<aside> 💡 Opening speech is a way to leave an impression of yourself in the whole committee. Depending on the quality of your opening speech, you can make a strong start in the debate.

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Opening speech structures

Part 1: Opening

Honourable chair and distinguished delegates,

This line is a “must have” - the wording doesn’t have to be the exact same, but it is important to address all those present in your committee.

Part 2: the problem

The first step to stopping starvation (…)

Mention the problem you would like to address. This is usually your chosen topic (in this case, it is stopping global hunger)

Part 3: the solution

(…) is improving access to clean water, which is critical for food growth.

Consider these points: What do you want to do about the issue? How does your resolution aim to solve it? Briefly summarise your solutions in 1-2 sentences.

Part 4: the information

Half of the 800 million people without access to clean water live in Sub-Saharan Africa

Back up your solution with FACTS. HARD FACTS that support your case. Numbers are the best form of information to use and the hardest to argue with.

A strong opening speech needs to have relevant facts and numbers that support parts of your speech. Without information, your words might not give enough credibility.

Part 5: Action

The Kingdom of Norway believes that the WFP’s efforts should focus on community-oriented aid to promote self-sufficient living. Norway thinks self-operated water harvesting devices are a good way to do this. The University of Akron in Ohio developed a water harvester that produces 10 gallons of drinking water per hour from thin air. The UN should purchase, and distribute, water harvesters to the countries most in need such as Niger, Burundi and Mozambique. For the UN to ensure long term success, the WFP should transfer harvesters and not funds to the countries in need.

Provide a step-by-step solution of how you aim to solve the issue.

<aside> 🚨 DO NOT USE PERSONAL PRONOUNS! Refer to yourself as “delegate of (name of delegation)” or “(name of delegation)” throughout the speech.

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