The first time in a UN model is always nerve-wracking; for example Martin Velasquez, 11th grade student and COSMUN participant, vividly remembers his trembling hands and shaky voice seconds after his intervention in his committee. Yet, he also remembers the excitement and satisfaction that came with his first award in a UN model.

Taking into account the competitive environment that comes with a UN model, thriving is essential for the delegates. Everyone is seeking some kind of recognition; the best price possible to get being best delegate. However, this comes with price: delegates need to be prepared,  need to impress the chair of presidents and follow the strict rules set that the model demands.

 Being the delegate

From the second delegates enter the commission their image matters as an outstanding delegate; the first thing they need to do is introduce themselves to the chair before the debate commences. This will show the presidents that they are actually interested in the committee and also send the message that delegates respect the chair.  

“I always try to make my image look good as possible so I can have a great impact not only with the chair, but also to show the other delegates. I need to show I truly care,” said Isabel Mora, Legal delegate at COSMUN this year.

Doing the first intervention is always a challenge; it means setting the tone for the whole debate and it can be nerve-wracking to do it. All delegates have the pressure of the whole commission on their shoulders but it is something they need to do in order to show confidence and dominance in the committee.

“The first time I went to a UN model I was so nervous I was almost trembling before I got there. But when I finally started, I immediately felt the competitive environment; I was ready to do everything in my power to win do a great job,” says Velasquez.

Once the debate actually starts, delegates need to be ready; start raising their plaquets and doing as many interventions as they can, making sure they are relevant. The portfolio is a great tool for this because the information that delegates need to research beforehand, is very useful to create the best interventions.

“To win best delegate award I needed to study my countries position in every aspect possible; I needed to know who were my allies and who were my enemies. For this, the portfolio was a great tool to guide on my research,” Salome Beyer, 9th-grade student, and COSMUN 2018 vice president.

From the chair’s perspective

From the second the delegates come in; the chair is already on the lookout for that one person that it’s outstanding: that one person that took the time to look appealing for everyone to notice them. However, this is only a minuscule part of what really matters. When the delegates finally start debating, is when the chair is most invested in the lookout for that one delegate that has the capacity to make the best interventions. It needs to be the person that makes everyone on the committee have the urge to participate in the ongoing debate and someone that is truly worthy of best delegate.  

“The criteria for the best delegate at COSMUN reduces itself to basically the number of intervention and the quality of intervention. The best delegate at our committee was Paloma Urrea and spoke 23 times, but it was also very important that all of her interventions were relevant to the committee and gave a new point of view,” Agustin Jaramillo vice president of IAEA at COSMUN.

It is important to state that the chair also takes into account the dedication and the correct behavior of the delegates. Delegates need to be careful to use the parliamentary language and respect the debate in order to avoid getting warnings; this could jeopardize the chance of becoming the best delegate at a UN model.  

“Even though my commission was in spanish, learning the parliamentary language was one of the toughest tasks. They never teach you the words and when people start talking you don’t understand what the people are saying until you get the hang of it,” Juan Pablo Gomez best rookie delegate at SPECPOL in COSMUN 2018.

A UN model always comes with a competitive environment that can be tough to handle, but it can also have an immense reward if delegates are able to work hard for it. Taking these things into account can help them achieve the ultimate goal of becoming best delegate.

As explained by Manuela Betancourt, COSMUN 2019 secretary general, “The best delegate is coveted of awards in any UN model; it is a recognition of extraordinary talent and immense dedication throughout the whole model.”