UN Simulation – Parliamentary Procedure

Point of Personal Privilege

- used to let Chair know that something unrelated to debate is bothering you

- ie) speaker is unclear, you need to use washroom, room is too hot, etc.

Point of Information

- a question that a delegate has for the speaker once they have finished their speech

- Chair only call for them after he has asked the speaker if he will be accepting any points of information, speaker can refuse to accept

- when Chair calls for them, raise placard and wait to be called on

Important Tips

- Use proper etiquette

- Only as one question at a time, if you have another question once the speaker has answered your first question, request for a follow-up, the Chairs rarely grant these

- You can use points of information to AGREE or DISAGREE with the speaker

- ALWAYS phrase your point as a question!

Point of Clarification

- after the reso is read, if you are unclear about the MEANING of something (NOT! how it will be implemented) NOW is the time to ask

Amendments

- IF you want to amend an OP in the resolution (Preambles CAN NOT be amended) there are two ways

o Friendly Amendments

§ You get the signature of the main submitter of the resolution

o Unfriendly Amendments

§ You get 4 signatories to your proposed amendment, and after having time for/against assembly votes

- ALL amendments are submitted to the Chair FIRST

o Chair will then call on delegate to overview their amendment and WHY they feel it is NECESSARY

Motion to Move into Voting Procedure

- must be seconded

- IF no objections, move into voting procedures

- IF they ARE objections, time for/against, and then vote

Motion to Recess

- if you need time to talk with your allies or formulate a plan then you would use this, SETTING A TIME LIMIT!

o Ie) Motion to move into 5min recess

Motion to move into Informal Debate

- if you want to get your point out, and you don’t have time, you can use this motion, setting a time limit

- much like open debate in your great debates

Motion to limit speaking time/points of information

- used as necessary

- SET limit when you make your motion

Behaviour

- behaviour is VERY important

o REMEMBER! You are a delegate representing your country and MUST act and dress accordingly

- delegates should NOT talk to each other, instead, pass notes through the pages

- laughing is out of order: EVEN IF a delegate compares the resolution to a miniskirt

- IF NECESSARY: Chair will issue warning to a delegate that continually breaks parliamentary procedure

o The Chair has the right to CENSURE and REMOVE delegates if they are breaking parliamentary procedure