Dear Delegates,

on behalf of the entire MUNelly team we would like to welcome you to the eighth annual conference of Model United Nations at Nelly-Sachs-Gymnasium Neuss. It is also the first conference we will have in a digital version because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Therefore, we chose this year’s topic “The Show Must Go On - The World Facing COVID-19”, which focuses on what seems to be – or should be – of importance for everyone of us. The global COVID-19 pandemic had and has an enormous influence on all people around the world. Of course, there is the health-risk this virus has, but there is also the severe economic and social impact the global pandemic makes us face. Therefore, we will discuss how to restore the global economy, how we can provide vaccines and hygiene standards to all humans around the world, how to promote the children’s education and the children’s human rights and to what extent one can people can accept lockdowns to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Although our time together is limited, we will make the best of it and are looking forward to an interesting conference, which you will hopefully enjoy as much as we did planning it.

MUNelly is, as any MUN conference, a formal and diplomatic event, which requires every participant to dress appropriately. Therefore, casual clothing and clothes that are very revealing or otherwise not appropriate for such an event are not permitted.

Keep in mind that you also dress to impress – your appearance is the first thing the other delegates will recognize about you!

1. Every participant of the conference and the school staff must be treated with respect.
2. All delegates must follow the orders of the chairs and respect the decisions they make.
3. Turn your camera on if possible.
4. Stay muted until the chairs ask you to say something (mic check during role call).
5. For points of personal privilege text a private message to both (!) chairs.
6. Raise your placard = type an x in the main chat.
7. For voting procedures, we will use the survey function, so no need to type an x in the chat.

So, if you’re reading this, this is probably your first conference. You are in your smart suit or dress or costume or whatever you decided is formal enough for this occasion. Hopefully, you are excited and maybe a bit scared. You probably had some kind of schooling or training and are waiting to put your knowledge into action. There is only one problem: The roles of procedure are complex and hard to remember and what you have been told might not be enough. Every conference is slightly different. But do not panic – we are here to help you out.

First things first. There are good news. You can always use the private chat to ask other delegates or – even better – your chairs. Most people are happy to share their knowledge! Besides, it is your chairs’ job to answer your question. Do not hesitate to ask, because that’s what they’re there for. Most chairs will even ask if they have first timers in their committee, just to keep an eye on them and help them out if necessary.

Okay. But what if the worst-case scenario will occur: There’s nobody you can ask because everyone is busy? That will probably not happen, but it gives me the opportunity to share another important tip with you. It is quite simple. Just watch what everyone else is doing. So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that’s normal and healthy. The rules of procedure and everything else you need to know will come naturally to you during the debate.