How to win Best Delegate at MUN: what conferences actually reward

Best Delegate is the award most Model UN students want, and the one most surrounded by myths. Speak the most, dominate your bloc, write every clause yourself: none of these is what conferences actually say they reward. Several conferences publish their award criteria, and reading them side by side gives a much clearer picture. This guide compares what they say, who decides, and what that means for how you work in committee.

First, not every conference gives awards

The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) does not. Its foundation explains: "THIMUN does not believe in that practice, feeling that competition detracts from the simulation experience and is detrimental to the idea of cooperative problem solving that it wants to promote." Even conferences that give awards stress they are not the point. Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) says it is "primarily concerned with providing each delegate an enjoyable and educational experience," and National Model United Nations (NMUN) says: "There are no winners and certainly no losers in this process."

What HMUN rewards

At HMUN, "Each committee Director, in consultation with his or her committee staff, will determine individual awards" on seven criteria:

• "Ability to work with and persuade other delegates through in-depth explanations and convincing arguments."
• "Quality of position papers and attendance at all committee sessions."
• Following the conference's policies.
• "Exhibition of a desire to compromise, while adhering to the policies and interests of the assigned individual or country."
• "Ability to develop and convey pragmatic and actionable solutions, both orally and in written form."
• "Exhibition of an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the topic area(s)."
• "Skill and effectiveness in caucusing, resolution-writing, and debate."

HMUN gives one Best Delegate per committee, followed by Outstanding Delegates, Honorable Mentions and Diplomatic Commendations. Rule-breaking costs awards: pre-written work can mean "forfeiture of individual or delegation awards," and plagiarism can mean "ineligibility for awards."

What HNMUN asks

Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) publishes its criteria as questions. Among them: "Does the delegate follow the correct Rules of Procedure during committee proceedings?" "Does the delegate vote in accordance with the policy and position they are taking?" "Does the delegate present their ideas in a compelling and logical manner that captures the attention of the committee?" "Is the delegate collaborative and encouraging?" and "Is the delegate respectful to the Dais, Secretariat members, and other delegates?" Resolution committees add whether the delegate contributes "significantly to the writing of the resolution operative clauses."

Its organisers are direct about style: success "is not about being the loudest voice in the room or “steam-rolling” over your fellow delegates." HNMUN "values soft, inclusive leadership," and "frowns upon the use of unethical, underhanded tactics." It also says appearing to lead is not enough: delegates "must also contribute significantly to the work product of their bloc."

How NMUN decides

NMUN works differently. It gives delegation awards, Outstanding, Distinguished and Honorable Mention, based on three equally weighted areas: "Active Engagement in Committee," "Professionalism and Diplomatic Values" and "Proper Use of the Rules of Procedure." Engagement is judged in both formal and informal sessions: speeches, but also "actively following speeches of other delegates" and working "with different delegations towards solutions." Staff can give "negative recognition point(s)" for behaviour that is "undiplomatic," "overly competitive or disruptive."

Its individual delegate awards are not chosen by the chairs at all. They "are determined by popular vote of committee delegates." Your fellow delegates decide.

NMUN also says it is "patient with new delegates" learning the rules, and that "Individual effort as well as ability is considered, particularly for delegates who use English as a second language."

Two more examples

The American University of Beirut's conference (AUBMUNC) lists what its Best Delegate does, including: "Consistently drives substantive debate forward," "Demonstrates mastery of the Rules of Procedure," "Works cooperatively with a wide range of delegates to build alliances," "Plays a major role in writing, amending, or defending resolutions," and "Meets the criteria for the Best Position Paper award." Its separate Diplomacy Award goes to a delegate who "May not be the loudest speaker but significantly contributes to the committee’s productivity."

At Harvard's WorldMUN in 2026, the DISEC chair told delegates: "For awards, I value consistent, constructive engagement over dramatic speeches." Standout delegates would "Negotiate broadly, not only with natural allies," "Bridge divides between competing drafts," "Elevate underrepresented perspectives" and "Demonstrate respect for procedure and peers." That is one chair's view, but it matches the published criteria.

What the criteria have in common

Reading these documents together, a pattern emerges. They reward:

1. Substance: real knowledge of the topic and your country's actual position.
2. Diplomacy: working with many delegations, including beyond your natural allies, and compromising without abandoning your country's interests.
3. Procedure: using the rules correctly and constructively.
4. The written text: contributing to working papers, clauses and amendments.
5. Preparation: several conferences count the position paper.

None of them says the delegate who speaks most wins. HNMUN's sheet does ask whether a delegate speaks frequently and on varied topics, so speaking matters, but as one factor among many.

What this means in committee

• Prepare a strong position paper. HMUN counts its quality, AUBMUNC builds it into Best Delegate, and HMUN India requires one in most of its committees to be eligible for awards.
• Stay in character. Vote and speak as your country would, even when you would personally choose differently.
• Work across blocs. Bridging competing drafts is the kind of work the WorldMUN DISEC chair singles out for awards.
• Write, not just talk. Make sure your ideas appear in the operative clauses.
• Bring others in. Inviting quieter delegations to contribute reads as leadership, not weakness.
• Never cut corners. NMUN says "completely AI-generated papers are not acceptable," HMUN India excludes papers using generative AI from awards, and HMUN and WorldMUN forbid pre-written resolutions.

What to do next

Start with the paper: MUN position paper format and rules. Then learn the tools: MUN rules of procedure explained, how to write an MUN resolution and how to give an MUN opening speech. If you are aiming for the dais instead, read how to chair an MUN committee.

To build these skills in a consensus forum, Model G20 is One Young India's simulation of the G20 summit for students, held as a three-day residential summit at FLAME University.