MUNYP Procedures

What is the MUN?

• Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, diplomacy and negotiation. Students are assigned a country and take on roles as diplomats developing solutions to world problems.

Before the committee starts you:

1. Are assigned a country

2. Do research

3. Write a position paper (your country’s short statement and solution to the issue)

NOT YOUR PERSONAL OPINION

During the conference

1. Roll Call: Announce each country’s name and receive an answer of “Present” or “Present and Voting”

2. Introductory speeches to present highlights from the position paper

3. Speaker’s List will be opened and time limit may be set for speeches, you may entertain a motion to prolong them during the session debate

• Delegates who wish to speak raise their placards and their names are recorded by the chair

• First delegate on the list will be recognized by the chair (ie. They will take the floor, upon hearing “Germany, you have the floor” or “Germany, you have been recognized”)

• After finishing the speech delegate returns to seat and yields the floor (“I yield my time back to the chair”or “I yield the floor back to the chair.”)

• To chair, questions, another delegate

4. Informal debate – caucuses

5. Presenting resolutions, amendments

6. Voting on resolutions

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• Formal Debate– Structured debate where a speaker will ‘take the floor’, make a

speech and maybe answer a question – Speaker’s List – Delegates cannot talk among themselves, but they may send

notepapers to each other

• Informal Debate– Moderated Caucus

• Delegates react to each other’s speeches by raising a placard

– Un-moderated Caucus• “Break” when delegates can freely walk around and talk to each other, discuss their opinions and negotiate

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Documents in MUN

Position Paper

Working Paper

Draft Resolution

• Position Paper is prepared before coming to a conference

• Paper that summarizes your nation’s position on the issue.

• Prepared either before or during the conference.• Edited during the conference. It’s a draft

document that is similar to a resolution in format. It’s a document summarizing your recommended solutions: Click here for sample working paper

• Can be edited together with other delegates/nations.

• Created during the conference. • Several delegates combine their draft working papers and create a single document

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Points and Motions

• In general, these can never interrupt a speaker.

• If a delegate wishes to make a point, he/she is supposed to raise his/her placard and state his/her point. The delegate will then be recognised by the Chair, and the delegate will rise and state his/her point.

• If other delegates agree with a motion, they will shout "Second!”

• Delegates that do not agree with a motion may shout "Objection!”

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Points• Point of order:

– If a mistake is made during a debate, by the Chair or by a delegate it is in order for a delegate to use this point (it can interrupt the speaker)

• Point of information to the Chair:– This is a question from a delegate directed to

the Chair, when something is unclear during debate, the delegate may use this point.

• Point of information:– Always questions concerning the

contents of the debate to the delegate currently speaking (a way how to raise questions to fellow delegates)

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Points

• Point of personal privilege:– This point is the only point that may interrupt a delegate or

the Chair while they are speaking (eg. if you cannot hear the speaker)

• Point of parliamentary inquiry:– If some kind of confusion occurs and the delegate is not sure

what to do next during the debate he may use this point.

– Concerns inquiry about procedures

• Right of reply

– Can be requested by a delegate if another insults their country in the speech.

– NOT A REPLY TO DELEGATE’S SPEECH

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Motions

• Motion to extend/decrease debating time:

– This motion is used when a delegate feels that there is not been enough time to discuss a resolution. When debating time has elapsed delegates may use this motion. The Chair will then decide if this is in order or not.

• Motion for moderated or unmoderated caucus

– It can be proposed whenever the floor is open. When a delegate comes up with a motion, he must clearly state the purpose of the caucus (whether moderated or not) and the time for this caucus to last.

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Motions• Motion to close the debate on a topic or

amendment can be immediately overruled by the Chairperson, if he/she believes that it hasn't been discussed properly. It can be also put to vote requiring 2/3rds majority.

• Motion to table the resolution:– If a delegate feels that a resolution is so bad, that it

is not worth discussing it, he may raise this motion. There then will be a vote and if the majority of the forum agrees to table the resolution, it will be put aside and may be discussed later on

– "death" of the resolution

• Motion for an unfriendly amendment

Resolution

• Sponsors of a resolution are those countries that have been the principal authors of the document and agree with its substance.

• Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the resolution but want to see it debated

Click to open sample Resolution

Amendments• Every amendment should be given firstly to the chairperson and THEN to delegates.

Motions to amend an amendment are not in order. • Friendly amendment - all the creators of resolution agree on it and is automatically

incorporated into the resolution. Any of the Sponsors may present it, and the Chairperson reads the amended clauses.

• Motion to introduce an Unfriendly amendment – can be presented at any time when the floor is open

– not all creators of the resolution agree on it

– requires the same number of sponsors or signatories as the draft resolution, as well as the chairs approval.

– A SEPERATE speaker's list for and against is created, where the delegate against is the first to speak

– Simple majority needed for its approval

Suggestions for Debate Speeches

1. Start by addressing: “Honorable chair, fellow delegates…”

2. Encourage collaboration among member states by proposing ways that your country would be willing to work with other member states.

3. By referencing what other delegates have said, you can show support for your allies or indicate which proposals your country does not favor.

4. Present ideas for draft resolutions.5. Explain why your country does or

does not support other draft resolutions

Tips for Debate Speeches

1. Prepare in advance

2. Practice your speech

3. Take notes

Lobbying Tips

1. Approach people quickly

2. Quid pro quo (something for something)

3. Be nice and polite

4. Be persistent