Ulus Jewish Schools
Model United
Nations Club
Handbook
Dear Club Members,
The MUN Club of the Ulus Jewish Schools was established in 2000 by Ms.
Engin Arik, the Head of the English Department, and Mr. Reagan Light, a
former English teacher of our school. Since then, our club has grown both in
terms of the number of its members and conferences it has attended.
This handbook has been prepared by the executive board to provide the club
members with a comprehensive guide for MUN. It contains information about
MUN conferences, general procedures, explanations of the language of MUN,
the nature of the club and its executive board, the rules and terms of the club,
and the expectations from its members.
You can use this handbook while getting prepared for a conference, working for
an in–school meeting/debate, or in any other phase during your membership
in this club.
We hope that the handbook will be beneficial and useful to the highest
possible extent. Try to enjoy it!
Best Wishes,
Executive Board
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Ulus Jewish Schools
MUN Club Information
ADVISORS
• The advisors of the UOML MUN Club are Ms. Engin Arik, Ms. Kristin Gergis,
and Mr. Ralph Hubbell.
• The responsibilities of the advisors are:
o Monitoring the club meetings,
o Hosting the executive board meetings,
o Supervising the executive board and club members,
o Playing an active role at decision making,
o Handling the administrative aspects of the club,
o Proofreading policy statements, resolutions, and letters of application and
recommendation.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
• The responsibilities of the President of the Executive Board are:
o Being in charge of all executive board members,
o Planning and hosting the weekly club meetings,
o Communicating with the advisors,
o Assigning the delegations, ambassadors, and committees,
o Making sure that all deadlines, both for the conferences and for the club itself,
are met,
o Communicating with the conference secretariats.
• The responsibilities of the Vice President of the Executive Board are:
o Assisting the President in all his duties and taking over club management if
the president is ill or unable to perform his duties,
o Sharing the President’s responsibility for planning and hosting the weekly club
meetings,
o Helping the President assign the delegations, ambassadors, and committees.
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• The responsibilities of the Secretary of the Executive Board are:
o Being in charge of all documents, announcements, conference registrations,
fees, and other paper work.
• The responsibilities of the Training Coordinator of the club are:
o Training, encouraging, and helping new club members about all aspects of
MUN and preparation for club meetings and conferences,
o Making “Introduction to Model United Nations” presentations to the Prep
classes,
o Hosting workshops for researching and writing policy statements and
resolutions.
• The responsibilities of the Information Technologies (IT) Manager of the club
are:
o Updating and utilizing the Teacher Web, the website of the club where all
documents, deadlines, announcements, and photos from conferences are on
display,
o Making sure that every student is a member of the Yahoo! Group, which
provides a platform with advisors, executive board, and club members to
communicate with each other via mail,
o Helping prospective delegates research their country policies and issues on the
agenda.
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Club Constitution
EXECUTIVE BOARD
• Executive board members are chosen by the club members and should have the
approval of the advisors as the final say.
JOINING THE CLUB
• Students starting from the ninth grade can only join the MUN Club either at
the very beginning of the year or at the end of the midterm whereas Prep
students are welcomed to join the club during the whole academic year.
• New club members are required to fill out an application form and go through
an interview which analyzes their enthusiasm and qualifications for joining the
club.
• Club members who leave the club of their own will cannot re–join the club in
the same academic year.
• Members who are expelled from the club cannot re–join unless the advisors,
the President, and the Vice President are fully convinced that they are eligible to
be in the club.
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COMMUNICATION
• Every club member has to join the Yahoo! Group, preferably by getting a
Yahoo! Account.
• All club members are required to check their email on a daily basis since no
repetition or reminder of an announcement and/or a deadline will be made
afterwards.
CLUB MEETINGS
• Attendance to weekly club meetings is mandatory unless the absence is due to
a reasonable excuse.
• Members who do not attend a maximum number of three club meetings
without a justified, reasonable excuse will not be permitted to participate in any
conference during that academic year.
PRE–CONFERENCE PREPARATION
• All students should research their country policies and issues, write policy
statements for every issue and a resolution for at least one of the issues.
• Students are responsible for handing in both the soft and hard copies of their
policy statements to Mr. Hubbell and resolutions to Ms. Kristin Gergis before
the deadlines.
• The materials of the club members who do not meet the deadlines will not be
proofread and revised by the advisors, which will lead them to attend
conferences with their unchecked first drafts.
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CONFERENCE ATTENDENCE
• Before attending an MUN conference, students need to hand in a conference
fee, the amount of which differs from one conference to another, to the MUN
advisors prior to its deadline.
• At the beginning of the year, a petition will be signed by the parents stating
that there won’t be a refund of any conference fee even if their children are not
allowed to attend the conference due to their lack of pre–conference
preparation and attendance of the in–school club meetings.
• MUNESCO, a conference held by the Bilkent Laboratory & International
School (BLIS), formerly known as Bilkent University Preparatory Schools
(BUPS), Ankara, is the first conference of all new club members but might be
subject to exceptions in case a reasonable excuse, such as the financial status of
the family, can be put forward.
• Before attending an international conference, students must first attend at
least one local conference.
• After conferences, all participants should fill out a self–evaluation form and
hand it in to Ms. Arik.
• Prospective Student Officers, ICJ/MICC Members, and Press Members have
to send their letters of application to Ms. Arik at least one month prior to the
deadline. (They are the only ones who are responsible for reminding Ms. Arik
that she needs to write their letters of recommendation and rank themselves
among other applicants.)
• The advisors, the President, and the Vice President of the club are the only
ones who have the authority to make the assignments of delegations,
ambassadors, and committees.
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Model United Nations
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What is the United Nations (UN)
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the
Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international
peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting
social progress, better living standards and human rights.
What is Model United Nations (MUN)
Model United Nations (informally abbreviated as Model UN or MUN) is an
academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants
about civics, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy.
In Model UN, students take on roles as foreign diplomats and participate in a
simulated session of an intergovernmental organization (IGO). Participants
research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues,
debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.
MUN CONFERENCES
The MUN Club of our school attends approximately four conferences in an
academic year. Three of these conferences are usually local conferences, which
are TIMUN, MUNESCO, and RCIMUN, and an international conference
that is subject to the decision of the executive board.
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Turkish International Model United Nations (TIMUN)
TIMUN is a local, THIMUN affiliated MUN conference held by the Uskudar
American Academy (UAA) usually in December. Due to its well organized
structure, the conference attracts many students from abroad as well as from the
high schools in Turkey. As opposed to many conferences, TIMUN has two
substituting committees for the Political Committee. These two committees are
Territorial Disputes and Legal. Finally, the conference has a committee called the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) where criminal cases are discussed rather
than global issues.
Model United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
(MUNESCO)
MUNESCO is a local MUN conference held by Bilkent Laboratory &
International School (BLIS), formerly known as Bilkent University Preparatory
Schools (BUPS), in Ankara usually in March. Despite its fairly recent
foundation, it turns out to be a well–organized and successful conference. It is
compulsory for the new members to attend MUNESCO as their first
conferences in order to have a better experience and a stronger grasp of the
MUN language.
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Robert College International Model United Nations (RCIMUN)
RCIMUN is a local, THIMUN affiliated MUN conference held by Robert
College (RC), usually in April. It is one of the most prestigious conferences in
Turkey. Consequently, the conference offers an international platform for its
participants where they can have intense debates and make international
friendships. Other than that, RCIMUN has a sub–conference called Robert
College Model International Criminal Court (RCMICC) that is in theory more
or less similar to ICJ of TIMUN.
The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN)
THIMUN is an international conference held in the Hague, the Netherlands. It
is one of the biggest, most prestigious conferences in the whole world along with
Harvard MUN, a United States centered MUN conference.. It gives affiliations
to other conferences worldwide after analyzing and evaluating their organization,
and following of rules and procedures.
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Some THIMUN Affiliated Conferences
• Bath Model United Nations [BSMUN], Bath, United Kingdom
• Berlin Model United Nations [BERMUN], Berlin, Germany
• Deutsche Schule Athen Model United Nations [DSAMUN], Athens, Greece
• Genoa Model United Nations [GeMUN], Genoa, ITALY
• Haarlem Model United Nations [HMUN], Haarlem, The Netherlands
• Haileybury Model United Nations [Haileybury], Hertford Heath,
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
• Iberian Model United Nations [IMUN], Lisbon, Portugal
• International MUN of Alkmaar [IMUNA], Alkmaar, The Netherlands
• Johannesburg Model United Nations [JOMUN], Johannesburg, South Africa
• Leiden Model United Nations [LEMUN], Leiden, The Netherlands
• MINIMUN [MINIMUN], The Hague, The Netherlands
• Malaysian Model United Nations (MYMUN), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• MUN of the Int. School of The Hague [MUNISH], The Hague, The
Netherlands
• Paris Model UN [PAMUN], Paris, France
• Robert College International Model United Nations [RCIMUN], Istanbul,
Turkey
• Royal Russell School Model United Nations [RRSMUN], Croydon, Surrey,
United Kingdom
• SHAPE Model United Nations [SHAPEMUN], SHAPE, Belgium
• South American Model United Nations [SAMUN], Caracas, Venezuela
• St. Petersburg Int. Model United Nations [SPIMUN], St. Petersburg, Russia
• St. Andrew's International Model UN [SAIMUN], Dublin, Ireland
• Turkish International Model United Nations [TIMUN], Istanbul, Turkey
• UN Int. Student Conf. of Amsterdam [UNISCA], Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
• Zambia Model United Nations [ZAMUN], Lusaka, Zambia
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Committees of an MUN Conference
General Assembly (GA)
GA is the assembly of the Human Rights, Environment, Political, and
Disarmament Committees. The last day of an MUN conference is reserved for
GA Plenary Session. In this session all four committees come together and
debate four resolutions in total, one from each committee. At the end of the
session the house votes for only one resolution to go to the real UN. The GA
does not have any members from the Security Council, Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC), and Special Conference. These three committees
continue their routines on the last day as well.
Security Council (SC)
The SC is a group of which the members are ambassadors of countries that
have active power to participate in the political and economical decision–
making. Some countries, though, have the power to veto a resolution clause
even though there is a majority of agreement. These countries are called The
Permanent Five (P5). China, France, Russian Federation, the United
Kingdom, and the United States of America are the members of this group.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
This committee focuses on the issues that are categorized in the fields of
economics and social structure such as equal rights of women and men or
macro- and micro- economies.
Special Conference
Every MUN conference has a theme of its own. Special Conference is a sub–
committee that adopts issues related to this general concept of the conference.
For example, the title of the TIMUN ‘09 Special Conference was “The Law of
the Sea” because it was selected as the conference theme.
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Pre–Conference Preparation
RESEARCH
There are two parts of research that you have to focus on while getting
prepared for an MUN conference. First, you need to learn about your country
that you represent and then you need to research the issues on the agenda.
How to Research a Country
When researching your country, Internet should be your best friend. A widely
used website for this is the CIA World Fact Book. Choose the country you
represent and you will find the information you need. If you need a guideline
on what you need to know about your country, you can refer to the Council
of World Affairs. This is a very useful site, by the way, in preparing for many
aspects of a conference. Alternatively, you might try individual countries’
websites.
How to Research an Issue
The issues on the agenda of a conference are mostly taken from the UN
website. Hence, going to this website and typing in the issue on the agenda
into its search engine will be a good way to start your research on these issues.
Member States have websites for their permanent missions at the UN that can
also be useful if you want to learn about the views of your country on a given
issue.
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Useful Sites
• United Nations – http://www.un.org/english
• Permanent Missions in New York –
http://www.un.org/members/mission.shtml
• UN Cyber School Bus – http://cyberschoolbus.un.org
• CIA World Fact Book – https://www.cia.gov
• Embassies Worldwide – http://www.embassyworld.com
• The Economist -http://www.economist.com
• International Debate Education Association –
http://www.idebate.org/index.php
• CNN – http://www.cnn.com
• BBC World – http://www.bbcworld.com
POLICY STATEMENTS (A.K.A POSITION PAPERS)
What is a Policy Statement
In preparation for an MUN conference, you should write a policy statement.
This is a document that briefly and clearly explains the policies of your
country/organization with respect to the issues dealt with at the conference.
There are two important reasons for drawing up this document:
- First, it forces you to focus on the exact points of view of your
country/organization;
- Second, it serves as a reference document to your delegation members and
committee members during the conference.
Thus, policy statements may provide an excellent tool in the lobbying process;
they may also serve as the basis for your opening speech in your committee.
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What Does a Policy Statement Consist of?
In order to produce a useful policy statement, you ought to carry out thorough
research. You should also bear in mind that a policy statement consists of five
parts in which you:
1.Explain and define the issue and its most important terms;
2.Provide a short summary of recent international action related to the issue;
3.Refer to key documents that relate to the issue;
4.State the country’s general position on the issue;
5.Make suggestions of your own that are in line with your country’s policies to
provide a solution to the issue.
Make sure your policy statement does not exceed 300 words.
To sum up, the policy statement sets out to answer three basic questions:
1. What is the background of your country’s point of view on the issue?
2. What is your country’s current position on the issue?
3. What does it hope to achieve in relation to the issue?
Additionally, you might add strength to your position by answering the following
question:
4. What have other member states that share my country’s view done in this
area?
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A Sample Policy Statement / Position Paper
Delegation: Brazil
Committee: Disarmament
Question of: Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass
destruction
Brazil fervently supports measures to support the Weapons of Mass Destruction
Branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs in its attempts to prevent
terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD), as it firmly
believes such efforts are necessary to combat the global threat of terrorism.
Brazil endorses the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, adopted 13
September 2005, which condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
and strives to set up an international system that strictly monitors the transfer of
materials that may be used to produce WMD.
Brazil, one of the driving forces behind the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco, which
turned Latin America into the world’s first nuclear–free zone, applauds the
recent efforts made by the Members of the UN to free the world of any type of
WMD. We feel especially responsible as our nation commands huge uranium
resources. We view with satisfaction the recent efforts of Member States to
prevent the use of WMD by terrorists. However, Brazil expresses its deepest
regret that, in spite of recent efforts to combat the acquisition of WMD by
terrorist groups, some countries have refused to abide by the will of the
international community. It is our deepest interest to ensure a world untroubled
by the transfer of WMD and materials that can be used in the production of any
such weapons.
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RESOLUTION PAPER
Debating is a major part of MUN, but MUN debates are always centered around
resolutions. A resolution is one long sentence declaring a nation’s opinion
concerning a topic, and the actions it intends to take. A resolution consists of
both preambulatory clauses and operative clauses. Preambulatory clauses
establish a nations motivation, while operative clauses determine what action to
take. These resolutions will form the primary documents at the conference. Any
resolution you write must be in accordance with your country’s stated policy.
Remember that a resolution is a text setting out problems and suggested
solutions in a formalised way. Resolutions should state at the top of the page the
Committee, the subject matter, the submitter, and the prospective co–
submitters. Resolutions should be submitted by one country and co–submitted
by other delegates, the number of which changes from one conference to
another, before they can be debated.
The format of a resolution is strict, and certain rules must be followed. A
resolution, as has already been noted, is divided into preambulatory clauses and
operative clauses. The preamble contains the background to the problem and
should be kept fairly short, as the background will be covered in the debate itself.
The preamble has little effect on the purpose of the resolution. The arguments
for the action you are proposing, and the reasoning behind the calls for action
should be in the operative clauses. To gauge the real meaning of a resolution,
look at the operative clauses first, and consider how they might be adapted to
meet your country's needs.
A resolution is contained within one sentence. At the end of each
perambulatory clause there is a comma (,); at the end of each operative clause
there is a semicolon (;), the last clause ends with a full stop (.).
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Preambulatory Phrases
Acknowledging
Affirming
Alarmed by
Approving
Aware of
Believing
Bearing in mind
Confident
Congratulating
Convinced
Declaring
Deeply concerned
Deeply conscious
Deeply disturbed
Deeply regretting
Deploring
Desiring
Emphasizing
Expecting
Expressing its appreciation Noting with deep concern
Expressing its satisfaction Noting with regret
Fulfilling
Noting with satisfaction
Fully alarmed
Observing
Fully aware
Pointing out
Fully believing
Reaffirming
Further deploring
Realizing
Further recalling
Recalling
Guided by
Recognizing
Having adopted
Referring
Having considered
Reminding
Having devoted attention Seeking
Having examined
Taking into account
Having received
Taking into consideration
Having studied
Viewing with appreciation
Keeping in mind
Welcoming
Noting further
Noting with appreciation
Noting with approval
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Operative Phrases
Accepts
Affirms
Approves
Asks
Authorizes
Calls for
Calls upon
Congratulates
Confirms
Declares accordingly
Deplores
Designates
Encourages
Endorses
Expresses its satisfaction
Expresses its hope
Further recommends
Hopes
Invites
Proclaims
Proposes
Recommends
Regrets
Requests
Resolves
Seeks
Strongly affirms
Strongly urges
Suggests
Supports
Trusts
Transmits
Urges
The Format of a Resolution
The text should be in Times New Roman, and size twelve (12).
• The opening verb of each clause is underlined.
• There is a line – space between each clause.
• The lines of the resolution are NOT numbered.
• Each operative clause IS numbered.
• The sub–clauses begin with a), b), c), et cetera; sub–sub–clauses begin with i),
ii), iii), et cetera.
• Acronyms and abbreviations are written out in full the first time they are used.
• Each preambulatory clause is followed by a comma (,).
• Each operative clause is followed by a semicolon (;).
• There is only one full stop (.) that is at the end of the resolution.
Note: Do make sure that you not only take a number of hard copies of your
draft resolution but also an electronic version. You should have enough copies to
distribute to other members of your forum during the lobbying process.
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A Sample Resolution
Forum: General Assembly
Question of: Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula
Submitted By: ___________________________________________
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 55/11 of 31 October 2000, in which it welcomed and
supported the inter–Korean summit and the joint declaration adopted on 15
June 2000 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and
the Republic of Korea,
Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations
regarding the maintenance of international peace and security,
Convinced that inter–Korean dialogue and cooperation are essential for
consolidating peace and security on the Korean peninsula and also contribute to
peace and stability in the region and beyond, inconformity with the purposes
and principles of the Charter,
Recognizing that the summit held in Pyongyang from 2 to 4 October 2007
between the two leaders and their Declaration on the Advancement of North–
South Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity represent a major milestone in
improving inter–Korean relations,
Recalling the statements welcoming the inter–Korean summit made on 1
October 2007 by the Secretary–General and the President of the General
Assembly, and recalling also the statement welcoming the adoption of the
Declaration made on 4 October 2007 by the Secretary–General,
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1.
Welcomes and supports the inter–Korean summit held from 2 to 4
October 2007 and the Declaration on the Advancement of North–South
Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity adopted on 4 October 2007 by the
two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic
of Korea;
1.
Encourages the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic
of Korea to implement the Declaration fully and in good faith, thereby
consolidating peace on the Korean peninsula and laying a solid foundation
for peaceful reunification;
1.
Invites Member States to continue to support and assist, as appropriate,
the process of inter–Korean dialogue, reconciliation and reunification so
that it may contribute to peace and security not only on the Korean
peninsula but also in north–east Asia and the world as a whole.
OPENING SPEECHES (A.K.A AMBASSADOR SPEECHES)
If you are the Ambassador of the country you represent in an MUN conference,
you can be asked to do an opening speech in the opening ceremony right after
the registration and start of the conference.
An opening speech should last 1 minute. In this minute, you should address
very clearly to the audience the position of the country/organization you
represent on the primary concerns about the state of the world.
There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for an opening speech:
– First of all, there is the beginning of the speech. It is customary to address the
President of the GA and the delegates present by starting your speech with
something like: ‘Honorable President, Distinguished Delegates’
– And then go on to the main body of your speech.
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A Sample Opening Speech
Honorable President, Distinguished Delegates,
France recognizes the need for multilateral efforts to achieve a greater balance in
terms of development between the nations of the world. However, France also
believes that any hope of achieving an acceptable economic balance in terms of
global standards of living must take into consideration the environmental impact
of such efforts.
France applauds the recent changes in tone apparent in the North–South
dialogue and calls for greater attention to be paid to the interrelatedness of
development planning and environmental security. Environmental threats from
industrialization must be eliminated from development planning. This is why
France stands firmly behind the idea that aid and investment should occur at the
local level, where traditional knowledge about the environment can play an
important role in the development.
Thank you, Mister President.
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MUN Procedures
LOBBYING
This is probably the most important yet baffling part of the conference. The key
to successful lobbying is to be pro–active, which means taking active steps to
present and discuss your proposals. Keep an eye on the fact that the aim is to
negotiate in order to reach consensus.
Before the start of the formal conference you informally try to gain the interest
and support of other delegates for their draft resolution. As a basis for a draft
resolution, a well–researched and well–written policy statement can be used.
You may find other delegates with a similar resolution and decide to merge the
two, making the resolution stronger and more likely to succeed in debate. This is
the time for delegates to air their views. Allies need to be found to support the
draft resolution. Sometimes a delegate might abandon his/her own resolution in
favor of another, better one.
Your draft resolution should not be longer than two A4 pages, and be clearly
expressed in the official format. It forms the basis for discussion and you should
expect your resolutions to be merged with others as long as national interests
and security are not undermined. You should create resolutions that are
representative of the policies of specific interest groups and that make realistic
recommendations for actions to be taken in dealing with the issues.
The Chairs should coordinate the work of the delegates in the lobbying process
to prevent unrealistic or illogical resolutions being produced. This is the time
when you will try to obtain sufficient co–submitters to register your resolution.
Generally, time spent on lobbying usually results in a stronger resolution.
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JOURNEY OF A RESOLUTION
Resolution Lobbying – Chairperson of the Committee gives the green light for
resolution to go to the Computer Room for preparation.
After the resolution has been prepared, it is printed (one copy for the Chair to check
and one copy for the submitter). A “D” (Draft) number is written on the two copies
of the resolution in the Computer Room and a digital back–up copy is also saved.
Resolution goes back to the Chair of Committee to be checked for format (header,
page numbers, indentation, outline numbering) and appropriate content.
If necessary it goes back to the
Computer Room for revision and
a new draft number. It goes back to
the Chair who keeps checking it until
it is correct.
When the Chair approves the
format and content, it goes to the
Approval Panel.
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Resolution goes to the Approval Panel where only the language is corrected.
(Content and format have already been checked by the Chair.) Small changes
can be made at the time of checking. Otherwise it goes back to the Computer
Room for the correction and a new “D” number after which the resolution goes
back to the Approval Panel.
When it has been approved by the Approval Panel, “approved” is written on the
resolution. It is brought back to the Computer Room for printing and to receive
its “A” (Approved) number. It is printed (one copy for the Committee Chair and
one copy for the submitter) and a back–up copy in case the Chair needs it later.
OFFICIAL NOTEPAPER
What is the Use of Official Notepaper
During debating time, conversation between delegates is not allowed. You should
focus your attention on the different interventions within the House. You
should also be well ready to intervene in the debate at any time.
However, it is instrumental that you should remain, during this period, in
contact with your fellow delegates in order to establish a common strategy. The
notepaper is the perfect way to communicate. On your notepaper, write the
delegation name of your addressee.
Write in English, and English only, what you want to say to the other delegate.
Then raise your hand with the notepaper. A member of the Admin Staff will
take your note and take it to your addressee.
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A notepaper should have:
• A5 format,
• A flag of your delegation,
• The names of your Forum, delegation, and addressee.
• A list of the whole delegation with their positions (optional)
A Sample Notepaper
Forum: GA2 – Human Rights
From: The United States of America
To: The United Kingdom
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
GA1 – Disarmament: Venis Kalderon, GA3 – Political Committee: Hayat Levi,
GA4 – Environment: Aylin Çiprut, SC: Berk Diler, ECOSOC: Suzi Asa,
Special Conference: Rahel Levi
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RULES OF PROCEDURE
Rising to Points
Points during debate may NOT interrupt a speaker except for a Point of Personal
privilege which refers to audibility.
Point of Personal Privilege
• Refers to the comfort of the delegate.
• May ONLY interrupt the speaker if it refers to audibility.
• Does not require a second.
• Example: “Could the windows please be opened? It is very hot in here.”
Point of Order
• Refers to the procedural matter only, i.e. if the chair makes an error in the
order of debate or in the setting/observing of debate time.
• May NOT interrupt a speaker.
• Is not debatable.
• Can only refer to something that just happened, otherwise out of order.
• Example: “Is it in order for the delegate to yield the floor to another delegation
since the floor was previously yielded to him by Saudi Arabia?”
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Point of Information to the Speaker
• A question directed to delegate having the floor, and who has indicated that
he/she is willing to yield points of information.
• Speaker asking the Point of Information may only speak if recognized by chair.
• Must be formulated in the form of a question, i.e. “Is the speaker aware of the
fact that…” A short introductory statement may precede the question.
• ONLY ONE question by the same delegate may be directed. There will be no
dialogue between the speaker and the questioner on the floor. There are NO
“follow–ups”.
• Example: “Could the honorable delegate, as she is the main submitter of this
resolution, please explain to the house what she intends with clause three?”
Point of Information to the Chair
• A question directed to the chair.
• May NOT interrupt a speaker.
• Question referring to anything that does not fall under the category of Point of
Parliamentary Enquiry, Point of Order, or Point of Personal Privilege.
• Example: “At what time do we adjourn for lunch?” or “Could the chair inform
the house whether Western Sahara is a sovereign state?”
Point of Parliamentary Enquiry
• Point of information to the Chair concerning rules of procedure.
• May NOT interrupt a speaker.
• Example: “Could the Chair please explain to the house what is meant by
closed debate?”
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Rising to Motions
Moving to Previous Question (Motion to Move Directly into Voting Procedure)
• Calls for the closure of debate and a vote to be taken on the motion
(Resolution/Amendment) pending.
• May be moved by the Chair or a delegate, may NOT interrupt a speaker.
• The motion can only be made in the against time of the debate, if the debate
mode is closed debate.
• Requires a second by the house, and is quickly voted upon if objection is
voiced.
• May be overruled by the Chair if time needs to be filled.
• Although delegates like to say “Motion to move directly into voting procedure”
the correct expression is “We would like to move to the previous question.”
Motion to Adjourn the Debate (Motion to Table the Resolution)
• Calls for the temporary disposal of a resolution.
• Practically means the death of a resolution, due to lack of time as it can only be
re–discussed after all other resolutions have finished being debated.
• The proposer of this motion will give a short speech on why the item should be
adjourned.
• If the motion fails, debate will continue. If the forum passes the motion, the
debate on the resolution will come to an immediate end but can be restarted by
any member of the forum if a two–thirds majority of the forum supports its re–
debate.
• For this motion to pass, a simple majority is needed. Tied result means that the
motion has failed.
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Motion to Reconsider a Resolution
• Calls for a re–debate and re–vote of a resolution that has already been
discussed (adopted).
• Done at the end of all other business.
• Only necessary if no other draft resolutions are present.
• Needs two–thirds majority.
• Is not debatable.
Motion to Refer a Resolution to Another Forum, e.g. Security Council
• A MUST if a resolution includes operative phrases, such as: “Condemns,
Demands, Imposes, Decides, Authorizes, Deploys, etc.” with no reference to the
mandate of the forum. E.g.
o“The General Assembly decides to send peacekeeping forces into Kosovo.” This
is out of order as it is not within the mandate of the GA.
o“The General Assembly decides to include in the provisional agenda of its 61st
session the item entitled ‘Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty’” This is in
order as it is within the GA’s mandate.
• A MUST if resolution takes action, such as imposing sanctions, embargoes,
sending peacekeeping troops (military force).
• Can be avoided by quickly changing a clause from, for example: “Demands …”
to “Strongly Urges the Security Council to demand …”.
• Needs simple majority.
Motion to Extend Debate Time:
• At the Chair’s discretion.
• Is not debatable.
• Needs a simple majority or a ruling by the chair to be adopted.
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Objections to the Main Motion
• In order only in exceptional circumstances.
• Delegate proposing the objection has one minute to explain his/her proposal;
the submitter of the resolution is then accorded a right of reply of equal length.
• Objection needs a two–thirds majority.
• One a resolution has failed following an objection, it cannot be reconsidered at
any time.
Motion
No objections
Motion Passes
Objections
At least one of the delegates takes the floor to
explain his/her reason for objecting
Submitter of the resolution has the right to reply
Delegates vote for the objection with
at least 2/3 majority
Objection is in order, motion
does not occur
Delegates vote against the objection
with at least 2/3 majority
Objection is out of order,
motion takes action
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Amendments
Amend, by its definition, means to alter or to change. Consequently,
amendments are alterations on resolutions. Amendments are instrumental to
add, modify, or strike out operative clauses, only.
Amendment of the First Degree
• Amendments can only be submitted by a speaker who has the floor.
• An amendment is only in order if it is submitted to the Chair on the official
Amendment Sheet before the delegate takes the floor, and must be easily legible.
• Amendments will only be entertained if the speaker who has the floor moves
the amendment.
• Delegate moves the amendment, but the Chair reads it out slowly and clearly
for all delegates to note down.
• Only ONE amendment (maximum one entire clause) per amendment sheet
will be in order.
• If an amendment fails, the speaker who proposed the amendment retains the
floor to finish the speech that he/she started before moving the amendment.
• On an amendment, delegations can vote for, against, or abstain.
• Amendments to previously amended clauses should be sustained if the
amendment refers to an element in the clause has not previously been discussed,
or if it is necessary to make the clause compatible with later changes to the
resolution.
Amendment of the Second Degree
• Same procedure as for normal amendment.
• If the amendment of the second degree passes/fails, the Chair resumes with
the debate on the amendment of the first degree.
There are two types of debate modes in MUN conferences.
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Debate Mode
•
•
Open debate is when delegations can either speak for or against a resolution.
Closed debate is when the durations of the time for and against are
separated by the Chair and the delegates can take the floor in accordance
with that. Closed debate is required when debating amendments.
Voting
• Only Member States of the UN may vote. No Non–Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) are allowed to vote, on amendments and resolutions.
• Delegations voting on a resolution or an amendment may vote in favor, against,
or abstain.
• Delegations and NGOs voting on procedural motions, such as to table the
resolution or an amendment to the agenda may only vote in favor or against.
• During voting procedures, all points are out of order, except for points of order
connected with the actual conduct of voting.
• A resolution will pass if the number for exceeds the number against regardless
of the number of abstentions; i.e. abstentions do not count either for or against
the adoption of a resolution.
• A resolution or an amendment with a tied vote fails. Close vote may be
followed by a recount or a roll–call (chair to go through every delegation on the
roll–call list and ask for the vote). A roll–call vote is also known as division of the
house.
• There are NO informal votes; all votes count and are real.
Note–Passing
• Note–passing between delegations is allowed except for the personal messages.
• Chair has the right to suspend note–passing if it gets too noisy in the house.
• Only official delegation note–paper will be transmitted by the Admin Staff.
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Funding
• Funding may be discussed and included in resolutions. However, no resolution
shall include either names or financial amounts and specific resources.
• Example: “Asks IMF to fund abovementioned proposal”  In order.
“Asks IMF to sponsor the UN to pay $ 50 million out of their Rapid
Reaction Fund”  Not in order.
Important Note: Rules of procedure are subject to change from one conference
to another. The information presented in this handbook is the most common
version of these procedures but when the official handbook of the conference is
distributed to you, please DO read it again just in case there may be slight
differences. If there are some, please adopt them during that conference.
General Conduct of MUN
Conferences
HOW TO BE A GOOD DELEGATE
What is the General Behaviour of a Delegate
MUN is a simulation of the United Nations Organization. Therefore you are, as
a student, expected to behave like a diplomat of the country you represent. In
addition, you are a representative of your own school. This double
representation implies that you must behave at all times as properly as possible
inside the Conference Centre during the conference itself and, outside.
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Why Does MUN Have a Dress Code
For you as delegate and as for all participants at MUN, Student Officers,
Admin Staff, MUN–Directors, a correct outfit is mandatory during the whole
time of the conference. This dress code has been fixed in order to prove our
respect towards the countries that are represented at the MUN Conference.
What to Wear
What not to Wear
Men’s Clothing
Clothes
• A suit, a pair of trousers
and a jacket
• A tie
• Dark shoes
• Sportswear, sports shoes
• Jeans
• Too short skirts
• Traditional clothes
• Military uniforms
Women’s Clothing
Accessories
• A skirt, a dress
• A pair of trousers
• A blouse
• Facial piercing
• Colored hair
• Delegation shawl
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HOW TO BE A GOOD AMBASSADOR
What is the Role of an MUN Ambassador Before the Conference
In a sense, all MUN delegates assume the role of an ambassador in the
committees they have been assigned to. However, each country delegation is also
headed by the ambassador of that particular country. Ideally, the ambassador as
head delegate of the team is the most reliable and experienced delegate. The
ambassador is given responsibilities prior to and during the MUN conference.
First of all, you guard the team spirit of your delegates; you also make sure that
all members of your team are preparing themselves properly for the conference.
You take special care with new members of the team. At all times you show
respect.
Your MUN Director will also stress the importance of the following points, but
in your team you must take care of the following: appropriate delegate notepaper
and proper attire of the whole team.
What is the Role of an MUN Ambassador During the Conference
More importantly, at most conferences you will be given the opportunity during
the opening ceremony to put forward your country’s general views and policies
in a formal, one–minute speech. Obviously, this speech is based on your
excellent research of your country and all of the issues to be discussed at the
conference. It will also stand you in good stead when team members wish to find
out how their particular committee issue relates to the general set of policies
your country adheres to. You yourself will need it if you are called upon in the
General Assembly or the Security Council.
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Appendix
ABBREVIATIONS
• AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• EU – European Union
• FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization
• G8 – (Group of Five) A body comprised of eight of the world’s most powerful
nations: Canada, the U.S.A, U.K, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Russia.
• GA – General Assembly
• GDP – Gross Domestic Product
• GM – Genetically Modified
• GNP – Gross National Product
• HCHR – High Commissioner for Human Rights
• HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• HRW –Human Rights Watch
• IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
• ICC – International Criminal Court
• ICJ – International Court of Justice
• IDF – Israeli Defense Force
• IFAD – International Fund for Agriculture Development
• IMF – International Monetary Fund
• LDC – Less Developed Country
• LEDC – Less Economically Developed Country
• MEDC – More Economically Developed Country
• MUN – Model United Nations
• NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• NGO – Non–Governmental Organization
• OPCW – Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons UNEP –
United Nations Environment Program
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• P5 – Permanent Five (A body comprised of five of the world’s most powerful
nations: The U.S.A, U.K, China, France, and the Russia Federation.
• PNA – Palestinian National Authority
• SC – Security Council
• UDHR – Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• UN – United Nations
• UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
• UNDP – United Nations Development Program
•UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• UNHCHR – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
• UNIFEM – United Nations Development Fund for Women
• UNO – United Nations Organization(s)
• WFP – World Food Programme
• WHO – World Health Organization
• WTO – World Trade Organization
• WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature
World Water Forum
GLOSSARY
• Abstain: To refrain from casting a “Yes” or “No” vote
• Activist: An individual who is extensively and vigorously involved in political
activity, either within or outside the governmental system
• Adjourn: To suspend a session to another time or place or indefinitely
• Agenda: A list of specific items of business to be considered at a legislative
session, conference, or meeting
• Armistice: A temporary peace agreement
• Auspices: Protection or patronage
• Autonomy: Independence, self-government
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• Belligerent: Group or nation which is engaged in a war or military conflict
• Bilateral: Having or involving two sides
• Boycott: Refusing to deal with a person, group, nation, or group of nations
so as to punish or show disapproval
• Capitalism: an economic system characterized by private or corporate
ownership of capital goods by investments that are determined by private
decision rather than by state-control, and by prices, production, and the
distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free
market
• Caucus: A meeting among delegates to discuss policy and topics outside of
the formal meeting
• Censorship: Broadly, any government restrictions on speech or writing;
more precisely, government restrictions on forms of expression before they are
disseminated
• Censure: To blame, criticize adversely, or express disapproval
• Coalition: Combination of two or more factions or parties for the purpose
of achieving some political goal
• Communism: A totalitarian system of government in which a single
authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production with the
professed aim of establishing a stateless society
• Demilitarize: To free from military control
• Disarmament: The act of disarming; reduction of military forces and
equipment
• Expansionism: The process of broadening a nation’s borders
• Forum: An assembly for discussing questions of foreign interests
• Gross National Product: The total value of the goods and services produced
in a nation during a specific period of time
• Ideology: A comprehensive set of political, economic, and social views or
ideas, particularly concerned with the form and role of government
• Jurisdiction: Authority vested in a court to hear and decide certain types of
cases; term literally means “to say the law”
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• Mandate: A commission given to one nation by a group of nations to
administer the government and affairs of a territory or colony
• Mediation: Process in which an outsider is brought into a dispute negotiation
in the hopes that this person can lead the two sides to a voluntary agreement
through persuasion
• Non-Aligned: A nation not politically tied to another, usually taking a neutral
position between large power blocs
• Plenary Session: A session attended by all of its qualified members
• Proliferation: a spreading; propagation
• Recession: Period during which the total output of the economy declines
• Saction: An action by several nations toward another nation intended to force
it to obey international law
• Secretariat: The official office or position of Secretary-General; the
department, including staff, buildings, etc. controlled by the Secretary-General
• Self-Determination: The decision by the people of a nation as to what form of
government they shall have, without reference to the wishes of any other nation
• Socialism: A theory or system of social organization by which the major means
of production and distribution are owned, manages, and controlled by the
government, by an association or workers, or the community as a whole
• Sovereign: Independent of all others; supreme in power, rank, or authority
• Suspend: To cause to stop temporarily, as a meeting; to set aside or make
temporarily inoperative, as the rules
• Tariff: A schedule of duties, rates, or charges imposed by the government
on imported or exported items
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Internet
• UN – http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml
• Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_United_Nations
• “Basic Guidelines for New Delegates” – THIMUN Conference Website
• “Rules of Procedure” – THIMUN Conference Website
• “HMUN Beginning Delegates Workshop” – http://hmun.nl/downloads.php
• “Guide to Writing Resolutions” – Pan-American Model United Nation
• “Tricks of the Trade: Nuances, Tactics, and Strategies for Model UN” – UNA
Model UN 2001 Summit by Brian Endless
• THIMUN Conference Website – http://www.thimun.org
• “Model United Nations Booklet” – Mike Keenan
Conference Booklets/Handbooks
• “Rules for Chair” – GeMUN ‘08 Chairing Workshop
• “How to be a Good Chair” – GeMUN ‘08 Chairing Workshop
• “Genoa Model United Nations” – GeMUN ’08
• “Chairing Handbook” – JMUN ‘08
• “Junior MUN Handbook” – JMUN ‘08
• “Information Booklet” – TIMUN ’08
• “Rules of Procedures” – SPIMUN ‘09
• “Orientation Meeting for Chairs” – SPIMUN ’09
• “Delegate Handbook” – RCIMUN ’08
• “Chairing Guide” – RCIMUN ‘09
• “Student Officer Handbook” – RCIMUN ‘09
• “Handbook” – RCIMUN ‘09
Miscellaneous
• MUN Documents Archive – Mr. Reagan Light
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