Model United Nations

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Model United Nations International Format
Beginners Delegate Training
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Introduction to Model UN

• What is an MUN ?
• Objective of MUN
• Skills in an MUN

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What is an MUN?

• MUN (Model United Nations) is an extra curricular
  activity in many schools and universities, which
  simulates the functioning of the United Nations.
• In a Model UN Conference students assume the
  roles of countries and organizations represented
  in the UN in various committees or councils to
  debate and discuss issues concerning the world.

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Objective of MUN

• The Aims of an MUN conference are to encourage
  debate and sharing of views between students from
  different schools and of different ethnicities.
• The Ultimate goal of an MUN Conference is to
  promote awareness of international relations and
  issues in young people, and to inspire global
  mindedness and an understanding to the problems
  of the world and how to combat them, whilst
  providing an atmosphere where students can
  progress in their personality, communication
  skills and open mindedness.

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Skills in an MUN

• During a conference, participants employ a
  variety of communication and critical thinking
  skills in order to represent effectively. Some of
  these skills include
• Public Speaking,
• Group Communication,
• Research,
• Policy Analysis,
• Active Listening,
• Negotiating,
• Conflict Resolution, And
• Technical Writing.

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Preparing for an MUN

• Research

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Research

• The initial step of any MUN is RESEARCH. 
• Extensive knowledge about the country, committee,
  agenda and the UN is ESSENTIAL.
• Preparedness makes the conference more fun and
  enjoyable along with a great learning experience.
• The simulation can only be carried out with full
  enthusiasm if the delegates are prepared.

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Optimizing your Research

• Research is usually broken down into
• Country Information
• The Agenda
• The UN System

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Researching your Country or Delegation

• The main points for research are
• Politics and Government
• History, Society, Culture and Geography
• Economy and Defense
• International and National current affairs
• Foreign Policies and International Relations

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Agenda or Issue at hand

• The agenda of a committee is the topic for debate
  and discussion in a committee session. It
  involves
• Background information and history
• Aspects of the agenda covered by the committee
• Countrys stand
• Relation between the issue and the UN
• Opinions of all major powers
• Latest developments
• Speeches, resolutions, statements and news
  articles

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Understanding the United Nations System

• It is important for delegates to be well informed
  about
• The United Nations Charter
• The functioning of their respective committees
• Recent United Nations actions on the issue at
  hand
• Conferences that have been held on the issue
• Statements, resolutions, speeches and press
  releases of and by the UN.
• UN Today, UDHR

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Effective Communication

• Making Speeches
• Variation in Speeches
• Notepaper Communication

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Making Speeches

• Writing and delivering speeches is an important
  aspect of the Model UN simulation.
• Speeches help delegates convey the positions of
  their countries, build consensus and create
  resolutions.
• Although speechmaking is integral to the
  simulation, many delegates biggest fear is
  public speaking. It is essential that delegates
  come to the conference well prepared to overcome
  this fear.

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Making Speeches

• There are no set guidelines for how to make
  speeches, delegates should decide how they feel
  most comfortable addressing the committee. Some
  delegates use their position papers as their
  opening speeches others just write out some key
  points. Many speak without any aides at all. Its
  really not that difficult.
• Since public speaking is a skill, it is important
  to practice, practice, practice !
• More tips for public speaking can be found online
  at www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Rando13.html

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Variation in Speeches

1. When the session begins, make speeches focus on
   stating country positions and offering
   recommendations for action.
2. After blocs have met, speeches should focus on
   describing bloc positions to the entire body.
3. Move away from general ideas on the topic and
   instead focus on specific ideas or proposals for
   action
4. Then make statements describing their draft
   resolutions to the committee. Bring up points in
   the draft resolutions that have yet to be decided
   or discussed by the body, or points of agreement
   and disagreement between two contending draft
   resolutions in order to clearly delineate the
   differences
5. Speck in favor or against any amendments that
   have been created. Convince others of their plan
   of action and call for input from as many
   countries as possible in order to secure their
   draft resolutions transition into a resolution.

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FLOW OF DEBATE
Roll Call Each countrys name is announced by the
executive board. After a delegate hears their
country called , they are supposed to answer
present or present and voting
Setting the Agenda The first order of business
for the committee is the consideration of the
agenda. The only motion in order at this time
will be in the form of The nation of country
name moves that Topic Area X be placed first
on the agenda. The motion requires a second and
is debatable. A provisional speakers list shall
is established with two people speaking for and
two people speaking against the motion. After
this the committee shall move into an immediate
vote. A simple majority is required for the
motion to pass.
Debate
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Debate
Caucus ( Informal Debate)
Speakers List (Formal Debate)
Moderated Caucus
Unmoderated Caucus
Working Papers and Draft Resolutions
END OF LIST
CLOSURE OF DEBATE
VOTING PROCEDURE
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Rules of Procedure
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Rule Explanation To pass, Vote Required
Motion to Open and Close Speakers List At some Model U.N. conferences, once the speakers list is closed it is closed for the remainder of the session or topic. However, at most Model U.N. conferences the speakers list can be opened and closed multiple times. Once the speakers list is exhausted, it means no one else wishes to speak, debate is over, and the committee then moves into voting procedure. This motion requires an immediate vote. Simple Majority
Motion to set Speakers Time This is a motion to set or change the speakers time. It is a procedural motion, which requires two (2) delegates speaking for the amount of time motioned for, and two (2) delegates speaking against. Simple Majority
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Motion to Suspend Meeting This motion is made to end the committee session until the next session. This motion is most commonly made to end committee session for the purpose of lunch or dinner. This motion requires an immediate vote. Not Debatable Simple Majority
Motion to Adjourn Meeting The motion of adjournment means that all business of the Committee or Council has been completed, and that the Committee or Council will not reconvene until the next annual session. This motion requires an immediate vote. Not Debatable. Simple Majority
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Motion to Suspend Debate This motion is made to suspend the formal debate for the purpose of a regular caucus or a moderated caucus. When moving to suspend the meeting, the delegate should specify a certain amount of time and the purpose. This motion requires an immediate vote. Not Debatable. Simple Majority
Motion to Adjourn Debate or Table Debate Motion to adjourn debate is a tactic to put all of the work that the committee has completed on the topic in which they are discussing on hold and to table it, returning to it at later time. This motion requires two (2) delegates speaking for the adjournment of debate and two (2) delegates speaking against the adjournment of debate. 2/3rds Majority
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Motion to Close Debate This motion is made in order for the committee to move into voting procedure. Once a delegate feels as if they have made their countrys position clear, there are enough draft resolutions on the floor, and everyone is ready, a delegate makes a motion to move into voting procedure by moving for the closure of debate. This motion requires only two (2) delegates speaking against the closure of debate and zero (0) delegates for the closure of debate. 2/3rds Majority
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Appeal to the Chairs Decision This motion is made when a delegate feels as if the chairperson has made an incorrect decision. The delegate wishes to challenge the chairperson and does so by formally making a motion to appeal the chairpersons decision. This motion may be made verbally or in writing. The opposing delegate speaks and the chairperson defends his or herself before the vote. 2/3 Majority
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Rule Explanation
Point of Personal Privilege During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Personal (PHYSICAL) Privilege and the Chair shall immediately address the point. A Point of Personal Privilege must refer to a matter of personal comfort or safety and/or the well-being of the members of the committee. The Chair may refuse to recognize a Point of Personal Privilege if the delegate has not shown proper restraint and decorum, or if the point is dilatory in nature. It may interrupt the speaker
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Rule Explanation
Point of Order During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to indicate an instance of improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order will be immediately decided by the Chair in accordance with these rules of procedure. The Chair may rule out of order those points that are improper. A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of Order may only interrupt a speaker if the speech is not following proper parliamentary procedure.
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Rule Explanation
Point of Information After a delegate gives a speech, and if the delegate yields his or her time to Points of Information, one Point of Information (a question) can be raised by delegates from the floor. The speaker will be allotted the remainder of his or her speaking time to address Points of Information. Points of Information are directed to the speaker and allow other delegations to ask questions in relation to speeches and resolutions.
Point of Inquiry If there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may raise a Point of Inquiry to request clarification on procedure. A Point of Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.
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Resolution Process

• What is a Resolution?
• Resolution-making

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What is a Resolution ?

• In a countrys government official documents are
  drafted which aim to solve a specific situation.
  In the United Nations, similar documents are also
  drafted called Resolution.
• The final results of discussion, writing and
  negotiation.
• Written suggestions for addressing a specific
  problem or issue.
• All UN bodies (except the Security Council) use
  resolutions to make recommendations or
  suggestions for future action.
• Security Council resolutions compel nations for
  action and are directive.

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• THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
• First Unmoderated Caucus Forming blocsAfter
  the committee has explored the causes, effects
  and solutions of the problem, an unmoderated
  caucus should be raised. During this unmoderated
  caucus, delegates should seek out the blocs with
  which they would want to form the resolution.
• Similar foreign policy W.R.T. agenda
• Similar geographic location (AU, EU, SAARC)
• Part of the same treaty (NATO)
• 2. Second Unmoderated caucus Working papers
• During this unmoderated caucus, delegates should
  try to form working papers.
• Working papers are a collection of solutions for
  the agenda, in no specific format.
• They must have the support of at least 20 of the
  committee to be considered.
• One country can support as many working papers
  as it chooses.

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• THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
• 3. Third Unmoderated Caucus Draft
  resolutionsDuring this unmoderated caucus,
  working papers must be converted to draft
  resolutions.Draft resolutions are also a set of
  solutions, but have a very specific format.
• Have 2 types of clauses Preambulatory and
  Operative
• Preambulatory clauses are introductory clauses.
  Basically give the why of the draft resolution,
  i.e. why it is being written, history of the
  agenda, past action. Format Bulleted, end with
  comma
• Operative clauses are the actual solutions.
  Format numbered, end with a semi-colon, last
  operative ends with full-stop
• Clauses can only begin with specific phrases,
  which must be underlined
• Two types of support for draft resolution
• Sponsors (3-6) support all clauses of draft
  resolution
• Signatories (as many as possible) disagree with
  some clauses, but want to see draft resolution
  discussed.
• Total support required (sponsors signatories)
  20
• One country can sponsor one draft resolution,
  sign many.

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• THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
• 4. Formal debate on draft resolutions
• Two sponsors of each draft resolution read out
  clauses and answer points of information (similar
  to speakers list)
• All rules of Parliamentary Procedure followed
• This is an excellent time for delegates to point
  out weaknesses in the draft resolutions and
  propose amendments.
• 5. Amendments
• Any delegate can propose to amend a draft
  resolution.
• Two types of amendments friendly and unfriendly
• Friendly amendments supported by all sponsors.
  Passed automatically. Mostly minor errors or
  last-minute changes.
• Unfriendly amendments not supported by one or
  more sponsor. Brought to committee for roll-call
  vote. Requires simple majority (50 1 vote).

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• THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
• 6. Voting
• After discussion and amendments, draft resolution
  is put to vote.
• Alphabetical roll-call voting takes place.
• Four types of votes allowed Yes, No, Pass,
  Abstain.
• Yes Delegate agrees with the resolution
  completely.
• No Delegate disagrees with resolution strongly
• Abstain Delegate is unsure of his stance
  towards resolution, and abstains, i.e. neither
  Yes nor No.
• Pass Delegate is unsure of his stance towards
  resolution, and asks for more time to make his
  decision. After tallying all other votes,
  delegate will be asked for final vote, and cannot
  Abstain. Helps see how allies have voted
• If passed by simple majority, it becomes a
  resolution.