Citizens for Global Solutions Model United Nations:
Confronting Genocide

Quick Links: Model UN Info - Guide for Delegates - Commmittees and Topic Guide

Welcome!

On behalf of Citizens for Global Solutions, the CGS Chicago Chapter and MUNDO, welcome to Global Solutions Model United Nations (GSMUN)! Open to our members and the public and will be a unique educational, networking and inspirational event.

At this year's Citizens for Global Solutions Annual Meeting, participants will enter the role of a delegate at the United Nations. GSMUN is an experiential education activity that requires participants to realistically play the role of a country, which they are tasked to represent accurately.

MUN conferences, however, do not just have to be an educational activity. It can also be an opportunity to test variables that would affect events at an international level. At this year's GSMUN, participants will be able to attend a United Nations changed by a single variable: the addition of the binding triad voting system. The binding triad is a proposed reform to the United Nations charter that would allow binding votes at the General Assembly, provided that a number of other requirements apply. (Scroll down to learn more about the binding triad). Furthermore, the genocide continues to affect large parts of the globe. What will be the actions of the UN on this issue when the binding triad takes affect?

Please take the time to scroll down on this page of "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" to learn more about this event.

If you have any questions, queries or comments, please feel free to get in touch with us via email at outreach[@]globalsolutions.org and we’d be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Model United Nations?

A: Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other international organizations. Before role playing as an ambassador from an assigned country at the conference, participants should research their assigned country's background and political history,  and study background documents detailing the issues to be discussed on the Model UN agenda. The background documents will allow participants to become familiar with the issues that their committee will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event.
 

Q: Why Model UN? What is the goal of a Model UN conference?

A: Citizens for Global Solutions is excited to include this Model UN for adults as part of our Annual Meeting. With help from our Chicago Chapter (also from the MUNDO), who are also the same people as the we hope this will be an exciting opportunity for college students and seasoned activists to work and learn from each other. As a learning activity, MUN is excellent because it requires participants to perform research on their assigned country, as well as understand the country's perspectives and interests. The conference itself provides a unique experience of close-scale political interaction within the limitations of role playing. Political process and bureaucracy are integral parts of any international organization and as such, some procedural formality will be required.

Q: What to expect if this is your first time to a Model UN conference:

A: Model United Nations can be a very difficult concept to comprehend unless you have experienced it. At the conference, each conference room represents a different committees or international organization. Each has its own topics and debates, but they all have one goal: to vote and pass a vote on a resolution that was drafted by the committee. At GSMUN, this conference, we expect debates that provide opportunity for true discussion and collaboration.

As a role playing event, it is important to stay grounded to the seriousness of the issues, though allow yourself to use your imagination to role play as a delegate of your country. Being realistic is very important, though as much as this is educational, it is important to also have fun!

From the time the Model UN component of the conference begins, time as we know it diverts to an alternate world where any further actions in the environment becomes the reality.

Q: What will be my role?
A: Participants will serve as Model UN delegates who assume the role of an ambassador to the United Nations in a Model UN simulation. As delegates representing a country, it is very important that you accurately portray your country's interest. Realistic role playing is required for the simulation to work.

Prior to a conference or event, a Model UN delegate does not need extensive experience in international relations, though a general understanding of your assigned country is required. Anyone can participate in Model UN and gives normal people like you and I an opportunity to change the world in a simulated environment, to truly understand what is required to make real lasting change.

Q: How will this Model UN conference compare to other similar events?
A: GSMUN is a special event that is unique among Model United Nations' around the world.

Some of the key differences:

1. This conference is a simulation of United Nations that has undergone reform via the binding triad weighted voting, which is recognized by many world federalists as a goal. This is an opportunity to find out what would happen to international diplomacy if this goal was achieved at this current place in time.

2. This event is open to the public. Most Model UN conferences are confined only to high school or university level students. GSMUN is open to all regardless of age or academic standing. CGS believes that this educational experience has value to its members and the public at large, not just in promoting the understanding of international relations, but in learning about what it takes to institute UN Reform.

3. GSMUN will feature a customized simulation developed by MUNDO. MUNDO develops simulations that adhere to a strong philosophy of realistic and honest experiential education. GSMUN will feature all of the unique aspects of simulation that MUNDO conferences usually have, including fully integrated committees.

4. GSMUN is much more than a Model UN conference - the entire event is built around the Annual Meeting of Citizens for Global Solutions and provides distinguished speakers and a number of other educational lectures and seminars.

5. Many policy makers, academics and professionals will be attending the event and promises to be a fruitful networking opportunity.

Q: Preparation Requirements

A: Please see the preparation section on this website.

Q: What is the binding triad voting method?
A:  Currently, the resolutions that pass the United Nations General Assembly (GA) are not binding under international law, but are largely advisory in nature and is seen as representing the democratic opinion of the world. However, the opinion of the world is not taken into account within the current system, with only the UN Security Council given power to hold resolutions passed as binding law. The binding triad is a voting method that gives the GA an option to make binding resolutions.

The binding triad weighted voting system is a proposed reform to the United Nations that will allow the GA to make binding decisions, provided that a the vote that is passed by a majority in 3 different criteria:

1. one-nation-one-vote (the same as the current UN system, though a 2/3rds majority is required),
2. population, and
3. contributions to the U.N. budget.

If the body has the votes to pass a resolution according to all the criteria, then it will be binding under international law, in the same way that a Security Council resolution is currently. Each committee will have their own jurisdiction to enact binding resolutions.

At the GSMUN conference, it will be assumed that the GA will have already undergone reform and will have the option of a binding triad voting method to strengthen resolutions passed.

The addition of the binding triad voting method will be an interesting addition to today's international system. One of the goals of the conference is to understand how international diplomacy would be affected should reforms be instituted. As part of the simulation, it will be interesting to note the changed relationship between the GA and the Security Council, especially with actual power in the so-called world parliament.

The binding triad was developed by those at the Center for War/Peace Studies, a think tank that with a goal of ending war. The binding triad is a core concept within the proposed United Nations Parliamentary Assembly.

To learn more about the binding triad, please click here to visit the Preparation page on this site.

Q: Who is MUNDO and what is their relationship to the CGS?
A: MUNDO is the Model United Nations Development Organization, a Chicago-based organization that develops the Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN). The directors of MUNDO are also the officers of the Chicago Chapter of Citizens for Global Solutions. MUNDO is very excited for the annual meeting and is looking forward to an exciting and unique simulation.

Click here to learn more about MUNDO and what we are all about.