Michigan Youth in Government

NATIONAL ISSUES FORUM

New Program for 2008

Download April NIF Proposals

Overview of the NIF Program

The National Issues Forum (NIF) is a unique program that offers opportunities for junior and senior delegates to debate and research issues of national and/or international importance. Students interested in becoming part of the (NIF) program will be chosen based on an application process. Applications and further information will be provided at fall conferences and in future mailings.

Mission Statement of the National Issues Forum

The mission of the National Issues Forum (NIF) is to involve youth in the problem solving of issues affecting the country and the world.

Objectives of the NIF

To address issues of national and international concern.
To have every delegate prepare and present a proposal of his/her choosing.
To consider, debate, discuss and evaluate every proposal in progressively larger forums.
To provide small forums for debate, discussion and group interaction – allowing each delegate numerous speaking opportunities.
To train delegates on public speaking, debate, and proposal writing and research.
To develop traits of leadership, awareness and civic engagement in all delegates.
To have fun!

Delegate Role Description

As a delegate you are responsible for:

Independently identifying and researching an issue of national or international importance.
Writing a one-page proposal on the topic of your choice.
Preparing and delivering a two-minute speech in favor of your proposal at your session hearing and subsequent rounds (should you advance).
Participating in the debate and discussion of fellow delegates’ proposals.

The 60^th Lansing Conference

In Lansing NIF uses a format where proposals are presented to delegates in four successive rounds (each of increasing size) at “Proposal Hearings”. A Chair leads delegates in each forum.

During the Lansing conference:

Every delegate will have several opportunities to speak.

Delegates engage in intense discussions, argue in favor of their own proposal and debate the merits and flaws of other delegates’ proposals in four forums/hearings of ever increasing size (we call these forums “rounds”).

At the end of each round, delegates will rank the proposals presented using specific criteria. Each proposal’s composite score from these rankings determines the proposals that advance to the next round.

In General Assembly (“GA” the fourth and final round), the top proposals are presented by their author to the entire NIF where the proposal is passed or defeated.