What are the differences between Model UN and the actual United Nations?
While Model UN is designed to be an accurate simulation of the United Nations, there are many discrepancies in the functioning of the two, primarily due to logistical constraints. For instance, most UN sessions last several months; the majority of Model UN conferences are from one to five days in length. Because UN attendees are trained, full-time diplomats, it is very rare for the UN to suspend formal meetings to caucus – the majority of caucusing takes place “behind the scenes” in unofficial lunch or dinner meetings. Due to the extra time available to the United Nations, the majority of resolutions (over 70 percent) reach the floor only after it is clear that they will be passed by consensus; draft resolutions in Model UN are often passed by a slim majority, as most of the debate takes place after a resolution has been formally introduced. To streamline the passage of resolutions, blocs of countries traditionally elect a spokesperson to represent their consensus prior to the committe
