closeup of a row of flags from different nations

Montana Model United Nations

Delegate Preparation

Successful Model UN delegates understand the country they represent, the issues before their committee, and the procedures used to conduct debate. They also arrive prepared to speak, negotiate, collaborate, and respond to new ideas.

The resources below will guide you through each stage of preparation for the Montana Model United Nations High School Conference.

Start Here

Begin with the Montana Model UN Delegate Handbook. It explains the delegate’s role and provides an overview of research, position papers, speeches, negotiation, resolutions, and conference preparation.

The Dress and Conduct Code explains expectations for professional attire, respectful participation, technology use, academic integrity, and conference behavior. Clothing associated with a delegate’s own cultural or religious identity is welcome. Delegates should not use clothing or accessories to imitate or stereotype another culture.

Research Your Country

Delegates represent the interests and policies of their assigned country—not their own personal views. Effective preparation begins with understanding that country’s government, economy, international relationships, priorities, and record within the United Nations.

Use the Country Research Worksheet to organize your research.

Your research should help you answer three questions:

  1. What does my country want?
  2. Why does my country hold that position?
  3. What outcomes could my country realistically support?

Recommended Research Sources

Reliable starting points include:

Use current, credible sources whenever possible. Record where your information came from so that you can verify important claims and return to useful sources during preparation.

Research Your Committee Topics

Each committee will consider two topics. Delegates should prepare for both topics because the committee will decide the order of the agenda during its opening session.

Begin with your committee’s background guide. Then examine:

  • Relevant UN resolutions and reports
  • International treaties and agreements
  • Statements and voting records from your assigned country
  • Regional organizations to which your country belongs
  • Existing international programs and institutions
  • Recent developments affecting the topic
  • Policies your country has supported or opposed

Your goal is not merely to describe the problem. You should identify actions your committee is authorized to take and determine which actions your country could support.

See Committees and Topics for the 2026 topics and background guides.

Write and Submit Your Position Paper

A position paper explains your country’s perspective on both committee topics. It should demonstrate accurate research, identify relevant international action, and propose realistic solutions consistent with your country’s interests.

Use the Position Paper Guide and Sample for instructions, a writing template, and an example paper.

  • Montana Model UN Position Paper Guide and Sample

Each delegation should submit one position paper for each assigned committee. A committee represented by two delegates submits one jointly written paper, not two separate papers.

Position papers should:

  • Address both committee topics
  • Accurately represent the assigned country
  • Refer to relevant UN action and international agreements
  • Explain the country’s priorities
  • Recommend specific and realistic committee action
  • Use citations for research and borrowed ideas
  • Be written in the delegates’ own words

Prewritten resolutions are not permitted. Position papers may propose policies and possible actions, but resolutions must emerge from discussion and negotiation during the conference.

Position papers are due Monday, November 9, 2026, at 8 p.m.

Submission instructions will be provided to registered schools and posted here when the submission system opens.

Prepare to Speak and Negotiate

Model UN requires both formal speaking and informal negotiation. Delegates should arrive prepared to explain their country’s priorities clearly, listen to other delegations, and help develop proposals that can attract broad support.

Before the conference, prepare a brief opening speech for each topic. An effective opening speech should:

  • Identify the issue
  • Explain why it matters to your country
  • State one or two national priorities
  • Recommend a realistic course of action
  • Invite cooperation with other delegations

Do not write a speech that attempts to cover everything you know. A focused speech with a clear policy position is more useful than a long summary of the topic.

During informal negotiations, delegates should:

  • Introduce themselves by country
  • Ask other delegations about their priorities
  • Identify shared interests
  • Explain disagreements diplomatically
  • Offer specific policy language
  • Help combine overlapping proposals
  • Remain open to compromise without abandoning essential national interests

The goal is not to defeat other delegates. The goal is to help the committee produce the strongest agreement that your country can support.

Write Resolutions

Most committees express their decisions through resolutions. Delegates develop these documents collaboratively during the conference.

Use the Resolution Writing Guide and Forms to learn the structure of a resolution and practice writing preambular and operative clauses.

A strong resolution should:

  • Fall within the committee’s mandate
  • Respond directly to the topic
  • Build upon existing international action
  • Identify who will carry out each proposal
  • Explain how proposed programs could be supported or financed
  • Respect state sovereignty and applicable international law
  • Use precise and realistic language

Delegates may practice resolution writing before the conference, but they may not bring prewritten resolutions or blocks of prewritten clauses for submission. Conference documents must develop through genuine discussion and negotiation among delegates.

Rules of Procedure

Learn the Rules of Procedure

Montana Model UN uses the National Model United Nations rules of procedure. These rules are designed to facilitate substantive discussion, negotiation, and consensus rather than reward procedural maneuvering.

Before the conference, delegates should review:

  • NMUN Rules Short Form — A one-page reference showing the recognized motions, their order of precedence, whether debate is permitted, and the vote required.
  • NMUN Rules of Procedure — The complete guide, including an explanation of the procedural system, a sample committee script, and the full rules.
  • NMUN Delegate Preparation Guide — A broader guide to research, committee preparation, negotiation, document writing, and conference participation.
  • NMUN Rules Training Video — A guided introduction to the flow of committee proceedings.

Delegates do not need to memorize every rule. They should understand:

  • How the agenda is set
  • How the speakers list operates
  • How to move between formal and informal debate
  • How working papers become draft resolutions
  • How amendments are considered
  • How the committee moves into voting procedure

The dais will explain procedures and help delegates throughout the conference. Questions about procedure should ordinarily be brought to the dais between speeches or during a suspension of the meeting.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is a judicial simulation and does not use the NMUN committee rules of procedure. ICJ participants will receive separate procedures, case materials, and role assignments.

Prepare Your Country Placard

Each delegation should bring a country placard for every committee in which it is represented.

Placards should:

  • Display the country’s official short name
  • Use large, dark, easily readable lettering
  • Be visible from across the committee room
  • Avoid decorative elements that make the country name difficult to read

Schools may print the provided template or create placards of a similar size and design.

Final Preparation Checklist

Before arriving at the conference, each delegate should be able to confirm:

  • I know my assigned country and committee.
  • I have researched both committee topics.
  • I understand my country’s position on each topic.
  • I can identify actions my country supports and opposes.
  • I have submitted my position paper.
  • I have prepared a short opening speech for each topic.
  • I understand the basic flow of debate.
  • I have reviewed the NMUN Rules Short Form.
  • I know how working papers and resolutions are developed.
  • I am prepared to negotiate with countries whose positions differ from mine.
  • I have reviewed the Dress and Conduct Code.
  • My delegation has prepared the required country placards.

Delegates are not expected to arrive as experts. They are expected to arrive prepared, participate actively, treat others respectfully, and remain willing to learn throughout the conference.