Where to Start

The first step is always to begin with the basics about your assigned member-state you're tasked with role-playing as. A good resource to start is always the CIA Factbook entry for your country, which can be located here: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ This will give you the most basic characteristics of your member-state and is only a starting point!

Other areas to explore in your preparation are your nation's official Foreign Affairs Ministry (or other diplomatic offices such as their Mission to the United Nations) website, which most of which can be located here: https://www.usip.org/publications/2008/03/foreign-affairs-ministries-web It's possible your nation doesn't maintain extensive official information/statements. That's ok! 

When it comes to researching your assigned member-state, it is always best to rely mostly on first-hand resources such as government reports, policies, and statements as well as votes that your nation has made at the United Nations, perhaps in the specific UN committee that you will be simulating. Data and information about statements and votes by member-states at the UN can be found via the UN website here: https://www.un.org/en/ (note: you will need to explore the specific member-state, topic, or committee that you're interested in by going to the table of contents at the top of the page). 

Of course, you will also need to make informed assumptions about your nation's preferences for some topics if there isn't that information available online. The key is to base your assumptions on as much evidence and analysis you can find and to stay true to what you believe is in your nation's best interests. Any position you take on behalf of your member-state should stick to this basic principle. 

Next Steps

To get a visual of what a Model UN committee session and its various components look like, you can access some great training videos made by the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN), Inc. here: http://www.srmun.org/videos.php

Other digital resources that can help you prepare for a MUN conference from the very start to stepping up your game include:

• https://bestdelegate.com/mun-made-easy-how-to-get-started-with-model-united-nations/

• https://www.munprep.org/blog-home-page/model-un-ultimate-guide

• https://unausa.org/model-un/