4 weeks out
- Read the background guide the day it drops
- Start country research: policy, allies, voting record
- Confirm which rules of procedure the conference uses
Conference Preparation
The four week countdown, the research binder, what to wear in Manila, and how to carry yourself in committee.
The countdown
2 weeks out
- Draft your position paper and send it for feedback
- Book a 1-on-1 tutoring session if anything feels shaky
- Draft 4 to 5 clauses if the conference is THIMUN style
1 week out
- Finalize and submit the position paper
- Write your opening speech and practice it out loud, timed
- Prepare POIs against the positions you expect to oppose you
Night before
- Pack the research binder, placard-ready notes, and chargers
- Lay out your conference attire and check the call time
- Sleep. A rested delegate beats a crammed one
The research binder
- Background guide, annotated
- Position paper, printed
- Country profile one-pager: policy, allies, economy, key facts
- Opening speech, printed large enough to glance at
- Draft clauses or working paper ideas
- Prepared POIs and answers to likely questions
- Committee rules of procedure quick reference
- Blank paper for notes to other delegates
Dress code, Manila edition
Western business attire is the default at every conference we attend. For Manila specifically: bring a layer for the air conditioning, because committee rooms run cold even when it is 34 degrees outside. Skip heavy wool. Wear broken-in closed shoes, never new ones on day one. Carry an umbrella from June onward. And check each conference's own dress guidance, because some events permit the barong tagalog.
Conduct
- Be punctual to every session. Chairs notice.
- Stay in character as your country from roll call to adjournment.
- Attack positions, never delegates.
- Keep your notepad discipline: notes to other delegates are formal and on topic.
- Include quiet delegates. Bringing others in reads as leadership, because it is.
