Meeting+2

=Researching Conference Topics | Research Overview Model UN Preparation Guide=

Yale topics can be found here: []. Click "Committees".
Next, you should develop an understanding of the issues that will be debated at your Model UN conference. Many conferences send out background materials or issue briefs, which can help jumpstart your research. You may want to look at the sources cited in these materials for more in-depth information. If the conference background materials pose questions, you should answer them with your country information in mind. Here are some additional questions to help guide your research:
 * Identify the issue. Explain, with at least two examples, the issue's affect on the country economically, socially and politically; by addressing the country as a whole and then any local community within the country.
 * Provide at least two examples illustrating how the country has taken action to improve the status of the issue. Or, provide at least two examples illustrating how the country has not acted to implement change regarding the issue.
 * Diagram a chart which identifies three points and three counterpoints regarding the topic.
 * Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?
 * If your country is not involved with the issue, how can it become involved?
 * How will your country shape the debate at the conference?
 * What arguments will other countries make?
 * How do the positions of other countries affect your country’s position?
 * Is there evidence or statistics that might help to back up your country’s position?

Tips for Researching Issues

 * Check out [|news and media sources]** and the __** Springfield Township High School Library **__ for up-to-date developments on an issue. Ask your community, school or university librarian if you can get access to LexisNexis Academic Universe. LexisNexis is a system that searches thousands of periodicals.
 * Look at the UN Economic and Social Development** page, which has an index to some prominent issues as well as a list of UN agencies that work in various issue-areas. Also, through the United Nations Documentation Center, you can find resolutions and voting records from the current and previous years.
 * Visit [|non-governmental organization (NGO) websites]**. NGOs are an important part of the UN system, in part due to the valuable research and information they generate. Look for NGOs that address your topic.
 * Read academic publications**. Although they can be complex, they provide in-depth information on many issues. Professors, students and researchers are constantly conducting studies and publishing papers.