Model UN Strategy: How to Research Your Country Policy

Summary

Ryan Villa, co-founder of Best Delegate and the Model United Nations Institute, shares a valuable research tip for Model UN participants. Drawing from his 17 years of experience, he emphasizes the importance of researching a country's policy like a hunter looking for prey. He outlines five key elements to focus on during research: speeches, programs, events, agreements, and reports. By gathering information from these areas, students can quickly understand their country's stance on a topic, helping them succeed in Model UN conferences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ryan Villa is the co-founder of Best Delegate and the Model United Nations Institute.
• 😀 Ryan has been involved in Model UN for over 17 years, starting as a high school freshman.
• 😀 One of the most valuable skills Ryan gained from Model UN is research, which is crucial for academic and professional success.
• 😀 A key tip for research is to approach it like hunting, where you need the right tools (like spears) to find the right information.
• 😀 To research a country's policy, focus on five main categories: speeches, programs, events, agreements, and reports.
• 😀 Speeches refer to statements made by the country's leaders about the issue you're researching.
• 😀 Programs involve the actions the country has taken or is currently taking regarding the topic.
• 😀 Events include any relevant events or UN meetings the country has hosted or attended regarding the issue.
• 😀 Agreements encompass resolutions, treaties, conventions, and laws the country has signed or agreed to on the topic.
• 😀 Reports are produced by the country, the UN, or other organizations detailing how the country is handling or impacted by the issue.
• 😀 Keeping these five categories in mind helps students quickly gather information and understand a country's stance on an issue.

Q & A

What is Ryan Villa's background in Model United Nations?

Ryan Villa is the co-founder of Best Delegate and the Model United Nations Institute. He has been involved in Model UN for over 17 years, starting as a freshman in high school.

What key skill did Ryan Villa gain from Model UN?

Ryan Villa gained the critical skill of research through his involvement in Model UN. He emphasizes the importance of research in school, college, and career development.

What is the main tip Ryan Villa shares for researching a country's policy in Model UN?

Ryan Villa shares a tip that involves thinking of research like hunting, where you need to gather specific tools or 'spears.' He teaches students to look for five key elements when researching a country's policy.

What are the five key things to look for when researching a country's policy?

The five key elements to look for are: 1) Speeches by the country's leaders, 2) Programs the government has implemented or is working on, 3) Events hosted or attended by the country related to the issue, 4) Agreements such as treaties, resolutions, and laws, and 5) Reports produced by the government or international organizations like the UN.

Why are speeches an important part of researching a country's policy?

Speeches by a country's leaders provide insight into the official stance, priorities, and intentions of the government regarding particular issues, making them an essential resource for understanding the country's policy.

How do programs help in understanding a country's policy?

Programs are important because they show what actions the government has already taken or is currently undertaking on a specific issue. This helps researchers understand the practical side of a country's policy.

What type of events should be considered when researching a country's policy?

Events to consider include both events hosted by the country and events the country has attended, especially those related to the topic at hand, such as international conferences or UN events.

How are agreements relevant to a country's policy research?

Agreements, including treaties, resolutions, conventions, and laws, reveal formal commitments made by the country. They are crucial for understanding how a country has legally or diplomatically aligned itself on a specific issue.

What role do reports play in researching a country's policy?

Reports produced by the government or international organizations, like the UN, provide detailed accounts of how a country is addressing a particular issue and the impacts it has, which can help guide policy understanding.

How can using the five elements Ryan Villa discusses improve success at Model UN conferences?

By incorporating the five elements—speeches, programs, events, agreements, and reports—into research, delegates can develop a comprehensive understanding of a country's policy, which is essential for effective representation and success at Model UN conferences.