WELCOME TO CHVO1 Model United Nations Simulation!

Use this site as a guide for the simulation we are about to start.

Email:
 Mr. Mark Melnyk mark.melnyk@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Mr. Robert Cotey robert.cotey@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Mr. Wolfgang Gomille wolfgang.gomille@yrdsb.edu.on.ca
Miss Lisa Mathura-Malkos lisa.mathura@yrdsb.edu.on.ca                    

UN History

The name "United Nations", coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in the "Declaration by United Nations" of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

States first established international organizations to cooperate on specific matters. The International Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, and the Universal Postal Union was established in 1874. Both are now United Nations specialized agencies.

In 1899, the first International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare. It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902.

The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in similar circumstances during the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security."

The International Labour Organization was also created under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased its activities after failing to prevent the Second World War.

In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States, in August-October 1944. The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 member states.

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.


Source: Basic Facts - About the United Nations
United Nations Publication
Sales No. E.04.I.7

Calendar and Checklist
Day 1  Day 2  Day 3  Day 4  Day 5 
- Simulation & UN on Trial - See Resource Page
- Mini-lecture
- Introduce Activity UN simulation and UN on trial
- What is a resolution and how to write one?
- Countries and topics
- Summative: Write resolution 		 - Library Research
  Period

- Country profile        
   WORD

- Country Policy Papers
    WORD

- Resolution topics 
  WORD		 - Library Research
  Period

 - Country Profiles Due

- Country profile        
   WORD

- Country Policy Papers
    WORD

- Resolution topics 
  WORD
 
 - Library Research
  Period (optional)

- Country profile        
   WORD

- Country Policy Papers
    WORD

- Resolution topics 
  WORD

 - Lobbying - Merging resolutions (See Lobbying Page)

- Resolutions Due


 		        
Day 6  Day 7 Day 8  Day 9 Day 10 

- Hand back resolution with feedback

- Introduction to procedures (learning rules etc.)
Voting etc.

- Work on Policy Paper
 
- MUN Assembly Begins

- Resolution 1

- Example:
Nuclear Non-Proliferation
 - MUN Assembly

- Resolution 2

- Example: Genocide in Sudan

- MUN Assembly

 - Resolution 3

- Example: Child Labour 
 		- MUN reflection
- short in class essay on the UN
- Question to be presented

 - Policy Papers Due


       

Checklist:

  • Country Profile

  • Policy Paper

  • Resolution

Please see the accompanying pages for examples and rubrics.

Country Assignments:

  1. Tiff & Soumya - Canada
  2. Steven & Kevin - China
  3. Jamal & John - Britain
  4. Jimmy & Raymond - Chad
  5. Ben & Sue - South Africa
  6. Marina & Angie - Ethiopia
  7. Emma & Brandon - Democratic Republic of Congo
  8. Veronica & Alex - USA
  9. Chelsea & Maddie - Sudan
  10. Zitao & Ken - Egypt
  11. Jahmal & Matt - Germany
  12. Jeremy & Ibrahim - Russia

Country Profile Research Guide

These are some examples of the type of questions that you should be answering in your report.

History:

A. What nations or groups of people have impacted this country?
B. Who are its former rulers or colonial powers?
C. When was it golden age? What was the extent of its power?
D. How did it achieve independence? Circumstances?
E. What is the relationship of boundaries to historical, ethnic and tribal boundaries?
F. What are the significant military political, economic and social events that have shaped your country’s views?

Political:

A. Type of government?
B. How was the current political system formed?
C. How does the government make decisions? Who must adopt or decide international resolutions and treaties?
D. What are the political groups in your country?
E. Who are the groups that support the current power system?
F. Who is the opposing the current power system? Who is the opposition and how powerful is it?
G. How free are the elections in your country? How stable is the political system?
H. What percent of the people are voting?
I. Do neighboring countries have the same political system?
J. What domestic issues are hot topics?
K. What is the historical relationship between your country and the UN?

Cultural:

A. How quickly and by what means (birth, refuges, immigration) is your population growing?
B. What are the difference ethnic groups in your country? Where/why and how did they come to your country?
C. What is the status of minority groups in your country?
D. What are the view towards women, human rights, crime and punishment, religion?
E. What are types of laws do people have or wish they had?
F. Are there any major social changes that are occurring? Movement from the country to the city? Personal freedoms? Religious changes?
G. Explain the pattern shown by statistical indicators of education, communication, health and wealth.

Geography:

A. Describe the absolute land relative location of your country
B. What are the major geographic features and what is their important to your country?  How do they effect development, history, economy and infrastructure?
C. How were your current borders formed? By what means? How long ago?
D. Are you involved in any territorial disputes?
E. Describe the climate
F. What % of the land is arable?
G. What natural disasters are common? How severe?

Economic:

A. What type of economic system is used?
B. How developed is your country? Is post industrial, industrialized, agricultural or hunting society?
C. Is there a budgetary deficit in your country? How large? Ability to pay back?
D. Explain your GNP , per capita income and world rank
E. Compare your % GNP in agriculture, industry and service sectors to another nations
F. What % of your country live in absolute poverty?
G. Does your country give or receive aid?
H. How evenly distributed is the wealth in your country? Do you have a middle class?
I. Are there rich and poor regions in your country? Do you have a middle class?
J. Where are your most important resources? Where are they located?
K. Who do you trade with? What products and goods?
L. What is the balance of trade? Is balance of trade getting worst or better?
M. How developed is your infrastructure? Sewer, power, water, transportation?
N. What and where are your important cities? Why are they important? Do you have a port city?
O. What percent of your people are living in city compared to the country?
P. What part of the economy growing/doing well?
Q. What is the biggest complaint that companies have on doing business in your country?
R. What is the role of multinational corporations in your country?
S. How does the economic situation affect the political situation?

Defense:

A. What % of the national budget is spent on defense? Is this going up or down?
B. Does it receive military aid? From whom?
C. What is the military situation of neighboring countries? Relative strength?
D. What are your military alliances/regional defense agencies? How effective are they?
E. What is your country’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons polices and potential?
F. What are your military capabilities? Number and types of weapons available.
G. What are your country’s special arms trading, aid and buying relationships?
H. Self-sufficiency?
I. What is your country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping?

Worldview:

A. What does your country see as the most important world problem?
B. Who are your traditional allies and enemies?
C. How does it see its role in World affairs?
D. What are your memberships in international agencies and geo-political groups? How much influence and importance does your country place on there groups?
E. What is your country’s reputation in the world? How do others view you?

Suggested Websites:

The CIA World Factbook – www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

• A comprehensive guide to basic stats of individual countries (*GNP, Literacy rates, life
expectancy, etc.)
On War – www.onwar.com
• Short paragraph summary of every war that individual nations have been involved in for the past 200 years.

The Hague International Model United Nations:

www.thimun.org/research/countries/index.html

• Portal site to websites about individual nations.




WHAT IS A POLICY STATEMENT?


The policy statement is a brief, yet comprehensive essay on each issue that will be debated in the MUN Conference. It should be about one page in length (for each issue) and in paragraph form. The policy statement serves as a formal reminder and an exercise in putting into words what the policy of your country is toward a particular issue. This paper will force you to think about the issues and about the policy. The paper should reflect the views of the nation you represent. It is based on research and knowledge of policy. The intent is to help facilitate drafting the resolution and furthering debate. It should be written in paragraph form. There is no need for perambulatory or operative clauses.


It serves three purposes:

    1.    Allows you the opportunity to think the policy out more thoroughly

    2.    Serves your delegation to have a document which contains your country’s policy on all issues at the MUN 

          Conference so that there will be consistency in policy among the various members of delegation.

    3.    It acts as the outline for the draft resolution you will write.


You should be certain that each person in your delegation has some knowledge about all the Policy Statements from your country. Everyone should feel comfortable representing your country’s view on any issue, even if it is not the specific one assigned to that delegate. You should share your policy statements only with those directly concerned in the lobbying and

merging process.


WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A POLICY STATEMENT?

  1. State and define the problem. This could be an explanation and examination of the question and its general significance and importance to the world. Give some examples of recent events that have occurred/are ongoing around the world. Also, there should be definitions of the issue and any key terms that a delegate would be expected to know to represent that issue well.

  2. A background summary of recent international events related to action on the question/issue. These do not have to be necessary UN-related actions. Support what you write with facts.

  3. Reference to key documents and conferences relating to the issue. There should be underlined or in boldface type. Find UN resolutions on the problem and determine what the UN is doing to solve the issue. State what the UN has done to solve the problem. Ex. If it is “population”, then the Cairo conference should be referenced.

  4. A general statement of YOUR COUNTRY’S position on the issue. Find YOUR COUNTRY’S policy on the issue. Include specific suggestions for a solution (s) to the question/issue, which may provide ideas and serve as an outline for the clauses of a draft resolution.

  5. A background summary of recent international events related to action on the question/issue. These do not necessarily have to be UN-related actions. Support what you write with facts.

  6. Reference to key documents and conferences relating to the issue. These should be underlined or in boldface type. Find UN resolutions on the problem and determined what the UN is doing to solve the issue. State what the UN has done to solve the problem.

  7. A general statement of your country’s position on the issue. Include specific suggestions for a solution(s) to the question/issue, which may provide ideas and serve as an outline for the clauses of a draft resolution.

Sample Policy Paper      WORD      ADOBE

Additional Notes

  • Seek information, advice and opinion of others (primary sources). Maybe YOU could visit/telephone/write the embassy (Cairo is the city with the most embassies in the world after Washington and Moscow), consulate, cultural center or trade delegation for the country being represented. There is much information around and we have many good contacts – use them!

  • Do not forget the usual great sources that YOU used to prepare the Country Issues Report.

  • Get on the computer. You will most probably rely on this and then make critical judgments about YOUR COUNTRY’S policy.

  • Always note what international organizations and trading partners YOUR country deals with. Often in issues, YOU know YOUR country will most likely follow its friends. Be creative and imaginative here and have fun constructing YOUR country policy. After that, stick to it.

  • Remember also, the significance of a particular issue will change as different events develop. Be realistic and represent YOUR country well. If it is logical and well thought out, then it’s most likely correct. Doing this part well will lead to a well-done policy statement.

  • YOU want to gain some identity of YOUR COUNTRY’S philosophical and practical position as a member of the world community. Develop a sense of identity with the people of the particular society YOU represent. Know their most pressing concerns, why they are the most pressing concerns and what they want done about them. Be consistent and coherent in YOUR COUNTRY’S policy. The bottom line here is that if YOUR position is based on some sound knowledge of YOUR COUNTRY and its issues, then it is correct. THEN YOU CAN negotiate, compromise, argue and debate with anyone.

  • Always keep in mind that YOUR COUNTRY’S position on a single issue is only a small part of the wider position of the COUNTRY as whole. You are in the three roles of MUN delegate, team member, and your school representative. Be aggressive and familiar with all the issues.

  • Dramatize YOUR COUNTRY’S position in a coherent and communicative manner to EVERYONE! Do the research, make good, well thought out decisions on YOUR policy statements, and be IMPRESSIVE.

How to Find info About YOUR COUNTRY’S UN voting Record

  • YOU may wish to acquire the UN voting record for your country. Such records do not exist in the UN publications.

  • Voting in the UN organs is normally by a show of hands. A vote by show of hands goes into the record of meeting simple as total members for, against, and abstaining.

  • A roll call vote is frequently requested by some member states when detailed votes by country are desired.

  • When such roll call votes are taken appropriate UN publications may be consulted for a country’s voting records.

The “official records” of UN comprise:

  1. Verbatim or summary records of the meetings of the General Assembly and its main committee; the Security Council; the Disarmament Commission; Economic and Social Council; Trusteeship Council; Only those of the Security Council are available individually by meeting. The others are bound in volumes according to session.

  2. Reports and documents presented to these bodies which are published as annexes or supplements to the official records.

  3. Resolutions to Council which are issued as separate supplements containing all the decisions of the Security Council are published by year.

To find out how a country voted:

  1. At recent sessions, consult the official monthly magazine of the UN, United Nations Monthly Chronicle (You can find this on the Internet at the UN address). For a review of the GA’s regular session YOU should consult the October to January Issues.

  2. For years preceding the 1972 session – consult the YEARBOOK OF THE UNITED NATIONS (also on the Internet) for the appropriate year. Also, most of the resolution books YOU will find contain most of the records in the back of the book.

Every Man’s United Nations may help answer the more basic questions about the operation of each of the different organs of the UN. It is the basic reference publication of the UN and can be found on the Internet.

 

If the vote on a subject in which YOU are interested was by show of hands and there is not record of how YOUR COUNTRY voted, a study of the discussion prior to the vote will reveal the position taken by the delegates. Often during the debate, draft resolutions sponsored by one or more delegations are presented for consideration. Such draft resolutions are indicative of view of YOUR delegation. For summaries of these debates YOU may consult the Chronicle and the Yearbook.

 

The Chronicle will often give the vote on a resolution. This vote, however, seldom contains the names of countries voting for or against the Resolution in question. The comments of the various nations on the Resolutions will usually be summarized.

 

Do not be discouraged. Most countries do not have clearly defined policies on the issues you will need to find. Do your research thoroughly and then make inferences and critically think about what your country’s position would be. Be imaginative and created when constructing country policy. You should have some good reasons to

base your country’s policy and not simply fabricate or guess.

 

When you are lucky enough to find a specific policy, in most cases the policy will change or adapt to NEW INFORMATION and NEW CIRCUMSTANCES in your response to NEW EVENTS in the world. The KEY here is the KNOW YOUR COUNTRY and to THINK as the representative of YOUR COUNTRY. Do not wait for another delegate from another country to dictate policy to YOU. YOUR COUNTRY does not want to be in a position of reacting to what another is doing or saying. Be careful not to lose the opportunity to exchange ideas on issues and gain skills in the MUN Conference.



Components of a resolution

A resolution is created by a country regarding a particular world issue.  It is created and presented to the United Nations Assembly where it is debated by the countries involved and then voted upon.  Below is a description of what makes up a resolution and how to write one.

Resolution Sample:

  1. Government Funded Terrorism    ADOBE

  2. Child Soldiers   ADOBE

  3. Creation of a Palestinian State     ADOBE

In a resolution, there are two different bodies:
1. Preambulatory Clauses.
2. Operative Clauses.

Preambulatory Clause
1. States a fact.
2. Something that already has been done.
3. Usually a recognition or an understanding of what has been done.

Operative Clause
1. States what should be done.
2. Suggests plenty of ways on how to approach and solve the issue.
3. Should be convincing.

Formatting of a resolution

Numbering Lines
1. All lines must be numbered.
2. The numbers must have a period following them.

Numbering Clauses
1. Indent five spaces from the margin.
2. Numbers must have a period following them.

Spacing
1. There should be a double space only after each perambulatory and operative clause.
2. Each new clause should be indented about five spaces in, and so should the following lines of the same clause.

Underlining Phrases
1. Preambulatory phrase should be underlined before completing the rest of the clause.
 2. Operating phrase must be underlined as well.

How to Write the Preambulatory Clauses
1. Research of past resolutions should be done.
2. Use examples of what has been done before on your issue to help structure your clauses.
3. There only needs to be a minimum of three to five perambulatory clauses.
4. Underline the preambulatory phrases, but DO NOT number the clauses.

How to Write Operative Clauses
1. Resolution should consist of minimum of eight to ten operative clauses.
2. Research your country’s belief towards your issue and your relations with other nations’ beliefs.
3. Try to make your suggestions convincing using the operative phrases.
4. Remember to always underline the phrases and number the operative clauses.

Heading
1. Top left: Name of your commission.
2. Underneath: Question of: [INSERT YOUR TOPIC)].
3. Under that: The main submitter, then the co-submitters.

Remember: The font of the entire resolution should be Times New Roman and font size 12. Also, use proper vocabulary when writing your resolution. When naming an organisation, write out the full title then give its abbreviation in brackets after.

Creating a Commission in your Resolution
1. Give a name to the commission
2. What goals does this commission hope to achieve
3. Methods of achieving these goals- what specific ways will this commission achieve these goals?
4. Composition of the commission:

MUN Draft Resolution
The draft resolution is very important because it is what you will lobby and merge from. The

draft resolution is the basis for both informal (lobbying and merging) and formal (debate)

conference discussions. It contains several parts, and most significantly, explains a call for

actions that YOUR COUNTRY thinks will solve the question being addressed. Your resolution

should go through several stages of writing and revision before you bring it with you to lobby

and merge.

Dos and don’ts of resolution writing:

PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES
The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights past international action on the issue. This is also where you can insert background information, argumentation and the reasoning behind the “call for action” in your operative clauses. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a

preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory clauses can include:


• References to the UN Charter;
• Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion;
• Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN bodyor agency;
• Number of people involved
• Specialties involved- doctors, administrators, scientists- the more specific the better
• Countries that will be invited to take part in this commission.
• Do limit your resolution to being two pages long
• Do put thought into your resolution
• Do research your issue
• Do anticipate responses from other countries
• Do assert your country’s position
• Don’t format your resolution incorrectly
• Don’t use more than 1 period (.) for the entire resolution (aside for use in acronyms)
• Don’t condemn or alienate other nations without great deliberation
• Don’t copy a resolution from the internet
• Recognition of the efforts of regional or non-governmental organisations in dealing with the issue; and
• General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.

Sample preambulatory phrases:

Affirming Deeply disturbed Guided by Noting further
Alarmed by Deeply regretting Having adopted Noting with approval
Approving Desiring Having considered Observing
Aware of Emphasising Having considered further Reaffirming
Bearing in mind Expecting Having devoted attention Realising
Believing Expressing its appreciation Having examined Recalling
Confident

Expressing its satisfaction

 Having heard Recognising
Contemplating Fulfilling Having received Referring
Convinced Fully alarmed Having studied Seeking
Declaring Fully aware Keeping in mind Taking into account
Deeply concerned Fully believing Noting with regret

Taking into consideration
Deeply conscious Further deploring Noting with deep concern Taking note
Deeply convinced Further recalling Noting with satisfaction Viewing with appreciation
  Welcoming

OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Operative clauses identify the actions or recommendations made in a resolution. Each operative clause begins with a verb (called an operative phrase) and ends with a semicolon.  Operative clauses should be organised in a logical progression, with each containing a single idea or proposal, and are always numbered. If a clause requires further explanation, bulleted

lists set off by letters or roman numerals can also be used. After the last operative clause, the resolution ends in a period.


Sample operative phrases:

Accepts

Declares accordingly

 		Further proclaims Regrets
Affirms Deplores Further reminds Reminds
Approves Designates

Further recommends

 		Requests
Authorises Draws the attention Further requests Solemnly affirms
Calls Emphasises Further resolves Strongly condemns
Calls upon Encourages Has resolved Supports
Condemns Endorses Notes Takes note of
Confirms

Expresses its appreciation

 		Proclaims Transmits
Congratulates Expresses its hope Reaffirms Trusts
Considers Further invites Recommends  

 




WHAT IS LOBBYING?

At the MUN conference, there is a designated time for you to meet with other delegates and

to attempt to have others sign on to your resolution. You may also merge with other

resolutions.

HOW DO YOU MERGE?

To merge means to join. You join your resolution with another to come up with an even

stronger one. Delegates will be expected and encouraged to merge their resolutions with

other delegates that have similar interests. If you see a resolution that you like, written by a

“powerful” country, then you might ask if you can become a co-submitter or to sign on to it.

To become a co-submitter you ordinarily must contribute a change in the resolution that will

allow you to completely argue for it during the conference. Co-submitters are not expected to

read the resolution or even speak for it, but ordinarily it is both encouraged and appropriate.

If you choose to be the main submitter of a resolution, you maybe have other countries

merge with your resolution. Thus, you will be expected to read the resolution and speak for it.

WHAT IS SIGNING ON?

When you sign on to a resolution, this means that you support its clauses and fully agree with

it. You may only sign on to ONE resolution of each of the topics covered.

LOBBYING CHECKLIST

  • List the national priorities of your delegation

  • Identify the issues on the agenda that fits your national priorities and define the maximum and minimum objectives for the delegation on these issues.

  • Decide on the degree of flexibility in your positions and in your resolution. Be sure to identify your key clauses that must be included.

    •

  • Develop “dummy” clauses. These clauses are the ones that you argue passionately for but you really don’t’ care if you lose them. That way when you agree to give them up, it looks like you are conceding something important while still protecting your key clauses.

  •  Identify member states that share your delegation’s priorities, those with different or opposing views and those in between.

    •

  • Always show confidence in what you say. This will lead others into thinking that you really do know what you’re talking about, and will feel the need to merge with your resolution.

  •  Never let your guard down, three hours of masterly negotiations can be lost in a few minutes of relaxation. The other side may have been waiting for such an opportunity.

STRATEGIES AND TIPS

  • Sit at the “head of the table” in meetings.

  • The fewer the participants, the earlier the agreement

  • Make an early concession. This means that you satisfy the other party in an area that is important to him/her early in the negotiation.

  •  Know the needs of the other side

  • Make promises with caution

  • Silence is golden. It is the best reply to a totally unacceptable offer.





Parliamentary Procedure


Parliamentary procedure is the procedure or method in which order is sought by both the Chairs AND the delegates in a formal conference. There are many rules and motions that must be followed in order for the conference to run smoothly as well as to make it easier for all the delegates involved.


1. Modes of Address

- do NOT use slang, it is inappropriate in a formal conference

- NEVER refer to yourself in first person, you represent a COUNTRY, not yourself.


Refer to your DELEGATION or COUNTRY (i.e.) Russia or the delegate/delegation of Russia when referring to yourself or another delegate


Here are some commonly used phrases:

o Honourable Chair, Fellow Delegates

o Point of _____ (you’ll learn about these in the next chapter)

o Is the delegate of ______ (not) aware…?

o Does the speaker (not) realize/agree that…

o _____ yields the floor to the Chair/to the delegate of…


2. Motions of Parliamentary Procedure

A motion is a point or request that a delegate would like to bring to the Chair’s

attention. These should never interrupt a speaker (at least until they have finished

their sentence). You will be briefly introduced to these motions in the following

chapter.


3. Amendments

An amendment is a change that is proposed to improve the resolution.


4. Behaviour

Behaviour is VERY important. Delegates should NOT talk to each other - instead, they

should pass notes through the Pages. Laughing is out of order: EVEN IF the U.S.

declares war on Canada. IF NECESSARY, the Chair will issue a warning to delegates

who continually break parliamentary procedure. After three warnings, they will be

removed from the conference by security.

DEFINITION OF DEBATING TIPS


Chair: conducts the debate and maintains order while remaining impartial

House: all members of the General Assembly

Submitter: person proposing a motion (resolution/amendment) for debate

Motion: proposal for debate will be voted upon

Have the floor: Given the right to speak in a debate

Yield the floor: Give up the right to speak in a debate

Order of the day: The topic to be discussed at the moment

Point of Personal Privilege: A point stated in reference to individual preference (e.g. temperature of room, permission to use the washroom, etc.)

Point of Clarification: A point stated when understanding is lacking due to volume of speaker or the way a question may be phrased

Point of Information: Point that can only be stated after a speaker finishes speaking. The Chair will ask for Points of Information on the Floor and only then may you ask the speaker questions. A placard must be raised in order to gain recognition from the Chair.

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: A point of information directed at the Chair for clarification on rule of Parliamentary Procedure.


GENERAL RULES TO FOLLOW DURING DEBATE

1. Decisions of the Chair are final.

2. Do not argue with the Chair.

3. Only the Chair can allow members to speak.

4. All speakers must stand and address the Chair first prior to speaking.

5. The chair may extend or reduce debate times, limit points of information and suspend note passing.

6. There is no suspension of rules or changes in the order of debate except when ordered by the Chair.

7. Eating, drinking, and laughing are out of order.

8. Debate in a formal matter.

9. Address your fellow delegates before speaking.

10. Do not use personal pronouns such as “I” and “We”. You are representing your country, not yourself.

11. If you have something to say to the chair or a delegate, write a note. DO NOT SPEAK.


NOTES TO FOLLOW WHEN SPEAKING

1. Show the delegates you know your topic well by being confident.

2. Be professional. People will take you seriously if you are.

3. Slow down when you are speaking. Project your voice and annunciate.

4. Don’t read off your paper.

5. Be friendly. You are trying to make allies, not enemies.

6. Don’t take criticisms personally.

7. If you are the main submitter of a resolution, try to be the last speaker in open

debate. You want the delegates to remember the positive points of the resolution.

8. If you can’t answer a question immediately, ask the Chair to have the delegate repeat their question. This will give you time to think.

9. Plan with other delegates to use the same key phrases. Repeating your message will have other delegates know your main point.

10. Address the Chair and your delegates as “Honourable Chair” or “Honourable delegates”

11. You have no obligation in answering questions. After you speak, the Chair will ask you if you are open to any Points of Information and you may say no.

12. If you want a certain country to speak after you, you may ask the Chair if you may yield the floor to that country.


NOTES TO FOLLOW IN POINTS OF INFORMATION

1. After a delegate completes a speech, the Chair will ask whether the speaker is open to any Points of Information. Only if the speaker says “yes” can you raise your placard and ask a question.

2. You may only ask one question at a time.

3. Address the speaker with respect.

4. Try to phrase your question so it will not be a “yes” or “no” question.

5. You may as for a follow-up question if you feel the delegate did not answer the previous question well.

6. Immediately challenge the speaker when they state a fact without proper support.

7. Listen carefully to other Points of Information to make sure you do not repeat theirs.

8. Write down your questions first before saying them.

9. You may ask another delegate to ask your question if you have already been called on many times.


ORDER OF DEBATE

1. Chair calls house to order.

2. Chair calls upon the main submitter of the resolution to read their paper aloud to the house.

3. The Chair fixes debate time.

4. The Chair yields the floor to the submitter, who delivers a speech in favour of the motion.

5. Points of Information may be taken.

6. The Chair will recognize another member to speak in favour of the motion. This procedure will be continued until the debate time has been exhausted.

7. The Chair will then recognize a member of the house to speak against the motion. The procedure listed above is followed until debate time is exhausted.

8. Amendments may be offered to the resolution. To do this, the speaker must first have the floor and have previously offered a written copy of the amendment to the Chair.

9. The Chair may then propose an extension of time or close the debate and put the motion to vote. To vote, one must raise their placard for “in favour”, “against”, or “abstaining”. The chair makes the final statement. All debate is finalized.