Conferences

Hillsborough High School Debate attends four conferences annually, each usually is four days and three nights in duration. The conferences run by our pals at the Institute for Domestic and International Affairs have been the primary destination for us over the years; we now attend of their three annual conferences -- either the Rutgers University Model United Nations in November or the Philadelphia Model United Nations in February/March, and the Rutgers Model Congress to end our debate year. Each year, the club rotates between one additional international or long-distance domestic trip:

2007 - Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium in Montreal, Canada
2006 - Vanderbilt University Model United Nations in Nashville, Tennessee
2005 - Berlin Model United Nations in Berlin, Germany
2004 - Harvard Model Congress in San Francisco, California
2003 - Bath Schools International Model United Nations in Bath, England

Here you'll find important information for attending many of these conferences.

PhilMUN

HHS attended the first three Philadelphia Model United Nations conferences in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

BERMUN
In Fall 2005, a handful of selected members of HHS Debate traveled abroad to Germany for our second international trip, where they took part in Berlin Model United Nations. Responsibilities varied from delegation to delegation, but most attendees had to write policy statements and resolutions that reflected their country's stance.

Harvard Model Congress (HMC)
In January 2005, HHS attended HMC in San Francisco, California. Each person who attended this conference represented a current senator or representative in his/her respective committee. Attendees were required to write position papers based on congressional briefs and the views of their assigned Congress members.

Princeton Model Congress (PMC)
HHS attended PMC in 2003. The conference was held in November, in Washington, D.C.  Each person that attended this conference was required to write a bill and accompanying fact sheet within the jurisdiction of their assigned Senate or House of Representatives committee.  Political parties were not assigned for this simulation, meaning that members of the committees were permitted to represent their own opinions during debate.
Rutgers University Model United Nations (RUMUN)
RUMUN is run at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.  The conference also takes place in November.  For this conference, you are required to complete two position papers (based on your country's foreign policy) on the pre-assigned topics of your General Assembly or Advanced Committee.
 
Rutgers Model Congress (RMC)
Like RUMUN, RMC is also held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.  This conference is held in April.  Everyone in a House or Senate Committee is assigned a political party (Democrat or Republican) and two position papers are written based on your political party and the state you are representing.  Those in Advanced Committees also write position papers based on the political view of the person you are assigned to.
John Hopkins University Model United Nations Conference (JHUMUNC)
JHUMUNC takes place in Baltimore, Maryland in late February.  Each committee (General Assembly and Advanced) in this conference is assigned three topics.  Three position papers are required for this conference.

Position Paper Format

Conference position papers must summarize your country or representative's policies and hopes for each given issues. A good position paper will be clear, factual, and closely related to the information you find in research and receive from your committee chair. Position papers are essentially problem-solution essays, divided into three parts:

A.  Introduction: Problem
        1. Background of issue
        2. Positions of major blocs, countries or political parties
        3. Action already taken on the issue by the United Nations/Congress
B.  Body: Summary of your perspective (how it relates to your country or state)
        1. Factual information showing connection between who you represent and the issue
        2. Description of how possible solutions might affect who you represent
C. Conclusion: Solution
        1. Description of your goals at the conference
        2. Specifics on what type of legislation you would like to see passed

FORMAT

  • Times New Roman 12 point
  • 3-4 pages double spaced
  • 1 inch margins

    • Header as follows (notice the bold):

    (For UN)
    Pete Zaria (France)
    Hillsborough High School
    Social, Humanitarian and Cultural

    (For Congress)
    Pete Zaria (NJ-D)
    Hillsborough High School
    House Ways and Means

    Followed by the issue centered on the page, in bold and underlined:

    Alternative Energy Sources

Conference Dress Code

    Women:
    Blouse w/ skirt
    Suit
    Dress
    Slacks w/ nice blouse
    Dress shoes (not open-toed)
    Avoid lace and colored stockings
    No perfume
    No costume jewelry

    Men
    Dress shirt/tie/slacks
    Suit with tie
    Dress shoes (no sneakers, loafers, or moccasins)
    Black or dark navy socks
    No jeans
    No hats

    Colors:
    Traditional black, navy blue, or gray work
    No fluorescent colors

    *Bottom line - look professional*

    Casual wear for downtime:
    Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers are all acceptable.

        No clothing with vulgarity or references to alcohol, drugs, or sex