Model United Nations (MUN) conferences are held throughout the United States each year to help college students learn about major international issues and the problems and possibilities for international cooperation. There are many educational aspects of the MUN program in which students play the role of a representative of a particular country to a specific U.N. body. In their preparation for a model U.N. conference, students must do a great deal of background reading to gain a thorough knowledge of the U.N. in general and of the particular organ on which they will serve. The delegate's effectiveness also depends heavily on an intimate understanding of the country represented, its political and economic systems, its level of development, its foreign policy, and its relations with other countries. Students also gain an insight into international negotiation, consensus building, and bloc politics. Finally, delegates must be familiar with and develop some facility in using parliamentary rules. Although most delegations receive some funding from their college or university, funding also comes from student government funds, from a Dean, a department, or special budget. Most delegations engage in some kind of fund-raising activities during the year. (Author/RM)