Model United Nations Student Project - Conflict Resolution
ROADMAP
Stage 1 - Intro
Committee: International Court of Justice ICJ Topic: Reforming Mediation Efforts to Make a Fairer and More Efficient Conflict resolution Apparatus In a few words: Mediation has always been and remains a key way to help bring conflict resolution. Both at the UN, other international bodies, and through private individuals, mediation has saved lives through the important neutral and trustworthy process it can be. However, both legally and politically mediation efforts are difficult to set up, and can sometimes lead to problematic situations of unfairness, strongarming, and inefficient use of resources. The ICJ, as a legal body for the United Nations to seek direction from, is able to push for some reform to the mediation process, and delegates within the ICJ here should seek to engage with important real-world examples of mediation, both successful and unsuccessful, to try and improve these efforts and save more lives in the future.
Pathway 1 - Pathway 1
Read the information and Select the country you will be representing: 1. Britain 2. France 3. Russia 4. Germany 5. Austria-Hungary 6. Italy 7. Bulgaria 8. Serbia
Stage 2 - Position Paper (or Policy Statement)
The Position Paper is a one or two page document that is essentially a summary of your knowledge of the topic and the position your country plans to take when it enters committee. It typically contains four sections: Background of Topic, Past International Actions, Country Policy, and Possible Solutions. The key starting points for researching each section are listed below. They will help you get started. 1. Background of topic 2. Past international actions 3. Country policy Possible Solutions
Pathway 2 - Explore Issues in the News
Background: Research more about the country you present leading up to WW1. Share your findings.
Past international actions: What has your country done leading up to WW1? Share your findings.
Country policy: What is your country wanting to achieve in 1914? Share your findings.
Share any resources, questions or findings that you think may support your peers in their research.
Stage 3 - The Opening Speech
The Opening Speech typically lasts about 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds and is the first speech you give to the committee. It is the best opportunity for you to explain your country policy and the key sub-issues you would like the committee to focus on. Opening Speeches are the main way for countries to determine who they want to work with, so it’s important to prepare a speech that conveys this. There are many tips and strategies on how to deliver an Opening Speech, but use your Position Paper as a guide when you are starting out. The most important action is to just be brave and make your first speech.
Pathway 3 - Examine the Issue
Using the information from your research share a 1 page draft of your (350 word) speech. Seek feedback and revise.
Read all other country's opening speeches and peer critique. Add to or revise your own work based on the strategies and ideas of others. Share your updated speech.
Stage 4 - Write a resolution
Delegates will be writing a document called a Resolution in committee along with other countries that they will be working with. It’s important to know the resolution format and phrases, but most conferences do not allow pre-written resolutions since they want countries to collaborate together during the committee. For more specific details, check out How to Write a Resolution on youtube: Sample Lesson: How to Write a Model UN Resolution. Or google How to write an MUN Resolution.
Pathway 4 - Brainstorm Action to Solve the Problem
In class: discuss a resolution for the topic - Reforming Mediation Efforts to Make a Fairer and More Efficient Conflict resolution Apparatus
Stage 5 - Share
Present your final resolution.
Pathway 5 - Present the Experience
Present: share your groups resolution, get feedback from 2 other groups and revise resolution accordingly.
Stage 6 - Reflect
Reflect on resolutions of other groups and your learning.
Pathway 6 - Action Project Reflection
Share a video or slide of your reflections on the experience as a delegate. Summarize the experience. Did you meet your goals? Why or why not? What challenges did you face in this experience and how did you overcome the challenges? What strengths did you bring to this experience? What do you believe was the most valuable takeaway from this experience? If you could share one thing that you learned about the issue with the world, what would you share and why? How could you continue to work toward a solution to the issue that you focused on for this action project?
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