model un - the basics

8/11/2019 Model UN - The Basics

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Model UN: The BasicsNiel Lebeck


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What is the United Nations?

The United Nations is an internationalorganization whose aims are to facilitatecooperation between countries in internationallaw, international security, economic

development, social progress, and human rightsissues It is made up of multiple committees and

legislative bodies, including the GeneralAssembly, Economic and Social Council, andSecurity Council

Founded in 1945, after World War II, the UnitedNations has a total of 192 member countries.


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What is Model United Nations?

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations

Students play the roles of delegatesrepresenting a specific country in a UN

committee The goal of a Model UN committee is to pass

resolutions that will resolve the issues beingdebated

The goal of each delegate is to have his/hercountrys interests and objectives reflected inthe resolutions


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Flow of debate

Speakers List

Moderated Caucus Unmoderated Caucus

Return to Speakers List

Voting Procedures

Set the agenda


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Speakers List

One delegation speaks for apredetermined amount of time

Yield time to the chair (no questions) or tothe floor (questions)

Useful for laying out your countrysposition on an issue or describing a courseof action


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Moderated Caucus

Delegates speak in turn for short periodsof time

You must be recognized by the chair tospeak

Quicker than the speakers list, but morestructured than an unmoderated caucus


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Unmoderated Caucus

Delegates talk amongst one another freelyfor a specified amount of time

Usually 5-10 minutes

The chair is not involved in the discussionat all

Useful for writing draft resolutions ornegotiating intensely with other delegates


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Voting procedures

Voting procedures are entered when acommittee is ready to vote on draftresolutions

A draft resolution must be introducedthrough a motion before it can be votedupon in voting procedures

After voting procedures, the committeemoves on to the next topic


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Points and Motions

Motions are used to direct debate Motion to open the speakers list

Motion for a moderated caucus

Motion for an unmoderated caucus Motion to introduce a draft resolution

Motion to enter voting procedures

Motions must be voted on by thecommittee and typically require a majorityvote

http://www.unausa.org/munpreparation/rulesofprocedure/chart


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Points and Motions

Points are used to ask questions Point of inquiryask a question about

parliamentary procedure

Point of personal privilegeask to go to thebathroom

Point of informationask the speaker aquestion

Points arent voted on, but a speaker canchoose not to respond to a point ofinformation


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Resolutions

Resolutions are made up of preambulatoryand operative clauses

Preambulatory clauses describe thesituation

Operative clauses describe the course ofaction taken by the committee


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Preambulatory Phrases


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Sample Resolution

International Atomic Energy AgencySponsors: Sweden, UKSignatories: Iran, Spain, Canada, Pakistan, Syria, Japan, Italy, Brazil, IsraelTopic: Iran's Nuclear Energy Program

The International Atomic Energy Agency,

Affirming the right of all nations to peaceful nuclear energy technology, as stated in Article IV, ClauseI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,

Recognizing the suspicion surrounding Iran's nuclear program and its intended uses,

1. Demands a ban on heavy water use in Iranian nuclear facilities;

2. Demands full Iranian compliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement;

3. Calls for the creation of a commission of willing nations with nuclear expertise to assist Iran inimplementing civilian nuclear technology;

4. Establishes a deadline of 12 months for implementation of clauses 1 and 2;

5. Urges further IAEA action if clauses 1, 2 and 3 are not implemented in full over the next 12months.


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Things to keep in mind while

debating

Always refer to your country in the thirdperson

Dont say I believe that ___. Instead, say

The nation of China believes that ___,

Express the views of your country, notyour own views

Be formal and polite

model un - the basics

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