ThinkTank : Exploring the types of delegates in an MUN council!

Ganesha Model United Nations Club
7 min readOct 31, 2023

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Credits: www.fwwmun-nyc.com

Authors: Kinanti Wening Asih, Mirza Rafi Salimsyah

In the world of MUN, it becomes apparent that not all delegates are cut from the same cloth. Some wield words like weapons, others navigate the intricate maze of negotiations with diplomatic finesse. In this explorative article, we will meet the diplomat, the debater, the thinker, and the scientist, each bringing a distinct set of qualities to the table. They represent the pillars upon which MUN debates are built, as we uncover their traits and attributes.

The ‘Thinker’ exudes idealism, the ‘Diplomat’ excels in communication, the ‘Scientist’ adopts a research-oriented stance, and the ‘Debater’ wields the power of persuasive argumentation. Let us uncover the intricacies of each archetype, unraveling their roles, strengths, and contributions to an MUN council.

Debater

Debater (designed with Canva)

The Debater is a force to be reckoned with in MUN councils, known for their compelling arguments and expressive communication style. They thrive on challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries in pursuit of their country’s interests.

- Argumentative

Debaters are unafraid of confrontational discourse. They thrive in the art of argumentation, presenting well-researched and persuasive points to support their country’s stance. Their logical reasoning and sharp debating skills make them formidable opponents in council discussions.

- Expressive

Expressiveness is a defining trait of Debaters. They use rhetoric and emotion to convey their country’s position passionately. Their speeches are often memorable, leaving a lasting impact on both the council and fellow delegates. Debaters know how to connect with their audience.

- Intuitive

Debaters possess a keen sense of intuition, allowing them to anticipate the direction of discussions and adapt their arguments accordingly. They can read the room and adjust their approach, making them agile participants in the council. Their ability to sense shifts in dynamics is a valuable asset.

- Challenging

“Never back down, never what?”

Debaters never shy away from challenge.They thrive on questioning the perspectives of others. They’re not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and push boundaries, often driving discussions to explore new avenues of thought. While this can lead to intense debates, it also contributes to a deeper understanding of complex issues.

Diplomat

Diplomat (designed with Canva)

The Diplomat is a prominent figure in the world of Model United Nations (MUN) councils. Known for their exceptional communication skills, they excel in building bridges and finding common ground among delegates. Their diplomatic approach is often seen as a driving force behind successful resolutions.

- Communicative

From the moment the Committee Session begins, the Diplomats distinguish themselves through effective communication. They are skilled orators and active listeners, always eager to engage in dialogue with fellow delegates. Their ability to convey their country’s position with clarity and diplomacy makes them invaluable in the council.

- Mediative

In the midst of heated debates and conflicting interests, Diplomats shine as mediators. They possess a unique talent for diffusing tension and bringing opposing sides together. Their role in facilitating compromise and consensus is pivotal, and they often find themselves at the center of negotiation processes.

- Initiative

Diplomats are proactive in seeking solutions and taking the initiative in proposing ideas. They are quick to draft resolutions, work on draft clauses, and collaborate with others to find common ground. Their forward-thinking and problem-solving approach play a significant role in advancing the council’s agenda.

Thinker

Thinker (designed with Canva)

The Thinker is an uncommon delegate within an MUN competition, however they unmistakably stand out amongst other delegates. They tend to approach topics of discussion through their thick moral lenses that represent their country’s stance. Even though the ‘Thinkers’ are hard to find, most of the time they’re able to leave their mark on the conference. Principled through and through, they’d upheld their beliefs even if it means being antagonised by the whole council.

- Advocative

Few delegates would notice the presence of the Thinkers when the Committee Session began. As the Committee Session develops and conflict of interest brews in discussions, Thinkers begin to unravel their unflinching resolve when faced with pressures. In time their goals and ambitions take shape, being shown to the Council and other delegates over several Committee Sessions. On communicating their aim, Thinkers don’t shy away from using powerful words in their speeches as they strongly believe in their country’s stance. More often than not, the Thinker’s firm advocacy for their nation’s ideals attract other delegates with similar values and goals for their countries to work together.

- Idealistic

The idealism of Thinkers are shown in full display within their consistency. To some delegates, the Thinker’s fixed goals translate as an immovable obstacle, yet to others who share the same ideals as the Thinker, they would prove as a steady and reliable ally. When blocks begin to emerge from the Committee Sessions, Thinkers don’t shy away from sticking out while defending their ideals. This steadfast idealism can be a blessing for a block as they will have an unfaltering member, however it can also be a curse as the Thinker’s resolve are often unchangeable and difficult to compromise, resulting in a dragged out discussion on certain issue for decision making within the block.

- Passionate

Within the Committee Sessions, Thinkers tend to display a high level of enthusiasm and fervour toward the discussion at hand. Stoic some might say, Thinkers are unwaveringly committed to their beliefs and would defend their nation’s stance from other delegates’ effort to change it. However this might make Thinkers seemingly sensitive to compromise. When it comes to making blocks, they find it hard to come to an agreement due to their assertiveness and at times leading them to make a block of their own.

Scientist

Scientist (designed with Canva)

The Scientist can be proud of themselves as being some of the most diligent delegates in an MUN competition. Coming prepared by having maxed their position paper word limit and memorised the study guide like the back of their hand, on almost every occasion the Scientists are the most knowledgeable delegate regarding the topic of the council. However this rigorousness sometimes lead Scientists disconnected from the ongoing debates as more often than not the discussion within an MUN competition are unpredictable

- Research Oriented

Being as critical and analytical as they are, Scientists analyse everything they come across within the study guide and the possible arguments other countries might give. From relevant data to past international agreements, Scientists compile them in their research paper in order to prepare for the coming Committee Sessions. However, this minute fact-finding crusade of theirs tend to bound Scientists to their research paper when the Committee Session commences, leaving them hard to adapt when the topic go beyond their scope of research.

- Technical

The Scientists tend to follow a systematic and structured approach when facing challenges within Committee Sessions. They often rely on their pre-made research to achieve consistent results. When the discussions are within the scope of their research, they’re able to participate and at times lead the discussion. However, as the Committee Sessions develop, the discussion became more arbitrary, leading to debates beyond the topic of the Scientists’ research scope, in such cases, some Scientists find it hard to maintain their role as an active participant within the discussion, leading them to fade from the limelight.

- Procedural/ Systematic

Even Though Scientists are known for their extensive research, they also offer unique solutions to the problems faced within the Committee Sessions due to their analytical nature. However their reluctance to express their idea and preferring to the certainty of their research can be a hindrance to their performance within the Committee Session.

Closing

The world MUN is certainly filled with unique and eccentric personalities. The categories of Debater, Diplomat, Thinker, and Scientists are broad generalisations of the colourful people within MUN, each having their own strength and weakness. In no way this categorization is meant to underestimate certain delegates, for at the end of the day, it is how we utilise our own strentghs and personality traits to compete within an MUN competition.

Which one are you?

About ThinkTank — ThinkTank is a brand new bimonthly program pioneered by Research and Development Division of Ganesha Model United Nations (2023/2024). In the articles published, we discuss various matters from MUN itself to Global Issues. We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the fruition of the collective thoughts of our members. Await the next ThinkTank! ^^ (RnD team : Mirza, Asih, Hayfa, Egi, Theo, Cifo)

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Ganesha Model United Nations Club

Ganesha Model United Nations Club (abbreviated as ‘GMUNC’) is a MUN club based in Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia