Overview
Model United Nations is high school and college based program that provides a simulation of the
debates carried out in a United Nations committee, in which students take the position of delegates
from different countries. The Model United Nations program at Tesoro High School is a student-ran
club; however, there are many high school MUN organizations that are graded courses. Model United
Nations provides students with the chance to learn, share, and communicate ideas in a fun, exciting,
and rewarding environment. It also provides an excellent opportunity to develop and showcase
leadership abilities.
The Conference
The conference is a one or multiple day event that is the foundation of MUN. Although TesoroMUN
may have meetings and small debates during tutorial, lunch, or possibly after school, the conference is
where the majority of the club’s activity will take place. A conference is generally held at
Committee Format
1. Committee starts promptly at the assigned time, so do not be late. Generally a conference will
start with opening ceremonies which involves introductions and guest speakers. After the
formalities, delegates will go to their committee room. These are normally listed in conference
please go to your committee. A good MUN tip is to try to meet as many people as you can in
your committee room before the actual start of debate. The bare minimum is to meet with
delegates sharing the same viewpoints as your assigned country; ideally, you should also seek
out powerful nations and countries that are heavily affected by the issue on your committee’s
agenda.
2. Roll Call: After you have taken your seats, the chair will call role call in order to find out who
is missing and how the nations will be voting. When the chair calls your nation respond either
“present” or “present in voting”. Present allows your right to sustain or not vote in either favor
while present in voting means you can only vote yes or no. At this time, the chair will hand out
a placard which is your voice in committee.
3. Speakers’ list and General Debate: After role call, the chair will introduce the diet and will
explain rules and regulations. Then they will ask to open the speakers’ list. This list is the order
of which nations will give speeches, both in general and substantive debate. Try to be on the
top of the speakers’ list. Your first speech is general debate, a time to go over the world wide
problems and then go into broad country policies Key word: broad/big picture. (See writing a
General debate speech).
4. Substantive Debate: After the chair has heard enough general speeches, they will smile
(recommend) that the committee moves into substantive debate. Now you bring out the big
guns. In substantive debate, your speeches are based on your country’s policies and possible
solutions. Remember to customize you speech to the committee (if its time to compromise then
talk about compromise, etc.). Make sure your county’s policies are heard clear, so that others
will want to have you lead them. (see substantive debate writing)
5. Caucuses: There are two types of caucuses: Moderated or Unmoderated. An Unmoderated
caucus is a break in which you talk to delegates one on one or in a group without the
moderation of a chair (chairs go around scoring caucus behavior). This “break” in committee is
found in both the general in substantive debate yet depending on which debate session you are
in. If you are in general debate, find countries that share your views or are in your geographical
area. In substantive debate, you start thinking of resolutions ideas and even right resolutions
during this caucus. A Moderated caucus is when the chair calls on a delegate to speak for a set
time speaking about the topic. Caucuses are 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
6. Resolutions/Voting Bloc: During a substantive debate caucus, you can right a resolution, a
culmination of everything discussed and a symbol of group success. A resolution tries to solve
the problem in the way your group feels fit. After you have written your resolution, the
committee will discuss them and then enter voting bloc. At this time, no one can enter or leave
the room and you will vote on to accept the resolutions. After you exit voting bloc the
committee is over (one day conferences) or a new topic is started and the start at step 2 again
(2-3 day conferences).
Awards



Commendation: This award shows that you did a good job in committee. You contributed and
you stood out in committee.
Outstanding Delegate Award: You showed keen insight and stood out in the committee. You
contributed, used diplomacy, and displayed a professionalism that showed in committee.
Best Delegate Award: You have been recognized as the best speaker, diplomat, and displayed
the best professionalism of all the people in your committee. This is no easy task and you have
stood out and rose to the occasion. At some conferences, a gavel is given to evince your
accomplishment.
Speaking Tips

















Be first on the Speaker’s List, and always make a speech when you have the opportunity.
ALWAYS.
Make comments, questions and have others yield to you. ALWAYS.
Do not read! Bring up a notepad or a piece of paper with major points of your speech listed.
Speak in a loud confident tone and be assertive.
Your speech should be clear and to the point in order for everyone to understand it. Every word
has something to say.
Speak as often as you can. Experience makes you better.
Observe other speakers. Note what is effective and what appealed to you.
Learn to think on your feet. What you don't know ad lib (once in a while).
Make eye contact with other delegates and relax when you speak.
Avoid saying, “UM,” “UH,” “like,” or “You know,”
Frame your points, for example, “I support this resolution for three reasons. First, etc...”
Try to be original in presenting your information. (e.g. overheads, photos, diagrams, etc.)
Be assertive
Have good breath
Repeat your countries name as often as possible while speaking for both the chair and other
delegates.
Put your proposals into short and simple messages that can be easily expressed and
remembered
Remember: Quality over quantity!
General Rules of Committee









Voting Rights: Each country has one vote; you may vote for/against, or abstain (if present).
Ordering of Proposals: Requires a simple majority.
Submission of Proposals: At the discretion of the chair.
Speeches: The committee votes on the number of speeches, comments, and length. Right of
reply is granted when your country is slandered in a speech or comment.
Point of Parliamentary Procedure: Points of order, information, personal procedure. Delegates
use this when they want to ask a question.
Speakers List: Delegates may motion to be added/removed from the speakers list.
Caucusing: There are three forms of caucus: formal, informal and moderated. Formal debate
(in this conference, time permitting) involves the presenting of resolutions. The sponsors
nominate someone or a select group to speak about the resolution. Informal caucus involves a
discussion at which delegates discuss the issue freely; resolutions are usually written at this
time. Moderated caucus is a more formal version of the informal caucus; in which the chair
calls on delegates, who will provide a brief (30 seconds) comments on the matter at hand. All
caucus times are voted on ranging from 5-15.
Resolutions: Once a resolution is completed and has attained the set number of signatories, a
sponsoring country motions to submit the resolution. To divide the resolution, a simple
majority (2 for, 2 against) must be reached.
Voting Procedure: A simple majority is required for suspension/opening of debate, resolutions,
and amendments. A 2/3 majority is required to move into substantive debate (2 speakers for, 2
against), and to move into voting bloc (2 for, 2 against). The director has judgment over the
submission of resolutions. In voting bloc only, countries may motion to utilize a roll call vote.
Resolution Writing



Resolutions should be written by a bloc of nations that share a common policy on the topic at
hand. If there are commonalities between resolutions, it is recommended that they combine.
Resolutions may only be written during substantive debate. They are written either during
caucus, or during speeches in the back of the room. During substantive debate, is often helpful
to include information on the resolution that you are writing in your speech. It may attract
nations to your group.
Resolutions are graded for their operative/pre-ambulatory clauses, use of UN conventions
(format), and the practicality of their suggestions for action. Ideas in resolutions are attainable
and not idealistic.
Pre-ambulatory Clauses
Acknowledging
Affirming
Alarmed
Anxious
Appreciating
Approving
Aware
Bearing in mind
Being convinced
Believing
Cognizant
Concerned
Condemning
Confident
Distressed
Disturbed
Emphasizing
Encouraged
Endorsing
Examining
Expecting
Expressing
Having
adopted
approved
considered
decided
devoted attention to
Hearing
Keeping in Mind
Mindful
Noting
Reaffirming
Realizing
Recalling
Recognizing
Regretting
Reiterating
Seeking
Shocked
Stressing
Supporting
Conscious
Considering
Contemplating
Convinced
Declaring
Deploring
Desiring
examined
heard
received
recognized
regard for
Resolved
Reviewed
Accepts
Adopts
Affirms
Appeals
Appreciates
Approves
Authorizes
Calls upon
Commends
Concurs
Condemns
Confirms
Congratulates
Considers
Considers in desirable
Decides
Declares
Demands
Deplores
Designates
Determines
Directs
Draws attention to
Emphasizes
Encourages
Endorses
Expresses
Instructs
Invites
Notes
Proclaims
Reaffirms
Taking into account
Taking into consideration
Taking note
Underlining
Urging
Welcoming
Operative Clauses
Recognizes
Regrets
Reiterates
Rejects
Reminds
Renews
Repeats
Requests
Resolves
Stresses
Suggests
Supports
Takes note of
Transmits
Urges
Welcomes
Sample Resolution
Topic: Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace
Committee: Political and Security
Sponsors: United States of America, United Kingdom, France, and Germany
Submitted By: France<-------Chief Contributor
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
<-------Organ is listed
Recalling the declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace in resolution 2832 of
December 16, 1971, as well as its resolution of December 15, 1972, 3080 of December 6, 1973 and
3259 of December 1974, <---use commas to separate preambles.
Reaffirming its conviction that action is furthering of the objective of the Declaration would be
substantial contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security,
1. Notes the report of the ad hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean, and in particular section II
thereof containing the consultations entered into by the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian
Ocean in pursuance of paragraph 4 of the General Assembly resolution 3259A; <------Use semicolon
to separate operatives
2. Requests the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian Ocean to continue their
consultations with particular attention to the following points:
a) Purpose of a Conference on the Indian Ocean;
b) Date and duration;
c) Venue;
d) Provisional agenda; <-------Sub-classes begin with letters
3. Requests the Ad Hoc Committee to continue its work and consultations in accordance with
its mandate and to submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-first session a report on its work
including the results of the consolations referred to in paragraph 3 above. <-------End with a period
Research
A Delegate must know what they are talking about at a conference and research is the number one
thing you must do. When researching, look for words to enter into a search engine, also look at the UN
website at www.un.org, and keep current in your newspaper, magazine and news.
Writing a General Debate Speech
When writing this speech, you should aim for a length of two minutes. As the general debate
segment of the simulation starts immediately, this speech must be prepared before the conference.
You can see why this needs to be done beforehand if you appear early on the randomly selected
speaker's list.
This speech should deal with your nation's stance on the issue and the broad world wide picture.
Do not propose individual solutions to the problem; instead, discuss how your country is involved in
the issue or the nature of your country's policy.
Below is an example of a general debate speech (Indonesia on the Deforestation):
With the forests of the world shrinking at an alarming rate, a number of national and international
measures have been created in recent years to combat this environmental issue. Although some have
achieved success, the fact is that this problem still persists and even grows. The most obvious reasons
for preventing deforestation tend to revolve around maintaining ecological health and preserving
biological diversity, but the status of the forests also directly affects the lives of people. In Indonesia
alone, thirty million individuals are dependent upon the nation's forests for their well-being by means
of none-timber products. The depletion of forested land at a rate of two hundred million acres per year
places the livelihoods of these people in jeopardy. Indonesia, like many other developing nations with
vast forest resources, faces a range of problems including over-harvesting of resources, illegal logging,
and even deliberate fire-setting to illegally clear land. These problems have arisen primarily due to a
poor economy and political corruption from the previous government regime. As Indonesia recovers
both politically and economically, its forests remain vulnerable to exploitation without the assistance
of the international community. Ecosystems do not simply end at the border of a nation, but rather
extend from one country beyond into the next. Every country is linked together in the conservation of
the world, and Indonesia believes that international cooperation is the key to achieving a goal of
preserving the world's forests.
Note the fact that it is abstract for the most part to the problem. It did not talk about what would be
discussed in the committee's resolutions. All that was mentioned was how Indonesia is involved in the
issue and what the nature of Indonesia's policy toward it is.
Writing a Substantive Debate Speech
Like the general debate speech, you should aim for a length of two minutes when writing it.
This segment of the simulation occurs after the general debate and can thus be delayed as much as an
hour. Though it is good to write a substantive speech (or at least outline it) beforehand, you can write
it while you wait for others to make their speeches.
This speech should deal with your proposed solutions to the problem. It can introduce the
committee to certain measures and, more importantly, be used to persuade others to accept your
resolutions.
Below is an example of a substantive debate speech (Indonesia on Deforestation):
As this committee begins to contemplate solutions to the issue of deforestation, Indonesia would
like to draw attention to the destruction of forested land by means of fire. Indonesia has set aside vast
tracts of land for preservation in hopes of limiting the rate of deforestation. In response, many
individuals have deliberately set fire to the forests. These fires degrade the quality of the land's soil,
which in turn undermines the recovery of fauna and flora. The government then faces great difficulty
in justifying the continued preservation of the land, and is often forced to reclassify it as being
available for development.
It is with humility that Indonesia recognizes its limitations in triumphing over this threat. It has
promised its neighboring countries "haze-free years" yet has failed in the task due to a lack of firefighting resources. Indonesia is certain that it does not stand alone in this struggle; therefore, Indonesia
urges all nations to consider the establishment of an international movement to assist, in the form of
funding, training, fire-fighting equipment, general supplies, or volunteer forces.
Unlike the general debate speech, it discussed solutions to the specific issue of forest fires. It
explicitly talked about what was wanted in the committee's resolutions. As you can see, they were
only mentioned them briefly. Use the caucus to fully express your propositions.
Points and Motions: Order of Precedence
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Point of Personal Privilege - Used when a delegate is unable to participate in committee business.
Point of Order - Used to establish order if a delegate(s) is/are deemed to be out of order.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry - In order when the floor is open; used for questions about points of
parliamentary procedure.
Motion for Right of Reply - Used to recognize the slandering of one delegate towards another; granted
only at the chair’s specific discretion.
Motion to adjourn debate - In order only if the chair deems it to be appropriate. (50% + 1)
Motion to suspend debate - Used to suspend debate until the next meeting; in order only if the chair deems
it to be appropriate. (50% + 1)
Motion to caucus - Needs to specify length and a reason for; deemed appropriate by the chair.
(50% + 1)
Motion for moderated caucus - Needs to specify length and reason for; deemed appropriate by the chair.
(50% + 1)
9. Motion to close debate - Ending debate on a topic or resolution. (2/3 majority; 2 speakers against)
10. Motion to postpone debate - Postponing debate on a topic or resolution. (2/3 majority; 1 speaker for, 1
against)
11. Motion to divide the question - Used when it is necessary to vote on certain parts of a resolution
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
separately; a three tiered vote: 1) on individual motions to divide, 2) on inclusion of amendments, 3) and on
the final resolution. (50% + 1; 2 speakers for, 2 against)
Motion to reorder agenda - Used to reorder the topics being discussed or the order for which resolutions
are to be voted upon. (50% + 1; 1 speaker, 1 against)
Motion for a roll call vote - In order only on procedural matters. (50% + 1)
Motion to question competence - Used only if competence of a committee is in question pertaining to a
topic. (50% + 1; 1 speaker for, 1 against)
Motion to submit an amendment to a resolution.
Motion to submit a resolution.
Motion of resumption of debate - Resumes debate on a previously postponed resolution or topic. (50% +
1; 1 speaker for, 1 against)
Motion for reconsideration - Made only by a delegate that voted with the majority. (2/3 majority; 2
speakers against)
Other Rules and Procedures
Yields - A delegate may yield all or some of their speaking time to: 1) questions, 2) the chair. The lack of a
yield will result in comments on the speech.
Comments - Only in order when made in reference to a substantive speech. Chair will recognize comments
are in order, then permitting the specified number of delegates to rise. If a speaker yields to questions then no
comments will be made on that speech.
Working Paper Guidelines


The papers shall follow the format at the end of the page (typed and double spaced).
A cover page, containing committee name, topic, country, and delegate’s name, is required.
Working Paper Format
Committee Name
Committee Topic
Country Name
Working Paper
(Must be written in paragraph form)
A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE TOPIC
 Historical background and causes of the problem.
 What nations are directly involved with or affected by the issue?
 What effect does this problem have on the international community?
UNITED NATIONS INVOLVEMENT
 How is the UN involved, how did it originally become involved and what actions has the UN taken
on this issue (i.e. resolutions, conferences, aid contributed, etc.)
 Organs, NGOs and other UN affiliated groups which are involved in the situation.
COUNTRY POLICY AND INVOLVEMENT
 Your nation’s involvement (if any) with the topic.
 Your nation’s position and policy on the topic and opinion on the UN’s actions regarding the topic.
 Your nation’s past actions regarding the topic (i.e. voting records, resolutions sponsored,
conferences attended and conventions signed.)
 Possible solutions you country plans to propose.