Table of Contents
- 1. Best Delegate Award
- How to Stand Out
- 2. Outstanding Delegate Award
- How to Stand Out
- 3. Honorable Mention Award
- How to Stand Out
- 4. Verbal Commendation Award
- How to Stand Out
- 5. Best Position Paper Award
- How to Stand Out
- 6. Best Delegation Award
- How to Stand Out
- 7. Diplomacy Award (or Distinguished Diplomat)
- How to Stand Out
- 8. Gavel Award (Chair/Secretary-General Excellence)
- How to Stand Out
- Model UN Awards Comparison Chart
- Your Strategic Path to the Podium
- Key Takeaways for Your Next Conference
- From Preparation to Recognition
Do not index
Do not index
Winning a Model United Nations award is more than just adding a line to your resume; it's a testament to your research, diplomacy, and leadership. But the landscape of MUN accolades, from the coveted Best Delegate gavel to the nuanced Diplomacy Award, can be complex and often confusing for participants. Each honor recognizes a distinct set of skills, rewarding everything from powerful oration and strategic caucusing to behind-the-scenes coalition building and impeccable research. This guide demystifies the most common Model United Nations awards you will encounter at conferences.
We will break down the specific criteria chairs use for evaluation, provide actionable strategies to help you stand out, and offer concrete insights to transform your preparation into tangible recognition. Whether you are a first-time delegate aiming for a Verbal Commendation or a veteran chasing a Best Delegation award, understanding these distinctions is the critical first step toward the podium. This list provides the clarity you need to align your performance with the specific skills each award celebrates, moving you from being a participant to a true contender.
1. Best Delegate Award
The Best Delegate award is the most prestigious individual honor at a Model United Nations conference. It recognizes the single delegate who most effectively embodies the skills of a diplomat, leader, and advocate within their assigned committee. This is not just about being the loudest voice; it's about being the most impactful. Chairs look for a delegate who excels across every dimension of the conference, from meticulous pre-conference research to masterful in-committee negotiation.
Winning Best Delegate signifies a comprehensive mastery of MUN. Esteemed conferences like Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) and the Georgetown-run National Collegiate Security Conference (NCSC) grant this award to participants who not only champion their country's policies but also drive the committee's progress. They are the delegates who build bridges, draft influential clauses, and navigate complex parliamentary procedure with ease, ultimately guiding the group toward a consensus-based resolution.
How to Stand Out
Earning this top honor requires a strategic, multi-faceted approach. Your performance is evaluated from the moment you submit your position paper to the final vote.
- Master Your Brief: Go beyond a surface-level understanding. Know your country's history, allies, rivals, and specific policies on the agenda topics. This deep knowledge allows you to respond authentically and authoritatively during debates.
- Speak with Purpose: Avoid speaking just to be heard. Every speech, comment, or point should have a clear objective: to introduce a new idea, build consensus around your clause, or dismantle a flawed argument. Quality trumps quantity.
- Become a Coalition Architect: The best delegates are rarely lone wolves. They identify potential allies early, understand their interests, and work collaboratively to form powerful blocs. Your ability to lead and compromise within a working group is a critical factor.
Pro Tip: Don't just lead your own bloc; actively engage with delegates from opposing viewpoints. Demonstrating the ability to find common ground with rivals is a hallmark of exceptional diplomacy and a key differentiator for the Best Delegate award.
This award is the ultimate goal for competitive delegates because it represents the pinnacle of performance. It proves you have balanced assertive leadership with collaborative diplomacy. A comprehensive strategy is key, and you can explore detailed tactics to enhance your MUN preparation and performance.
2. Outstanding Delegate Award
The Outstanding Delegate award is a prestigious honor recognizing delegates who demonstrate exceptional skill and make significant contributions to their committee. It is typically considered the second-highest individual award, ranking just below Best Delegate. This award acknowledges participants who exhibit strong research, effective diplomacy, and impactful leadership throughout the conference. Committees often grant multiple Outstanding Delegate awards, highlighting several individuals who performed at an elite level.
Winning an Outstanding Delegate award signifies a near-pinnacle performance among a highly competitive field. Renowned conferences like Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) and Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN) use this award to honor delegates who were instrumental in shaping debate and drafting resolutions. These delegates are often the key drivers of major blocs, contributing substantively to working papers and demonstrating a deep, nuanced understanding of both policy and procedure.
How to Stand Out
Earning this award requires consistent, high-level engagement and a strong diplomatic presence. It's about being a vital, constructive force in the committee from start to finish.
- Be a Substantive Contributor: Focus on adding value to every aspect of the committee. This means delivering well-researched speeches that advance debate, writing well-thought-out clauses, and providing constructive feedback during unmoderated caucuses. Your goal is to be essential to the resolution-drafting process.
- Demonstrate Diplomatic Flexibility: While representing your country's interests is crucial, show that you can work with diverse coalitions. Engage with delegates outside your immediate bloc, find common ground, and help bridge divides between opposing groups. This adaptability is highly valued by chairs.
- Maintain Consistent Engagement: Avoid fading into the background. Stay active and visible by asking insightful questions, using points and motions effectively, and contributing consistently during both formal and informal debate. The key is to maintain a strong presence without dominating the conversation.
Pro Tip: Build a positive rapport with the dais through professionalism and respect for procedure. Acknowledge the chairs, follow parliamentary rules correctly, and maintain a diplomatic demeanor. This professionalism makes your substantive contributions even more impactful.
This award is a significant achievement in the world of model united nations awards because it proves you are among the top tier of delegates. It shows you can lead, collaborate, and drive progress effectively, marking you as a formidable diplomatic talent.
3. Honorable Mention Award
The Honorable Mention award recognizes delegates who demonstrate commendable performance and make significant contributions within their committee. This award tier acknowledges participants who excel in specific areas, such as research, speaking, or diplomacy, even if they did not secure one of the top two spots. It is a vital form of recognition for dedicated delegates who actively shape debate and contribute to the committee's progress.
Securing an Honorable Mention is a significant achievement, especially at highly competitive conferences or for newer delegates. Esteemed conferences like Columbia's CMUNNY and Cornell's CMUNC use this award to honor participants who have shown great promise, consistent engagement, and a strong grasp of their country's policies. It signals that a delegate's efforts were noticed and valued by the dais, marking them as a strong and effective performer.
How to Stand Out
Earning this recognition requires consistent and impactful participation throughout every session of the conference. It’s about being a valuable and reliable member of the committee.
- Focus on a Strength: While a well-rounded performance is ideal, excelling in one key area can make you memorable. Become the go-to delegate for policy details, deliver powerful and persuasive speeches, or act as a key mediator who helps build bridges between blocs.
- Maintain Consistent Engagement: Avoid fading into the background after the first session. A delegate who contributes substantively from the opening speeches to the final resolution mergers is far more likely to be recognized than one with inconsistent energy.
- Support the Process: You don't have to be the primary author of a resolution to be influential. Support the development of working papers and draft resolutions by offering well-researched clauses, helping to refine language, and actively participating in merger negotiations.
Pro Tip: Aim for substantive contributions over superficial ones. One well-timed, insightful comment that shifts the debate is more valuable than five generic speeches. Chairs look for delegates who add depth and direction to the conversation, not just volume.
This award is a crucial stepping stone in the landscape of model united nations awards, often motivating delegates to aim for higher honors in future conferences. It validates hard work and skill, proving you are a diplomat who can make a tangible impact. To refine your in-committee strategy, you can find more guidance on effective MUN participation.
4. Verbal Commendation Award
The Verbal Commendation is an honorable mention that recognizes delegates who made a significant and positive impact on the committee. While not a formal gavel-winning award, it signifies that a delegate’s contributions were noticed and valued by the dais. This recognition is for participants who demonstrated strong diplomatic skills, made key contributions to the debate, or helped move the committee forward in a meaningful way, even if they didn't dominate the proceedings.
This award is a common feature at conferences of all levels, from regional high school circuits like the Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference to larger, more competitive events. Chairs often use verbal commendations to acknowledge delegates who showed great improvement, embodied the spirit of diplomacy, or played a crucial niche role effectively. It validates the efforts of delegates who contribute constructively without necessarily being the most visible, making it a vital part of the model united nations awards ecosystem.
How to Stand Out
Earning a Verbal Commendation is about being a consistently positive and productive force in the committee room. It highlights your diplomatic potential and strong foundational skills.
- Be a Problem Solver: Focus on proposing solutions during unmoderated caucuses. When blocs hit a stalemate, be the delegate who suggests a compromise or a new way to frame the issue. Chairs notice delegates who help, not just those who argue.
- Contribute with Quality: Even if you aren't the primary speaker for your bloc, make sure your contributions are insightful. A well-timed question or a concise speech that clarifies a complex point can be more impactful than several generic ones.
- Show Diplomatic Courtesy: Actively listen to others, refer to them by their country's name, and maintain a respectful and professional demeanor at all times. Being a cooperative and approachable delegate makes you a valuable asset to any group and is highly prized by the dais.
Pro Tip: Use procedural points correctly and sparingly. A well-placed Point of Information can demonstrate your deep engagement with the debate and catch the chair's attention for the right reasons. It shows you're listening critically, not just waiting for your turn to speak.
This recognition should be seen as a stepping stone and a strong validation of your skills. It proves you are on the right track and that your efforts are making a difference. To refine your in-committee presence, you can deepen your understanding of procedural tools.
5. Best Position Paper Award
The Best Position Paper award is a unique honor in Model United Nations, recognizing excellence in pre-conference research, writing, and policy analysis. Unlike other awards based on in-committee performance, this accolade is judged solely on the written document submitted before the first session. It celebrates the delegate who has most effectively articulated their assigned country's stance, demonstrated a deep understanding of the agenda topics, and proposed well-researched, innovative solutions.
Winning this award showcases a delegate's foundational skills, as a strong position paper is the bedrock of effective participation. Esteemed conferences like Harvard's HMUN and NAMUN grant this award to participants whose papers are not only factually accurate but also diplomatically nuanced and persuasive. A winning paper serves as a comprehensive policy brief, arming the delegate with the knowledge and talking points needed to lead debate and shape resolutions from the very start.
How to Stand Out
Earning recognition for your position paper requires meticulous preparation and adherence to the highest academic standards. It's your first impression on the chairs and sets the tone for your entire conference experience.
- Go Beyond the Background Guide: Use primary sources like official UN documents, government press releases, and statements from your assigned country's foreign ministry. This demonstrates a commitment to authentic policy representation.
- Propose Concrete Solutions: Avoid vague statements like "promote peace." Instead, offer specific, actionable policy proposals. For example, suggest a framework for a multinational task force with defined objectives and potential funding mechanisms.
- Adhere Strictly to Formatting: Pay close attention to the conference's guidelines for length, font, citation style (e.g., MLA, Chicago), and structure. A professionally formatted paper shows respect for the rules and attention to detail.
Pro Tip: Structure your paper to tell a story. Begin with your country's general perspective, detail the specific problems caused by the topic, and conclude with your innovative solutions as the clear and logical path forward. This narrative approach makes your paper more compelling and memorable for the chairs.
This award is highly valued because it proves your dedication and analytical prowess before you even enter the committee room. It shows you have done the hard work necessary for a successful conference. For further guidance on crafting compelling arguments, you can explore resources on effective policy writing techniques.
6. Best Delegation Award
The Best Delegation award is the highest honor a school or organization can receive at a Model United Nations conference. It recognizes the team whose collective performance across all committees was the most consistent and impactful. This award is a testament not just to individual skill but to the strength, preparation, and collaborative spirit of an entire program. Chairs and conference organizers calculate this award based on the cumulative success of all delegates from a single school, factoring in individual awards won, the quality of position papers, and overall diplomatic professionalism.
This infographic breaks down the core components that typically contribute to a delegation's overall score.
The visualization highlights that a team's final standing is a weighted combination of individual delegate performance, preparatory work, and delegation size.
Winning Best Delegation signifies programmatic excellence. Top-tier conferences like the Yale Model United Nations Conference (YMUN) and Georgetown's NAIMUN, which gives separate awards for large and small delegations, bestow this honor upon teams that demonstrate superior research, strategy, and teamwork. It reflects a program’s ability to train delegates to excel in diverse committees, from a large General Assembly to a fast-paced crisis simulation, showcasing depth and versatility.
How to Stand Out
Earning Best Delegation requires a coordinated, team-wide strategy that begins long before the opening ceremonies. Every member's performance contributes to the collective goal.
- Establish a Collaborative Culture: Create an environment where team members support each other. Conduct regular preparation sessions, share research through a centralized system, and have experienced delegates mentor newer ones. Success depends on the entire team's performance, not just a few stars.
- Coordinate a Unified Strategy: Ensure all delegates understand the team's goals and standards. Position papers should be reviewed for consistent quality and policy coherence where appropriate. This demonstrates a unified and well-prepared front to the conference staff.
- Make Strategic Assignments: Place your delegates in committees that play to their strengths. A strong public speaker may excel in a large GA, while a creative problem-solver might be better suited for a crisis committee. Smart assignments maximize the potential for each member to succeed.
Pro Tip: Focus on "winning the middle." While top awards are crucial, ensure that even delegates who don't win a gavel are performing strongly, engaging in debate, and contributing to their committees. A delegation with many delegates earning honorable mentions is often more competitive than one with a single Best Delegate and little else.
This award is the ultimate benchmark for a MUN team because it proves you have built a program centered on excellence, support, and consistent preparation. It is a powerful validation of a team's hard work and dedication to the principles of diplomacy.
7. Diplomacy Award (or Distinguished Diplomat)
The Diplomacy Award honors the delegate who best embodies the spirit of cooperation, consensus-building, and effective negotiation. While other awards may recognize dominant speakers or aggressive debaters, this prize is specifically for the individual who excels at building bridges, mediating conflict, and fostering a collaborative committee environment. It celebrates the nuanced art of diplomacy over sheer competitive drive.
This award recognizes that the true goal of the United Nations is to find common ground, not to win arguments. Conferences like the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC) often feature Diplomacy Awards to highlight participants who facilitate productive dialogue and lead through respect and integrity. A winning delegate is often the one who helps opposing blocs find a middle path, ensuring that a resolution is not just passed but is also comprehensive and widely supported.
How to Stand Out
Earning a Diplomacy Award requires prioritizing the committee's success over personal glory. It is about influence through collaboration rather than domination.
- Be the Bridge-Builder: Actively listen to all viewpoints, especially those from opposing blocs. Identify shared interests and use them as a foundation for compromise. Your role is to connect disparate ideas and delegates into a cohesive working group.
- Facilitate, Don't Dominate: During unmoderated caucuses, focus on guiding the conversation. Ensure quieter delegates have a chance to speak and their ideas are considered. A great diplomat empowers others and helps the group synthesize the best ideas, regardless of their origin.
- Master the Art of Compromise: Be willing to amend your own clauses or even merge your draft resolution with another group's to achieve a stronger consensus. Show the chairs that you value a collective, substantive solution more than having your name on the final paper.
Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the informal interactions during lobbying and negotiation sessions. This is where true diplomacy shines. By helping to resolve disagreements between other delegates, you demonstrate a level of diplomatic maturity that chairs will definitely notice.
This award is ideal for delegates who are naturally collaborative and skilled at reading the room. It proves that effective leadership is often quiet, respectful, and focused on collective achievement. To excel in this area, you must understand the nuances of informal negotiation and learn effective strategies for what lobbying in MUN truly entails.
8. Gavel Award (Chair/Secretary-General Excellence)
While most Model United Nations awards celebrate delegate performance, the Gavel Award honors the unsung heroes of the conference: the committee chairs and secretariat members. This award recognizes the individuals who expertly facilitate debate, manage committee proceedings, and create an engaging and educational environment for all participants. It is a mark of exceptional leadership, procedural mastery, and a commitment to fostering a high-quality diplomatic experience.
Winning a Gavel Award signifies excellence in conference management and facilitation. Prestigious conferences like the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago (MUNUC) and Harvard MUN (HMUN) recognize chairs who demonstrate fairness, expertise, and the ability to guide a committee effectively. These individuals are not just rule-keepers; they are educators and mentors who ensure the committee runs smoothly, remains productive, and provides a valuable learning opportunity for every delegate in the room.
How to Stand Out
Earning this staff-focused honor requires a unique blend of authority, diplomacy, and pedagogical skill. Your performance is judged on your ability to manage the room, uphold procedure, and elevate the debate.
- Master the Rules of Procedure: Your knowledge of parliamentary procedure must be absolute. You need to be able to answer any question, resolve any dispute, and make decisive rulings with confidence and clarity. This is the foundation of effective chairing.
- Create an Inclusive Environment: A great chair ensures every delegate feels empowered to participate, from seasoned veterans to first-time speakers. Actively encourage quieter delegates, manage dominant speakers, and foster a respectful atmosphere where all voices can be heard.
- Balance Authority with Approachability: While you are the authority in the room, you must also be approachable. Be open to questions, provide constructive feedback, and guide delegates without being overly rigid or intimidating. The goal is to facilitate, not dictate.
Pro Tip: Prepare a comprehensive and well-researched background guide. A high-quality guide sets the academic tone for the committee and demonstrates your dedication from the very start. It's often the first impression a delegate has of your leadership.
This award is crucial because it highlights the importance of strong leadership behind the scenes. Excellent chairs are the reason great committees happen, and this award acknowledges that vital contribution to the world of Model UN. You can learn more about the responsibilities of a chair by exploring resources on effective committee facilitation.
Model UN Awards Comparison Chart
Award | Implementation Complexity | Resource Requirements | Expected Outcomes | Ideal Use Cases | Key Advantages |
Best Delegate Award | High – requires thorough evaluation across sessions | High – demands comprehensive delegate preparation | Top individual performance in diplomacy, speaking, research, leadership | Recognizing top individual delegate per committee | Prestigious, validates broad MUN skills, strong motivation |
Outstanding Delegate Award | Moderate – multiple recipients per committee | Moderate – requires solid delegate effort | Strong individual achievement below top tier | Rewarding excellent but not top delegate | More attainable than Best Delegate, acknowledges consistent skill |
Honorable Mention Award | Low to moderate – multiple recipients | Low – recognizes specific strengths | Commendable specific contributions | Encouraging developing/new delegates | Inclusive recognition, promotes continued participation |
Verbal Commendation Award | Low – informal, based on chair observations | Minimal – no formal documentation | Positive behaviors and participation acknowledgment | Recognizing notable contributions without formal awards | Encourages effort, inclusive environment, reduces pressure |
Best Position Paper Award | Moderate – judged pre-conference on written work | Moderate to high – requires strong research/writing | Recognition for outstanding research and writing | Rewarding pre-conference research excellence | Validates research skills independently of debate performance |
Best Delegation Award | High – aggregate scoring of entire team | High – requires coordinated team effort | Honors top-performing school/organization delegation | Recognizing collective team excellence | Highlights program quality, encourages collaboration |
Diplomacy Award | Moderate – subjective focus on diplomatic skills | Moderate – emphasis on consensus-building | Recognizes exceptional collaboration and negotiation | Rewarding cooperative, consensus-oriented delegates | Encourages positive committee dynamics, values UN principles |
Gavel Award (Chair/SG Excellence) | High – evaluates conference staff performance | High – demands leadership and facilitation skills | Recognizes outstanding committee management | Honoring chairs, directors, and secretariat members | Validates staff leadership, improves conference quality |
Your Strategic Path to the Podium
Navigating the competitive landscape of a Model UN conference can be as intricate as the global diplomacy it simulates. While the array of Model United Nations awards might seem daunting, understanding their distinct criteria reveals a clear roadmap for success. This guide has deconstructed the most common accolades, from the coveted Best Delegate gavel to the strategic Best Position Paper, providing a framework not just for winning, but for excelling in every facet of diplomatic engagement.
The core lesson is that these awards are not isolated achievements. They are interconnected reflections of a delegate's comprehensive skill set. A powerful speech, for instance, is rooted in the deep research required for a top-tier position paper. Likewise, the collaborative spirit that earns a Diplomacy Award is the very foundation upon which successful resolutions and bloc leadership, key for a Best Delegate award, are built. The journey to the podium is less about chasing a specific title and more about cultivating a holistic set of diplomatic habits.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Conference
To translate this knowledge into tangible results, focus on these strategic pillars:
- Master the Fundamentals: Before you can innovate, you must master the basics. This means meticulous research, a flawlessly formatted position paper, and a deep understanding of parliamentary procedure. These elements are the non-negotiable foundation for every other skill.
- Embrace Strategic Communication: Your influence in committee is directly tied to how effectively you communicate. This goes beyond powerful speeches. It includes writing clear and concise working papers, negotiating effectively in unmoderated caucuses, and asking insightful points of information. In Model UN, effective communication is key; learning how to present your arguments concisely and persuasively can significantly boost your performance, much like mastering these tips to win over your audience.
- Balance Leadership with Collaboration: The most respected delegates know when to lead and when to empower others. Guide your bloc, propose innovative solutions, and be a driving force in debate. However, also actively listen, build consensus, and credit your allies. True leadership creates a tide that lifts all boats.
From Preparation to Recognition
Ultimately, the pursuit of Model United Nations awards is a catalyst for profound personal and professional growth. It pushes you to think critically, speak persuasively, and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds to solve complex global issues. The skills honed in committee rooms, from research and public speaking to negotiation and conflict resolution, are invaluable assets in any future career path.
View each conference as a laboratory for developing these skills. Set specific, achievable goals beyond just winning. Aim to deliver a speech that changes the direction of the debate, or to be the primary author of a clause that makes it into the final resolution. Celebrate these small victories, as they are the building blocks of a gavelling performance. By focusing on the process of becoming an exceptional diplomat, the accolades will naturally follow, serving as milestones on your journey of growth and achievement.
Ready to transform your preparation and elevate your performance? Model Diplomat is your AI-powered strategic partner for MUN success. From generating research starting points to refining your speeches and helping you craft winning resolutions, our platform gives you the tools to stand out. Gain the competitive edge you need to turn your hard work into recognition at your next conference with Model Diplomat.
Written by
