How committees work

Committee sessions are where you will be spending most of your day, so it is important that you have a good idea of what will be taking place.

Aim

The goal of committee sessions is to pass a formal resolution for each topic. Two days are allocated per topic, this may seem like a lot of time, but it does go quickly!

The process

Committees start with each delegate giving a position statement. This is a short speech which lets the other delegates know your country's position on the topic. Delegates then have opportunities to give further speeches and chat informally with other delegates (within the Rules of Procedure). After this has been happening  for some time, working papers will start to appear (read the page on working papers for further details). You will then draft a resolution (read the page on resolutions for further details) and try and get the committee to debate it. There will be many rival draft resolutions so you must use all your diplomatic skills to ensure that yours receives the committee's attention and support! Remember that the most effective and efficient outcomes are achieved when informal lobbying is done effectively.

Once the committee decides to discuss a resolution, it is formally debated. Amendments are taken if changes need to be made and finally a vote on the resolution occurs. Your goal throughout this process is to ensure to the best of your ability that the resolution reflects your country's views as much as possible.

Even though you will be the only member of your country present at any given committee there will be a number of countries with similar policies to yours. Just like the real UN, you'll find there are natural alliances that take place almost immediately. Before the first sessions is over no doubt someone will come up to you and try to garner your support for their resolution. Have a look at it, and think whether your country would support it. Do not give your support away lightly, it is invaluable. If there is something you do not like in the resolution, get them to change it. If you think have a good handle of your topic, go ahead and write your own resolution.

The outcome

The topics that you debate will be presented at the General Assembly on the Friday of the conference, where the two resolutions passed will be put to a vote of all the delegates present. If they pass, well done!