Ian Lu, Undersecretary General for Business
Introduction
As MUNers, what helps us make friends and build bonds is not only the exciting weekend of conference spent together, but also MUN-exclusive activities that help incite common memories. Whether you are a first-time delegate looking to read about what to expect at MUNs, or just someone seeking some fun MUN nostalgia, this is the blog post for you!
Lobbying
Starting on the first day of the conference, lobbying might be remembered by some as one of the most iconic MUN activities. Matching its political connotations, lobbying is where delegates get to know each other’s stance, their take on relevant topics, and where delegates communicate and persuade one another regarding key issues of debate. While seeming like a fancy MUN term, it simply describes the attempts by delegates to familiarise and engage in discourse with one another throughout the conference.
Usually, the first day is the most challenging, as getting to know delegates you are unfamiliar with can be scary, and awkward engagements can happen! But no need to be nervous, because in the future these encounters will all be fun tales MUNers can joke about – most people will have an interesting tale about lobbying to tell. If you feel like this could be a challenge, you can better prepare yourself through practice, such as concisely describing your research about the topic, or try explaining your country stance to your family and friends. Your comfortableness will grow as your experience grows!
Note-passing
Communication also occurs through very special means at MUNs. Unlike in daily life, where messages can be exchanged verbally, messages need to be conveyed through notes during formal debates at a MUN conference (indeed, like a formalised version of note passing in primary school class). Delegates will need to write down their message to a fellow delegate or to the dais on a slip of paper provided to them, and signal to a volunteer note-passer to deliver the note. Note-passing is a great way to “speak” to other delegates with more clarity and depth through writing as compared to speech, and offers an opportunity for any delegate to access any other delegate in the room. Taking advantage of the open channels and creative freedom offered by note-passing: diplomacy and discourse can continue even when a delegate is not making a speech, so be sure to engage!
Placard Signing
At the end of most MUN conferences, delegates will each take a marker and the placard for their delegation, walk up to their fellow delegates and their chairs, and kindly request for a signature on the backside. This is the last act of MUN diplomacy in conference and produces one of the most meaningful souvenirs of a MUN conference. Unlike the formal writings required in committee, placard signing is a great opportunity for you to “personalise” your image, choosing interesting colours or doodles to go with your signature, which can include both your delegation and your name. If you wish to remain in contact with peer delegates whom you’ve become friends with, placard signing is also a great time to ask them for their contact information. At OxfordMUN, our placards are designed to be folded, with white sides reserved on the back that makes for a perfect signing page.
These three MUN-exclusive things are just some highlights of the MUN experience. You will be exposed to many other inside jokes and activities for MUNers at OxfordMUN and other conferences, and we hope that you have fun participating in them!