In GA/ECOSOCs, delegates will only be allowed to use technological devices during unmoderated sessions that are passed for the purposes of producing working papers or resolutions. These documents will be typed and sent to the Dais to facilitate processes such as resolution voting. Use of any technology (most notably cell phones, tablets and computers) will not be allowed during all other times. Delegates will also not be allowed to work on the previously-mentioned documents outside of conference.

Delegates may bring printed or handwritten resources with them to the conference to use. This can include things such as: drafts of speeches, ideas, topic guides, position papers, data, articles and external resources.

In Spec/Crisis, there will be no technology permitted at all. It will not be necessary. Delegates are invited to bring pens and paper!

Attending your first MUN conference is exciting, but we understand it might be nerve-wracking too!

• Tip #1: To best prepare, make sure to research ahead of time and become comfortable with the topic that you’ll be discussing in committee. One easy way to do this is through writing your position paper, which should help you organize your thoughts and clarify your stance. Writing your position paper also makes you eligible for awards!

• Tip #2: Review parliamentary procedure! It may seem difficult, but we have lots of resources on our website regarding the structure of committee and how to navigate parliamentary procedure. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to use the many resources on our website to refresh your memory.

• Tip #3: Be sure to participate! MUN works best (and people learn best) when participating. Don’t be afraid you raise your hand and speak during a moderated caucus or to talk to other delegates during unmoderated caucuses. During the conference, stay organized and clear about your goals in the resolutions you support. Most importantly, enjoy the experience, take the time to connect with other delegates during breaks and social events, learn from others, and embrace the opportunity to engage in global issues. Good luck, and have a fantastic time!

Your topic guide should be your best friend! Make sure to read it thoroughly and, most importantly, reach out to your director if you have any questions. It is imperative that you understand the content, as that will serve as the basis for debate. It might be helpful to glance at the “questions to consider” section prior to reading the topic guide in full, so you have a frame of reference. Do note, though, that you aren’t just limited to the topic guide. It’s a great resource that can introduce you to a topic, but do not hesitate to do independent research as well! I would advise keeping some form of document to keep track of the new sources you use and what you gathered from each one — this will make reviewing your notes and writing the position paper much easier! The final piece of advice would be to embrace your topic guide feedback, even if it is critical. The comments are not aimed to tear apart your work, but rather reorient and organize your ideas to better fit the committee's discussions! Good luck!

Public speaking can definitely seem intimidating, but remember that you are your worst critic! We (the Secretariat) are primarily interested in hearing your wonderful ideas, so don’t overstress about having the perfect presentation or using “fancy” English — the most important thing is that you clearly communicate your thoughts. If you are passionate about what you are saying, the audience is more likely to be convinced as well. 

A few tips: do your research before the conference, write down everything you want to cover, and prepare a general outline. Remember to speak slowly and clearly (this will give you time to organize your thoughts), make eye contact with your audience (I promise we’re friendly!), and don’t forget to breathe! I suggest practicing ahead of time — first by yourself, then in smaller groups, before moving onto a bigger audience. You can videotape your speeches to find areas of improvement, and ask your teachers for feedback. 

Prioritize collaboration by sharing ideas and resources, respecting everyone’s contributions, and fostering an inclusive atmosphere. Address disagreements constructively and focus on common ground. In bloc formation, strategic alliances with countries sharing similar goals are vital. Together, you are much more powerful, especially in large committees.

Understanding and managing committee interpersonal dynamics is equally important. Build rapport with other delegates by being approachable and friendly in both formal and informal settings. Facilitate inclusive discussions where all voices are heard, and address dominant or disruptive behaviors diplomatically. 

In my opinion, the best way to get better at a language is listening to it, such as through any native speakers you may know, watching movies, listening to music, or watching the news in said language and translating unknown words that keep coming up. Reading is also a great way to broaden your vocabulary, as it makes translating unknown terms much easier than with audio. It is key that you practice speaking! Whether or not you say every single word correctly becomes less important when you are able to confidently and fluently speak your mind. So, become comfortable speaking English, whether that's through conversations with other English speakers and learners or just speaking to yourself!

Also, importantly, don't be afraid to ask fellow delegates as well as the assistant directors and director about any vocabulary you don't understand! It is completely natural to not know a lot of the complicated and technical terminology used in MUN, so know that you're not alone! 

A new crisis has emerged. How will you respond? Why will you respond in that way? What solutions do you propose to mediate the issue? How will you garner enough support to execute this solution? The best crisis notes and directives not only answer these questions but respond to them in a way that aligns with the interests and personal aspirations of your delegate. 

Your crisis notes and directives should be bold, creative, and engaging — you are after all trying to convince the dais and/or fellow delegates to listen to you, and follow you. However, they must also be grounded in reality and are constrained by the resources available to you. 

First of all, it's critically important to maintain clarity and a well-structured organization in your position paper. Make sure it has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, and that it's easy to follow and logically-organized. I highly recommend you read and follow the guidelines provided on the website. Additionally, exploring other resources and looking into sample papers can be very helpful.

Secondly, your paper should demonstrate good diplomacy and balance. While creating compelling arguments backed by well-supported research is necessary, it's also important to show an understanding of different viewpoints and offer balanced solutions. Remember, your proposed solutions to the highlighted problems in your paper should be realistic and practical.

If you keep these factors in mind, I'm confident your paper will be of great quality!

We are excited to offer a variety of events to enrich delegates' experience beyond the standard committee sessions that one would normally see at a conference. Delegates at YMUN LATAM will have the opportunity to attend a college admissions panel led by your very own Secretariat members and our partner organization, Crimson Education. They will be able to hear personal admissions stories and ask all of their burning questions about Yale, college admissions, and life after high school! Additionally, delegates will also have the chance to attend seminars hosted by our Secretariat members. Lastly, delegates can let loose and dance the night away at our Delegate Dance on the second day of the conference. We’re so excited to bring these awesome events to you and can’t wait to see you all in August!