1. Model United Nations
International Format
Beginners
Delegate Training

2. Introduction to Model UN
What is an MUN ?
Objective of MUN
Skills in an MUN

3. What is an MUN?
MUN (Model United Nations) is an extra curricular activity in many schools and universities, which simulates the functioning of the United Nations.
In a Model UN Conference students assume the roles of countries and organizations represented in the UN in various committees or councils to debate and discuss issues concerning the world.

4. Objective of MUN
The Aims of an MUN conference are to encourage debate and sharing of views between students from different schools and of different ethnicities.
The Ultimate goal of an MUN Conference is to promote awareness of international relations and issues in young people, and to inspire global mindedness and an understanding to the problems of the world and how to combat them, whilst providing an atmosphere where students can progress in their personality, communication skills and open mindedness.

5. Skills in an MUN Public Speaking, Group Communication, Research,
During a conference, participants employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills in order to represent effectively. Some of these skills include:
Public Speaking,
Group Communication,
Research,
Policy Analysis,
Active Listening,
Negotiating,
Conflict Resolution, And
Technical Writing.

6. Preparing for an MUN
Research

7. Research The initial step of any MUN is RESEARCH.
Extensive knowledge about the country, committee, agenda and the UN is ESSENTIAL.
Preparedness makes the conference more fun and enjoyable along with a great learning experience.
The simulation can only be carried out with full enthusiasm if the delegates are prepared.

8. Optimizing your Research
Research is usually broken down into:
Country Information
The Agenda
The UN System

9. Researching your Country or Delegation
The main points for research are:
Politics and Government;
History, Society, Culture and Geography ;
Economy and Defense ;
International and National current affairs
Foreign Policies and International Relations;

10. Agenda or Issue at hand
The agenda of a committee is the topic for debate and discussion in a committee session. It involves :
Background information and history ;
Aspects of the agenda covered by the committee ;
Country’s stand ;
Relation between the issue and the UN ;
Opinions of all major powers ;
Latest developments ;
Speeches, resolutions, statements and news articles ;

11. Understanding the United Nations System
It is important for delegates to be well informed about :
The United Nations Charter ;
The functioning of their respective committees ;
Recent United Nations actions on the issue at hand ;
Conferences that have been held on the issue ;
Statements, resolutions, speeches and press releases of and by the UN.
UN Today, UDHR

12. Effective Communication
Making Speeches
Variation in Speeches
Notepaper Communication

13. Making Speeches
Writing and delivering speeches is an important aspect of the Model UN simulation.
Speeches help delegates convey the positions of their countries, build consensus and create resolutions.
Although speechmaking is integral to the simulation, many delegates’ biggest fear is public speaking. It is essential that delegates come to the conference well prepared to overcome this fear.

14. Making Speeches
There are no set guidelines for how to make speeches, delegates should decide how they feel most comfortable addressing the committee. Some delegates use their position papers as their opening speeches; others just write out some key points. Many speak without any aides at all. Its really not that difficult.
Since public speaking is a skill, it is important to practice, practice, practice !
More tips for public speaking can be found online at

15. Variation in Speeches
When the session begins, make speeches focus on stating country positions and offering recommendations for action.
After blocs have met, speeches should focus on describing bloc positions to the entire body.
Move away from general ideas on the topic and instead focus on specific ideas or proposals for action;
Then make statements describing their draft resolutions to the committee. Bring up points in the draft resolutions that have yet to be decided or discussed by the body, or points of agreement and disagreement between two contending draft resolutions in order to clearly delineate the differences;
Speck in favor or against any amendments that have been created. Convince others of their plan of action and call for input from as many countries as possible in order to secure their draft resolution’s transition into a resolution.

16. FLOW OF DEBATE Roll Call Setting the Agenda Debate
Each country’s name is announced by the executive board. After a delegate hears their country called , they are supposed to answer “present” or “present and voting”
Setting the Agenda
The first order of business for the committee is the consideration of the agenda. The only motion in order at this time will be in the form of The nation of [country name] moves that [Topic Area X] be placed first on the agenda. The motion requires a second and is debatable. A provisional speakers list shall is established with two people speaking for and two people speaking against the motion. After this the committee shall move into an immediate vote. A simple majority is required for the motion to pass.
Debate

17. Working Papers and Draft Resolutions
Debate
Speaker’s List
(Formal Debate)
Caucus
( Informal Debate)
Moderated Caucus
Unmoderated Caucus
Working Papers and Draft Resolutions
END OF LIST
CLOSURE OF DEBATE
VOTING PROCEDURE

18. Rules of Procedure

19. Rule
Explanation
To pass, Vote Required:
Motion to Open and Close
Speakers List
At some Model U.N. conferences, once the speakers list is closed it is closed for the remainder of the session or topic. However, at most Model U.N. conferences the speakers list can be opened and closed multiple times. Once the speakers list is exhausted, it means no one else wishes to speak, debate is over, and the committee then moves into voting procedure. This motion requires an immediate vote.
Simple Majority
Motion to set Speakers Time
This is a motion to set or change the speaker’s time. It is a procedural motion, which requires two (2) delegates speaking for the amount of time motioned for, and two (2) delegates speaking against.

20. Motion to Suspend Meeting
This motion is made to end the committee session until the next session. This motion is most commonly made to end committee session for the purpose of lunch or dinner. This motion requires an immediate vote. Not Debatable
Simple Majority
Motion to Adjourn Meeting
The motion of adjournment means that all business of the Committee or Council has been completed, and that the Committee or Council will not reconvene until the next annual session. This motion requires an immediate vote.
Not Debatable.

21. Motion to Suspend Debate
This motion is made to suspend the formal debate for the purpose of a regular caucus or a moderated caucus. When moving to suspend the meeting, the delegate should specify a certain amount of time and the purpose. This motion requires an immediate vote. Not Debatable.
Simple Majority
Motion to Adjourn Debate or Table Debate
Motion to adjourn debate is a tactic to put all of the work that the committee has completed on the topic in which they are discussing on hold and to table it, returning to it at later time. This motion requires two (2) delegates speaking for the adjournment of debate and two (2) delegates speaking against the adjournment of debate.
2/3rds Majority

22. Motion to Close Debate
This motion is made in order for the committee to move into voting procedure. Once a delegate feels as if they have made their country’s position clear, there are enough draft resolutions on the floor, and everyone is ready, a delegate makes a motion to move into voting procedure by moving for the closure of debate. This motion requires only two (2) delegates speaking against the closure of debate and zero (0) delegates for the closure of debate.
2/3rds Majority

23. Appeal to the Chair’s Decision
This motion is made when a delegate feels as if the chairperson has made an incorrect decision. The delegate wishes to challenge the chairperson and does so by formally making a motion to appeal the chairperson’s decision. This motion may be made verbally or in writing. The opposing delegate speaks and the chairperson defends his or herself before the vote.
2/3 Majority

24. Rule
Explanation
Point of Personal Privilege
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Personal (PHYSICAL) Privilege and the Chair shall immediately address the point.
A Point of Personal Privilege must refer to a matter of personal comfort or safety and/or the well-being of the members of the committee.
The Chair may refuse to recognize a Point of Personal Privilege if the delegate has not shown proper restraint and decorum, or if the point is dilatory in nature. It may interrupt the speaker

25. Rule
Explanation
Point of Order
During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to indicate an instance of improper parliamentary procedure.
The Point of Order will be immediately decided by the Chair in accordance with these rules of procedure. The Chair may rule out of order those points that are improper.
A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion.
A Point of Order may only interrupt a speaker if the speech is not following proper parliamentary procedure.

26. Rule
Explanation
Point of Information
After a delegate gives a speech, and if the delegate yields his or her time to Points of Information, one Point of Information (a question) can be raised by delegates from the floor. The speaker will be allotted the remainder of his or her speaking time to address Points of Information. Points of Information are directed to the speaker and allow other delegations to ask questions in relation to speeches and resolutions.
Point of Inquiry
If there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may raise a Point of Inquiry to request clarification on procedure. A Point of Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.

27. Resolution Process
What is a Resolution?
Resolution-making

28. What is a Resolution ?
In a country’s government; official documents are drafted which aim to solve a specific situation. In the United Nations, similar documents are also drafted; called Resolution.
The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation.
Written suggestions for addressing a specific problem or issue.
All UN bodies (except the Security Council) use resolutions to make recommendations or suggestions for future action.
Security Council resolutions compel nations for action and are directive.

29. THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
First Unmoderated Caucus – Forming blocs After the committee has explored the causes, effects and solutions of the problem, an unmoderated caucus should be raised. During this unmoderated caucus, delegates should seek out the blocs with which they would want to form the resolution.
Similar foreign policy W.R.T. agenda
Similar geographic location (AU, EU, SAARC)
Part of the same treaty (NATO)
2. Second Unmoderated caucus – Working papers
During this unmoderated caucus, delegates should try to form working papers.
Working papers are a collection of solutions for the agenda, in no specific format.
They must have the support of at least 20% of the committee to be considered.
One country can support as many working papers as it chooses.

30. THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
3. Third Unmoderated Caucus – Draft resolutions During this unmoderated caucus, working papers must be converted to draft resolutions. Draft resolutions are also a set of solutions, but have a very specific format.
Have 2 types of clauses – Preambulatory and Operative
Preambulatory clauses are introductory clauses. Basically give the why of the draft resolution, i.e. why it is being written, history of the agenda, past action. Format – Bulleted, end with comma
Operative clauses are the actual solutions. Format – numbered, end with a semi-colon, last operative ends with full-stop
Clauses can only begin with specific phrases, which must be underlined
Two types of support for draft resolution
Sponsors (3-6) – support all clauses of draft resolution
Signatories (as many as possible) – disagree with some clauses, but want to see draft resolution discussed.
Total support required (sponsors + signatories) = 20%
One country can sponsor one draft resolution, sign many.

31. THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
4. Formal debate on draft resolutions
Two sponsors of each draft resolution read out clauses and answer points of information (similar to speaker’s list)
All rules of Parliamentary Procedure followed
This is an excellent time for delegates to point out weaknesses in the draft resolutions and propose amendments.
5. Amendments
Any delegate can propose to amend a draft resolution.
Two types of amendments – friendly and unfriendly
Friendly amendments – supported by all sponsors. Passed automatically. Mostly minor errors or last-minute changes.
Unfriendly amendments – not supported by one or more sponsor. Brought to committee for roll-call vote. Requires simple majority (50% + 1 vote).

32. THE RESOLUTION-MAKING PROCESS
6. Voting
After discussion and amendments, draft resolution is put to vote.
Alphabetical roll-call voting takes place.
Four types of votes allowed – Yes, No, Pass, Abstain.
Yes – Delegate agrees with the resolution completely.
No – Delegate disagrees with resolution strongly
Abstain – Delegate is unsure of his stance towards resolution, and abstains, i.e. neither ‘Yes’ nor ‘No’.
Pass – Delegate is unsure of his stance towards resolution, and asks for more time to make his decision. After tallying all other votes, delegate will be asked for final vote, and cannot Abstain. Helps see how allies have voted
If passed by simple majority, it becomes a resolution.