What does a delegate do?

Before the conference, delegates should thoroughly research their country's background and general perspective, as well as its specific policies on the topics they will be debating within their respective committees.

For example, if a delegate is representing Argentina on the Disarmament Commission, she should find out about Argentina's history and current political, social, and economic situation, and what its past record has been on the issues to be discussed in the Disarmament Commission. What relevant treaties has it signed? What is Argentina doing about the issue already? What does it plan to do? Is the issue a particularly important one for Argentina, or one of its enemies or allies?

Delegates should then write a Policy Statement on their country's position on the topics. This will be presented in the form of a short speech by every delegate in front of his commission, and also aids in the research process.

Once the delegates have a clear understanding of their nation's position, they should formulate a plan of action for solving each issue. This solution can the country's official proposed solution, or an original idea (keeping within the nation's policies), or a combination of both. This "plan of action" is called a resolution, and must be written according to a certain format. Delegates should begin Writing Resolutions as soon as their policies are solid. At TIMEMUN, delegates are expected to have prepared resolutions on one or more topics within their committee, and to be well-informed on the other issues as well.

TIMEMUN 2001 delegates merge resolutions