mun for dummies
TRANSCRIPT
MUN
Model United Nations
Statement of Purpose• The Model United Nations program is an
extension of The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN). It seeks to reflect the ideas and principles of a peaceful post Cold War world.
• The program accurately reflects the original motives of the authors of the 1945 San Francisco Charter.
• MUN strives to operate in a spirit of cooperation and consensus. Seeking compromise
The Country Assignment
At the MUN, as in the UN, delegates are representatives of nations.
Small Conferences delegates may represent a country by
themselves. Large Conferences (ie. THIMUN, BAIMUN)
schools are assigned countries, and all the members of the delegation which a school sends to the conference represent that country in their different committees.
Committee Selection
The MUN as with the real U.N. is divided up into committees, each dealing with a specific issue.
The committee selected will determine the general topics, as well as the specific issues one explores during the conference.
Examples of General Committees
General Assemblies These are the
largest committees, in the MUN, and the topics vary from year to year.
ECOSOC The economic and
social committee.
Human Rights Disarmament Special Conference
This conference may deal with any general topic (ie: peace and security), though is smaller than a General Assembly.
Note: Each of these general categories contains subcategories; current individual issues in the topic of the committee.
Timeline of Events
1. Prep Work1. Research Research2. First Resolutions
2. First Conference Phase
1. Opening Ceremony2. Opening Speeches3. Merging4. Getting Approved
3. Second Conference Phase
1. Formal Session (DEBATING)
This is the bulk, of the conference and is where all the other work comes together.
4. Closing Ceremony
Preparing for the Conference
Researching
A delegate’s goal at this stage is essentially to find out everything possible about the issue before their committee, and how it relates to the country they represent.
During this stage there are two assignments which an MUN director may decide to assign the delegates as preparatory work; a country profile, and a policy statement.
Country Profile
One or two pages of general information about the country.
Possible Topics History Stability Government Economy International Relations
Country Profile – Countries Unrelated to the Issue
Key points to consider
Economic interestsDonors (Aid recipient?)
Allies History Population Demographics
Policy Statement
Approximately three hundred words Details nations policy on a particular
issue. Delegates write one statement per issue.
(More than one issue per committee)
Delegation: CubaCommission: Economic and Legal
The Treatment and Trial of Perpetrators of Act of International Terrorism with the International Criminal Court.
Cuba applauds the signatories of the Rome Statute in their efforts to address the issue of international terrorism. Cuba has not ratified the Rome Statute, but requests all participating nations to take extreme caution in any decision or action they take. Any vagueness or lack of detail can lead open individuals worldwide to injustice. Cuba also asks the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider the consequences of this decision on high tension regions such as Palestine and Israel. Though due to a variety of reasons Cuba has been unable to ratify the Rome Statute, it has often communicated with the ICC on several matters. The Republic of Cuba is constantly threatened by terrorist for two main reasons: The island’s geographical location acts as a stepping stone, attracting drug trafficking and money laundering from the Americas. There are individuals that cling to the guerilla tactics and wish to overthrow the Cuban government. There have been several attacks on the Republic of Cuba, as well as Fidel Castro himself. Cuba is eagerly willing to join the ICC.
Heading
Issue Title
Issue Discussion
Writing Resolutions
What is a Resolution? A resolution in MUN is the same as one in the
real UN. It is a document comprised of clauses or points, which states the organization’s intended solution to a problem.
In dealing with a problem in the MUN the issue is discussed and debated, and a resolution is drawn up, calling for a certain action.
What is unique and valuable about a resolution in the UN is that it is an agreement between many nations, not the dictum of one.
Clause Writing
Two Types of Clauses Preambulatory Clauses:
Background information on the issue. Argumentation and reasoning.
This is basically the research on which one bases later arguments.
Operative Clauses: Calls for action, based on evidence supplied in
perambulatory clauses.
Preambulatory ClausesExample Clause Committee: Special Commission on Peace and Security, Question of: Combating terrorism in the Middle East)
1. Recalling UN resolution 52/165 on Measures to eliminate international terrorism, defining terrorism as criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons for political, philosophical, ideological, racial ethnic, religious or other reasons that may be invoked to justify them.
Starting Phrase
Defines Terrorism
Operative Clauses
Example ClauseCommittee: Special Commission on Peace and SecurityQuestion of: Combating terrorism in the Middle East
Urges relevant UN bodies and Middle Eastern nations to increase public awareness of the effects of terrorism through the use of mass media and education, that would describe,
(A) The horrors of terrorism, and it’s ineffectiveness as a constructive means of protest. Often the target group for terrorist attacks is only a small percentage of the
total affected (ie: embassy bombing in Kenya).
(B) Outlining and affirming Islam’s discordance with terrorist activities in accordance with the UN definition of terrorism.
Starting Phrase
Formal Header
Reference to Preamb.
Resolutions Continued…
Before the conference write, 4 perambulatory clauses 5 operative clauses
Note: Some directors will require more clauses, however clauses tend to deteriorate in quality
when more are required.
The Conference
The Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony is essentially a presentation to the delegates. It is a series of speeches made by the secretary general, the chairs, and possibly a guest speaker. This is where delegates take one last breath before the conference begins.
Opening Speeches
In an opening speech a delegate should outline his country’s policy towards an issue that will be discussed in their committee.
The opening speech is approximately one minute thus delegates must speak generally and concisely about issues, though be sure to convey a clear stance.
The speech is a delegate’s first opportunity to make his/her view’s known, and the better this is done, the easier the merging process is later, as like-minded nations may locate one-another more quickly.
A Sample Speech…
Opening Speech (Notes)
Opening Phrases- “Honorable chairs, fellow delegates…”- “Madame President… honorable
delegates”
Presentation- Dramatic + Informative - Must respectably represent nation, may
not slander other nations
Lobbying + Merging(grouped together at MUN)
Lobbying
1. Meeting People Forming resolution groups
2. Stick to country policy N. Korea and the United States are
not signed on to the same treaty regarding nuclear proliferation.
Merging
Forming groups Combining resolutions Writing new resolutions
Recommendations- Locate countries with similar policies - Form groups strategically- Collect two best points from all submitters
Signing On
Main Submitter Reads out the operative clauses before
resolution is debated. (should be a confident speaker)
Co-Submitters Are signed on in support of the resolution Usually stand to speak in favor of a
resolution, though are not obligated to. (less comfortable delegates)
Getting a Resolution Approved
Description Resolutions are checked by administrators for
errors. Once checked and corrected resolutions get
approved.
Notes: Follow conference specifications exactly for
resolution formatting. Potentially very frustrating
Formal Debate
Debate Outline
1. Presenting the Resolution
2. Debate Time For
3. Debate Time Against
4. Amendment Time
5. Voting
Key Phrases for Delegates
General phrases and terms, necessary for understanding and using formal speech.
Key Terms
The Floor Refers to the forum or committee of delegates
as in “would the floor please come to order” - Chair
Or signifies speaking rights. “I would like to yield the floor to the delegate of
______” – A delegate already speaking.
The Chair The individuals in charge of the committee.
They keep order, and run the debate.
Key Phrases
Yielding This refers to
speaking rights.
One “yields” the “floor” (their right to speak).
Key Phrases/Points
Point of Personal Privilege
Used very commonly. Only point a delegate may make whenever
they wish. Means a privilege is violated
I can’t hear the room is too hot/cold, I don’t have a copy of ____
Key Phrases/Points…
Point of Informationa) When directed to the chair
i. Asking the chair to explain something
b) When directed to a speakeri. Used when questioning a speaker, often in the
form of a leading question.
Point of Ordera) Directed to the chair
i. Used to question the legality of an action or decision
Motions
“Motion to move to voting procedures” Directed to the Chair
The delegate would like to end the debate and vote on the resolution
This motion must be seconded (another delegate shouts out “second”) in order to be considered by the chair.
“Motion to table the resolution” Directed to the Chair
The delegate feels debate on the resolution should go on, but has reached a standstill. Therefore they propose the resolution be set aside and discussed later.
Must be “seconded”.
Debating Explained
Presenting the Resolution
1. Main Submittera) Reads operative clauses of resolution
b) Takes “points of information”
2. Co-Submittersa) Delegates signed on in support of the
resolution. (helped write it)
b) The main submitter will often yield the floor to a co-submitter to speak on an issue.
Taking the Floor (speaking)
To get the floor Chair may ask, “are
their any delegates wishing to take the floor” – delegates raise their placards.
After speaking one yields the floor to
another delegate or back to the chair
Debate Time “For” and “Against”
The Chair sets debate time “For” and “Against”.
Time For Individuals speaking “for” the resolution take
the podium to speak.
Time Against Individuals speaking “against” the resolution
take the podium to speak
Amendments
Submitted in time “against”. Delegates write out and submit proposed
changes of a clause to the chair.
If chair approves the amendment Submitter takes the floor, reads the
amendment, and speaks for it. A mini debate is held (time “for” and “against”
and a vote) to see if the amendment is added.
Voting
Voting
Time “Against” lapses. “Debate time on this resolution has lapsed, we
will now move into voting procedure.” – Chair
Voting Placards are raised “for”, and then “against” Abstaining
A neutral vote; not “for” or “against”. Nations may abstain if they cannot decide one way or the other, or as an act of dissention.
Resolution either “Passes” or “Fails”
Overview
Each committee debates multiple resolutions on different issues. There is usually time for four or five,
depending on conference length. The debating process is used in each.
At the end of the conference the passed resolutions are published.
The Closing Ceremony
And it’s all over…
It’s really that abrupt.