Foreign Policy
by Mike Keenan
The initial task and prime obstacle for all students is a basic understanding of the foreign policies that they must defend as a representative of the country that they have been assigned. Most often, the biggest drawback is a North American bias vis-a-vis other countries. This is understandable as the established North American media generally portrays only one viewpoint on world events.
Thus, Rule Number One: you are no longer a Canadian! You are a Kenyan or an Indonesian or Swedish or the ambassador of whatever country you have been assigned. You speak for THAT nation. No other. This is where the fun begins! However, always remember, you must represent that nation accurately. We have recently added media links to the world press in our research section. Now, you may read newspapers from all over the world!
The best place to begin all of your research is right at our site.You will notice a Research section on our main page. It is composed of many useful Links and a separate COWAC search engine that will allow you to search through all of our study guides.
One practice that most MUN's support is that they allow delegates to dress in the native garb of their specific country. For example, wearing a robe and a headband might help make you feel more like an Arab. Anything that you can do to get into the shoes of a person from that country will make your role easier. If native dress is not an option, delegates dress as they would at the actual U.N. building. Time to get out the shirt, tie and suit, gentlemen! U.N. delegates do not wear jeans!
Sometimes, you will represent the most powerful economic nations in the world. On other occasions, you will represent the poorest, most backward countries on earth. During these varied experiences, you will begin to discover firsthand how various groups of countries act in their own best interests. You will uncover both allies and enemies. You will struggle with common problems and those unique to your country. You might have access to nuclear energy and satellite technology or you may be placed farther back in an agrarian economy, dependant on animals rather than machines.
If you are portraying a poor country, the issue of foreign aid will allow you to court other nations, often, however, at the expense of various tradeoffs. To succeed and prosper, you will become a strong negotiator. At MUN's, despite your country's relative stance in the world pecking order, you will have what every other nation there wants and desperately needs: one vote. That evens up the playing field. In fact, many students soon realize that it is far easier and advantageous to represent a country that others do not know much about versus one of those whose faults are always on display on CNN.
Politically, you might live in a democratic country or under the rule of a despot. Your country might welcome diverse religious choice or be committed to narrow fundamentalism. You might represent China with one-quarter of the population of the entire world or a nation of miniscule proportions. Your country may be at peace or at war. Your key initial contacts should be officials of those particular countries in Canada or at the UN itself, in New York City. We have links provided for you to accomplish this in our COWAC Search Engine & Links section. (see main page)
To succeed at any Model United Nations, a delegate needs to be well prepared by research into the following key areas: General information concerning the nation and/or region that they are representing and specific information on the current position taken on the simulation's issues or topics.
Libraries do not always contain adequate information to thoroughly deal with these issues. It is often useful to write directly to a representative of "your" country for some specific information. Remember these simple guidelines: Write early! You are not likely to be a top priority for an embassy's diplomat. Four to six weeks (or more) may be required for a reply Use the full address and direct the letter to the attention of the "Public Information Officer" Be brief and business-like, but be certain to identify yourself and your role, the exact nature of the topic(s) and the exact type of material requested. Request copies of any statements or policy papers made on your topic. Also request a copy of the opening speech at the beginning of the current U.N. General Assembly. Frequently, this speech will provide good background material on that country's views of the most vital issues of the day.
The more specific you can be, the easier it is for the official to organize relevant information and get your request en route to you. If possible, type the letter in full business letter format on school letterhead. Look professional! Remember your return address!! Remember that English is probably not the first language of communication for "your" country, and indicate if you can work with materials in another language. For French or Spanish-speaking countries, this device, with your teacher's concurrence, could easily become an interesting component of your high school language course.
For both efficient country and issue research, our COWAC Search Engine & Links page has been designed to allow you to perform all of your research from our site alone. >From our site, you may easily research your country, world issues, treaties and conventions, material from the U.N., etc., etc.
In fact, you will end up with far more material than you know what to do with. This becomes a MUN skill, prioritizing material. During the course of debate, you may work in your material to demonstrate that you know your country and its foreign policy. Anyone can prepare for a specific issue; however, your task is quite different and more challenging. You must accurately represent the country that you have been allotted.
Often, you will be arguing against things that you as a Canadian, might not actually believe in. This is one of the goals of MUN, to force you to look at all sides of an issue. You will become a far superior debater when you are able to see all sides.
A word of warning: if you represent countries that play a large role in world issues, you had best know their foreign policy. I recently witnessed a Russian delegate in an "experienced" Security Council simulation actually vote against his veto power! Knowledge of foreign policy should constitute a large portion of the delegate's evaluation. Otherwise, the simulation is lacking in history, accuracy and depth.
Use our COWAC Search Engine & Links section to your advantage! There, you will find amongst other things, links to:
Begin your speeches and questions with allusions to your country even if it is only your country's name. Every time you speak, even in caucus, try to bring in some relevant information about your country. You are the ambassador!