© by Mike Keenan

Information on your assigned country will improve your success. Well-prepared delegates work in facts about their countries whenever they speak. Besides formal speeches, include data in questions that are strategically phrased to other delegates. (ex: "In our country, such and such is the case, and this has proven successful. How do you explain your country’s use of such and such which does not appear favourable?" or: "In our country, our leader, so and so, has demonstrated that such and such is the case." or: "Our economy is based upon this stuff. How does what you are saying apply to us?") Your evaluation is determined in part by how well you portray your country. Research makes this the easiest component.

Rule number one: you are no longer a Canadian! You are the ambassador of the assigned foreign country. This is a good learning process. You will soon see world problems and solutions from the eyes of other countries. Some simulations encourage students to dress in the country’s national garb to help get into this spirit. You represent the people and government a non-Canadian country. Best you find out as much as you can about it!

Here is a brief organizer that will assist you. Many questions can be quickly answered by using a World Almanac reference book that contains information on every country. The pocketbook version is a wise purchase because it will give you important data on every other country as well. This helps you to understand important geographical, political, historical, cultural and economic differences and similarities.

Your assigned country: __________________________________

1) Size: ______________________________________________

2) Location & neighbours: ________________________________

a) Major resources in that area: ____________________________

b) Major problems in that area: ____________________________

3) Population (by age groups if possible): _____________________

4) Population density: ____________________________________

5) Population growth rate, life expectancy: ____________________

6) Language(s): ________________________________________

7) Religion(s), percentages, issues: __________________________

8) History

1. early: __________________________________________________________________
2. recent: _________________________________________________________________
3. Important people: (writers, poets, artists, politicians, inventors, etc.) Include short quotes if possible. _______________________________________________________________________

9) Form of government: __________________________________________________________

10) Government leaders and parties: ________________________________________________

11) Economic system: circle – capitalism, socialism, communism, other

12) Type of economy: circle – agricultural, industrial, diversified, other

13) Gross National Product & average income: ________________________________________

14) Natural resources: ___________________________________________________________

15) Imports -- amount, item & country: ______________________________________________

16) Exports – amount, item & country: ____________________________________________________________________________

17) From above, foreign trading partners in order of importance to you:

a)

b)

c)

d)

18) Do you receive or provide foreign aid (technical or economic)? Amount? From or to whom?

19) Allies: _______________________________________________________________

20) Enemies: _____________________________________________________________

21) UN bloc: Western, Communist, African, Arab, Asian, Latin America, Non-aligned

22) Member of which international organizations: UN, NATO, EEC, OAS, OAU, SEATO,

ASEAN, GATT, Warsaw Pact, others:

23) Anything else pertinent – example: strong minorities, opposition in your country –

24) Other interesting facts:

a) motto:

b) flag, national symbols:

c) national anthem:

d) capital city:

e) national game, sport:

MUN Research Organizer #2

© by Mike Keenan

            The most difficult mind-set to change particularly with elementary students but also quite evident in high school debates, is the portrayal of foreign policy that is filtered through a North American bias. This is a natural inclination, yet we should try to immerse students in the culture and history of the country that they represent.

            There are several web sites that will help. Flags of the World is quite helpful. http://flagspot.net/flags/ Each country’s flag is portrayed. There are additional links to provide background on each flag, references which could be worked into a delegate’s speech, making the delegate more knowledgeable and comfortable with the assigned country.

            At this site, for example, the Canadian flag has sections devoted to: Canadian flag etiquette, the Prime Minister, Canadian Provinces, Territories and Regions and Cities links, Coat of Arms of Canada and Provinces, and Historic, Cultural, Economic Government links.

            Students should fill out this organizer:

1.      Country:

2.      Draw or reproduce a coloured version of the flag.

3.      When was the flag adopted?

4.      What is the flag’s nick-name if any?

5.      Explain the colours and symbols used and their origins.

6.      Is there a pledge to the flag and what is it?

            Another immersion technique is the national anthem. Again, lyrics might be worked into a speech.  National anthems for each country may be found at this useful site: http://www.thenationalanthems.com/  Lyrics may be found at: http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/9897/

7.      What are the lyrics to your national anthem?

8.      Translate them into English. (or another language)