FAST-NU INTR A MODEL UNITED NATIONS ‘13Page 1 of 7 Similar to the country research FAST-MUN provides a short fact sheet which you might find useful in organizing your research results. economic. The Country Delegates should gather geographical. Page 2 of 7 . The flow of debate is contingent on the input of expert knowledge and an exchange of views on complicated topics. FAST-MUN strongly recommends creating a brief fact sheet of your assigned country that may serve as a reference resource during the debate. Each delegate represents the views of one member state and as such reflects a fraction of an international system that is built on the interaction of proactive member states. 3. The Topics The second part of your research should be aimed at developing an in-depth understanding of all topic areas under discussion in your committee. the topics and the committee. 2. Working through the committee guide is an absolute necessity in order to participate at FAST-MUN. In order to make this exchange of ideas a meaningful experience for all participants and guarantee a high level of substantial debate each delegate must be familiar with his or her country. Delegates should thus organize their research into three broad aspects . The Three Steps of Preparation: 1. social and historic information on their assigned country.the country. which is available on the respective committee site. demographic. Special emphasis should be given to the role the particular committee serves within the wider United Nations System and its relation to other UN-bodies. Above and beyond the topic guide delegates must consult other source in order to augment their knowlegde of the agenda topics. Each committee has prepared a topic guide.Research Guide Successful participation at a Model United Nations conference depends to a large extent on the level of preparation and research delegates conduct prior to the conference itself. the committee and the all topics on the agenda. Special emphasis should be given to the first two aspects. political. The Committee Delegates should familiarize themselves with the function of their committee. This guide will provide all the help regarding the above mentioned three points of a delegate’s research. iii.. is the country in question a signatory of? Have these been ratified (i. The CIA World Factbook . Page 3 of 7 . main trade partners. bare facts in condensed form: https://www. neighbours.page PK:180619~theSitePK:136917. iv.Excellent economic data (some basic knowledge of economic measurements is required): http://web. Location.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/ The World Bank Country database. These organizations might have a common policy on one of the issues on the committee agenda. format of government. iii.php (good map/graphic functions) or http://nationbynation. v. Membership of various organizations. B.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/0. recent history. 1. ii. political environment. economic interests Recent conflicts or unresolved border disputes. The following aspects may assist you in planning and guiding your country’s specific research.nationmaster.e.com/index. territory. Which treaties/agreements etc. FAST-MUN strongly recommends creating a brief fact sheet of your assigned country that may serve as a reference resource during the debate. Country Research: A.worldbank. Sources to use: i.Comparative database: http://www. economic situation.A good first overview. social composition. The other countries of certain (perhaps regional) organizations may also be potential allies for resolutions. has the national legislature been harmonized in accordance with the treaty)? Natural resources. i.cia.html Nationmaster/Nation by nation .00.com ii. gov/frd/cs/cshome. ii.gov/rr/international/portals. US Library of Congress . to summarize the most important aspect they come across in their research.Delegates should consult country-specific sites of their respective governments. vi.An in-depth collection of links and data sets. Focuses on a wide range of topics connected to each country.creating a list of countries with a particular interest in the topic facilitates the process of categorizing all member states into potential allies and potential opposition countries.iv.html v.loc. Topic Research: A.gov/index. Recent developments Existing treaties that affect the topic area The root problems that lie beyond the immediately observable facts Possible solutions iii.loc. the embassies or cultural organizations that represent the views of the assigned country.html Portals to the world (a list of useful links): http://www. iv.html Country Studies: http://lcweb2. iv. searchable by country. History of the topic/conflict. Page 4 of 7 . The following list of aspects should help you to plan and guide the topic research: i.loc. As such delegates must familiarize themselves with the topic guides provided for each committee. In some cases these may be quite out of date. The main actors involved . The second part of the research should be aimed at developing an in-depth Understanding of all topic areas under discussion in the committee. The detailed information given in the guides will be treated as given during the conference. 2. v. Country Specific Sites . Delegates might find it useful to create a short fact sheet for each agenda topic. however: Home: http://www. there are several missions that have archived the speeches of their ambassadors or heads of state at the UN.org D. Agreements and Conventions: http://treaties.Links to all the UN Subdivisions and Organizations: http://www. when using the UN’s online resources. Take sufficient time to become familiar with the structure.unsystem. delegates should remember to: i. Sources to Use: Permanent Missions to the UN . the search functions etc.htm E. the archives are very complex and it takes some time to becom e familiar with the UN’s system of numbering and filing resolutions. minutes of Committee meetings. they are usually labeled with the GA session (the UN’s founding year. voting records for these resolutions (which country voted for/ against/ abstained). Thus. it may take some effort and stamina to become familiar with it. Depending on how elaborate the website is. For example. one may be able to find vital pieces of country policy.what they are saying is country policy). so 2004 is session 59.e. GA/RES/58/…) to then retrieve the voting record from the appropriate archive. However.un. C.Treaties. iii.org The UN website is one of the best MUN resources.un. especially if the government has been replaced since then. Be aware that the UN resolutions are filed according to committee. and once the basics have been conquered. Also. and so on). an excellent source of country policy: http://www. Sources to Use: Alphabetic Index of Websites of the United Nations System of Organizations . and news-briefings. iv.Most of these missions havewebsites that give good country introductions and explain the work that the country is pursuing within the UN. 1945 was session 1. Sources to Use: UN Treaty Database . the UN’s resources are within easy reach. Keep an eye on the date (or session) of the document.org/Overview/missions. including statements and speeches given by representatives of various countries (very interesting . the following can be found: Past resolutions.un. A country’s policy may have shifted or changed on an issue between 1997 and today. Sources to use: United Nations homepage: http://www. and that instead of dates. the sheer amount of available resources can be daunting. Starting from the homepage. detailed information about the work of different committees and affiliated organizations.org Page 5 of 7 . ii.B. Make a note of a relevant resolution’s labelling (i. These will come in handy time and time again. The Guardian features brief summaries of historic events. these sources can be difficult to navigate.uk http://www.csis.co.org/ Relations and Security Network .isn. Committee: A. Page 6 of 7 . but also of the ministry of defence.bbc. and events in the more recent history of the country. 3. but are immensely helpful if relevant to the committee topics. H.. and Foreign Policy magazine websites are also extremely helpful. which often has good special features on issues relevant to MUN delegates.fpif. Sources to Use: Non-Governmental Organizations Many NGOs provide a good research database for topics that fall under their area of involvement. Some governments publish astonishing amounts of material on substantial issues and country positions.co. Special emphasis should be given to the role the particular committee serves within the wider United Nations System and its relation to other UN-bodies. organized in a bullet point lay-out: http://www.html I.uk http://www.These publish a wide range of detailed studies on MUN-related topics. Delegates should familiarize themselves with the function of their committee.first among these is the BBC.ft. depending on the topic of research. International Institute for sustainable development – http://www.org/ Centre for Strategic and International Studies www.uk G. Sources to Use: Online news-services . The Economist.foreignpolicy.Delegates should consult the websites of the foreign ministry. Sources to Use: Government websites . ministry of the interior etc.F.guardian.org/html/mission1.economist.ch/ Foreign Policy in Focus (a think-tank) .iisd.co.com http://www. Financial Times.ethz.http://www. Sources to Use: International Institutes and Think-tanks . Delegates should evaluate carefully the contents of such information to distinguish between fact and political agenda.com http://www. Archives of past articles provide a beneficial overview of current events.http://www. Bringing together a wide range of research. Sources to use: United Nations homepage .un. Many sub committees and affiliated organizations have their own websites. United Nations Homepage: http://www.B. which are instrumental in researching your country position.The UN website provides ample amount of information on the structures and the functioning of the UN systems.org Page 7 of 7 .