Specialized
Committees

These committees offer unique procedural rules and specialized focus areas that differ from standard Model UN simulations. They range in their substantive perspectives, procedural style, and pace, though all offer delegates a special opportunity to immerse themselves in CIMUN's world. In particular, our Specialized Committees will be hubs of communication and conversation for delegates across the conference through CIMUN's 24/7 interactive simulations model. Please note that each Specialized Committee has their own, CIMUN-specific Rules of Procedure (ROP), which will be included in their Background Guides.

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British House of Commons (BHOC), 1956

Committee Type: Specialized Committee (Hybrid crisis & non-crisis elements; delegates will spend significant portions of conference both writing bills and responding to international issues requiring immediate attention.)

Delegation Type: Single-delegation

Committee Level: The British House of Commons is recommended for delegates of all experience levels, though delegates wishing to participate should note the modified Rules of Procedure. We recommend that BHOC delegates do some background research on the British parliamentary system prior to the beginning of CIMUN.

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To facilitate immersion, accuracy, and enjoyment, delegates in the British House of Commons should note BHOC-specific Rules of Procedure (RoP). Please read them in full, as they differ substantially from traditional Model UN RoP, and include fun touches we don’t want you to miss out on (Prime Ministers Questions, votes of no confidence, and in-committee cheering, booing, and hissing among them). These RoP are included at the end of your background guide.

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The British House of Commons is the democratically-elected lower house of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Composed of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each of whom represent a specific constituency, it is responsible for considering new laws and scrutinizing the work of the British Government. In 1956, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Eden and his Conservative Party, the British House of Commons faces a pivotal point in its history. More than a decade after the end of World War II, the United Kingdom must assess its identity as a former global superpower in a new world order defined by former British colonies becoming independent, the Cold War, as post-WWII economic recovery. MPs in BHOC must work to chart a prosperous, secure future for the United Kingdom while ensuring the Government in the UK Cabinet does the same.

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The Agenda for the British House of Commons at CIMUN XXII is as follows:

• Topic A: Protecting British infrastructure and trade as we grant colonial people’s independence
• Topic B: Maintaining the financial stability of the National Health Service (NHS)

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Background Guide Link

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United States Senate, 1956

Committee Type: Specialized Committee (Hybrid crisis & non-crisis elements; delegates will spend significant portions of conference both writing bills and responding to international issues requiring immediate attention.)

Delegation Type: Single-delegation

Committee Level: The United States Senate is recommended for delegates of all experience levels, though delegates wishing to participate should note the modified Rules of Procedure.

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To facilitate immersion, accuracy, and enjoyment, delegates in the United States Senate should note Senate-specific Rules of Procedure (RoP). Please read them in full, as they differ substantially from traditional Model UN RoP, and include fun touches we don’t want you to miss out on (subpoena power, impeachment, and filibustering among them). These RoP are included at the end of your background guide.

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The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States’ bicameral legislature, composed of 100 Senators, each state having two representatives. It works in tandem with the House of Representatives to write and pass legislation to govern the country. In 1956, the Senate is controlled by a Democratic majority under Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson. The House is also majority-Democratic, while the president is Republican Dwight Eisenhower. With divided legislature and executive branches, the Senate seeks to exercise its influence over America’s future, especially given the United States’ rise to prominence as a Cold War superpower. Senators must work to secure the United States’ continued prosperity through addressing crises both foreign and domestic, while building infrastructure that will last for decades to follow.

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The Agenda for the United States Senate at CIMUN XXII is as follows:

• Topic A: Defending U.S. commercial interests on the high seas and international waterways
• Topic B: The condition of Native American tribes and peoples

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Background Guide Link (Pending)

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International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Committee Type: Specialized Committee (Limited crisis elements; delegates may be asked to issue decisions for ad hoc cases brought to Court related to CIMUN’s unfolding crisis narrative, but will spend most of conference writing and debating a pre-set docket.)

Delegation Type: Single-delegation

Committee Level: The ICJ is recommended for delegates of all experience levels, though participants should note the substantive rigor of the committee due to its use of technical terminology and a legal framework that differs from traditional Model UN committees. Highly recommended for those with a strong interest in law, legal analysis, or rigorous debate!

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***NOTE: Any CIMUN delegate, committee, or country is welcome to bring a case to CIMUN’s ICJ for adjudication.

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Head Delegates (or otherwise delegated representatives in special circumstances) will be responsible for Advocating for their country before the International Court of Justice for any cases listed on the docket below. These countries are Argentina, Chile, India, Portugal, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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To facilitate immersion, accuracy, and enjoyment, delegates in the International Court of Justice should note ICJ-specific Rules of Procedure (RoP). Please read them in full, as they differ substantially from traditional Model UN RoP, both in terms of the structure of debate and the type of documents the ICJ produces. These RoP are included at the end of your background guide.

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ), as established under the Charter of the United Nations, is the principal judicial organ of the UN. It adjudicates disputes between states that submit issues for it to address (contentious cases), as well as provides advisory opinions for legal questions referred by UN organs and specialized agencies. In 1956, the ICJ serves as an important example of international decision-making based on a systematized, rules-based system. In an era dominated by individual actors, conflict, and violence, the ICJ must assert itself as a bastion of the ideals of peaceful, consensus-based conflict resolution.

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The docket for the International Court of Justice at CIMUN XXII is as follows:

• Case A: Antarctica (United Kingdom v. Argentina and Chile)
• Case B: Aerial Incident of 7 October 1952 (United States v. USSR)
• Case C: Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India)
• Any cases brought to the Court on an ad hoc basis.

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Background Guide Link

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The CIMUN Chronicle, 1956

Committee Type: Specialized Committee (Produces continuous coverage of CIMUN; delegate in the CIMUN Chronicle will serve as student journalists in a collaborative newsroom finding and writing stories for our all-CIMUN newspaper.)

Delegation Type: Single-delegation

Committee Level: The CIMUN Chronicle is recommended for delegates of all experience levels, though participants should note that the CIMUN Chronicle does not function like a traditional Model UN committee, as there is no traditional debate nor resolution writing. Highly recommended for those with a strong interest in journalism or love of writing!

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***NOTE = All CIMUN delegates should be aware that CIMUN Chronicle journalists will be roaming the conference writing stories on their committees’ work. Delegates are encouraged to try and use the news to their advantage, whether by pushing to get a favorable story written about their resolution or bill, or through spinning a narrative that fits their national cabinets’ perspective.

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Our premier source of conference news – delegates in the CIMUN Chronicle will work together as a newsroom to report, and most importantly, break news on everything happening at CIMUN. Delegates will roam around the conference to pitch, source, and write stories that will be published as part of our conference newspaper, while working together to speak truth to power and provide all CIMUN delegates with comprehensive coverage of its committees and cabinets. Student journalists in the CIMUN Chronicle should be aware of the power of the news to tell and influence CIMUN’s story, whether it be through leaking confidential information, getting an inside scoop from high-profile sources, or asking tough questions during press conferences. Journalists in the CIMUN Chronicle will also be asked to consider the impact of their work – what was the role of the news in 1956, and how is it different from today’s media environment?

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While there is no pre-set Agenda for the CIMUN Chronicle, student journalists are encouraged to explore the topics of other committees to get an idea of what stories or “beats” they’d like to cover at CIMUN.

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Background Guide Link

Committee Type: Cabinet-style (Continuous crisis; delegates will neither debate nor write traditional resolutions. Rather, they will spend the conference reacting to a series of ongoing crisis updates. CIMUN does not use a notepad system for crisis notes, and delegates are strictly limited to realistic portfolio or political powers in pursuing any “backroom” actions.)

Delegation Type: Single-delegation

Committee Level: The Ad Hoc Cabinet of the Secretary General is the most advanced committee at CIMUN. It is recommended for experienced delegates only.

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THE AD HOC COMMITTEE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL SHALL REMAIN A SECRET TO ALL DELEGATES AND ADVISORS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF CIMUN XXII. DELEGATES WILL RECEIVE THEIR POSITIONS ON THURSDAY EVENING.

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LIKE ALL OF CIMUN XXII’S COMMITTEES, THE AD HOC COMMITTEE WILL HAVE A START DATE OF JULY 26, 1956 AND WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE BROADER CONFERENCE NARRATIVE. THE AD HOC CABINET WILL USE CIMUN’S STANDARD CABINET RULES OF PROCEDURE TO GOVERN ITS PROCEEDINGS.

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WE WISH THE BEST OF LUCK TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.

At CIMUN XXII, each committee, its topics, and our overall simulation will be focused on the theme of "The New World Order." This theme centers around the prevailing narratives of 1956: decolonization, the emergence of superpowers at the end of the Second World War, and the still-nascent "international community" as coordinated by Intergovernmental Organizations. Delegates and educators alike are encouraged to consider this theme while preparing for conference.

In order to facilitate realism, critical substantive inquiry, and stronger adherence to national policy, CIMUN asks its delegates to produce two kinds of position papers:white papers and black papers. As a general principle, white papers should outline the public-facing policy of your country or character, while black papers should outline your country or character's secret strategic priorities and objectives. Delegates will be able to read the white papers of other delegates in their committee or cabinet. Black papers will be kept confidential for the eyes of CIMUN staff only.

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All delegates must submit their position papers by November 10, 2025 to be considered for CIMUN's position paper awards. Delegates who do not submit a position paper will not be considered for awards. More information on paper submission logistics is forthcoming.

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Please find a committee-by-committee breakdown of position paper requirements below. In addition, these requirements will be laid out in all committee-specific background guides.

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• General Committee delegates must submit 1 white paper per topic, and 1 black paper in total. (These rules encompass all committees not noted in the Specialized Committee section below.)
  
  • White papers should be approximately 1 page single-spaced, and black papers should be approximately half a page single-spaced.
  • The white papers should focus on your country’s public position on the given topic. You will be able to read the white papers of other delegates in your committee, and they will be able to read yours.
  • The black paper should focus on your national delegation’s strategic approach and goals.
  • Please cite all sources. Any standard citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago) is acceptable.
    
    • Delegates who do not cite their sources will be disqualified from position paper awards.
• Cabinet delegates must submit 1 white paper in total, and 1 black paper per topic.
  
  • Black papers should be approximately 1 page single-spaced, and the white paper should be approximately half a page single-spaced.
  • The white paper should focus on your administration or department’s public position and role. You will be able to read the white papers of other delegates in your committee, and they will be able to read yours.
  • The black paper should focus on your strategic recommendations for how the Cabinet should approach the given topics.
  • Please cite all sources. Any standard citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago) is acceptable.
    
    • Delegates who do not cite their sources will be disqualified from position paper awards.
• Specialized Committee (ICJ, IPD, Ad Hoc, national legilatures) delegates have different position paper requirements for each committee.
  
  • U.S. Senate and British House of Commons must submit 1 white paper per topic, and 1 black paper in total. They should be written from the perspective of your character, guided by the perspective of your political party and other allegiances.  
    
    • White papers should be approximately 1 page single-spaced, and black papers should be approximately half a page single-spaced.
    • The white papers should focus on your legislator and party’s public position on the given topic. You will be able to read the white papers of other delegates in your committee, and they will be able to read yours.
    • The black paper should focus on your individual’s strategic approach and goals.
    • Please cite all sources. Any standard citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago) is acceptable.
• International Court of Justice delegates must submit a Judge’s Briefing demonstrating an understanding of international law relevant to the cases being heard, rather than a position paper.  
  
  • In the Judge’s Briefing, we will be looking for an understanding of international treaties and legal principles that may be relevant to the committee’s cases; and a basic understanding of the legal system of your nation and how the career history and legal training of the judge you represent will inform any decision you will be called upon to render. You will be able to read the Judge’s Briefings of other members of your committee, and they will be able to read yours.
  • Judge’s Briefings should be approximately 2 pages single spaced.
  • Please cite all sources. Any standard citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago) is acceptable.
    
    • Delegates who do not cite their sources will be disqualified from position paper awards.
• CIMUN Chronicle journalists must submit an article to prepare for conference. The article should be a 300 to 350 word piece previewing CIMUN XXII. All articles should use the inverted pyramid format and follow the CIMUN Chronicle style guide (see the background guide for more information on this!).  ‍
• Ad Hoc delegates are exempt from writing position papers.

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