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UNAIR NEWS – The Asian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) at the Faculty of Law, (UNAIR), hosted a Model United Nations (MUN) workshop on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Held under the theme Navigating Diplomacy in Cyberspace Law, the workshop served as a lead-up event to the 2025 ALSA English Fair (AEF). Featured speakers included Jani Purnawanty, SH, SS, LL.M, a founding advisor of ALSA UNAIR, and Eren Lutfimorea, Head of Academics at Surabaya MUN 2024.

The session aimed to prepare participants for the upcoming AEF 2025 MUN competition by covering MUN basics such as rules and procedures, speech and negotiation techniques, and strategies for drafting effective position papers.

Exploring MUN fundamentals

Lutfimorea offered a comprehensive overview of Model United Nations, a simulation of United Nations conferences where participants act as country representatives and debate real-world issues. He explained the core roles in MUN—including delegates, who represent countries; the board of chairs, who moderate the debate; and rapporteurs, who document the proceedings. Lutfimorea also introduced the three most common debate formats in MUN: Moderated Caucus, Unmoderated Caucus, and Cross-Committee of the Whole.

“It’s essential to fully understand the positions, interests, and priorities of the country you’re representing. Avoid compromising your nation’s agenda. At the same time, be aware of other countries’ concerns—this helps identify common ground for broader solutions. Show that your proposals aren’t just self-serving but also offer benefits to other nations,” he said.

Lutfimorea also stressed the importance of impactful public speaking. He advised delegates to begin their speeches with strong opening statements, support their arguments with logical reasoning and credible data, and conclude with a clear summary to reinforce their points.

Drafting strong position paper

Purnawanty emphasized that delegates must carefully prepare their position papers, as these documents reflect the official stance of their assigned countries. She underlined the importance of consistency in argumentation to uphold credibility during debates.

“Arguments must be structured consistently, as responses from other countries during MUN conferences can come rapidly. With strong preparation, delegates are better positioned to respond effectively, negotiate skillfully, and uphold their country’s stance in the face of shifting dynamics or diplomatic pressure,” she said.

She also advised delegates to develop position papers thoroughly to play a proactive role in shaping the forum’s outcomes. “Delegates should avoid simply reiterating points from the study guide. A position paper must present fresh perspectives—not just recycle old resolutions or rely on excessive generalization and neutrality. Every claim must be backed by clear evidence, justification, and factual accuracy.”

Author: Dalliyah Iftitah Arbi

Editor : Edwin Fatahuddin