1. How can I sign up as a single delegate?

You have a couple of options:

A. Sign up as a single delegate and then find a group to work with through our Facebook fan page.  If requested, we can assist you.
B. Represent a nation in the International Press Corp.
C. Represent an NGO.
D. If you are somewhat experienced you can join the Case Study.

When you sign up write your name under Head Delegate and then write single next to it in brackets.

2. Do I have to form a delegation before applying?

If you do not have anyone to form a delegation with, then no, you can sign up as a single delegate. See Q. 1. However, if you are planning on forming a delegation, then you need to sign up as a group.

3. Where is the country-committee matrix?

You can find it in the Committees section under "Supporting Information".

4. Do I have to have debating or MUN experience in order to participate?

No. Although some experience is always a good thing and may make the conference easier for you, it is certainly not a requirement. As long as you research your country and committee topics, read the provided information packages and come ready and willing to work you will have a successful and rewarding experience.

If you do have a limited amount of experience do not request to represent a country that is prominent in global politics. Representing a slightly less prominent country will allow you time to get used to the format of the conference.

5. How does UBCMUN assign countries?
Countries are assigned according to two criteria. First, previous Model UN experience is considered, and then countries are assigned on a first come, first served basis according to Internet registration. Successful applications are reserved for two weeks from registration, however, if payment is not received, delegations lose their place in line. To avoid this, please pay online at the same time as you register. Only one payment will be accepted per delegation, i.e. no individual payments.

6. What happens if we aren’t assigned our first choice country?
If your first choice has already been filled or if your delegation has chosen a country that requires more experience than its members possess, the Director of Delegate Affairs will contact you to discuss your second choice. It is advised that if this is your first conference, please do not request a high profile country.

7. What if I cannot find anyone to form a delegation with me?
If you need help finding a team, try visiting the University of British Columbia Model United Nations Facebook page. There have already been delegates posting on the discussion board. Alternatively, register as a single delegate, with your country preferences as ‘IPC,’ ‘Democratic Republic of the Congo Simulation,’ or ‘World Health Organization’ to be placed in one of these committees without a delegation.

8. What if I have to withdraw my registration? Will I get my money back?
We have a strict NO refund policy for individual delegate fees. If an individual member drops out, the onus is on the head delegate to find a replacement and notify the Director of Delegate Affairs in writing and give the subsequent details of the new delegate including name, email, position, and previous MUN experience.

Should an entire delegation decide not to participate, 50% of the delegation fee will be refunded provided that the Director of Delegate Affairs is notified before December 1, 2009, thus allowing the country to be reassigned.

Delegates that are not part of a delegation, i.e. individual delegates, qualify for the 50% refund before December 1, 2009.

9. Can we have two people assigned for the same committee seat?
No, as UBCMUN is a university-level conference, each committee seat is reserved for an individual delegate. Q. What if I’ve never participated in a model UN before? What are some of the skills I need to have in order to participate in the conference?

Previous experience is not a prerequisite to participate in UBCMUN and neither is a background in politics or international relations. If you are interested and willing to put in time to research your country’s foreign policy, please join us! However, if you have little experience, please choose your country carefully and do not pick a country that is likely to be the centre of debate. The more you prepare in terms of research, and learning procedural protocol, the easier participation will be, and the better your experience will be. Other useful skills are the ability to write clear and succinct resolution papers, confidence in public speaking, negotiation skills, networking, and clear reasoning. However, play to your own strengths.  

10. Will there be Internet access at the conference?
Yes. The Coast Plaza Hotel has wireless Internet available in all conference facilities. Additionally, there will be a number of access terminals for delegates, though these will likely be in frequent use.

11. What is a position paper, do I have to submit one, and what is the deadline?
A position paper is a short document outlining your country or organization’s policy surrounding the chosen committee topics. It should not contain much history, other than what is directly relevant, but should express what direction you would like to see the proceedings take, and the interests you possess regarding the subject. It should be roughly two pages in length for each committee. Please do not exceed this limit out of consideration for your committee directors, who will need to read everyone’s paper prior to the conference. These papers must be submitted to the Under-Secretary General prior to December 31st, 2009.

12. I am from a school that’s registering for more than one country. Do we count as one delegation?
No, each country is a delegation. If your school is sending many people, it is most likely sending more than one delegation. However, you are welcome to use the same Head Delegate for each delegation!

13. What do I wear at the conference?
The dress code for UBCMUN is formal business attire. This includes suits, button-up shirts and ties for men, and skirts of a reasonable length, nylons, dress pants and blouses for women.

UBCMUN adheres to a strict dress code. All delegates wearing inappropriate clothes will be asked to leave their committee session and return when they are properly dressed. The following garments are prohibited within the conference: jeans, short skirts, runners, revealing clothing (including bare legs) and t-shirts.