Your Winning Playbook for Harvard MUN

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For any high school student serious about Model UN, Harvard MUN isn't just another conference—it's the conference. Think of it as the world championship of high school debate. For four intense days in Boston, thousands of the sharpest, most ambitious students from across the globe come together to tackle the world's toughest problems. It’s easily one of the most prestigious and competitive academic simulations you can find.

What Makes Harvard MUN the Global Stage for Debate

If you've ever wondered what the Olympics would look like for diplomacy and global affairs, HMUN is your answer. This isn't just another stop on the MUN circuit; for many delegates, it’s a career-defining moment. The air buzzes with an electric mix of intellectual curiosity and raw ambition.

What really gives HMUN its legendary status is its incredible scale and deep history. Founded way back in 1953, it's one of the oldest and most revered conferences on the planet. Today, it’s the largest high school Model UN event in the world, bringing in over 3,000 delegates and managed by a staff of more than 150 Harvard University students.

To give you a quick snapshot of what makes this conference unique, here’s a breakdown of its key features.

Harvard MUN at a Glance

Aspect	Description
Conference Size	The largest high school MUN in the world, with over 3,000 delegates.
History & Legacy	Established in 1953, making it one of the oldest conferences.
Competition Level	Extremely high; attracts top delegates from around the globe.
Staff	Run entirely by over 150 students from Harvard University.
Location	Held in historic Boston, adding to the prestigious atmosphere.
Focus	Deep emphasis on substantive debate, policy detail, and diplomacy.

This combination of scale, history, and academic rigor is why attending HMUN feels like stepping onto a world stage.

A Proving Ground for Future Leaders

You don't just "attend" HMUN—you compete. The preparation is grueling. Delegates spend months buried in research, mastering their assigned country's foreign policy, untangling complex geopolitical knots, and sharpening their public speaking to a fine point.

This competitive fire pushes everyone in the room to bring their A-game. You're not just debating against your school rivals; you're negotiating with future leaders from dozens of countries, each with a unique perspective and a powerful drive to succeed. The skills you forge here—critical thinking, collaboration, persuasion—are skills for life.

The Substance Behind the Prestige

The weight of a Harvard MUN award comes from the sheer academic rigor behind it. The topics are thorny and relevant, the background guides are exhaustively researched, and the chairs—all Harvard undergrads—demand a high level of intelligent, substantive debate. Charisma alone won't get you far; success requires a deep, nuanced grasp of international affairs.

Here’s what really defines the experience:

Intense Competition: With so many talented delegates, every single committee session is a test of your strategy, knowledge, and quick thinking.

Global Networking: You'll forge connections with peers from incredibly diverse backgrounds, building a network that can genuinely last a lifetime.

Academic Excellence: The conference forces you to think critically about real-world crises, from maritime piracy to global debt restructuring.

Getting ready for an event of this caliber can feel like a monumental task. To see how HMUN fits into the broader landscape, you can check out our list of top Model United Nations conferences for 2026 for context and planning. This guide is designed to give you the strategies and confidence you need to not just show up at Harvard MUN, but to truly make your mark.

Choosing the Right Committee for Your Strengths

Picking your committee at Harvard MUN is like a chess player's opening move—it sets the tone for the entire game. This isn't just about finding a topic you like; it’s a strategic choice that needs to sync up with your personality, your skills, and what you want to get out of the conference. Nailing this decision is your first real step toward a successful weekend.

Your goal is to find a room where your natural talents can really shine. Are you a powerhouse speaker who can command an audience of 300 delegates? Or do you come alive in small, intense backroom negotiations where every single word counts? Each type of committee at Harvard MUN is its own ecosystem, demanding a completely different diplomatic style.

This is a world away from the earliest Model UN simulations. Back in 1947, the first formal "Model United Nations" at Swarthmore College was a huge deal with over 150 students. But it was the rise of institutional giants like Berkeley MUN (1952) and Harvard MUN (1953) that gave us the complex and diverse committee structures we see today. You can read more about this evolution in the history of Model United Nations.

The Major Committee Categories

At HMUN, committees generally fall into three main buckets. Getting a feel for how each one operates is critical if you want to make a choice that plays to your strengths and doesn't leave you feeling out of your depth.

General Assemblies (GAs): These are the behemoths of the conference, often with hundreds of delegates simulating the main bodies of the UN, like DISEC or SOCHUM. To succeed here, you need commanding public speaking skills, the ability to build massive blocs in a hurry, and a solid grasp of broad international policy.

Economic and Social Councils (ECOSOCs): Think of these as the mid-sized committees, zeroing in on specific issues like human rights, sustainable development, or global health. The debate gets much more technical and nuanced. They're a perfect fit for delegates who love getting into the weeds of policy and building solutions collaboratively.

Specialized Agencies (SAs): This category is a catch-all for everything from adrenaline-fueled crisis committees to historical simulations. These are typically the smallest and most intense committees at Harvard MUN, demanding lightning-fast thinking, creative strategy, and a real knack for managing chaos.

The official Harvard MUN website is your best friend here. It usually provides detailed info on each committee's mandate and size, which helps you visualize the kind of environment you'd be stepping into.

This snapshot from the official site gives you a glimpse of just how diverse the committee offerings are. HMUN really does cater to a huge range of interests and delegate styles. Taking the time to read through these descriptions is the smartest first move you can make.

Matching Your Skills to the Arena

Alright, let's get practical. It's time to connect your personal skillset to the right committee. Being brutally honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses is the key. You wouldn't bring a screwdriver to a hammer fight, right?

This insight gets to the heart of it—no matter which committee you choose, the intellectual bar is set incredibly high. The real trick is finding the arena where your specific talents will make the biggest splash.

To help you figure that out, here’s a quick breakdown to compare your options.

Comparing HMUN Committee Types

This table is designed to help you see where you might fit best, based on your skills, experience, and what you hope to accomplish at the conference.

Committee Type	Best For	Key Skills Required	Pace
General Assembly	Powerful public speakers, natural leaders, and delegates who thrive in large-group dynamics.	Charismatic oratory, rapid bloc formation, general policy knowledge, and strong networking abilities.	Moderate to fast, with a focus on major speeches.
ECOSOC	Policy experts, detailed researchers, and collaborative delegates who enjoy substantive debate.	In-depth research, technical writing, negotiation, and a focus on building consensus.	Slower and more methodical, with deep policy dives.
Specialized Agency	Quick thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and delegates who love fast-paced, crisis-driven action.	Adaptability, crisis management, strategic thinking, and strong impromptu speaking skills.	Extremely fast and unpredictable, driven by crisis updates.

At the end of the day, picking your committee is a personal call. If you’re new to the circuit, a massive GA might seem overwhelming, but it also gives you more room to observe and learn. On the other hand, a crisis committee can be an absolute thrill, but it will chew you up and spit you out if you’re not prepared for the relentless pace.

For more inspiration on what topics might get you fired up, check out our guide on Model UN committee topic suggestions. By strategically matching your skills to the committee's demands, you're not just choosing a topic—you're setting the stage for a powerful performance at Harvard MUN.

Your 90-Day Harvard MUN Preparation Timeline

Winning a gavel at Harvard MUN doesn't happen by accident. It's not about a single brilliant speech or a last-minute power move in committee. It's the direct result of months of focused, disciplined work. The delegates who walk away with awards don't just show up; they arrive armed with a deep understanding of their country, their committee, and a clear-cut strategy.

Think of the next 90 days as a strategic campaign. To get there, it helps to borrow principles from experts on how to plan an event successfully, making sure every bit of effort is a building block for your final performance. This timeline isn't just a checklist—it's your roadmap to walking into that opening ceremony ready to lead.

Phase 1: The Foundation (90-60 Days Out)

This is your deep-dive phase. The moment you get that email with your committee and country assignment, the clock officially starts ticking. Your single most important goal right now is building a rock-solid base of knowledge. This foundation will support every speech, every negotiation, and every resolution you'll be a part of.

First things first: become an expert on your assigned country. Go beyond the Wikipedia page. Dig into its history, its political DNA, its economic drivers, and its web of alliances. You need to get inside the head of its diplomats. Who are their friends? Who are their rivals? What are the non-negotiable national interests that guide their every move? This isn't about memorizing stats; it’s about grasping the why behind your country’s behavior on the world stage.

Once you have a feel for your country, pivot to the committee topics. Devour the background guide HMUN provides. Read it, highlight it, and then read it again—it's your playbook. Pinpoint the key sub-issues, past international actions, and the major power blocs. This is where your research sharpens, zeroing in on your country’s specific policies and history with the agenda items. For more on making your research phase truly effective, check out our guide on how to prepare for MUN.

Phase 2: Strategy and Synthesis (60-30 Days Out)

With a solid bedrock of research in place, this month is all about turning that raw information into your diplomatic arsenal. You're shifting from being a researcher to becoming a diplomat. Your main tasks are to nail down your position paper and start outlining that crucial opening speech.

Your position paper is your opening salvo and the first impression you'll make on your chairs. It needs to be sharp, clear, and compelling. Make sure it effectively communicates:

Why this topic matters to your country.

What your country has done about it in the past.

Your proposed solutions that are perfectly in line with your foreign policy.

At the same time, start building your research binder. This isn't just a pile of papers; it's your lifeline during the conference. It should be meticulously organized with key statistics, excerpts from relevant treaties, pre-written resolution clauses, and detailed notes on where other key countries stand. A well-organized binder is the sign of a well-prepared delegate.

This timeline gives you a sense of the history you're stepping into. After Swarthmore kicked things off, powerhouses like Berkeley and Harvard quickly followed, establishing the competitive, high-stakes circuit that defines elite Model UN today.

Phase 3: Polish and Practice (30 Days to Conference)

The final month is all about one thing: performance. Your research should be 99% done. Now, the focus shifts to honing your delivery, practicing your strategy, and making sure you can think on your feet under pressure.

Get your opening speech down cold. It needs to be tight—usually 60-90 seconds—and packed with impact. It has to clearly state your country’s position and signal your goals for the committee. Practice it relentlessly. Rehearse it in front of teammates, your coach, or even just your mirror until the pacing, tone, and confidence are second nature.

Then, you need to simulate the real thing. Run mock sessions with your team. Practice everything from making a motion and giving a speech in a moderated caucus to responding to a crisis update. This is where you test-drive your arguments, find the holes in your logic, and get comfortable with the fast-paced flow of debate. The more you drill now, the more instinctive and powerful your performance will be at Harvard MUN. By following this 90-day plan, you’re not just preparing—you’re methodically building the expertise and confidence you need to dominate in committee.

Crafting Award-Winning Papers and Speeches

At Harvard MUN, your words are your currency. The delegates who truly stand out aren't always the loudest ones in the room; they're the most persuasive, strategic, and well-prepared communicators. Your position paper, opening speech, and resolutions are the fundamental tools you'll use to build credibility, forge alliances, and ultimately steer the committee.

Getting these documents and speeches right isn't just a suggestion—it's essential. They are the tangible proof of your research and the primary delivery system for your diplomatic strategy. A flimsy paper or a meandering speech can sink even the most brilliant ideas, whereas a powerful opening can instantly cast you as a leader worth following.

The Position Paper: Your Blueprint for Success

Think of your position paper as the architectural plan for your entire conference experience. It’s the very first impression you’ll make on your chairs, and it’s your chance to show them your depth of knowledge and set the stage for your performance. A sharp, well-researched paper signals that you're a serious player at Harvard MUN.

The structure of a winning paper is surprisingly simple, but it demands precision. You’ll want to keep it concise—typically just one page—and organize it into three clear sections that logically build the case for your country's stance.

Part 1: The Problem: Start by briefly introducing the topic. Explain why it’s a critical issue for the world and why it matters specifically to your nation. A powerful statistic or a key historical event here can really add weight to your opening.

Part 2: National Policy: This is where you detail your country's history with the topic. Back up your position by citing past UN resolutions, domestic laws, and official statements from national leaders. This grounds your entire argument in fact.

Part 3: Proposed Solutions: Here’s where you get to shine. Lay out a clear, actionable set of solutions that align perfectly with your country's foreign policy. These proposals will become the building blocks for your resolutions later on.

When you're writing, remember that strong topic sentences are everything. They provide clarity and impact. You could even use a topic sentence generator to help you nail those opening lines for each paragraph, ensuring your paper is both powerful and easy for your chair to read. For a deeper dive, our complete guide on how to write position papers can help you perfect every detail.

Mastering the 60-Second Opening Speech

Your opening speech is your primetime moment. In a committee room packed with hundreds of other ambitious delegates, you have about 60 seconds to command attention, stake out your country's position, and signal that you’re here to lead. There's zero room for fluff. Every single word has to count.

To make an instant impact, I always recommend the "Hook, Point, Action" model.

The Hook: Kick things off with something that makes everyone look up. It could be a startling statistic, a powerful quote, or a challenging rhetorical question. Whatever you do, skip the generic "Honorable chair, fellow delegates..."

The Point: Get straight to it. Clearly and concisely state your country's core position on the topic. What is your non-negotiable principle? What's the main idea guiding your policy?

The Action: End with a direct call to action. Invite other delegates who share your views to connect, propose a specific first step, or state the main goal you intend to accomplish by the end of the conference.

This simple structure makes your speech memorable and, more importantly, strategic. It tells the committee not just what you think, but what you’re about to do.

Writing Resolutions That Drive Debate

At the end of the day, the goal of any committee is to produce a resolution—a formal document outlining the group’s proposed solutions. Your ability to write clean, well-structured clauses and then build consensus around them is a core skill that chairs actively look for. While a resolution is a team project, the delegates who can effectively draft and merge ideas are the ones who naturally become bloc leaders.

Resolutions are made up of two distinct parts:

Preambulatory Clauses: These are the "why" clauses. They set the stage by providing the historical context and justification for the actions you're about to propose, often by referencing the UN Charter or previous resolutions.

Operative Clauses: These are the "what" clauses. They represent the actionable steps your committee is recommending. Every clause begins with a strong action verb (like Urges, Recommends, Calls upon) and details a specific, measurable policy proposal.

The secret to great resolution writing at Harvard MUN is collaboration. A great strategy is to draft your key operative clauses before the conference even starts, basing them on the solutions from your position paper. Then, once you’re in unmoderated caucuses, you can share these ideas, find common ground with other delegates, and work together to merge them into a single, powerful draft resolution. This approach shows you're not just a policy expert—you're a true diplomat.

Decoding the Path to an Award

Let's be clear: awards at Harvard MUN aren't handed out for participation. They're earned. The chairs are looking for something specific, and it’s not just about who speaks the loudest or gives the most speeches. They're trying to spot the delegates who actually drive the committee forward with smarts and strategy.

Winning an award comes down to playing the part of a true diplomat. It means you can skillfully walk that fine line between fighting for your country's interests and working with everyone else to find a real solution. Every speech you give, every negotiation you enter, every clause you write—it's all part of the performance.

The Four Pillars of an Award-Winning Delegate

Think of the judging criteria as a sort of diplomatic scorecard. Your chairs are evaluating you on a handful of core skills that, together, define what it means to be effective in the room. Nailing just one of these isn't going to cut it at Harvard MUN; you have to bring your A-game across the board.

Here are the non-negotiable pillars that every chair looks for:

Deep Topic and Policy Knowledge: You need to be the expert. This isn't just about knowing the topic; it's about knowing your country's specific, nuanced position on it. This is the foundation for everything you'll do.

Effective Public Speaking: When it's your turn to speak, you have to be clear, concise, and persuasive. This applies to your big prepared speeches and, just as importantly, to your off-the-cuff remarks during the debate.

Masterful Caucusing and Negotiation: This is where the magic happens. Unmoderated caucuses are where resolutions are actually built. The chairs are watching closely to see who can build a bloc, who can negotiate a compromise, and who can lead without being pushy.

Unyielding Adherence to Foreign Policy: Representing your assigned country accurately is paramount. Every single thing you do—from the solutions you propose to the alliances you make—has to feel like something your country would actually do.

Sam's experience gets to the heart of it: diplomacy is fundamentally about people. Your ability to connect with and build trust among your fellow delegates during caucusing is just as critical as any speech you deliver from the podium.

Strategies That Get You Noticed

Once you've got the four pillars down, a few key strategies will make you stand out from the crowd. The best delegates are always an asset to their committee—they're the ones who consistently add real substance and elevate the entire debate.

Here’s how to make sure the dais sees your value:

Become a Leader, Not a Dictator: Real leadership in MUN isn't about bossing people around. It’s about listening to different ideas, finding the common ground, and guiding your group toward a goal everyone can get behind. Be the person who unites factions.

Make Substantive Contributions: Don't just repeat what's in the background guide. Bring something new to the table—a surprising statistic, a creative mechanism for a solution, or a clever compromise that breaks a frustrating deadlock. Aim to add value every time you contribute.

Demonstrate Procedural Mastery: Knowing the rules of procedure and using them strategically shows you're confident and in control. A well-timed motion can steer the debate in a direction that perfectly sets up your bloc's next move.

Write Like a Diplomat: Your clauses are your currency. When you contribute to a draft resolution, make sure your writing is sharp, accurate to your policy, and easy for others to understand and support.

Ultimately, winning an award is what happens when you focus on being a great delegate. Concentrate on moving the committee toward a smart, effective resolution, and your hard work will get noticed. For a deeper dive into what separates good from great, check out our full guide to Model United Nations awards. By putting these strategies into practice, you’ll stop just participating at Harvard MUN and start actively shaping the outcome.

Managing the Conference Experience Like a Veteran

Thriving at Harvard MUN is a four-day marathon, not a sprint. Your success isn't just decided by what you say in the committee room; it’s about how you manage the entire, intense experience from start to finish. The little things—from what you wear to how much you sleep—are just as critical as your research. Veteran delegates know this secret: peak performance comes from staying sharp, focused, and energized from the opening gavel to the final vote.

This takes a real strategy. The schedule is notoriously packed, with committee sessions often running late into the night. Squeeze in meals, social events, and frantic last-minute bloc meetings, and you have a recipe for burnout if you don't have a plan.

Dressing for Diplomatic Success

The official dress code at Harvard MUN is Western Business Attire (WBA). This isn't just a friendly suggestion—it's a requirement that sets a professional, serious tone for the whole conference. Think of it as your diplomatic uniform.

For most delegates, this breaks down pretty simply:

Suits: A full suit in a conservative color like navy, black, or grey is the gold standard.

Shirts and Blouses: Stick to professional button-down shirts or blouses.

Footwear: Wear comfortable dress shoes. Seriously, you will be doing a surprising amount of walking between committee rooms, caucus meetings, and hotel floors, so don't let painful shoes be your downfall.

Dressing the part shows respect for the institution and your fellow delegates. It helps create the formal atmosphere needed to tackle tough global issues and, frankly, it’s an easy way to make a great first impression.

Packing Your Delegate Bag for Marathon Sessions

Think of your delegate bag as your mobile command center for those long committee sessions. Forgetting something important can throw you off your game at the worst possible moment. A well-packed bag means you have everything you need to stay effective without ducking out of the room.

This is spot on. The pace is relentless, so your bag needs to be ready for anything.

Here’s what you absolutely need in your bag:

Research Binder: This is your bible. It should have all your notes, speeches, and pre-written clauses ready to go.

Laptop or Tablet and Charger: You'll need it for writing resolutions and doing quick research during unmoderated caucuses.

Portable Power Bank: Wall outlets in a committee room are like gold dust—rare and highly coveted. A power bank isn't optional; it's essential.

Pens and Notepad: For jotting down quick thoughts, passing notes to allies, and drafting ideas on the fly.

Water Bottle and Snacks: Staying hydrated and fueled is non-negotiable. Pack some non-messy snacks like granola bars to keep your energy from crashing mid-debate.

Nailing these logistical details frees up your mental bandwidth to focus on what actually matters: debate, diplomacy, and pushing your committee toward a successful resolution.

Answering Your Top Harvard MUN Questions

Let's be honest, stepping into Harvard MUN for the first time can feel a little intimidating. There's a lot of buzz and a ton of talented people in one place. Getting some straight answers to the big questions can make all the difference, helping you trade that uncertainty for some well-earned confidence before you even pack your bags for Boston.

Just How Hard Is It to Win an Award at HMUN?

Winning an award at Harvard is tough—no sugarcoating it. You're up against thousands of incredibly sharp delegates from all over the world, and the competition is intense.

In most committees, fewer than 10% of delegates will actually walk away with an award, whether it's Best Delegate, Outstanding, or an Honorable Mention. To even be in the running, you need to bring your A-game across the board: deep research, polished public speaking, smart diplomatic maneuvering, and the ability to write a rock-solid resolution. Simply showing up won't cut it; preparation is everything.

What's the Biggest Rookie Mistake to Avoid?

Without a doubt, the most common pitfall for new delegates is being too passive. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the conference or the confidence of the delegates who've been doing this for years. This leads a lot of newcomers to hang back, hesitating to speak up or jump into the fray during unmoderated caucuses.

If you wait for the "perfect" moment to contribute, you'll probably wait the whole weekend. You have to dive in and make your voice heard right from the start.

Should I Stick to My Country's Policy Religiously?

Yes, absolutely. Sticking to your assigned country's real-world foreign policy isn't just a suggestion—it's a core rule of the game and a major part of how you're judged at Harvard MUN.

While the chairs want to see creativity in your solutions, every proposal you make has to be something your assigned nation could plausibly support. Going rogue and completely deviating from your country's established diplomatic positions is a surefire way to get marked down. This is exactly why deep, detailed research on your country is a non-negotiable part of your prep work.

Feeling prepared is the first step to success. Model Diplomat gives you the tools to master your country's policy, practice your speeches, and develop winning strategies. Walk into Harvard MUN ready to lead.