 MUNash 2014 Training Session

Session Structure 1. Overview of Model UN 2. Rules of Procedure 3. Points 4. Motions 5. Draft Resolution, Working Paper and Amendments 6. Conclusion

Disclaimer  Note: You should not rely exclusively on this document for your understanding of the committee procedures – this is aimed only to give an basic introduction of what to expect.

What is MUN? You wear the hat of a diplomat, representing a certain country on a given topic. Speak in third person (Jamaica believes that / we believe that). NO personal pronouns! (I/You/They)

Rules of Procedure  Role Call – ‘present and voting’ or ‘present’;  Position Statement – At the beginning of the first committee session. Allows each delegate to introduce their country’s stance on the issue. 1 minute;  Closure of session – ‘Motion to close debate or motion to adjourn;

Formal Debate  Comprised of two types of speakers lists:  1. General Speakers List; and  2. Draft resolution Speakers List  Being added to the Speakers List; Speaking time; yielding  Exhaustion of the speakers list will occur when no country appears on the speakers list. This will result in a vote being moved on any tabled draft resolutions.

Moderated, Unmoderated Caucus  Moderated Caucus - A focussed form of debate requiring an alternate series of speakers to address the committee on a pre-determined topic area for a pre-determined amount of time - Moderated Caucus is not governed by a Speakers List (i.e. no set list of speakers) - The proposer of the successful motion shall speak first Example: Jamaica proposes a moderated caucus on the subject of education in combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, for ten minutes, with a speaking time of one minute - Duration is not to exceed 15 minutes, and individual speaking time must not exceed one minute.

Unmoderated Caucus - A period of discussion for a fixed length during which delegates may informally discuss issues arising from the topic under discussion. - Duration must be initiated by a motion specifying the duration. All delegates shall return to their seats at the completion of the un moderated caucus - A reason for motioning for an unmoderated caucus is unnecessary.

Points  When raising a point from the floor, a delegate should should raise his or her placard and when recognized by the Chair, state the point being raised.  1. Point of Order: May be called if another delegate or the Chair is in breach of the rules of procedure  2. Point of Personal Privilege: Raised if a speaker is inaudible or any matter of the committee environment is unsatisfactory.  3. Point of Procedural Enquiry: Allows a delegate to clarify matters of procedure  4. Objection of position: Raised if a delegate feels another delegate has grossly misrepresented their country’s position  5. National right of reply: If a delegate feels that their nation has been defamed by another committee member, they may call a right of reply following the ending of said members speech.

Yielding  At any time during formal debate, a speaker, upon completion of his or her speech has the opportunity to yield to:  1) The Chair – In which case the next speaker shall be invited to present a speech;  2) Another delegate on the speakers list  i) If the original speaker has time remaining, the incoming speaker may speak for the sum of the time allocated to them by the Speakers’ List and the remainder time of the yielding speaker;  ii) If the yielding speaker has exhausted time, the incoming speaker may speak only for the sum of the time allocated to them by the Speakers’ List; or  3) Any delegate not on the Speakers’ List - in which case the incoming delegate may speak only for as long as the outgoing delegate had time remaining

Motions  Including but not:  Motion to suspend bebate: If passed, the draft resolution being discussed is set aside, the draft resolution speakers’ list is suspended, and the general speakers list is resumed;  Motion to resume debate: Proposed under a general speakers list where a draft resolution(D.R) has previously been suspended. If passed, debate on the previous D.R is resumed;  Motion for a moderated caucus;  Motion for an unmoderated caucus;  Motion to introduce a draft resolution;  This list does not cover all motions! Refer to the Rules of Procedure see p.8/9

Section Two Working Papers, Draft Resolutions and Amendments

 The Draft Resolution is what your committee will be working towards during the three days of debate and negotiation, and will include the issues raised over the conference.  Imperative to make sure that your countries position is reflected in the document.  The Working Paper comes before a Draft Resolution, and which includes ideas as to how to resolve an issue.  Example of a Draft Resolution Example of a Draft Resolution  Example of a Working Paper Example of a Working Paper

Introduction to a Committee  Distribution of Working Papers: to be distributed to the committee, a working paper must have a proposer and be sponsored in writing by at least one-tenth of the registered member states – motion to introduce a working paper  Distribution of Draft Resolution – motion to introduce a Draft Resolution. Must:  Be signed by its proposer and seconder;  Be sponsored, in writing, by at least one quarter of the registered voting member states in committee;  Clearly state the committee and topics;  Follow correct UN resolution format, including use of appropriate operative and perambulatory clauses, language and structure; and  Be typed and free from errors of spelling and grammar.

Amendments  Introduction: Motion to introduce an amendment  What is an amendment: an adjustment, or removal of a particular clause in a draft resolution  All delegates must have the opportunity to read an amendment before any vote on its introduction. An amendment must:  Be signed by its proposer and seconder;  Be sponsored, in writing, by at least one tenth of the registered voting member states in committee  Clearly state the committee and topics;  Follow correct UN resolution format; and  Be typed and free from errors of spelling and grammar

Draft Resolution: Pre-amble Clauses  Divided into two parts: (1) Pre-ambulatory and (2) Operative clauses  Pre-ambulatory clauses state the issues the committee wants to resolve.  Each clause begins with a present participle, and ends with a comma. They include: Past UN Resolutions, treaties or conventions related to the topic; References to the UN Charter or other international frameworks and laws; General background information about the topic, and its significance and impact

1. Example of Pre-amble clauses Example: Emphasizing the importance of an immediate response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa by nation states,

Draft Resolution – Operative Clauses  Operative clauses address how the committee will deal with the crisis; pre- amble clauses address why.  To structure: take the proposed solution, combine it with an operative clause, and end it with a semicolon.  Remember to number the clauses, as it helps to show a logical progression of ideas.

Example of Operative Clauses Example: 1. Calls upon the developed countries to provide both low- cost medicines and expertise in order to prevent the outbreak of Ebola from spreading;

Example of clauses side-by-side  Reaffirming the rules of international law that prohibit acts of violence that pose a threat to the safety of international civil aviation,  1. Condemns in the strongest terms the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on 17 July in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine resulting in the tragic loss of 298 lives;

Additional Resources  To give you an example of what committee procedures will look like: Model UN StructureModel UN Structure  Preparation Guide n.b: rules of procedure and other factors will vary from conference to conference. Preparation Guide  Model UN terminology Model UN terminology  How to write a position paper How to write a position paper

Schedule

Other information  Western formal attire; anything less than smart casual is inappropriate  If you have not received an containing the rules of procedure and position paper deadlines,

Conclusion Any questions?