Salvador Model United
Nations 2013
Delegate Handbook
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
Introduction
a. Letter From the Secretary General
2
3
b. Differences Between SALMUN and other MUNs
4
c. Leadership Team Contact Information
7
d. PASB Assignment/Due Date Calendar
--9
e.
II.
Preparing for Model United Nations
10
a. The United Nations – A Brief History
10
b. MUN Preparation
11
c. Useful Websites
13
d. Strategies for MUN Research
15
e.
III.
SALMUN Procedure and Terminology
20
a. Glossary
20
b. Procedures
23
c. Caucus Procedure
27
d. Modes of Address
29
e. Speaker’s List
31
f. Moderated and Unmoderated Caucus
34
g. United Nations Budget
35
h.
IV.
SALMUN Papers – Resolutions and Speeches
36
a. The Resolution Process
37
b. Preparing A Speech
49
c.
V.
Things to Keep in Mind
55
a. Warning Guidelines
b. Dress Code
55
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Dearest SALMUN Delegates,
The SALMUN 2013 Leadership Team and I welcome you to this year’s Salvador
Model United Nations! We are excited to be guiding you on this challenging journey
of delegate preparation in hopes of a Model United Nations conference filled with
stimulating and fruitful debate. As elaborated in page 4 of the handbook, this year’s
SALMUN conference has undergone some major changes. For starters, this year we
have decided to have only one special committee other than 2 different ones. Also,
differently from the structure of last year’s conference, we’ll have two full days of
caucus, the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday night, and one day of General
Assembly with a historical topic, the Cuban Missile Crisis, which will include a crisis
simulation.
But the General Assembly won’t be the only opportunity for us to change the path of
history. This year, some delegates will go back in time to starting from 1947 to 2000
and debate in the Historical Security Council, others will be part of the Chinese
Union War Council, discussing the positions of Chinese political majorities when
China was invaded by the Japanese in 1927, the so-called Sino-Japanese War. So
make sure to put in action your persuasive speaking and argumentation skills,
unleash your charisma, play your character or embody the ideals and values of your
country--have fun with it!
Please take advantage of the two months you have prior to the conference, for the
key to success in MUN is preparation. Be sure to research essentials and elaborate
your ideas on paper, writing draft resolutions and position papers, practicing
speeches and engaging with other delegates on our online SALMUN FORUM. We as
the Leadership Team will be there every step of the way, so any doubts or concerns
just talk to any of us whenever wherever. When November 20th comes around, the
quality of your performance in caucus and General Assembly will be determined
mostly by the information you’ve learned before this date, not only by how well you
can speak. Remember that this handbook, the forum, the website and the chairs are
available to help you (and should be your best friends by now ), so don’t hesitate
to contact any of us whenever you have doubts. Good luck delegates! Happy
SALMUNing!
Sincerely,
Sarah Godoy
SALMUN 2013 Secretary General
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Differences between SALMUN and Other MUN Conferences
The Salvador Model United Nations Conference is organized a bit differently
than most traditional Model United Nations conferences.
Although its primary
mission of debating and trying to reach a consensus on viable policy proposals in
order to find solutions to pressing global issues is not altered, the committee
structure is vastly different as well as some of the debate format.
Over the past 13 years of SALMUN, instead of dividing into committees by
issue focus as in the real UN with ECOSOC, Political Committee, Human Rights
Council, and so on, we have 5 regional caucuses (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe
and Middle East) where countries meet to discuss regional issues and global issues
of all types that impact their countries. Even though we are aware that this is not
the way the real United Nations functions, our Model has worked tremendously well
and has encouraged us to maintain this unique format.
The benefit of separating countries by regional caucuses is that debate can
be held on different issues of concern to the same region. For instance, in one
caucus, delegates will be able to debate resolutions concerning politics, human
rights, environmental issues and more, instead of focusing on one of these topic
areas.
This works especially well since at PASB, all students in the high school
participate in SALMUN and MUN is incorporated into our English and Social Studies
curriculum.
Having a variety of resolutions stimulates delegates to know more
about diverse topics and teaches them how to approach this in caucuses—in short,
our delegates are able to understand a broader spectrum of global politics.
At SALMUN, we also offer other Special Committees for more experienced
delegates to participate in. This year we will, as always, offer the Security Council,
but we will also offer the Chinese Union War Council, formed by representatives of
major Chinese political groups who will need to reunite in 1927 in order to fight off
4
the Japanese invaders. For the past two years, we began offering the Conselho de
Segurança Histórico (Historical Security Council), which deliberated in Portuguese
throughout time. Even though we continue to look back over time, this year, the
committee has shifted to an English- speaking council going from 1947 to 2000 with
the following issues: Devising an Adequate Partition of Israel (1947), Resolving the
Suez Crisis (1956), and Addressing the NATO invasion of Afghanistan in 2000.
In the past, our SALMUN conference consisted of three days in regular
caucus or committees with a crisis simulation per committee/ caucus on the end of
the third day and one day in General Assembly, where resolutions would be
submitted by twilling nations and voted on by all countries in regards to a current
universal topic. We have decided that establishing two days of committee and one
day of General Assembly with a crisis simulation for all countries in the conference
would offer a less repetitive debate, and more in-depth time in caucus. The one-day
of General Assembly will involve one crisis simulation announced prior to the
conference, which will encourage delegates to think critically and improvise on
what they know from prior research. Fortunately, all nations will have a position and
opportunity to contribute whereas one caucus or committee will not have an unfair
advantage in repeating debate from their caucus.
After the General Assembly, we will have a closing ceremony with awards
and then will return to the PASB campus for an informal, fun SALMUN party. This is
a great time for delegates to cut loose and enjoy hanging out and being teenagers.
Once delegates are assigned a country, they immediately need to register on
our SALMUN Online Discussion Forum.
The SALMUN FORUM is designed to help delegates discuss topics with each
other and with their chairs and get prepared for the conference. On the forum,
delegates can ask questions of each other or the Chairs, read Study Guides put
5
together by chairs, begin debating and exchange information for discussions. If
you have any further questions regarding any SALMUN issues or about how our
model is different, the forum is the right place to address those.
As for how we structure debate at SALMUN, we operate in a mixed
THIMUN/HARVARD style MUN. Delegates are expected to have written resolutions
and position papers (PASB students submit these for a grade in their classes before
MUN), however we start caucus by giving delegates lobbying time, which consists
of talking to other countries, finding allies and merging resolutions. After this time,
the moderated formal debate begins.
The Chair calls upon the first
submitter/submitters to request for the floor in order to present their resolution
reading the operative clauses and giving a persuasive speech as well introducing
and advocating for adoption of their resolution. When the speaker is done, he/she
can be open to points of information or not. Chairs are told to strongly encourage
the delegates to make use of their time to answer these points of information in
order to further explain the resolution and clear up any doubts.
As soon as the speaker has finished answering the points of information, the
chair will open time of debate in favor or against the resolution. During this time,
delegates can request for the floor in order to express their country’s opinions
regarding the resolution at hand.
When the delegate is finished with his/her
statement, the Chair will ask if he/she is open to points of information.
Any
delegation may submit amendments to the Chair. If the Chairperson validates the
amendment, he/she will call upon the submitter to ask for the floor in order to
address the amendment to the committee.
When the discussion regarding the
amendment is over, the house will move into voting procedures for the amendment
and then for the resolution.
6
If you want to know more about SALMUN 2013, please check the online forum
and site where you will find topics, study guides, messages from the Secretary
General, MUN directors and chairs, and frequent postings on all topics.
Happy
SALMUNing!
SALMUN LEADERSHIP TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Position
Name
Secretary General
Co- Directors
Security Council
Historial Security
Council
Special Committee
Sarah Godoy
African Caucus
Asian Cacus
European Caucus
Middle Eastern Caucus
Secretariats
sarahagodoy@gmail.com
David Gow
Logan
Westmoreland
Pedro Paulo
Chair
Magalhaes
Gabrielle
Vice Chair Guanaes
Athavan
Chair
Balendran
d.gow@pasb.com.br
Phone
71- 8258-0705
l.westmoreland@pasb.com.br
pedro_paulo_paranhos_de_magalhaes@hotmail.com 71- 9912-5506
gabrielleguanaes@hotmail.com
71- 9143-0333
athavanb0013@gmail.com
71- 9957-2647
Vice Chair Bernardo Sarti
bernardosarti@gmail.com
71-8876- 3905
Chair
thiagogatto@hotmail.com
71- 8105- 4719
lagesse.marcia@gmail.com
71-9987- 9694
Thiago Gatto
Vice Chair Marcia Lagesse
American Caucus
Email
Chair
Arda Kanberoglu arda.kanberoglu@gmail.com
Jacqueline
Vice Chair Amorim
jacque_amorim@hotmail.com
71- 9158-0546
Chair
71-9979-7478
Anna Pearson
annamargaret49@gmail.com
71- 9904-8855
Vice Chair Renata Borges
renata-tatabo@hotmail.com
71- 8113-2582
Chair
guigalp.pereira@gmail.com
71- 8713-3395
Vice Chair Elen Bianca
Gabriela
Chair
Freeman
elen.bibi@gmail.com
71-8890- 8248
gabriellafreeman@hotmail.com
71- 9203-0644
Vice Chair Julia Favero
Maria Julia
Chair
Barros
Ana Beatriz
Vice Chair Lomanto
Ana Vitoria
Pessoa
julia.favero.silva@gmail.com
71- 8622- 5771
juliabarrosfaria@gmail.com
71- 8307-9348
bialomanto@gmail.com
71- 8888-8672
vidagpessoa@hotmail.com
71- 8871-9999
Rodrigo Pereira
Karoline Queiroz karolmppq@hotmail.com
71- 9942-6161
Renata Biglia
71- 8799-9746
renata_biglia95@hotmail.com
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Caucus Leaders
Caucus leaders are the spinal cord of the Salvador Model United Nations
Conference. They are the ones responsible for not only helping to organize the
event, but it is also their task to assist their delegates and guide them as they
navigate the resolution passing process. In the months that lead to MUN, the
caucus leaders need to be working on revising resolutions, proofreading speeches
and helping their delegates in the best way possible—especially the freshmen and
new delegates. This work that comes prior to the actual event is crucial to the
success of the delegates and their work.
During the sessions, the caucus leader is the voice of order and reason within the
caucus. He or she needs to address to the issues concisely, establish clear
regulations and promote “fruitful” debate. In order to do so, caucus leaders should
impose punishments if delegates do not follow parliamentary procedures, conduct
themselves disrespectfully and/or disrupt the flow of debates. A qualified and
consistent caucus leader seeks the fine balance between order, educational merit,
and productiveness.
If you want to get to know them a bit more about each and everyone of them just
visit the SALMUN site (salmun2013.weebly.com) and under The Leadership Team
you will see their own introductions.
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PASB ASSIGNMENT/DUE DATE CALENDAR
Country Choices/ Applications due
Countries assigned
1st position paper due (joint)
1st draft of resolutions due
Resolutions back (revised by chairs)
2nd position paper due (individual)
Final resolutions due
Conference
9/11/2013
9/16/2013
10/09/2013
10/16/2013
10/23/2013
10/30/2013
11/11/2013
November 20-23
Note: Saturday attendance is required. See Mr. Gow by October 14th if you think
there might be a conflict. MUN attire is required each day of the conference.
These are strict due dates. If you are going to be absent for any reason, let your
caucus leader and teacher know in advance and get the assignment turned in
before your absence or email it to d.gow@pasb.com.br or
l.westmoreland@pasb.com.br
Assignments are due on these dates regardless of when you have class.
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Preparing for
Model United Nations
THE UNITED NATIONS – A BRIEF HISTORY
After the horrors of WWI, United States president Woodrow Wilson sought to
create an institution where nations from all over the world would come
together to resolve issues, disputes, and problems they might have against
one another in order to prevent another war. Although these many countries
signed on to what came to be called The League of Nations, the institution
was ineffective and failed to achieve its goals. In 1945, after WWII, several
nations tried once again to unite to promote international peace. Members
from fifty nations met in San Francisco, California on April 25 th, 1945 to
create the United Nations Charter. This charter was signed June 26 th, 1945.
On October 24th of that year the United Nations was officially formed, with the
ratification of the charter. Currently the United Nations is headquartered in
New York City, USA and involves several committees that have expanded its
goals for the improvement of the world. There are 192 United Nations
member states. The United Nations is financed by the member states
themselves based on calculated as well as voluntary contributions. There are
six official languages of the United Nations: English, French, Spanish,
Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.
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MUN PREPARATION
Preparation for the conference should not only include researching a country’s
position but also reading background information about the workings of the UN,
and reviewing parliamentary procedure. The following areas include the basic
preparation for attending an MUN conference:
1. Basic facts about the United Nations: Several texts exist and are
published by the UN Organization that contains useful information about the
origin, purpose, structure and function of this Organization. Although it is not
necessary to understand the causes of World War I and all the details
surrounding the creation of the League of Nations, it is helpful to be familiar
with the failures of the League and the resulting differences in the make-up
of the United Nations. In addition, a study of the organizational structure of
the UN will give a clearer understanding of the various bodies and the
functions each have. This is essential when writing resolutions because you
need to know what agency can actually do what you are asking the UN to
do. Students also need to be familiar with the rights of member nations
within the General Assembly as well as the role of the Secretary General in
heading this body. As a delegate, it is also helpful to know a bit about the
history of the country you are representing within the UN. Understanding
how members are chosen in the Security Council and how the veto has
been used in the past will help delegates when they discuss expanding the
veto power or enlarging the Security Council.
2. Researching a country: It is very difficult to formulate a policy, both in
written form (Policy Statement and Resolution) and in spoken form
(Lobbying, Opening Speech and Debating) without knowing about the
country or organization represented and having specific knowledge of the
issues to be debated. Background research of the country you are
representing should include the following:
a. Political Structure (origin, type of government, stability)
b. Cultural Factors (ethnic groups, religion, cultural history)
c. Geography
(bordering
countries,
topography
geo-political
considerations)
d. Economy (monetary system, dependency and debt, membership in
trade organizations)
e. Natural Resources (basic commodities, trade agreements, degree of
self-sufficiency)
f. Defense (military structure, dependency on other nations,
membership or alliances)
g. Views on World Problems (role and influence in the world,
membership in blocs)
h. International Relations (major conflicts, foreign policy doctrines, past
votes within the UN, and positions on major issues)
i. History (general, last 50 years, recent history).
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3. Member country’s viewpoints on the issues to be discussed: Most of
the issues discussed at MUN sessions are not merely current events or
solely relate to the internal conflicts within a country. Rather, most of the
issues have a long-term dimension and are somewhat global in nature, to
some degree, affecting all member nations, whether or not the problem
actually exists in each country. In some cases, a nation may be too poor,
too isolated, or dealing with other problems that keep it from being a major
player, but the solution to an issue listed for debate will affect all nations at
some point in the future. Past resolutions often highlight the problems and
point out the areas that still need attention as well as reveal how nations
voted on specific issues. With the internet, research is made easier. All
foreign embassies have websites, with many sharing helpful information on
a variety of topics. When research fails and a delegate cannot find a
country’s policy on a specific issue, it is proper for the delegate to make an
educated guess based on the facts available and/or the stance of member
nations with like-views.
4. Viewpoints held by other member countries in your bloc: There are
obvious blocs of nations throughout the world (African Union, Arab League,
European Union, NATO, ASEAN, Group of 77, etc.) and understanding how
each of them vote on all the issues is almost impossible, however you
should know they exist and know the countries participating in them. This
will help you when writing your resolution, since, you can ask one of these
organizations to “do this or that”, with the UN’s avow. Through lobbying and
listening to speeches, it becomes clearer which nations are your “friends”
and which are not. Pay attention during informal sessions and participate in
ad hoc meetings. But remember that countries have distinct viewpoints in
different issues, if in one issue your country does not agree with another
one, it does not mean that in the next resolution you have to be against
them. The UN was created to reach consensus not to evoke turmoil.
5. Know how to write a resolution and practice using parliamentary
procedure: The Approval Panels (teachers and caucus leaders) will have
strict instructions to follow, in order to approve or reject resolutions
submitted by delegates. The content as much as the actual written
document will be judged. Remember that caucus leaders and the Secretary
General are here to help you, ask those questions at any time. All delegates
must prepare resolutions prior to the MUN conference in order to
understand how to modify and merge with other resolutions later.
Attendance at an MUN conference is the best experience in learning how to
use parliamentary procedure. Listen, observe and learn for the first 15
minutes and you will be able to participate for the remainder of the
conference. Practicing a committee meeting before the conference is also
very helpful.
12
6. Organization: After several weeks and months of research, finding and
utilizing an organizational system that works for you will be a key factor in
your success. Find a systematic way to arrange your research, in accordion
folders, file folders, a mega binder or wherever you would find it better;
divide your papers under categories or topics so that you can easily access
important information during debate, etc.
USEFUL WEBSITES FOR MUN RESEARCH
UNITED NATIONS WEBSITES: These sites offer useful tools not only for reliable
documents and information on UN and its member’s affairs, but it is also helpful in
learning about the role of the United Nations in solving world issues and what it can
and cannot do.
SOURCE
UNITED NATIONS
LINK
http://www.un.org
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF
JUSTICE
http://www.icj-cij.org
MISSIONS TO THE UNITED
NATIONS
http://www.un.int
UN FOUNDATION
http://www.unfoundation.org
UN SYSTEM
http://www.unsystem.org
BASIC FACTS ON UN
http://www.un.org/aboutun/basicfacts/index.h
tml
UN BIBLIOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION
UN DOCUMENTATION
CENTER
http://unbisnet.un.org/index.html
http://www.un.org/documents/index.html
http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/
UN CHARTER
COUNTRY SEARCH: When researching your country’s profile, you should learn
about the historical, geographical, political, economic and social aspects, making
you completely aware of your country’s current situation and how it approaches its
internal and external issues.
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SOURCE
CIA FACTBOOK
COUNTRY REPORTS
UN INFORMATION
GLOBAL STATISTICS
ATLAPEDIA
LINK
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/index.html
http://www.countryreports.org
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/infonation/e
_infonation.htm
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/country_index.htm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
ARMY
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
EBSCO
http://search.ebscohost.com/
MEDIA: These are the sources that will give you daily news on your country and
the countries from your caucus. It is important to be updated with the most serious
issues in your caucus and the reaction your country is taking on them.
SOURCE
THE ECONOMIST
CNN
BBC NEWS
THE NEW YORK TIMES
UN NEWS CENTRE
LINK
http://www.economist.co.uk
http://www.cnn.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk
http://nytimes.com
http://www.un.org/News/
SALMUN RESOURCES: These are the sources that were, the SALMUN
Leadership Team, will be using throughout the entire conference. It includes the
site with all logistical information about the conference and the Forum, which is
where delegates will debate online prior to the conference itself.
SOURCE
SALMUN 2012 WEBSITE
SALMUN 2012 FORUM
LINK
http://salmun2013.weebly.com/
http://salmun2013.activeboard.com/
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STRATEGIES FOR MODEL UN RESEARCH
BASIC THINGS TO KNOW
The following are just tips on what every delegate should know about their country
and other world issues:
1) Familiarize yourself with the country that you are representing
An excellent starting point is just the www.bbc.com country profile. Simply
enter your country name in the search tab and it should come up. The great
thing about this source is it also provides links to great articles on important
topics concerning your country. Alternatives to this source include the United
States State Department's Background Notes. Two publication series of the
Economist [Magazine's] Intelligence Unit are also helpful: the annual Country
Profile and quarterly Country Report series. You should be able to access this
with an Economist subscription. Login: pedro_sportman@hotmail.com,
Password: pasbmun. The Country Profiles provide a very current overview of
domestic political and economic policies for over 160 countries. The CIA World
Factbook is always a good source for the latest statistics and information.
1. Know the basic facts of your country. GDP, GNP, Illiteracy Rate, Political
System. One of the best, most reliable sites that will give you all of this
information is the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Fact Book. Yes,
the CIA.
a. Where: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
b. How: Select the name of your country.
c. Take a look at: TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES (here they will tell
you the issues your country has with other countries).
2. You need to know the basic history of your country. Past influences, past
problems, and past revolutions may decide a country’s position on an
issue. Japan, for example, is almost always against China and viceversa. One of the greatest reasons why is because of animosity lingering
from Japan’s invasion of China during WWII! You can search using a
search engine, library books and movies.
One great way to keep track of current events regarding your country is by
using Google Alerts.
a. Where: Google
b. How: Go to google.com (in English) and click on “MORE” than on
“EVEN MORE”. The first subject on the left column is going to be
“ALERTS”. Click on it and put the name of your country on “SEARCH
ITEMS” and your email where it says to do so. You’ll receive,
15
depending on the frequency you chose, emails containing news
about your country as they appear in the international media.
Finally, the United States Department of the Army Area Handbook Series
provides an exhaustive source of background information on the social, cultural,
historical, political and economic context in individual countries. However, their
publication pattern (only five to ten countries per year) reduces their usefulness
for all Model UN participants.
2) Gather Background Information on the United Nations Organization
Successful participation at a Model UN session requires a baseline
understanding of the United Nations organization itself, including its structure
and rules of procedures. We will be working on some of this in class, but you
should become familiar with the un.org website, and the different UN agencies
and organizations. While you're at it, check out the Reform the UN website
sponsored by the WFM-Institute for Global Policy: http://www.reformtheun.org.
It has not only ideas on how the UN should be reformed, but it has a list of
issues on the side tab and they can be organized according to UN Reports,
Statements, and Resolutions, What Governments are Saying, What
International Organizations are Saying, What Parliamentarians are Saying,
What Civil Society is Saying, etc. It also has links to speeches given at the UN
or on UN related topics, links to resolutions and working papers, etc. Know the
most common UN bodies, and documents: UN Charter, Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHCR, CEDAW, WHO, FAO,
UNPKOs, IAEA, WTO, NPT, NATO, ASEAN, OPEC, OAS, OIS, EU, AU, ICC,
etc. Be familiar with the common terms used during MUN, especially the ones
in the glossary. Another great site on the rather new and somewhat
controversial, ICC: http://www.iccnow.org/
3) Gather Background Information on the Assigned Issues
At the same time that Model UN participants immerse themselves in the
foreign policy stance of their assigned country, they need to acquaint
themselves with the international issue areas--and the status of discussions
at the UN in these areas--that will be on the agenda of their Model UN (in
caucus or General Assembly). The United Nations Association--USA has
published on an annual basis A Global Agenda: Issues before the General
Assembly which includes a good subject index and references to UN
documents related to all issues on the upcoming agenda for the United
Nations General Assembly.
For very current information, newspapers such as the New York Times, The
Times (London), Le Monde and Le Monde Diplomatique include significant
coverage of United Nations activities as do magazines such as the United
Nations Chronicle and the Economist. And up to date information about
activities of the UN organizations is available by searching the United
Nations Press Release database.
16
4) Review Speeches at the UN by the Country's Representatives
Speeches and statements in discussions about the principal organs of the
United Nations (General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Security
Council, Trusteeship Council)--their subsidiary standing and ad hoc
committees-- are key sources for establishing the international policy
position of UN member nations. www.reformtheun.org is a great resource
for this!
5) Review Policy Statements from the Country's Political Leadership
There are other useful sources for locating official statements of policy from
foreign countries. Perhaps most important are letters written by heads of
state and foreign ministers to the Secretary-General on issues of mutual
interest.
The British Broadcasting Corporation provides translations in English of
news reports worldwide, including statements of government officials. These
BBC Monitoring International Reports (1996- ) are available online.
Other sources include newsletters and other information emanating from the
embassies of foreign states in the United States.
6) Study the Texts of Resolutions Sponsored by the Country
Model UN participants should be interested in resolutions and draft
resolutions for several reasons. First, these documents serve as examples
for writing their own resolutions in terms of form. But MUN participants
should also take a look at the content of the resolutions that their own
country has participated in sponsoring. Draft resolutions that have been
officially passed are first printed in the masthead series (A/RES; S/RES;
E/RES) and then republished in a supplement to the Official Records for
each of the principal UN organs. Apart from all of this, just relax and
research the major conflicts listed in the CIA website. Take a look at past
resolutions, if any were made, on these major conflicts. You can research
these resolutions in United Nations Webpage. You can observe that many
resolutions refer to past resolutions as their basis, something you can also
do in this MUN, it sounds professional.
a. Where: http://www.un.org/documents/resga.htm
b. How: Chose the year the conflict has started or the year when more
of the important events took place.
7) Develop an Understanding of the Country's Voting Pattern
Establishing the voting pattern for a nation in particular issue areas at the
United Nations is a challenge. The only source for locating votes on draft
resolutions in all of the four principal organs is the record found in the summary
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("SR") or verbatim ("PV") meeting record at which the vote on a draft resolution
is held. I don't think this is a possibility for us because we don't have access to
certain databases with out library, however you can find out how your country
voted on certain important issues just by searching intelligently for press
releases on that topic.
8) Know the other countries in your caucus or those countries closely
involved with the issue you will be addressing.
Research their histories using CIA’s World Fact Book. One of the best
weapons you can use to deflect the attention from your own country and put
another country in the spotlight is if you can accuse them of human rights
violations. While trying to argue a point, some countries will stand up,
challenge, and question you. If you have a way to prove that the country
asking is not as noble or is not as moral and has violated human rights, you
will automatically change the topic of the discussion in their direction, putting
them on the defensive.
a. Where: www.amnesty.org/ and www.humanrightswatch.org/
b. How: Put in the country you are researching about, and reports will
be found on their human right violations.
c. Observations: Take a look on your own country’s violations too and
try to find justifications for some of them. For example, the U.S. may
argue that they killed many Iraqis or killed innocent civilians only
because they were collateral damage within the context of a war, or
they may argue that the prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay or
in Iraq and Afghanistan are enemy combatants and not prisoners of
war, therefore they aren’t guaranteed certain rights that would only
apply under the Geneva Convention.
9) Filling Tips
Filing is an extremely important part of both the preparation for and the
presentation at an MUN conference. It is very important to be able to prove
or discredit one’s point, with reliable documents. As you probably already
learned, you will be researching A LOT for the next few weeks. This
information will be useless, however, if you do not set a way to keep things
organized. There is not a “right” way to file, but you can follow some of these
tips that can help you to maintain organization, and therefore, helping you to
be ready for any defense – or even an offence!
a. Where: With you at all times!
b. How: Have a folder with dividers
i.
Separate your material by:
a. Issues;
b. Events;
c. Countries
ii. Label each divider by issues/event/country
18
iii.
Know and highlight the source and date the
document/article was published;
iv.
Have a huge file on your country, and subdivided by
general info, events, pros, cons, relationship towards other
countries, etc.
v.
Keep this handbook in your folder as well, so you can
come back to it if you have any questions about
procedures, etc.
vi.
Don’t forget to highlight and make annotations in all the
information you have. Know the documents, and take
advantage of them!
vii.
We recommend you to have your study guides as well!
c. Observations: Keeping track of what’s where will you give more
time to debate, keep you organized, and be factual!
19
SALMUN Procedure and
Terminology
GLOSSARY
Abstention: Delegates may choose to abstain, which counts neither for nor
against the resolution in question.
Caucus: the committee you are participating in (Asian Caucus, Middle
Eastern Caucus…)
Chair: The Chair is the person who controls debate and keeps order whilst
remaining impartial and allocating equal opportunities for countries to voice
their opinion.
Co-signer: The delegations that sign a fellow delegate’s resolution to show
their support of the proposed action to remedy the issue.
Delegate: A student ambassador representing a country’s beliefs and
political, social, economic and cultural ideologies.
Explanation of the Vote: After voting, delegates may be allowed (one for, one
against and one abstention) to explain the reasoning behind their voting.
Formal Debate: The opportunity for delegates to share their opinions in front
of the entire committee.
House: All the members present in the Committee.
Have the floor: To be given the right to speak during the debate.
Moderated Caucus: A moderated caucus is a mixture of both formal and
informal debate. Anyone may speak if they raise their placard and are called
on by the Chair. To go to a moderated caucus, a delegate makes a motion to
suspend debate and the committee votes.
Motions: The mean of communication between the Chair and delegates who
do not have the floor. Motions should never interrupt a delegate whom has
the floor, unless it is a Point of Personal Privilege.
Motion to Move into Time ‘Against’ a Resolution or Amendment: If a delegate
feels that there is nothing more to say concerning the question at hand, they
20
may call for this motion. If the motion is seconded and there are no
objections, the motion is granted.
Motion to Move into Voting Procedure: This motion is used to move directly
into voting procedures. If there are no objections and the motion is
seconded then the motion will be granted.
Motion to Table Resolution: The motion to lay a resolution on the table is not
debatable, and when carried, moves a resolution to the bottom of the agenda
and will, thus, be considered last. This is usually done when one delegation
wishes to debate their resolution, which concerns the same issue that is
currently being debated. A two-thirds majority is needed to take matters
from the table although tabling itself only needs a simple majority.
Opening Speech: A requirement for each delegation represented in a
committee and introduces them to their peers. It should state the country’s
main concerns surrounding the topics to be debated and their ultimate goals
and hopes.
Operative Clause: Numbered clauses in the second part of a resolution
which state specific action to be taken to resolve the issue.
Parliamentary Procedure: The specific rules that govern the usage of
language, right to address the committee and maintain order.
Point of Information: These are questions that members of the house may
ask the speaker, after he has concluded his speech and opened himself to
Points of Information. They must be phrased in the form of a question and
are generally used for clarification and to elicit more information from the
speaker. They may, however, be rhetorical in which case they would be used
to either disconcert the speaker or express an opposing opinion when the
floor is taken.
Point of Order: This motion is used when the delegate does not agree with a
decision made regarding parliamentary procedure. To make this point, you
must wait for the delegate that has the floor to yield the floor back to the
Chair. The chair will determine if the point is in order.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: This is used to discuss time and other
parliamentary procedure issues.
Point of Personal Privilege: This motion is used to express discomfort during
the debate, such as if you cannot hear the speaker. This is the only point or
motion that can interrupt a speaker.
21
Position Paper: A general statement of a country’s position on a specific
issue. It should contain a summary of recent action and illustrate the topic’s
relation to the delegate’s nation.
Preambulatory Phrase: Clauses that form the first part of a resolution,
introduce the issue, provide background information and explain its global
significance.
Quorum: One half of the members in the committee plus one (51%).
quorum must be present at all times during the sessions.
A
Reconsideration: After all issues have been address by having a resolution
adopted for each one defeated resolutions may be reconsidered. This
requires two thirds of the house to vote in favor.
Resolution: A document that proposes a feasible solution to a problem
presented to the committee.
Submitter: The delegation that proposes a resolution.
Unmoderated Caucus: In an unmoderated caucus, delegates meet informally
with one another and the committee staff to discuss and negotiate draft
resolutions, amendments and other issues. Unlike a moderated caucus, an
unmoderated caucus allows delegates to move from their seats.
Yield the floor: To pass on one’s right to speak to another delegation, if that
is in order, or back to the chair.
(adapted from the BRAMUN handbook)
22
PROCEDURES
“The
Delegation of
______
WANTS TO
or MAKE...”
Amendments
Amend the
Agenda
Why?
How? When?
Appeal
Needs a
Against
Second?
Decision?
Debate Vote
The resolution
needs to be
amended so
that it solves the
problem the
best way
possible.
The delegate
feels that
resolutions
should be
discussed in a
different order.
Send the
amendment while
the resolution is
being discussed
to the chair.
With
approval
of Chair
NO
YES
Simple
majority
When the
Secretary
General presents
the agenda to the
General
Assembly, the
delegate must
send an
amendment with
the new order.
YES
NO
YES
Simple
majority
FOLLOW UPS
“IS A FOLLOW
UP IN ORDER?”
Why?
How? When?
Follow Up
The delegate
wishes to
present another
question to the
speaker, as a
consequence of
the speaker’s
last remark.
Shortly after
making a point
of information,
if the delegate
wishes, he has
the right to ask
the CHAIR for
a follow up.
Appeal
Against
Decision?
NO
Needs a
Second
?
NO
Debate
Vote
NO
Caucus
leader
23
MOTIONS
“The Delegation
of: _________
MAKES A
MOTION TO…”
Why?
How?
When?
Recess
The delegates
think a break
would be
wise.
The delegate
feels that has
lost important
allies or wants
to rearrange
alliances.
The resolution
or amendment
is
obviously
needed
or
calls for an
unquestionabl
e action.
The resolution
has
taken
much of the
session’s time
or is not a
priority.
The resolution
does not
belong to the
General
Assembly or
calls for
actions not
under the
competence
of the General
Assembly.
Lobbying Time*
Adopt Without
a Vote
Postponement
of Debate
(Table the
resolution)
Review
Competence
Appeal
Against
Decision
?
Needs
a
Second
?
Debate
Raise placard
and wait to
be called
upon.
Raise
placard, and
wait to be
called upon.
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
Raise
placard,
before voting
procedures
have started.
YES
YES
NO
Raise
Placard, and
wait to be
called upon.
YES
YES
1 pro/ 1
con
Raise
Placard,
immediately
following the
introduction
of
a
resolution
YES
YES
1 pro/ 1
con
Vote
Caucus
leader and
simple
majority
Simple
majority
Unanimous
decision,
but
if
there’s one
“NO”
the
procedure
is rejected
2/3 majority
Simple
majority
24
“The Delegation
of: _________
MAKES A
MOTION TO…”
Why?
How?
When?
The
amendment or
resolution has
been voted
upon and the
number of
abstentions
can change
the outcome
of the voting.
After voting
procedures
have
been
completed,
raise placard
and wait to
be
called
upon.
The delegate
believes that
the speaking
time
during
moderated
caucus should
be extended
regarding the
Speaker’s
List.
The delegate
believes that
debate will be
enhanced
if
we
could
abandon the
traditional
speaker’s list
and
quickly
move through
several
opinions on a
specific issue
Move to Un- The delegate
Moderated
believes that
Caucus
he/she could
rework
the
wording to an
amendment or
Division of the
House
Extend
speaking time
Move to
Moderated
Caucus
Appeal
Against
Decision
?
Needs
a
Second
?
Debate
Vote
YES
YES
NO
Simple
majority
Raise placard
before
or
after
a
speaker
takes
the
podium.
NO
YES
NO
Chair’s
decision
Raise
placard, and
request the
motion. The
delegate will
be required to
propose the
duration
of
the
Moderated
Caucus, but
decided
by
Chair.
Raise
placard, and
request the
motion. The
delegate will
be required to
NO
YES
NO
Chair’s
decision
NO
YES
NO
Chair’s
decision
25
a resolution or
come to a
consensus if
they
could
have a little
time
for
discussion
free of the
confines
of
formal debate
and
parliamentary
procedure
propose the
duration
of
the
Unmoderated
Caucus,
although this
is ultimately
the discretion
of the Chair.
*Lobbying time should be used for the sole purpose of informal gatherings,
directly related to MUN. For example, in order to formulate a new strategy, or get
people on board for a specific vote.
POINT OF...
Why?
Personal
Privilege
The delegate cannot Allowed
hear what is being
to
said.
interrupt
a
speaker
This is how you Raise
debate in MUN. You placard
ask questions to the and wait
speaker in relation to
be
to their speech.
called
upon.
The Delegate does Raise
not know how to placard,
behave during a and wait
given situation and to
be
needs to ask the called
caucus leader, once upon.
asked to approach
the chair.
Information to
the Speaker
Parliamentary
Procedure
How?
When?
Appeal
against
decision?
Can
hardly
ever be
ruled out
of order
N/A
Needs a Debate
Second?
Vote
NO
NO
Chair’s
decision
NO
NO
NO
Can
NO
hardly
ever
be
ruled out
of order
NO
Chair’s
decision
26
CAUCUS PROCEDURES
The opening speech
This is the time when each delegation has the opportunity to provide a brief
introduction and address what they feel should be the primary concern of the
caucus; this might be a referral to a specific or interrelated issue. Bear in mind that
it should be a more informal presentation of the country and the particular
individuals that are representing its position, a sort of greeting to the house and
presentation of their hopes for the upcoming meetings.
Rights of reply
Following the presentation of the speech, the specific delegate at the floor will be
questioned by the Chair if he/she is “open for points of information,” note that
though one is given the option, the Chair will push on for replies even if the answer
is “no.” These points are addressed in the form of a question, though not purely
rhetorical, and the Chair will call upon a delegation with raised placard and grant
them the right to speak. A point of information may be supportive of the speaker or
may question the validity of the speaker’s points.
Lobbying (unmoderated caucus)
This is an informal activity that involves merging resolutions, debating positions
and discussing possible amendments, – the perfect opportunity to share ideas with
“allied delegations” and discuss solutions with clashing countries. Lobbying brings
into play several major forms of diplomacy for the purpose of communicating and
coordinating policies on particular issues with the parties involved. Interest groups
should develop resolutions in which they reveal common policies with that of other
delegations, which will benefit them once they have the support of other nations.
Consensus and Merging
Resolutions are not documents written in isolation, nor are they the personal
property of the original author. They are simply a basis for discussion. They must
be drafted and “tested” through discussion with other delegates and teachers prior
to the conference, and with allies during the lobbying process. The main aim
should be to formulate a resolution which both sustains your delegation’s position
and attracts the support of others. A delegate should never disregard this country’s
position in the process of negotiation, but neither should he be uncompromising if
the end-result is mutually beneficial to the negotiating parties. (Exerted from the
THIMUN Handbook) For SALMUN this year, merging resolutions will be highly
more important than in the past due to the expanded number of delegates and
country delegations represented. Time will be given before each discussion for
delegations to argue and merge entire resolutions as well as simple clauses. With
this, we hope for an improvement in quality of resolutions and hope delegates will
be encouraged to work harder to build a consensus.
Merging resolutions in the Security Council:
In the Security Council, delegates have a strongly encouraged option of merging
27
resolutions with other delegates that share similar positions in a specific topic.
When merging, be sure to include all clauses that you find necessary and that you
agree with all clauses present in the resolution. To do so, delegates will be
provided with lobbying time before session but working on merging before the
conference is also encouraged. Each resolution has a maximum of two main
submitters and three co-signers.
Debating
In general terms, speaking in formal debate falls into two main areas: the delegate
either has the floor to speak on the main motion (as in against or in favor of a
resolution) or on a proposed amendment, or he/she is rising to a point of
information by asking a question to the speaker, then delegate that has the floor.
One must know how and when to obtain the floor, when and how to ask questions,
and how, when and to whom to yield the floor. Generally the floor is yielded back to
the Chair, but during a moderated caucus session, a delegate might wish to yield
their remaining time at the floor to another delegation, if the latter agrees to this
arrangement.
28
MODES OF ADDRESS
-All speeches should Begin: “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of
the house...”
-All references to other speakers should be in third person, e.g. point of information
should begin with a phrase such as: “Is the speaker aware that...” and never: “Do
you think...”
-Never refer to yourself in first person, remember, you are representing a
delegation.
Phrases to be used:
A) Member of the house:
 Mr./ Madam chairman...
 The delegate requests the floor
 Can the delegate please have the floor?
 Point of information/ Point of order
 The delegate wishes to speak in favor/ against, this motion/ resolution/
amendment because...
 Is the speaker/ delegate aware that...
 Does the speaker not agree that...
 The speaker stated in his speech... Does (country name) not realize that...
 The delegate wants to amend the resolution by striking/ inserting/ adding the
words...
 The delegate urges the house support to vote in favor of this resolution/ motion/
amendment.
 The delegate yields the floor back to the chair
B) The Chairman/woman:
 Will the house please come to order?
 The chair calls upon delegate X (the submitter) to read the resolution to the
house.
 Are there any seconds?
 The chair will fix a debate time of 10 minutes for, and 10 minutes against the
amendment/resolution.
 Delegate X, you have the floor
 All points are out of order until the speaker has concluded his speech.
 Please rise and state your point (of order/ information)
 Will the delegate please state his/her point in the form of a question?
 The speaker appears not to have heard/ understood your question.
 Will the delegate please repeat/ rephrase his/her question?
 Are there any further points of information to the speaker?
 Will the speaker please make his concluding remarks?
 Debate time for/against the resolution/the amendment has been exhausted.
Will the speaker please yield the floor back to the chair?
29











Debate time has expired.
The chair purposes an extension of debate time by 5 minutes for, and 5
minutes against the motion.
The debate is now closed. We will move into voting procedures.
All points are out of order.
The motion will now be put to the vote.
Will all those in favor of the resolution/ amendment please raise the placards
Will all those opposed to the resolution/ amendment please raise their
placards
Are there any abstentions?
Will all those abstaining please raise their placards?
The motion/ resolution/ amendment has passed by...
The motion/resolution/ amendment did not pass by: X votes in favor, Y votes
against, and Z abstentions.
30
SPEAKER’S LIST
During General Assembly, the speaking list will be available to everyone via
overhead projector. Specific software will be used to control speaker order and
allotted time. The Speaker’s List will be used primarily during moderated caucus to
preserve the flow. There will be a time limit for remarks pre-established by the
Secretary General, any modifications to that time limit can be suggested by a
“motion to extend speaking time” or a “motion to move to close debate and move to
voting procedures.” The final decision will be left to the Secretary General’s
discretion. The Secretary General will also determine the number of countries on
the speaking list and when the Speaker’s List will be closed, as well as whether or
not to suspend the speaker’s list at any point during debate. To add your country to
the Speaker’s List, the delegate shall calmly raise his/her placard, and the person
in charge of the Speaker’s List will add the country. There will be no need for
verbal recognition during this process. The Secretary General will signal when
countries should raise their placards for the speakers list.
(Adapted from BRAMUN Handbook)
Order of Debate
The order of debate inside the committee forums is probably the most confusing
part for MUN newcomers. It is suggested that delegates pay close attention for the
first few minutes, as they will quickly grasp the process.
Order of Debate for Committee Sessions
1. The Chair calls the house to order.
CHAIR: ‘Will the House please come to order?’
2. The Chair will call upon the main submitter of a resolution that has been preselected to be debated.
CHAIR: ‘We will now discuss the resolution on the question of (subject),
submitted by (name of delegation). The Chair would like to call upon the
main submitter of the resolution to read out the operative clauses.
(Name of delegation), the floor is yours.’
3. The Operative Clauses of the resolution is read by the main submitter.
4. The Chair will then ask the house if there is a ‘second.’ Any member of the
house may simply call out: ‘Second’.
CHAIR: ‘The House has heard the resolution. Is there a second?’
DELEGATE: ‘Second’
5. The Chair sets a debate time, e.g. 20 minutes for and 20 minutes against
the resolution, (procedural matters, such as amendments can easily extend
31
the debate time to over an hour) yields the floor to the main submitter who
will deliver a speech in favor the resolution, highlighting what they consider
to be the most important and strongest points of the resolution.
CHAIR: ‘Thank you, (Delegate of/name of country). The Chair sets a
debate time of 20 minutes of debate in favor of the resolution. All
delegates have a right to request the floor at any point in time during the
debate. (Name of delegation), you have the floor.’
DELEGATE: ‘(begins with) Mr. /Madam Chairman, Honorable
Delegates…’
6. After the speech, the speaker may entertain Points of Information, yield the
floor to another submitter to speak in support of the resolution, or back to
the chair. Any delegate may request the floor to make a point of
information. He or she does so by raising their placard, and once
acknowledged by the Chair stands up to speak either at their table or
another location in the room (as specified by Chair). The Chair will most
likely set a limit on the number of points of information that may be made
due to time constraints (usually 3) after which the floor is yielded back to the
Chair or (if permitted- at Chair’s discretion) to another delegation.
CHAIR: ‘Thank you very much. Is the speaker open to points of
information?’
DELEGATE: ‘The speaker is open to points of information’
CHAIR: ‘The Chair sets a limit of three points of information for the
speaker. Are there any points in the House? (Name of country), you
have been recognized.
or
CHAIR: ‘Thank you. Is the speaker open to points of information?’
DELEGATE: ‘The speaker is not open to points of information’
CHAIR: ‘Will the delegate please yield the floor back to the Chair?”
DELEGATE: ‘The delegate of (country name) yields the floor back to the
Chair’
or
CHAIR: ‘Thank you. Is the speaker open to points of information?’
DELEGATE: ‘The speaker is not open to points of information, but
instead wishes to yield to floor to the delegation of (country name)’
CHAIR: ‘That is/is not in order. Thank you (name of delegate); please
yield the floor back to the Chair.’
DELEGATE: ‘The delegate of (country name) yields the floor back to the
Chair’
CHAIR: ‘Thank you. 'Delegate of (country name) you have the floor/Does
any other country wish to have the floor?’
7. Once the floor is yielded back to the chair, another person may request the
floor to speak in favor of the resolution until time has expired to speak for
the resolution or a successful amendment has been passed to move into
time “against” the resolution.
32
8. Once debate time for a resolution has expired the Chair will call upon the
speaker – if any member retains the floor at that moment – to yield the floor
back to the chair. The Chair will then open the floor to members wishing to
speak against the resolution.
CHAIR: ‘Debate time in favor of this resolution has expired. The House
will now move into time against. The Chair sets 20 minutes of debate
against this resolution. Are there any requests for the floor?’
9. Amendments submitted are entertained in time against the resolution. The
procedures for an Amendment are:
o The chair will read the amendment and set debate time for and
against it.
o The chair will call upon the submitter of the amendment to speak
for it. The speaker may entertain Points of Information, yield the
floor to another submitter to speak in support of the resolution, or
back to the chair.
o When debate time for the Amendment has expired the chair will
open the forum to those members wishing to speak against the
Amendment.
CHAIR: ‘The Chair has received an amendment from (name of
delegation). The amendment is in order. The Chair will read out the
amendment twice. First, I will just read it out for you to listen. Next, I will
read it out slowly, in order to allow you to write it down. Are there any
seconds to this amendment? (If yes: The Chair sets a separate debate
time for this amendment of 4 minutes of open debate. (Name of
delegation), you have the floor.’
10. Once time has expired for the amendment the Chair will conduct voting
procedure. (The same procedure will be repeated for an amendment to an
amendment)
CHAIR: ‘Debate time on the amendment has elapsed. The Chair
therefore suggests we will move into voting procedures on the
amendment/amendment to the amendment. All those in favor of the
amendment, please raise your placards... All those against the
amendment, please raise your placards... With a vote of xx in favor and
xx against, the amendment has passed/failed. We will now resume
debate time on the resolution/original amendment.’
11. Once debate time for the resolution has expired – or there has been a
motion to move directly to voting procedures that has been seconded
without any objections – the Chair will call and conduct voting procedures.
CHAIR: ‘Debate time on the resolution has elapsed. The Chair therefore
suggests we will move into voting procedures on the resolution. All those
in favor of the resolution, please raise your placards... All those against
the resolution, please raise your placards... All those who wish to abstain
from voting, please raise your placards... With a vote of xx in favor, xx
against and xx abstentions, this resolution has passed/failed.
33
MODERATED AND UNMODERATED CAUCUS
During ordinary session a delegate can motion the chair for a short break in
debating in order to informally discuss a topic, otherwise known as caucusing. The
delegate specifies which type of caucus he is petitioning for, either a moderated or
an unmoderated caucus. A moderated caucus can be a very good way to break
from the more formal debate and form a new short speaker’s list to discuss a
specific issue (like an amendment or a controversial part of the resolution). In a
moderated caucus delegates don’t get the floor for unlimited time, nor do they get
to entertain points of information. Instead, it is a way to form a short speaker’s list
for a limited time period so that several delegates can voice their opinion about a
subject and hopefully quickly move to consensus or move to a vote afterwards. In
a moderated caucus, the chair (if she grants the motion) sets up the speaker list
and limits time. She usually asks the inquiring delegate if she would like to be the
first to speak. This is a good way to get a chance to talk if the normal speaker’s list
is long and the delegate will not have a chance to talk for some time (a strategic
reason to call for a short moderated caucus). Delegates stay seated and the chair
calls on them to speak one at a time for a set number of minutes (at the discretion
of the chair). This helps all delegates who want to participate and speak out during
the moderated caucus get their points across to the whole assembly, and is a great
opportunity if the delegate wishes to make an important point(s) that she thinks will
affect the opinion of the other delegates on the topic.
An unmoderated caucus is called for when a delegate feels that there is some
issue that likely won’t get solved under the strict format of formal debate and
parliamentary procedure and this issue might be keeping a consensus from being
reached. In this case, a motion for an unmoderated caucus can be quite effective,
because then delegates are able to converse and debate freely, lobby allies and
opponents, work out differences, re-word an amendment, etc. In the case of an
unmoderated caucus, a delegate motions for an unmoderated caucus and, after
approval from the chair, delegates can get up and talk freely amongst themselves
(about issues relevant to the topic) sharing ideas how to resolve the issue in a
slightly more informal setting, writing amendments or draft resolutions, and seeking
support from nations to achieve the delegates goals in representing his or her
country. The unmoderated caucus is sometimes abused by delegates who want a
break from meetings. Because of this, the chair will not allow delegates to leave
the meeting room during an unmoderated caucus.
34
UNITED NATIONS BUDGET
The regular budget of the United Nations is approved by the General Assembly for
two-year period (in this case, the caucus leaders have evaluated and defined the
SALMUN committees and G.A. budgets). The budget is initially submitted by the
Secretary General and reviewed by the advisory committee on administrative and
budgetary questions, made up of sixteen experts who are nominated by their
governments and elected by the General Assembly but who serve in their personal
capacity. The budget covers the costs of the United Nations programs in areas
such as political affairs, international justice and law, international cooperation for
development, public information, human rights and humanitarian affairs.
The main source of funds for the budget is the contributions of member states. The
overall financial situation of the United Nations has been precarious for several
years because of the continuing failure of many member states to pay in full and on
time their assessed contributions. The United Nations has managed to continue to
operate thanks to volunteer contributions from some countries and to its working
capital fund.
(information excerpted from United Nations Today)
For SALMUN, each caucus has its own budget, with the exception of the Security
Council that also has a limited number of peacekeeping troops available, and in
order for a resolution to pass it must conform to these standards.
General Assembly: 5.16 billion US$
(Actual funds for the UN covering the years 2010 and 2011)
Security Council: 5 billion US$ (2007 peace keeping operations budget)
80,000 troops (Actual troop and funding of the Security Council annually)
Americas: 1.5 billion US$
Europe: 1.5 billion US$
Africa: 2 billion US$
Middle East: 2 billion US$
Asia: 2 billion US$
35
SALMUN Papers –
Resolutions and
Speeches
36
THE RESOLUTION PROCESS
The draft resolution should provide the foundation for both informal and formal
discussions and for debate. The document will go through various stages of writing
and revision before it reaches its final form. Delegates should prepare a resolution
for general debate prior to the conference, but understand that compromise and
merging with other resolutions is essential once at the conference.
After the student has completed the necessary research, developed his policy
statement, and written his draft resolution, he should hand it to his caucus leader
who should read it carefully and revise it where necessary or make
recommendations for improvement. If you are a delegate that is not from PASB,
you can submit your draft resolution online for revision.
Once delegates get to the conference with their draft resolutions (now revised
several times), they shouldn’t be too attached to the wording because in the
lobbying and debate that accompanies the attempt to get a resolution passed, they
are often revised and amended again and again. In reality, resolutions before
being submitted to a vote should be considered a working paper.
The first step to getting your resolution submitted and passed is to lobby your
fellow delegates to co-sign or support your resolution. The Lobbying process
begins with informal discussions among delegates within their caucus about their
resolutions or proposals. The main purpose in preparing resolutions prior to the
conference is to ensure that delegates are fully versed in the facts of the issues,
have already thought of some creative solutions, and are capable of representing
their country’s perspective in relation to opinions of other delegates. Delegates
cannot expect to register their draft resolutions without participating in the lobbying
process. To do so would mean missing out on one of the most important processes
of the United Nations experience, and would mean that delegates would be lacking
the support needed from other nations for their resolution.
HOW TO WRITE A RESOLUTION:
Resolutions are the primary tools of discussion and decision-making at the United
Nations. They form the basis for all UN debate, bringing one or several issues to
the floor in a form that Representatives can discuss, amend, and reject or ratify as
circumstances
dictate.
Resolutions usually state a policy or action that the UN will undertake. They range
from the very general to the very specific in content. They may call for or suggest
a course of action, condemn an action, and require action or sanctions on the part
of the member states. They may also give specific or general directions to the UN
Secretariat at any time.
37
Amendments to resolutions are the means by which resolutions may be altered by
the body involved. Amendments can create additions, deletions, or changes to a
resolution in order to increase its acceptability to all nations involved. Amendments
are usually needed to move toward a consensus on a resolution.
POINTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING RESOLUTIONS:
The following list includes important points to consider when writing a resolution,
either in advance or for submission at the Conference. This is by no means an
exclusive list, but should provide a good starting point to make your resolutions as
realistic as possible. Points to consider include:
1. In the preambulatory clauses, describe the recent history of the situation
and the issue as it currently exists;
2. Reference past United Nations actions, when available;
3. Reference previous United Nations resolutions passed on the topic, when
available;
4. In the operative (activating) clauses, include actions which will solve the
problem, not just make a statement;
5. Don't be blatantly political or use inflammatory language in the content of the
resolution—this may damage efforts to reach a consensus on the issue;
6. Take into account the points of view of other nations whenever possible;
7. Write the resolution from your country's side of the "international" or "United
Nations" perspective, not just from your country's individual point of view;
8. Refer issues which need further discussion to appropriate, existing bodies;
9. Don't create new Committees/Commissions/Working Groups/etc. without
considering funding for these groups, or if other, similar bodies already exist;
10. Always consider previous UN resolutions on the topic--don't duplicate what
other resolutions have done without referencing the appropriate sources.
SUBMISSION OF RESOLUTIONS
Each country should bring to the Conference a resolution on a chosen topic (recent
international events calling for UN intervention)
RESOLUTION GUIDELINES:
Each resolution should be written as a single sentence, with commas and
semicolons separating the various parts (see "Sample Resolution" for specifics). In
drafting the "heading" of resolutions, Representatives should state their country
name, the name of the body to which it will be presented, and the topic of the
resolution at the top of the document.
Following the "heading" section, resolutions are split into preambulatory and
operative (sometimes called activating) clauses. Preambulatory clauses are listed
first, and they are used to justify action, denote past authorizations and precedents
for action, and/or denote the purpose for an action. Operative clauses are the
statement of policy in a resolution. They are numbered, begin with a verb to
denote an action (or suggested action), and each clause usually addresses no
more than one specific aspect of the action to be taken.
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RESOLUTION FORMAT:
The standard format is as follows:
 A 2" top margin and 1" side and bottom margins
 Single spaced throughout resolution, with double spacing between clauses
 Clauses must begin with proper introductory words/phrases in italics
(preambs) and underlined (operatives)
 Preambulatory clauses end with commas and operative clauses end with
semi-colons
 Each operative clause must be numbered and indented
 The final operative clause ends with a period
 Please do not number lines in the margin of the resolution.
39
RESOLUTION INTRODUCTORY PHRASES
The following phrases/words are a partial list of the appropriate introductions in
resolutions:
Affirming
Alarmed by
Approving
Aware of
Believing
Bearing in mind
Confident
Convinced
Declaring
Deeply concerned
Deeply convinced
Deeply disturbed
Deeply regretting
Desiring
Emphasizing
Expecting
Fulfilling
PREAMBULATORY PHRASES
Fully aware
Fully alarmed
Fully believing
Further deploring
Guided by
Having adopted
Having considered
Having examined
Having studied
Having heard
Having received
Keeping in mind
Noting with regret
Noting further
Noting with appreciation
Noting with approval
Noting with deep concern
Noting with regret
Noting with satisfaction
Observing
Pointing out
Reaffirming
Realizing
Recalling
Recognizing
Referring
Reminding
Seeking
Taking into account
Taking into consideration
Taking note
Viewing with appreciation
Welcoming
OPERATIVE PHRASES
Accepts
Further invites
Affirms
Further proclaims
Approves
Further reminds
Authorizes
Further recommends
Calls
Further resolves
Calls upon
Further requests
Condemns
Have resolved
Congratulates
Notes
Confirms
Proclaims
Considers
Reaffirms
Declares accordingly
Recommends
Deplores
Reminds Regrets
Draws the attention
Requests
Designates
Solemnly affirms
Emphasizes
Strongly condemns
Encourages
Supports
Endorses
Takes note of
Expresses its appreciation Transmits
Expresses its hope
Urges
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RESOLUTION TIPS
Your success in M.U.N does not strictly depend on whether your resolution
will pass or not. A well-written resolution that does not pass has much more credit
than a simple and vague resolution that managed to pass because of the
nonbinding nature of its content.
There are two main parts to a resolution, the preambulatory clauses and the
operative clauses. In the pre-ambulatory part of the resolution, the delegate(s) will
need to state the current issue and explain all the details involved on the topic of
this resolution. There are several ways of starting a pre-ambulatory clause using
phrases like, “Recognizing”, “Taking into consideration”, “Understanding”, these
different introductory words of the clause should always be underlined. Each line of
a preambulatory clause needs to be numbered and also ends with a comma, for
example:
“(01)Taking into consideration that the Bush Power Plant is in accordance to the
(02) NPT recommendations and has been undergoing inspections for further
(03) verification,”
Also try to backup the information by citing some past resolutions based on
that topic (if applicable) and be sure to mention organizations that are linked to
your resolution’s topic.
In the operative clauses you are actually showing steps that need to be
taken to minimize or resolve the situation. The operative clauses also have
introductory words such as, “Recommends”, “Urges”, “Encourages”. Unlike the
perambulatory clauses, the clauses are numbered by blocks and not by line, with
the possibility of attaching subparts such as “a.” and “b.”. Operative clauses end
with semicolons and the last one ends with a period. Here is an example:
“1.) Urges all nations to promote international cooperation in order to
address the root causes which make women girls more vulnerable to
trafficking, among them:
a. economic causes such as poverty and unemployment, and
b. social and cultural causes such as violence against women
and girls, and gender discrimination in the family, community
and state.
c. political and legal causes such as lack of appropriate
legislation concerning trafficking and corruption in the public
sector;”
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SAMPLE RESOLUTION:
COMMITEE: Security Council
QUESTION OF: Assisting the International Community in Boosting the Peace-making,
Anti-terrorist, and Anti-trafficking Efforts in Afghanistan
Main Submitters: Belgium, Croatia
Co-Submitters: United Kingdom, Panama, South Africa
The Security Council,
(01) Recognizing the efforts of the United States, United Nations, and North Atlantic Treaty
(02) Organization (NATO) in stabilizing the security situation in Afghanistan,
(03) Aware that Afghanistan is still riddled with landmines and explosives left over from
(04) previous wars, that it is one of the most contaminated countries in the world with more
(05) than 640 square kilometers of its territory still covered in landmines which results in
(06) over 50 civilian casualties per month,
(07) Keeping in mind that the UN Mine Clearing Agency (UNMACA) has voiced the need
(08) for additional funding in order to meet the deadline established by the Ottawa Treaty,
(09) which establishes that Afghanistan should be free of unexploded ordnance by March
(10) 2013,
(11) Alarmed by reports from United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
(12) (UNAMA), which states that 2,118 Afghan civilians were killed in 2008, the highest
(13) reported number since the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and that 40% of the
(14) Afghan civilians have no access to medical treatment,
(15) Concerned with the growing Taliban insurgency activity on the Afghan-Pakistani
(16) border, which has increased both civilian and military casualties,
(17) Pointing out that the Taliban has previously threatened international communities and
(18) destabilized international peace by giving aid, shelter and technical assistance to the
(19) terrorist Osama Bin Laden and the terrorist group Al Qaeda,
(20) Deeply regretting the severe human rights abuses against civilians, especially women,
(21) occurring on the southern border of Afghanistan and the northwestern border of
(22) Pakistan which are exclusively promoted by Taliban insurgents in an effort to establish
(23) their control over the area,
(24) Realizing that the lack of troops presents a significant problem, as there are not enough
(25) personnel in order to secure the civilian population, hold the current territories against
(26) insurgent assaults and coordinate strikes in order to drive away Taliban insurgents,
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(27) Having considered that the opium trade is one of the main funding activities for
(28) organizations such as the Taliban, providing them with up to 300 million US dollars a
(29) year, and that the organization encourages illegal poppy cultivation among civilians,
(30) Acknowledging the importance of bringing economic growth to Afghanistan in order
(31) to avoid civilian defection to the Taliban insurgent movement,
(32) Deeply disturbed by reports of growing decentralization in the Afghan Government
(33) due to corruption and security concerns, as such trend is likely to inhibit the
(34) implementation of a working democracy in Afghanistan,
(35) Welcoming the United States’ commitment to supply 20,000 more troops to aid in the
(36) defense of southern Afghanistan, a contested territory between the military and the
(37) Taliban insurgents,
(38) Emphasizing the need for training, equipping and supporting Afghanistan’s national
(39) security forces, so that the nation may defend itself from further Taliban attacks and
(40) enforce its own laws,
(41) Noting with concern the inefficiency of the Afghan police force and army due to lack
(42) of counter-insurgency training, weapons, and leadership which has resulted in many
(43) police officers quitting the force due to pressure and threats from Taliban insurgents,
(44) Reminded of the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai perpetrated by the Lashkar-e-Taiba,
(45) a terrorist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda and based on Pakistan, which resulted in
(46) the death of over 160 Indian civilians and international citizens,
(50) Deeply concerned by reports stating that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency
(51) has been actively supporting terrorist activities by supplying information and
(52) maintaining diplomatic ties to terrorist organizations such as the Taliban and the
(53) Lashkar-e-Taiba, both believed to be based on Pakistan,
(54) Acknowledging Pakistan’s passiveness toward the progressive occupation of their
(55) territory by Taliban insurgents and its decision to comply with the demands of Taliban
(56) leaders by implementing Shariah law in the Swat valley region,
(56) Referring to the Security Council’s past resolutions 1833, 1806, 1805, 1803, 1735,
(57) 1617. 1526, 1456, 1455, 1390, 1388, 1363, 1333, 1267 and the United Nation’s
(58) actions taken towards the matter.
1. Demands that the Pakistani government immediately halt their support of terrorist
activities along the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the North Western Frontier
Province and Balochistan by:
a. Publicly expressing their disapproval of the Taliban as a whole, and not solely
some specific sectors of it as they have historically done,
43
b. Freezing all of their assets originally destined to the funding of terrorist
activities by the Taliban, the HEI and the remnants of the International Islamic
Front in the aforementioned areas
c. Cutting off all diplomatic relations with the Taliban, the HEI and the IIF as a
whole,
d. Accepting and welcoming without posing any restrictions any future peace
keeping operations led by either the UN or NATO with the intent of fighting
terrorist insurgencies in the region,
e. Handing over of Taliban and HEI terrorist infrastructure to NATO, under the
premise that NATO would effectively prevent the infrastructure from being
used for illicit purposes,
f. Guaranteeing that the Pashtun refugees who reside within Pakistani territory
will still be allowed to vote in the Afghan presidential elections without any
intentional hindering by the Pakistani government or the ISI;
2. Decides that if Pakistan does not comply with the conditions mentioned in clause 1,
then all nations’ members of the UN who are currently sending financial aid to Pakistan
halt their aid. If Pakistan continues to refuse to comply after a period of 6 months, then
the introduction of possible military and economic sanctions would be made a priority
in the following UNSC meeting and the UN sanctions committee;
3. Determines that the quantity of 1 billion dollars (US$ 1,000,000,000) be diverged to the
sector of the Pakistani military that deals with counter terrorist operations. Due to the
lack of accountability of the Pakistani military as of the moment, the counter terrorism
sector of the military would be placed under the command of UN military advisors to
be chosen by the DPKO within the maximum time period of six months. This sector of
the military would be given full independence and freedom to act within Pakistani
territory without being restricted by the traditional military hierarchy. 30% of the
money will come from the DPKO`s fund, 40% from the Counter Terrorism fund, 20%
from the UNSC`s budget and the remaining 10% from volunteering nations;
4. Increases the contingent of the UN peace-keeping troops currently present in
Afghanistan by at least 2 battalions. Specifics of this surge would naturally be
determined by the DPKO. The purpose of this surge would be to:
a. Primarily deal with terrorist activities along the Afghan border with the NWFP,
by: carrying out constant patrols along the designated areas with the intent of:
i. Avoiding the smuggling of refugees, weaponry and drugs related to the
Taliban, the HEI or other independent terrorist cells to and from
Afghanistan,
ii. Strategically preventing attacks in southern Afghanistan and the
subsequent withdrawal of terrorists into Pakistan,
iii. Stabilizing the region’s security by seizing and apprehending terrorist
facilities within Afghan territory,
iv. Hampering the transition of terrorists in the region by setting up guard
posts along key sectors of the existing Afghan infrastructure such as
roads and railways,
44
b. Apprehend Opium and Heroin producing facilities throughout Afghanistan with
intelligence provided for by the UN commission on drugs, the Afghan military
and any other intelligence agencies that would be willing to contribute,
c. Locate and close down madrasas, media facilities and arrest anyone who is
proven to be spreading terrorist beliefs,
d. Aid the undergoing counter terrorism operations in the area by:
i. Working in conjunction with the Pakistani Counter Terrorist sector of
the military by giving them full access to related intel and not legally and
bureaucratically hindering their movement through Afghan territory
proven to be under significant terrorist influence,
ii. Providing intel for the Pakistani military, NATO and coalition forces
regarding the location of terrorist infrastructure;
5. Strongly encourages diplomatic talks to be held immediately with the Afghan
government and representatives of NATO, the coalition forces and the peace keeping
contingent as to remove some of the limitations that have hindered the counter terrorist
actions in the region;
6. Decides that 2 billion dollars (US$ 2,000,000,000) be diverged to Afghanistan with the
purpose of improving the country’s current political, economical and security
panorama by funding projects at the local level to impact ordinary Afghans, such as:
a. Seeking better performance from the Afghan government, and support that
performance through tough anti-corruption safeguards on aid, enforced by the
sending of 200 UN election advisors with the intent of supervising local and
national elections and producing reports on corruption within the government.
These reports would be sent back to the UN political committee every bimester
and the PC would then decide how to act
b.Development of alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers, occupation
replacement will be assisted and incentive to do so be provided by
organizations such as the EU, SAARC, CHF International and Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO), by implementing the following measures:
i. Encourage the replacement of poppy fields for agricultural
produce such as vegetable oil, fruits, dry fruits, wheat, wool,
mutton, sheepskins, lambskins to help farmers earn same amount
of money as before,
ii. Giving financial backing from these organizations if needed to
jumpstart these farmers’ businesses, in which case methods such
as:
1. Micro-credit/micro-lending which are used to help
individuals that lack collateral, steady employment and a
verifiable credit history as is in the case of many Afghan
farmers will provide as an extremely great incentive for
occupation replacement,
2. Donation of financial aid by previously mentioned
organizations, other organisms such as the World Bank
and IMF,
45
3. Incentive and financially assisting the Afghan
government to give farmers subsidies on their crops,
giving a poppy farmer a reasonable living, convincing
them to convert over to alternative produce,
iii. Help replacing occupations of present poppy seed farmers and
further boost Afghanistan’s economy with industries such as,
furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement, carpets and copper,
c. Improving existing infrastructure,
d.Building new hospitals and ensuring basic sanitary conditions for a significant
part of the population
e. Improvement of existing educational facilities
f. Investing in the creations of schools and other educational facilities in strategic
locations that will
i) Counter the extremist Madrasas already installed in the country by
offering the population secular education and not education based on the
extremists` ideology of hate,
ii) Commencing further awareness campaigns and educating farmers
around Afghanistan the negative effects of growing poppy seeds and
eventually causing immediate erosion to the land, supplying the majority
of the world’s heroin causing more people to get addicted to it,
g.Investing 20% of the total fund to improvements in the training of the Afghan
police force and military. Improvement would be made feasible through
improvement of training facilities, buying better equipment, getting
professionals from proven police forces around the world to teach them
advanced military, civilian control and counter terrorism tactics,
The money required for the measures detailed above would be provided for by the UNSC
(the 20% related to security), the Counter Terrorism Commission (40%), the ECOSOC
(30%) and any member nation willing to volunteer;
7. Urges the Afghan military and police force to work in conjunction and even be
integrated with existing coalition and NATO counter terrorism operations in the region.
8. Recommends that the current president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, assist in
coordinating efforts between local and international forces in order to establish a safe
political and military environment for the 2009 Afghan elections.
9. Requests that NATO Member States contribute further to the peace-making efforts in
Afghanistan by:
a) Contributing military personnel so as to guarantee security in southern
Afghanistan where the Taliban’s presence is strongest,
b) Contributing funds to both UNAMA and UNMACA in order to boost the
delivering of humanitarian aid and the mine clearing efforts in Afghanistan,
c) Lifting restrictions on the deployment of their troops, allowing for a fast,
efficient mobilization to the areas where they are most needed,
d) Contribute with additional resources such as equipment, training, vehicles
46
e) Contribute with personnel prepared to assist in the development of
Afghan agriculture and economy as well as the formation of the Afghan
Independent judiciary system;
10. Urges the Afghan government, under the supervision of the UN, to revise their
legislation concerning human rights and national freedom in order to ensure
implementation of United Nation’s action plans on:
a) preventing the risk of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction and
combating the illicit trade of small arms and weapons by the promotion of border
control with the cooperation of International Criminal Police Organization
(INTERPOL) and the national police force,
b) increasing the transparency of information on the manufacturing and trafficking of
weapons under the supervision of United Nations Institute for Disarmament
Research (UNIDIR),
c) implementing the disarmament process, under the supervision of UN inspectors,
with the cooperation and the collaboration of Department for Disarmament Affairs
(DDA), which will assist the Afghan government in the determination of the
locations for the destruction of detected weapons,
d) determining the deterrent penalties for the combatants and violators of the
legislative measures in order to hamper any acts threatening the security of Afghanistan;
11. Asks the United Nations Mine Action Program to send their XXXVIII Annual
Session - 2006 164 Reports and Resolutions specialists to Afghanistan in order to
ensure that landmines do not pose a threat to the civilians of Afghanistan by:
a) monitoring the landmine destruction process,
b) providing technical assistance to farmers on the shielded elimination of landmines,
c) accommodating education services to civilians in order to raise awareness of the
risks of illiteracy in situations involving landmines,
d) prohibiting the entrance of civilians to conflict areas until the landmine destruction
process is over with the help of INTERPOL to maintain security,
e) assisting farmers by providing technical assistance in order to make the fullest use
of secured areas for their livelihood,
f) ensuring the availability of medical treatment and rehabilitation provided by the
World Health Organization(WHO) for the Afghan people who are affected by
landmines;
12. Asks the World Food Program (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide Afghan civilians with
temporary food and water aid until alternative methods for obtaining necessary amounts
of nutrition are possible and to guide them in the resumption of planting by providing
reconstruction equipment and technical assistance in order to eliminate the effects of the
significant reduction in the planting of all crops, the increasing vulnerability caused by
the current drought, and the amount of starvation and hunger in the area;
13. Calls upon the assistance of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the
WHO to augment the Afghan health sector through:
47
a) the establishment of hospitals in areas in urgent need,
b) the installation of mobile health centers which will provide health services at any
time in the areas lacking permanent medical aid,
c) the conduct of research on the amount and type of medical supplies demanded so
that further measures can be taken,
d) the training of new medical staff who will be employed by hospitals and mobile
health centers;
14. Proposes the establishment of rehabilitation centers, in order to serve female and young
victims who have been subjected to human rights abuses, including domestic and sexual
violence, as well as armed conflict, which will:
a) provide support to victims, including psychological rehabilitation and medical
treatment if necessary,
b) confirm a safe environment where the security and human rights of victims will be
ensured,
c) provide victims with vocational training for their reintegration into society and
their economic stability,
d) cooperate with local offices to prepare a secure environment where victims can
report crimes which infringe on their fundamental freedoms and rights
15. Endorses any local or international measure that will serve to further secure the future
peace and stability of Afghanistan;
16. Suggests the implementation of alternative measures to deal with illegal poppy
cultivation, such as the implementation of the Poppy to Medicine program proposed by
the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS);
17. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
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PREPARING A SPEECH
Following the writing of a resolution, the student should prepare speeches.
Planned speeches are often the most effective because they can make full use of
rhetoric. They can also be recycled in debate as a talking point. In MUN, speaking
“off the cuff” is necessary, especially during points of information, but this is much
easier with some talking points to guide delegates on certain issues.
It is recommended to write out a speech in full ahead of time and memorize it, but
it is not recommended to read a speech word for word (in reading, speeches can
become monotonous and delivery is harmed).
The objective of a speech is to persuade and even convince others, not merely to
state an opinion. In some cases, a nation’s policy may place a student in a position
where he must defend the indefensible and cannot be expected to persuade a
majority to support him. In preparing speeches, students must be aware not only of
their strengths and weaknesses, but also be aware of the points to be made by
others. It is often wise to pre-empt certain counter-arguments by answering them in
your speech. Overall, it is advisable to list arguments and counter-arguments so
that the delegates will be prepared to defend their views as well as make
proposals.
Remember: a speech is heard only once and, therefore, needs to leave a strong
impression. The audience will remember the important parts of a speech, those
short, clear sound-bytes that crystallize an idea. A speech that is short, clear and
well structured will be much more effective than a long, confusing, and rambling
one. The key elements to an effective speech include the following:
1) The most important points are arranged in ascending order with the final
point a climax.
2) Numbering the points is helpful to the speaker in delivering the speech
and to the audience in remembering it.
3) Use a key word or phrase for each argument and repeat the main points
before yielding the floor.
The advanced speaker has taken the next steps in preparing his techniques in
delivery. Besides building repetitions, using catch phrases and rhetorical pauses,
he has worked out his stance (firm, dogmatic, ironic, conciliatory, etc.), the image
he wants to project (idealistic, revolutionary, moderate, etc.), and the appropriate
level of language needed for the role he is assuming. The MUN Directors and
caucus leaders can often help in the selection of appropriate terminology,
phraseology and vocabulary as delegates prepare speeches in the classroom.
Speakers should deliver their speeches in a clear, loud voice. Every speech should
have an obvious beginning, e.g. “Madame Chairwoman, ladies and gentlemen, the
delegate is in favor of this resolution because…..”, followed by arguments that are
to the point, and an obvious ending, e.g. “Therefore, I urge the House to vote in
49
favor of this resolution. I will now yield to points of information.” Points of
information must be phrased in the form of a question, but that does not imply that
they are used to elicit information from the speaker. In many cases, they are used
rhetorically in order to express an opinion when one does not have the floor or to
support or disconcert the speaker who does have the floor, e.g. “Does the speaker
not agree with me that the recent strike against unarmed civilians in Iraq can only
be regarded as murder?”
The speaker who has the floor should not allow himself to be put off by points of
information. He can, however, take the opportunity to reply to the question in any
way he chooses either re-emphasizing his earlier points earlier or using the
question as a springboard to launch into another argument. Points of information
should never be answered by a simple “yes” or “no” which would be a wasted
opportunity. It is during this stage of answering points of information that the
debate is the liveliest, so students should be encouraged to answer points which
arise and not simply yield the floor after delivering their prepared speech.
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Sample Speech #1
Country: Federative Republic of Brazil
Topic: Internationalization of the Amazon
It upholds 50% of the world’s biodiversity, 20% of the world’s drinking
water, 20% of the world’s oxygen, 3,000 fish species, 950 types of birds, 1,5
million catalogued plant species: The Amazon Rainforest.
That immense rainforest in South America with lots of green and
innumerable kinds of plants and animals. A beautiful and rich place that
you’ve got to visit at least once in your lifetime. But do you really know
what’s going on in the Amazon? [Pause]
Between May 2000 and May 2005, the Amazon lost more than 132,000
km2 of forest, an area larger than Greece! With this rate of deforestation, the
Amazon would have been reduced to 40% in twenty years. We can’t let it
happen. The destruction of the Amazon would mean not only a great
territorial loss to the world, but the extinction of species and even a
significant acceleration of the global warming process due to the huge
amounts of CO2 that would be released.
The Amazon Rainforest is divided among nine countries, being Brazil,
Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French
Guiana, but the concern for it should come from all of the countries in the
world. The conservation of the Amazon would benefit the well being of the
whole international community and not only the countries that govern it.
But while Brazil and the eight other nations that possess portions of
the Amazon present feasible solutions to the question of the deforestation, a
taunting threat is presented by other nations, [pause] the internationalization
of the Amazon. Surprising remarks, such as the one stated by the United
States’ former Vice President, Al Gore, that, “Contrary to what the Brazilian
people think the Amazon is not theirs, it is of all of us,” demonstrate how
outrageous and irrational this desire is. These countries led by the United
States and the United Kingdom claim that they are the ones who know what’s
best for the rainforest, what a typical posture of them. But as president Lula
da Silva stated, “It’s amusing to hear countries among the world’s worst
polluters talk about the preservation of the Amazon.” What morality do they
have to say that the Brazilian government isn’t efficient when it comes to the
protection of OUR rainforest? They are the same countries that have
destroyed almost all of their natural beauties only to open space to big
metropolis so that their economies could boost.
The biased foundation of the internationalization already serves to
show how the whole idea is not based on facts and that there may be other
purposes rather than just ecological ones. And as stated by the Brazilian
Minister of Justice, Tarso Genro, “this claim hides the economic interests
over the Amazon as a reserve for the planetary multinational corporations for
the territory control of other states over Brazil.”
The internationalization is also a clear infringement of the sovereign
rights of the nine nations that control the Amazon, since it would mean that
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other countries would be able to intervene in the jurisdiction of a national
territory. If ecology is really the main concern, then there are alternative
solutions that wouldn’t go against UN principles.
To prove these countries wrong, Brazil and the other Latin American
countries have in fact been efficient in the combat of deforestation. Since
2002 the conserved lands in the Amazon have almost tripled and
deforestation rates have dropped up to 40%. Brazil has been able to
decrease its deforestation rates every year. In 2005, 19,000 km2 of forest
were deforested, in 2007 the number decreased to 11,000 and in 2009 the
number was at 9,000. At this rate, Brazil plans on reaching 5,000 km2 in the
next two years. These statistics serve to prove how committed the Brazilian
government has been with the conservation of its rainforest.
With the inflammatory claim of internationalization in mind, the
Brazilian government has presented pragmatic solutions that actually aim
the preservation. It has created extensive national programs for preservation
and also joint programs with the UNEP, United Nations Environment
Programme, and countries such as the United States and China; all of them
with the concern of saving the Amazon. And now the Brazilian delegation
presents a resolution to the Security Council in which four main things are
accomplished. First, the economical participation of the international
community in the conservation of the rainforest, second the necessary steps
in the creation of a sustainable development of the Amazon that doesn’t
jeopardize the use of the environment by future generations. Third, the
creation of stricter laws for illegal activities in the Amazon and last, but not
least, the certification of the transparency of projects implemented by the
Brazilian government.
Well, to sum it up, the irrational idea of internationalization created by
countries wishing to prosper from the Brazilian resources, has no strong
arguments and is filled with flaws that would compromise its full
accomplishment. It infringes sovereignty, clearly has other purposes than
just ecological ones and is led by countries that haven’t been able to protect
their own nature. There is no way any nation here present would be able to
agree with such imperfect idea.
The Brazilian resolution presents plausible and well-thought solutions
to the deforestation issues. Solutions that only take into account what would
be best for the rainforest and not for the economy of certain nations.
Solutions that maintain the Amazon under the jurisdiction of its rightful
owners. The Security Council has a chance to take the first step towards the
planning of a better future and help the Latin American countries to take care
of their rainforest, now don’t get me wrong, helping with the consent of these
nations because WE are the owners of the Amazon. Therefore, the delegate
urges the House to vote in favor of this resolution. The delegate is now open
to points of information.
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Sample Speech #2
Country: Iran
Topic: Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East
I come here representing a nation of peace. Iran is struggling right
now. We are struggling because this Council has imposed on us sanctions,
sanctions that hurt our nation with no purpose other than concealing other
secret agendas. And what do we mean, by this? Simple. We’ve heard the side
comments. Radicals, ignorant, undiplomatic. We are here to say that Iran is
NOT this. Our country is a nation protected under Allah. It is a nation that
abides by Allah, therefore it is a pure nation. It is a nation that believes in
Allah, subsequently we believe in righteous peace, meaning we are
completely against nuclear weaponry or anything of this sort. Before any
other procedures, delegates, rest assured – our nuclear program has no
secret agenda to it.
Article IV of the NPT recognizes the inalienable rights of all the
parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to develop research, production and
use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We will stand by our rights.
We have heard claims that the Qom Enrichment Plant is not following
IAEA accords. However, as of this year of 2010, the results of the
environmental samples taken at PFEP indicate that the maximum enrichment
level in the DIQ had not been exceeded at that plant. AND, even though some
have claimed that Qom Fuel Enrichment Plant had not been communicated
to the IAEA, In September 2009, Iran informed the Agency that it was
constructing the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), located near the city
of Qom. The Agency verified that FFEP was being built. But now we are
facing the accusation of non-compliance.
Now, I ask, delegates – non-compliance? Iran was forced to resort to
minor secrecy after US pressure caused several of its nuclear contracts with
foreign governments to fall through; but that was a long time ago and today
we are transparent. Iran has effectuated the Additional Protocol of the Iranian
Safeguards Agreement, as required by the IAEA in its various government
reports.
We find such sanctios already in action and further ones proposed
absolutely ABSURD. Furthermore, Iran is extremely concerned with the
potential monopolization of nuclear fuel production. We ALL know that such
monopolizations directly lead to over abuse of power and military threats.
Need I remind this council of the occasions in which this abuse happened? I
think not.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, our enriched uranium is less than 5%,
consistent with fuel for a civilian nuclear power plant. We stand by our
rights. We want nuclear energy because we have an increasing demand for
energy! We don’t want to keep burning fossil fuels. We want nuclear energy
because we need the radioactive isotopes for medical purposes! So now,
because we want nuclear technology to SAVE OUR PEOPLE we suffer
sanctions and prejudice, while other nations who are KNOWN to have
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nuclear bombs with the power to annihilate this WORLD, those other nations
are offered your protection and pity. Don’t pity them. Pity the true sufferers,
pity the ones that to this day still have to battle for their rights. God! If we
denied a hospital in YOUR countries the right to process medical
radioisotopes for pharmaceutical use, you’d declare war on us!
The nuclear processing facilities at Qom and Furdow, which you
accuse of developing weapons of mass destruction, are simply there to
provide materials for the Tehran Research Reactor. And our cyclotrons are
only kept isolated because Israel has threatened to bomb our reprocessing
facilities, and if those medical radioisotopes that we protect aren’t available
because they could destroy it, people at the Tehran hospitals will DIE. All we
are trying to do is prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. And yet, you still
accuse us.
I smell prejudice in this. I still smell that long believing stance in which
Muslims are connected to destruction. PLEASE! Aren’t we past this? We are
talking about CIVILIANS, about NATIONS, about DIPLOMACY, about HUMAN
BEINGS! You should all be ashamed of yourselves, for letting such atrocities
be committed against our country. It’s all a plot to cover the true violators. I
need not to point fingers. At this moment, all of you will look at the one
country we KNOW is lying to us about their program. Iran looks at you too.
And Iran reminds you that God will be our final judge.
We are not scared to enter this round of agreements because we know
we are right. We have nothing to hide. Search our facilities! We allow it.
Question our program! We will answer you. But don’t forget – we have
already let it happen several times, and you still have the courage to say we
haven’t. Non-compliance is now just a banal term. We don’t deserve these
sanctions. We don’t deserve your mistrust.
Together, we can do this. Together, we can stand by a country’s right.
Together, we can fight prejudice. Together, we can fight oppression. This is
why I urge you to support this resolution. The delegate is now open to
points of information.
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Things to Keep in Mind
Warning Guidelines
Warnings are given to those delegates that do not conduct themselves properly
during the event. A warning is up to the discretion of the chair (whether that be a
caucus leader or the Secretary-General). Warnings are given as needed in order
to keep control of the caucus and ensure delegates are cooperating and following
the rules of procedure. Warnings will not only potentially hinder the delegate’s
performance during the session, but it will also be reflected negatively in their
academic evaluation by the faculty evaluator.
The warning process consists of three main steps. An initial warning is given to a
delegate for his first misbehavior. If he or she commits another one, the caucus
leader or Secretary General may apply a second warning with a harsher intonation
and threats of expulsion if misconduct continues. If the behavior persists, the
delegate will be given a third and final warning, which will consequently result in
their expulsion from the caucus or General Assembly for the rest of that session.
Dress Code
MUN is a formal event therefore there is a strict dress code that has to be followed
by every delegate. When selecting your outfit think of a serious job interview. You
want to look your best to impress the person that might be interviewing you. Your
outfit and the way you look will be the first impression they have on you, so to be
taken seriously you should dress up serious and follow Model United Nation’s
dress code.
For boys: a tie and a formal shirt are expected. Jackets are not required but are
recommended. Formal pants should be used with the shirt. Jeans and shorts are
not appropriate or acceptable. Shoes should be formal and appropriate for the
event, sneakers and sandals are not acceptable.
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For girls: an appropriate blouse would be nice, cleavage should not be visible. A
jacket is a good thing to make your outfit look better. All girls should wear nice
pants or capris, as long as their length is under the knee. If a girl wishes to use a
dress it should be a formal dress that would be appropriate for the event, not a
party dress. Here are some specific rules for dresses:
Back – The dress may not be open below the middle of the back .
Length – Dress length must be no higher than the top of the knee.
Tightness – Keep the ‘pinch an inch’ principle in mind – it should be easy to gather
an inch of fabric on either side of the dress anywhere except at the waist.
The same rule applies for skirts. If ladies wish to wear them they should also be
below the knees. Formal shoes are required too—tennis and flip-flops are not
allowed.
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