The community is invited by College of the Canyons to attend its 3rd Annual Model United Nations Conference.

COC’s nationally ranked Model UN team will host its final conference of the semester from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat., May 16.

Model United Nations is a fast-paced political strategy competition that places an emphasis on diplomacy and interactive problem solving.

On Saturday, more than 50 delegates from five community colleges across the region will converge at College of the Canyons with COCMUN team members both competing in and directing the event.

Featured at the daylong conference will be a mock UN General Assembly session and a Security Council crisis committee. The topics of discussion for each committee are as follows:

* General Assembly — The Welfare of Post Arab Spring Nations

* Security Council — Cybersecurity

The conference is being dedicated to the memory of Brandon Gonzalez, a former COCMUN student who was killed in an automobile accident earlier this semester.

The event will be located at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Lobby — COC Valencia campus, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

This conference is dedicated to Brandon Gonzalez (5/21/1993-4/27/2015)| May he rest in peace, assured that we will carry his love, laughter, and smile with us for the rest of our lives.

Dear Honorable Delegates, Faculty Advisors, Staff and Friends,

On behalf of our Model United Nations team and the Department of Political Science, I would like to invite you to attend the 3^rd Annual College of the Canyons Model United Nations (COCMUN) conference. The one-day conference will be held on May 16, 2015. (See Conference Schedule below)

Our goal is to provide an exciting Model United Nations experience at a minimal cost. To that end, we will not be charging a delegation fee. Instead, we ask that all attendees (including faculty advisors) pay a small fee of $20 per person to cover the cost of food and refreshments.

The COCMUN team has put together a conference that will be memorable both in terms of its substance and surroundings. The topics discussed at the conference will be relevant, challenging, and – in keeping with COCMUN’s tradition – innovative. The General Assembly will be attempting to enhance stability and peace in post-Arab Spring countries. The Security Council, set up as a crisis committee, will be facing challenges brought about by the rapidly expanding technological frontier, requiring delegates to consider issues related to cybersecurity, global piracy, and – ultimately – the relevance of existing national boundaries and the nation-state itself.

In the document below, you will find all of the information needed to participate effectively in the COCMUN conference: (1) Committees and topics, (2) Conference schedule, (3) Instructions for delegates and faculty advisors, including the dress code and sexual harassment policy, (4) Award Criteria, (5) a brief summary of the COCMUN rules and procedures, and (6) directions to the campus.

If your MUN team is interested in participating in the 3^rd Annual COCMUN conference, or you have any questions, please feel free to contact the COCMUN Public Relations team at: canyons.mun@gmail.com.

Naomi Cheriegate

Secretary-General, COCMUN

COMMITTEES/TOPICS  (To access the Background Guides, click on the name of the committee)

General Assembly (GA)*

Security Council (UNSC)**

*We strongly encourage delegates who are new to the MUN to participate in this committee.

**We strongly encourage delegates with MUN experience to participate in this committee.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DELEGATES

While participating at COCMUN, delegates are expected to:

• Remain “in character” by consistently advocating the interests and representing the policies of the country assigned. To act “in character” also entails displaying respect for the opinions and ideas of fellow delegates, even if these opinions and ideas conflict with a given delegate’s own country’s priorities.
• Collaborate with fellow delegates when possible.
• Be courteous and professional at all times, including on social media and in electronic communications.
• Attend all committee sessions.
• Avoid the consumption of alcohol and other drugs in committee sessions. Any issues related to illicit drugs will be immediately directed to the attention of local authorities.

COCMUN will use the same dress code as National Model United Nations (NMUN)

AWARDS CRITERIA

Though awards are not the purpose of Model United Nations, COCMUN understands that awards can provide recognition for extraordinary effort and diplomacy. COCMUN has established criteria for evaluating delegates on every aspect of participation in the conference. Each aspect is equally important and evenly weighed in the determination process. The number of awards given in each committee will be determined by the dais based on the performance and number of delegates present. Areas of evaluation are:

Remaining “in character”: Defined as advocating your assigned country’s position in a manner consistent with economic, social and geopolitical constraints. Although being ‘in character’ involves the accurate representation of your country’s diplomatic style, delegates should not model inappropriate stereotypes or character traits. Any undiplomatic behavior is inherently out of character for United Nations delegates. Model UN delegates are to emulate the work of diplomats, not the sometimes more theatrical presentations of Heads of State/Government to the General Assembly (and media) during the general debate each fall; speeches by Heads of State/Government are political in nature and sometimes aimed as much at domestic audiences as at their UN counterparts.

In addition, delegates should remember that any observation, comment or complaint regarding another delegate’s portrayal of his/her country’s ‘character’ is highly inappropriate, and such comments are themselves inherently ‘out of character’ for a diplomat. Yelling, standing on chairs and other examples of unprofessional behavior are not characteristics of model diplomats.  Remaining ‘in character’ includes consistent and accurate diplomacy and caucusing in a manner consistent with the country’s position and power, i.e., behind-the-scenes negotiator vs. in-the-forefront debater. Well-prepared delegates are typically committee leaders, whether or not such leadership is consistent with relevant foreign policy. Delegates will not be punished for natural leadership tendencies; however, delegates must recognize that there are limits to what is acceptable in this situation.

Participating in committee: Evaluated both during formal sessions and caucusing. The COCMUN recognizes that a country’s position on any issue may require opposition to the majority, as opposed to active consensus-building. The COCMUN staff expects delegates to support committee action and address issues in accordance with relevant national or organizational policies, whatever those may be. No priority is given to active participation in formal session over caucus activities. Delegates who provide leadership through assistance to the committee are provided special consideration. Individual effort as well as ability is considered, particularly for delegates who use English as a second language. Caucusing should be in English as the common language of the conference.

Proper use of the rules of procedure: The COCMUN conference follow NMUN rules (with some exceptions) to facilitate the effective workings of the committee and debate. Consideration will be given to delegates’ knowledge and proper use of the rules, especially when delegates use Rules of Procedures (ROP) to further the work of the committee, not to impede it. The COCMUN staff is patient with new delegates who may not be completely familiar with the COCMUN Rules of Procedure (see below), particularly in the early sessions of the conference and during voting procedure. Delegates will not be permitted to interrupt the committee’s progress through the introduction of disruptive or inappropriate motions. Delegates with questions or concerns relating to the NMUN Rules of Procedure will be advised to informally approach the dais for explanation.

Directions to College of the Canyons

From California State University, Long Beach
1.Get on I-405 N/San Diego Fwy
2.Merge onto I-5 N/Golden State Fwy N
3.Exit on McBean Parkway, EXIT 169 and turn right.
4.Turn left onto Rockwell Canyons Road.
5.Turn left at the left at the first streetlight.
6.The Dianne Van Hook University Center is on the left at the top of the hill.