The Power of Quotes in Model UN Speeches

Quotes can be powerful tools in Model UN speeches. They help reinforce your arguments, establish credibility, and engage your audience. However, like any tool, they must be used strategically—too many quotes can make your speech feel less original. Here’s why quotes can be beneficial and how to use them effectively:

Why Use Quotes in Model UN Speeches?

1. Build Credibility: Referencing well-known figures or international documents shows that your argument is informed by reputable sources.

2. Make Your Point Memorable: A powerful quote can capture complex ideas in a simple, impactful way, helping your message stick with your audience.

3. Engage Your Audience: A relevant quote can add an emotional appeal, giving your speech a more persuasive and relatable edge.

4. Connect to Global Values: Using quotes from famous leaders or international agreements can demonstrate your country’s alignment with universal principles, making your position more appealing to other delegates.

Best Practices for Using Quotes

• Be Selective: Only use a quote if it strengthens your argument and fits naturally within your speech.

• Context Matters: Always introduce the quote and explain its relevance. Without context, quotes can seem out of place.

• Stay Concise: Choose short, impactful quotes that support your points without taking up too much of your speaking time.

• Don’t Overuse Quotes: While quotes are valuable, over-relying on them can make your speech feel less original. Use them sparingly to emphasize key points.

Recommended Quotes for Model UN Speeches

Here is a list of quotes that can be used in various contexts, from promoting human rights to emphasizing international cooperation:

1. Human Rights & Equality

   • "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." – Nelson Mandela

   • "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home." – Eleanor Roosevelt

2. Peace & Security

   • "Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means." – Ronald Reagan

   • "We must see peace as a daily, a weekly, a monthly process." – John F. Kennedy

3. Sustainable Development

   • "The Earth is what we all have in common." – Wendell Berry

   • "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." – Native American Proverb

4. Education & Youth Empowerment

   • "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela

   • "Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." – John F. Kennedy

5. Global Cooperation

   • "The United Nations is our one great hope for a peaceful and free world." – Ralph Bunche

   • "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller

6. Poverty & Inequality

   • "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." – Nelson Mandela

   • "There is enough on this planet for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed." – Mahatma Gandhi

7. Climate Action

   • "Climate change is not only a challenge, it’s an opportunity to create a healthier, more sustainable world." – Ban Ki-moon

   • "What we do today, right now, will have an accumulated effect on all our tomorrows." – Alexandra Stoddard

Final Tip: Use Quotes Wisely

While quotes can add impact, don’t let them replace your original arguments. Always aim for a balance between supporting your stance with quotes and presenting your own insights. Let your voice be the main driver of your speech, with quotes serving as powerful reinforcements.