IDIA Simulation Policy

 

Respect and tolerance towards others are extremely important to the successful execution of IDIA conferences. As a matter of policy, IDIA requires that all conference attendees, staff, and participants approach all conversations with other participants with professionalism, decorum, and respect.

Personal attacks, harassing conduct, and hateful comments motivated by intolerance towards others’ race, sex, gender or sexual identity and expression, religion, national origin, or other protected categories are not just out of line with the UN’s stated values; they are prohibited at all IDIA conferences.

At the same time, it is important to acknowledge and embrace the contentious nature of conversations in the debate environment. It is inherent to Model UN and Model Congress simulations that participants will have to engage with, and at times voice, opinions from the world of geopolitics that their assigned roles in the simulation call for. Some of these opinions will likely be regarded as offensive by many outside of the conference environment.

To help participants navigate these complexities, IDIA will enforce the following at all events:

• Comments that are not germane to the official committee topics should be avoided in debate.

• Comments, assertions, and policy opinions made in the name of simulation should be verifiably supported by research into the person, state, or entity that the participant is portraying. If it’s not something your state has said in real life, it shouldn’t be said in the conference.

• All participants should approach debate with the knowledge that the opinions and assertions made by others in the course of the simulation may not reflect how those individuals really feel.

 

---

In other words…

IDIA requires that all conference attendees maintain maturity and mutual respect at all times.

Respect and tolerance are critical to the success of IDIA conferences, and all attendees, staff, and participants must engage with professionalism and respect. Personal attacks, harassment, and intolerance based on race, sex, gender, religion, nationality, or other protected categories are prohibited. 

Debates will always be contentious, especially when you’re portraying states, leaders, and individuals who may in reality hold controversial opinions that others regard as offensive. We ask that you abide by the following: always keep your comments germane to the topics at hand. Any comments and assertions you make should be backed up by research. If the leader you’re representing hasn’t stated or asserted something in real life, you shouldn’t be re-stating it at conference. Finally, remember that the opinions others espouse may not reflect how they feel outside of the simulation.