Budapest International Model United Nations
Non-verbal communication and diplomatic protocol
“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”
/Anne Morrow Lindbergh/
Communication plays a leading role while debating and participating at MUNs. Since the
ancient times it has special rules and unwritten laws that may be learnt or born-with. Let’s have a
closer look on how to extend a few simple sentences into an astonishing speech.
1. The main principles of communication
a. The main verbal principles:
i. cooperation (you are looking for a mutual solution, do NEVER forget it!)
ii. quality (aim to tell the truth, exact data and information while using proper
professional language)
iii. circumstances (it’s different to give a speech in a kindergarten than in the UN)
iv. politeness (be polite, always!)
v. minimalization of silence (even though little pauses for express your sentences are
not just allowed, but recommended)
vi. the principle of irony and avoiding disputes (arguing is OK, disputes and quarrels
are not!)
b. The main non-verbal principles:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
(physical connection (not in our case))
mimics and gestures (not too much, you still are at a MUN conference, but needed!)
posture (something like “both proud and self-conscious”)
outfit (elegant)
circumstances (you are standing on the floor of a MUN conference, it gives you the
non-verbal signs of intelligence and seriousness)
c. → the verbal and non-verbal signs can strengthen, weaken, complete or
contradict each other, be wary of this!
2. Diplomatic protocol
In this section of the guide a little collection will be presented. Things, which you have to be
familiar with; mostly the basics of diplomatic protocol. This is important to maintain the look of a
professional and the both elegant and charming atmosphere.

Clothing. As stated in the Rules of Procedure it has to be adequate, but it is not enough. A
diplomat has to wear his/her cloth, not just put on. Gentlemen, do not forget your coat
while delivering a speech and mind your bottom button! For the ladies there is no
explanation on how to wear (and bear) the clothes, you know it, it is in your blood.

Hands. Never-ever in your pockets. Never. If you do not know what to do with your hands
while delivering a speech then grab a piece of paper (even if you have no notes on it) and
Tel.: +36-1-327-7290
Fax.: +36-1-327-7298
Eötvös József Gimnázium
1053 Budapest
Reáltanoda u. 7.
Email: bimun@bimun.hu
Budapest International Model United Nations
hold that. Holding a paper makes you look like a delegate, unlike holding the microphone.
You are not Britney Spears to softly whisper your words into it.

Addressing. It is also stated in the Rules of Procedure, that delegates shall address the
present excellencies in the order of their title. In the real diplomatic world if you miss
someone important from your addressing then you may say goodbye to your fancy job.

Attention. If someone is talking to you then it shall be fundamental that you listen to
him/her, even though if you are not interested at all.

“Delegates, please refer to yourselves in the third person singular or the first person plural”
This is also important, only exceptions are the phrases, locutions that include other forms.
Such as “Thank you” or “My apologies”. While yielding the floor it also may be acceptable
to use the first person singular.

Punctuality. There is nothing worse than a late-running diplomat arriving to the session
minutes late still catching his/her breath.
With these kept in mind do never forget that on the one hand you are a serious delegate
representing a country in the world’s greatest diplomatic organization, the United Nations, and on
the other hand you are a well-educated young adult with a few hundreds of others like you.
Tel.: +36-1-327-7290
Fax.: +36-1-327-7298
Eötvös József Gimnázium
1053 Budapest
Reáltanoda u. 7.
Email: bimun@bimun.hu