clear positions on a particular topic, other nations may have more ambiguous stances. Even if your country does not seem to be involved with a particular topic, it probably still has some guidelines for its actions.

3. Prepare a strong opening statement: Most Model United Nations speeches are thought of on the spot or during committee, but your first speech can be thought of beforehand. Take advantage of the speaker's list and prepare a strong first speech to establish yourself in committee.

Speeches

1. Focus on one idea at a time: Before giving a speech, think about what you want to achieve with your speech and try to narrow the purpose of your speech down to one or two points. If a speech has too many points, it becomes less compelling.

2. Take a deep breath: When you're called on for a speech, you have the floor! That means you can start whenever you think you're ready. If you're nervous about speaking, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, then speak. As long as you do not take too long, you will be better off.

3. Don't panic: The purpose of giving speeches is to get a message across to your audience, not to just throw everything out there. If you're nervous and talking too fast, slow yourself down. There's no point in making a lot of points if no one understands them.

Resolutions 

1. Be SMART(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely): There's nothing we hate more than generic resolutions that encourages the establishment of some obscure committee that will  resolve a problem that the world's leaders have been struggling with.

2. Be Creative: One of the best parts of Model United Nations is the level of creativity seen in conferences. While adhering to SMART guidelines, a best delegate should also be able to think outside the box. If we keep on implementing the same policies, how can the world ever move forward?

3. Be collaborative: Model United Nations awards are not determined by whose name appears first on the list of sponsors, we value delegates who are able to work collaboratively with others, and resolutions are the best way to show collaboration.

MUN IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE 

At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of MUN is not rewards (ironically). The most rewarding part is the process of becoming a better public speaker, a more thoughtful delegate, and perhaps, a future politician.