STRUCTURE OF THE GLOBAL CLASSROOMS DEBATE
WELCOME STUDENTS
Our chair, Rachel, will start by giving a short welcoming speech to everyone. She will start by
introducing herself and explaining her roles and duties. She will also guide us between the
three different parts of the meeting:
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The Speaker’s List
The Moderated and Unmoderated Caucuses
Voting Procedures
The Rachel will introduce the rest of the Dias.
ROLL CALL (Rapporteur)
Calling roll is the part of the meeting where we see who is present and who is missing. In this
case Macu will take the register saying:
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Rapporteur: Name of the country (for example: “IRAN”)
Delegate: “Present”
Rapporteur: “Australia is present.” (If nobody answers after two times… “Iran is not present.” )
And Rachel will give delegates some tips:
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“Delegates may not speak unless called on by the Chair.”
“Be respectful to your fellow delegates and their opinions.”
“Look for positive solutions and avoid negative language.”
“It’s O.K. if you whisper quietly to your partner, but that should be the only talking we hear.”
“If you want to address another delegation or the Dais, use a note.” (The HELPER should collect
the note, bring it to the Dias and, once it’s read over, bring it to the correct recipient.)
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SPEAKERS’ LIST
The Speakers’ List is the default type of debate. Once we reach the end of the Speakers’ List, we
proceed to voting on resolutions. In between all that, however, there are multiple Moderated
and Unmoderated Caucuses.
By placing their country on the Speakers’ List, delegates will be able to give a 90 second speech
to share their country’s policy with all the other delegates. This is a great time to make opening
remarks about their delegation’s position, also known as giving your OPENING SPEECH.
(Remember to look at the audience and use good public speaking skills.)
If you want to be on the Speakers’ List, you have to raise your placard and the staff will take
note of you. If during the debate you want to be added to the Speakers’ List, you have to give a
note to the helper and you will be included. A country may only be on the Speakers’ List once
initially, BUT delegates may add their country to the end of the list again after the give their
opening speech.
To begin the formal debate, the Chair will say:
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“The Chair would look favorably upon a motion to open the Speakers’ List.”
If you would like to make a motion, say:
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“Honorable Chair, (country name) moves to open the Speakers’ List.”
The Chair will then ask for a second. Once there is a second, the committee will vote. A simple
majority is required to open the Speakers List. Once the vote is passed, the opening speeches
begin in order going down the Speakers’ List.
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OPENING SPEECHES
You already have the structure of an introductory or opening speech. In fact, this is a mini
summary or your position paper and you can do it individually or in pairs. The opening speech
should be something similar to this:
“Thank you honorable Chair,
The country of _____________ feels the issue of _________________ is….”
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Explain why it is important to the United Nations
Explain why it is important to your country
Talk about statistics that illustrate the problem in your country
“This committee should understand that due to these problems….”
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Explain the effects of the problem on your country
“The government of ____________ has been trying to deal with the issue of __________ by…”
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Talk about actions your country has taken on a national level to address the problem
Talk about actions your country has taken on an international level
“The country of ____________ encourages the committee to:”
List your recommendations for the committee, which will be what you want to see in the resolutions at the end of
the debate.
“In conclusion,
the country
of __________
You may give
your opening
speech believes
in pairs that:”
or one delegate may give the entire speech.
Remember these should be no longer than 90 seconds. Not everyone will end up giving their
Summarize your previous statements.
opening speech, but you should still come prepared to give one.
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“Thank you for your time.” or “Thank you honorable Chair.”
The STAFF will place countries on the SPEAKERS’ LIST and you will be called upon to speak.
When you have 10 seconds left, the RAPPORTEUR will tap the gavel once as a warning. When
the time is over, the RAPPORTEUR will tap the gavel twice.
As we go through the opening speeches on the Speakers’ List, the Chair will say the following:
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“Thank you delegation from _____ for being so brave as to speak first” OR
“Thank you honorable delegate, you may take your seat.”
From time to time, the Chair will ask you something similar to this:
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“Are there any points or motions on the floor at this time?”
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If you have a point or would like to make a motion to move into a MODERATED CAUCUS or an
UNMODERATE CAUCUS, you should say it at this time. Wait until the Chair asks for points or
motions.
If there is a point or motion, proceed with it. If there isn’t, the Chair continue going down the
Speakers’ List saying:
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“Seeing no one, delegation from _______ you have the floor for one and half minutes.”
After every few speakers, the Chair will remind the delegates that they may add themselves to
the Speakers’ List by saying something like this:
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“Are there any delegates that would list to be added to the Speakers’ List at this time?”
YIELDING TIME: Remember that if you finish speaking before the 90 seconds are up, you will
YIELD your time. You have three options:
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Yield to another delegate (This allows another delegate with similar views to speak.)
Yield to questions (Other delegates can ask you questions.)
Yield to the Chair (This ends your time.)
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MODERATED CAUCUS
This is a less formal debate in which delegates remain seated and the Chair calls on them oneby-one to speak for a short period. This allows for a freer exchange of opinions than would be
possible in a formal debate using the Speakers’ List. You should motion for a Moderated
Caucus if your hear something in an opening speech that you would like to opportunity to
debate or discuss more freely.
After going through the first few delegations on the Speakers’ List, the Chair will say something
like this:
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“Are there any outstanding points or motions on the floor? The Chair would look favorably upon
a motion to move into 10-15 minutes of moderated caucus with a speaking time of 45 seconds.”
If you would like to make a motion to move into a moderated caucus, you will say:
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“Honorable Chair, (Country Name) moves to suspend debate for the purpose of a moderated
caucus for a total time of ____ minutes and a speaking time of _____ minutes.”
Remember that the total time is the total amount of time the moderated caucus will last and
the speaking time is the amount of time each delegation will have to speak when called upon.
A good amount of total time would be 20-25 minutes and a good speaking time would be 30
seconds, 45 seconds, or one minute.
After the motion has been made and there has been a second, the committee will vote. There
must be a simple majority vote for the debate to move to a moderated caucus.
Raise your placard to speak during the moderated caucus. Stand in place and address the
committee using good public speaking skills. While the moderated caucus is going on, be sure
to carefully take notes of everything you hear that interests you for future blocs and resolutions
later on in the day. Once the total time is up for the moderated caucus, the debate returns to
the Speakers’ List. Now any speeches given from the Speakers’ List will focus on the ideas and
suggestions from the moderated caucus that just finished.
To return from the moderated caucus to the formal debate/Speakers’ List, the Chair will say:
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“Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views. You offered some interesting views on the
problem and possible solutions, such as _____, _______, _______. “
NOTE: This summary by the Chair is a great time for you to take some more notes on the
important solutions or proposals presented by the other countries!
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“The time for the moderated caucus has now expired. We will now return to the Speaker’s List.
Your speeches should focus on the results of the moderated caucus and the ideas you just
discussed. Delegation from _____, you have the floor.”
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UNMODERATED CAUCUS or INFORMAL DEBATE
The UNMODERATED CAUCUS is the most informal type of debate. This allows delegates to
leave their seats to mingle and speak freely for a limited amount of time. You will be taking
notes and will start pulling together ideas on paper, creating draft resolutions. By this time you
should also be looking for delegates sharing similar positions and talk in their regional blocs.
After about two more speeches from the Speaker’s List, the Chair will say:
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“Are there any outstanding points or motions on the floor? Seeing none, the Chair would look
favorably upon a motion for an Unmoderated Caucus.”
If you would like to make a motion, say:
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“Honorable Chair, (Country Name) motions to suspend the debate for the purpose of an
unmoderated caucus with a total time of ______.”
The Unmoderated Caucus only has a total time, since you are allowed to speak freely and move
about the room. A good total time for an Unmoderated Caucus is between 15-30 minutes.
Once the total time for the unmoderated caucus has expired, Rachel will follow the same
formula as before.
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“Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views, you just discussed many solutions and
recommendations such as _______, _______, _______. Now share your ideas with the rest of
the body. We will be using the Speaker’s List or the Moderated Caucus (both formal debate).”
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HELPFUL PHRASES
Here are some useful phrases that you can use when addressing other delegations, whether in
a formal debate or an informal debate.
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COMMENT ON OTHER DELEGATIONS POSITIONS
Iran agrees with Estonia. We feel that generic drugs need to be available to more people.
Malaysia has the same problem as Estonia with non-communicable diseases.
Bolivia thinks that rich countries like China 1 and China 3 should give aid to developing
nations.
ASK FOR AID
Morocco would like to ask for other countries’ help. We need to develop a better
system of patent pooling to give more people access to medicine.
Estonia would like that thank Malaysia 3 or helping us with monetary aid in the past.
Estonia urges Malaysia 3 and other countries to continue helping us easily buy
medicines at affordable prices.
ASK OTHER DELEGATIONS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOPIC
This question is for Morocco 2. What problems does your country have with HIV/AIDs?
This question is for Malaysia. Does your country manufacture any of its own generic
drugs?
This question is for Iran. How does your country feel about tiered pricing for Big Pharma
drugs?
FORM BLOCS
Morocco 2 would like to meet with Iran 3, Estonia 1, Malaysia 2, and Bolivia 3.
The country of Morocco 2 is interested in working on a resolution with the following
delegations: Iran 3, Estonia 1, Malaysia 2, and Bolivia 3
Morocco 2 shares the position of Iran 3 and Estonia 1. We invite these countries to
meet with us to talk about a resolution.
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TAKING NOTES ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES’ IDEAS, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR SOLUTIONS
Take out your notebooks and write down notes on the speeches from other countries. In your notes,
focus on the possible similarities that your country could have in regard to the policy of other countries.
Also think about the reasons to be in favor or against other policies. Make note if you’d like to write
draft resolutions with the country. Remember that you will be able to talk about this during informal
debate also known as unmoderated caucus.
You can use a model similar to this. We will give you more copies of this or you can make you own.
NOTES ABOUT ____________
Does my country agree with
this country’s policies?
Why or why not?
Would we like to write a draft
resolution with this country?
Other notes
NOTES ABOUT ____________
Does my country agree with
this country’s policies?
Why or why not?
Would we like to write a draft
resolution with this country?
Other notes
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NOTES ABOUT ____________
Does my country agree with
this country’s policies?
Why or why not?
Would we like to write a draft
resolution with this country?
Other notes
NOTES ABOUT ____________
Does my country agree with
this country’s policies?
Why or why not?
Would we like to write a draft
resolution with this country?
Other notes
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