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Working papers require sponsors and signatories. Sponsors are those that actively contribute to the working paper whereas signatories do not mind what the working paper seeks to achieve. Also, being a sponsor or signatory, shows sometimes how active a delegate is. Knowing this, delegates can negotiate to be part of different working papers by negotiating. E.g. be part of my working paper and you will be part of mine.

Negotiation for Delegates to Vote your Motion

Before certain motions are raised, especially those that raised rarely, you have to have negotiated with delegates before raising such a motion, so that they either vote for it or speak for it. This will prevent the embarrassment of not having an accepted motion.

Example;

A delegate in his bloc, discussing with members of his bloc on why he wants to move a motion to change the speakers time,

Delegate from Belgium; delegates, don’t you think 90 seconds for speech is not enabling us to complete more work on our working paper. I think it’s time we reduce it to at least 60 seconds, so we have more time to achieve progress in our working paper. So, when I raise the motion, kindly vote in favour so it will pass. Since I am raising it for our benefits.

Bloc Members: that’s a very good idea. We will definitely vote. Seeing as most delegates have given more than 3 speeches already and their content isn’t as much as the first day.

The delegate from Belgium, successfully negotiated for other delegates to vote in favour of his motion to reduce the speakers time, because he negotiated that, the motion is all for their benefit. This shows another instance of negotiating and how it’s done.

Negotiating for your Ideas to be Imputed in the Working Paper

Delegates have a duty to push for their ideas to attain the position of importance in every working paper and to reach that height, negotiation is needed.

Negotiating for Draft Resolutions to be Voted on:

It is the duty of delegates to inform other delegates about what their draft resolution and why it needs to be voted upon to become a draft resolution. This information given also involves negotiating that assures certain delegates voting on a draft resolution to become a resolution. You have to identify and persuade blocs of delegates why it is in their interest to vote for the draft resolution. And if you want your draft resolution to pass, you need to drive negotiations and prevent it from failing.

Negotiating for Competing Text to be Deleted

Negotiators have to sometimes have to convince some delegates that made suggestions on some clauses to remove them, because they are serving the same purpose or idea as some other clauses’ existent in the working paper, so a negotiator will explain why other ideas are more comprehensive and serves their interests, too. To do this, a delegate has to be empathetic with whomever the delegate is and convince he/she that their suggestion is not gone, it’s only merged to become one.

Know what you want: You have to have your mind made up on what you want before you start negotiating. This way, you would know what you can give up to be able to win. When you know what you want, and the things you can give up, you can adopt any strategy you like to achieve the result that you want to achieve.

Be a smart dealmaker: Now that you are ready to negotiate, it is time to start making deals — to start persuading others through reasoning and personality. However, you also have to be a smart dealmaker — you need to know who to use your persuasion on. You have to focus first on delegates that like you personally. You would notice these delegates from the first day of the conference. Build rapport with them. You can then use them to reach out to other delegates who they have had a rapport with.

Try to minimise time with difficult delegates: It is one thing if delegates bring up objections to your suggestions or to what you want. But some delegates just want to fight. Avoid them. They object your resolution or suggestions. They want to put down your resolution and boast about theirs. Even if you debate them successfully, they are not going to change their mind — they just want to feel important. The only time you want to debate is if it is in front of other delegates. You will not change the minds of difficult delegates, but you might convince other delegates who are watching to vote for your resolution. Otherwise, you want to minimize your time with these kinds of delegates and focus on others who are likely to vote for your resolution. Remember, you are not trying to have a debate — you want to negotiate towards your goal, this could be you wanting the passage of your resolution.

General Tips on Negotiation in MUN

Understand your country’s position/agenda

Knowing your country policy through research, and writing a comprehensive position paper in line with your policy is crucial to embodying the values of your nation. This will increase your confidence in negotiating.

Give and take

You can never go wrong in giving something worth the same as what you are taking from other delegates.

Be the division of labour initiator

People that suggest more work is achieved by dividing the work amongst themselves are considered good negotiators.

Timing is very important

Be apt when it comes to determining when the right time to negotiate on certain matters will be appropriate.