The Complete Mun Guide
The Complete Mun Guide
The Complete Mun Guide
Complete
MUN
Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction Page 3
2
Get to know the Committees Page 4-5
Amending Page 10
Welcome Muners to the start of a –hopefully- very special part of your life,
MUN. Model United Nations, or MUN for short, is a representation of the
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United Nations (UN), an organization founded in 1942, during the Second
World War, represented by different 26 nations. It aims; to resolve issues that
threaten world peace and globalization. And that will be your goal in
conferences as well.
Try picturing a kingdom in earlier ages. They had a king, who would decide
for all matters (economic, social, security, etc). Now try to picture a country. It
wouldn’t be so democratic to have one person decide for everything, would
it? That’s why we split the power to many people, each responsible for a
different sort of issues- the delegates. For example, America has the delegate
of the disarmament committee, who deals with security matters, the delegate
of the environmental committee who deals with environmental issues, and so
on…
! There are also the chairs, the moderators of the debate, different in each
committee.
The UN is composed out of 5 major organs: The General Assembly (GA), the
Security Council (SC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC), and the Secretariat. All will be elaborated further on.
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The Disarmament Committee (GA1): The First Committee deals with
disarmament, global challenges, and threats to peace that affect the
international community and seeks out solutions to the challenges in the
international security regime. Expect topics having to do with terrorism,
biochemical weapons, international borders, etc.
The Economic and Financial Committee (GA2): The Second committee deals
with economic matters that concern the whole globe. Expect topics having to
do with material exploitation and poignantly economic issues.
The Humanitarian Committee (GA3): The third committee faces all the social,
cultural, and humanitarian issues. It deals with the most controversial matters,
some of which may be the question of more genders, the recognition of
rights, etc.
The Legal Committee (GA6): The last GA committee, being the legal
committee, deals with all issues concerning summits, treaties, over multiple
issues. Having its use being so generic, one can meet all sorts of topics in this
committee.
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of security importance but also with socioeconomic ones ruining international
equality and stability.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): The Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and
innovative thinking on sustainable development.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ): The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
is the chief judicial board of the United Nations. It aims to resolve
international disputes in an optimum way. One of its duties also includes the
provision of Advisory Opinions on legal matters and all procedures are carried
out in the official language which is English.
Pre-ambulatory Clauses: In this part, you need to write the reasons you suggest the
solutions below. In the perambulatory clauses you focus on passive clauses while
using verbs such as: Bearing in mind, remembering, recognizing, etc). They are
mostly decorative and DO NOT play a part during the debate
Operative Clauses: The most important part of your resolution. Here you write
clauses (=solutions) that propose a way to resolve your issue. Operative clauses need
to comply with your country’s policy and the UN’s ideology. They need to be as
extensive as possible and up to the point, so they can stand strong in debate and
pass. Here, you will need to use specific wording as well.
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The wording for preambs and operative clauses change from conference to
conference so always read and consult the delegate manual!
Recognizing the growing power of technology in this century following the burst
of development, the positive effects and new advances this technology has
brought, as well as the possible ramifications in various aspects of life, Preambulatory
Clauses
Viewing with appreciation the destabilizing development of artificial intelligence
(AI), and the leading of it to a new era of control of the human ecosystem in
cyberspace and geospace,
The Process
The procedure is as follows: You start with lobbying (unmoderated caucus), where
you form alliances and have a certain time to create resolutions. The alliances you
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create must be somewhat responsive to reality (USA and China can’t be in the same
alliance for example) and must agree with your countries policy. In most cases, you
have 2 alliances, one with European countries and NATO Countries (an existing
alliance), and the other consists of Asian countries, Middle East countries, Russia,
etc. However, that is not always the case. Keep in mind that the alliances are formed
mostly by your country’s policy (=στρατηγική), meaning that in some cases some
European countries may ally with Middle East countries or Asian countries.
Before you hand the resolution to the chairs, you also need to vote on the main
submitter: usually, the person who has contributed the most to the resolution. The
main submitter is the delegate who has to defend the resolution and present it the
best, as they have the best connection with the topic. Being the main submitter on a
topic is your goal as a delegate.
When you finish lobbying, you begin with the moderated caucus: the formal
debate. Starting with the debate, the chairs begin with a roll call, taking presences.
After that, they call upon the main submitter to take the floor and deliver a speech in
favor and present the resolution and then call on other delegates to state their view.
Once the main submitter has finished their speech, and the floor is open, you as a
delegate can obtain the floor, deliver a speech on your point of view of the
resolution, answer questions and try to persuade other delegates to either vote in
favor of a resolution or against.
Pay attention to your chairs. They are your gods for your next three (or two) days.
You always do as they say because you don’t want to get them angry. They have
absolute control of the committee either way, and you need to mutually respect
them, as they respect you.
A good clause must cover most aspects (if not all), such as:
- Who will take the responsibility to execute the clause?
- Why will this clause take place?
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- Funding, how LED’s are going to manage?
- The consequences, if one country does not accept the clause.
- Where will this operation be based (creating an NSA)?
- How will this tackle the problem?
- Etc.
Most aspects can be covered in the main body of the clause. However, does a
delegate want to introduce more information, they can be cover them in sub-clauses
and sub-sub clauses like the following example shows:
And also you must use particular operative verbs, such as:
! Operative verbs as mentioned before are given by the delegate manual and change
from conference to conference
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a) Special courses and actions, conducted through every educational
system;
b) Specialized seminars conducted by activists, famous figures, and experts
over the topic;
c) A leaflet and press campaign conducted in every big city of all member
states of the United Nations;
d) Exclusive radio broadcasts and television programs;
6. Invites countries to sign a treaty named ‘NAME’ which will have as ultimate
goal the annihilation of “ROOT OF THE PROBLEM”, while countries which
deny signing the treaty shall…;
7. Calls upon the creation of an International Threat Intelligence Council (ITIC),
funded by a small yearly sum from all the participating countries, aiming to
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exchange threat information between countries diplomatically, as to achieve
globalization while inviting UN countries to join;
Voting procedure
When the time for debating a resolution has elapsed or there has been a motion to
move to the previous question with seconds and no abstentions, chairs will begin the
voting procedures for the RESOLUTION. Always be careful to listen to what you’re
voting for as you don’t want to misunderstand and vote in favor/ against something
else.
When it’s time to vote for the resolution, you will hear distinctively “We will now
be moving to vote procedures for this resolution submitted by the delegate of… All
those wishing to vote in favor, raise your placards high up now… You may lower
them. All those against raise your placards now… You may lower them. And all those
abstaining? ”
!Be careful to only raise your placards when the chairs ask you to. DO NOT raise your
placards while they are speaking.
Amending
Amendments are the changes to the resolution you can submit to the chairs. You
are usually given a form to fill, requiring you to state your country, the purpose of
the amendment (Add a clause/ amend a clause/s strike out a clause), and the
amendment itself. Usually, chairs will entertain only constructive amendments,
meaning they prefer you to submit amendments that either adds a clause or change
an already existing one.
When you submit an amendment when the floor is open, ask for the floor and
before you have your speech, ask the chairs if your amendment is in order. If yes,
they will ask you to deliver a speech in favor and then set closed debate time on your
amendment on a set time. After that time has elapsed, you will move to vote
procedures on the AMENDMENT, which is carried out like the normal ones.
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Passing a resolution
So, after the resolution has been submitted to the chairs, you will start debating.
When debate starts, as mentioned before, the main submitter is called to obtain the
floor and deliver their opening speech (=which explains why they present this
resolution) and a speech in favor of the resolution. Usually, the main submitter will
also need to answer many POI (Points of Information = Questions), as they have the
most knowledge on their resolution: they mainly submitted it. Your goal as a main
submitter or even as a co-submitter is to pass your alliance’s resolution and destroy
the other’s. That is done by making speeches explaining to all delegates why they
should vote in favor or against and persuade them.
After the voting procedure, if your resolution has passed, there is a chance the
chairs will move it to the GA debate. What this means is that in the general
assembly, (=a place where all GA committee delegates gather), you will have to
debate your resolution not only with your committee but with every delegate at the
conference, if they are in a GA that it is.
Speaking in the GA is a great honor, and having a resolution passed in the GA, with
the GA voting procedures, is one of the dreams of every MUNer.
The GA voting procedures are carried out exactly like the normal ones, with the
only difference being that only the ambassador of the country votes.
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Points
Point of Personal Privilege: Used where you experience some discomfort which
hinders you from participating fully in the committee proceedings (e.g. it is too cold
in the room, you can't hear the speaker, etc.) This point may interrupt a speaker if
the purpose is due to audibility.
Point of Order: Used where you believe a mistake of the procedure has been made,
e.g. where someone was skipped on the Speaker's list or the wrong voting procedure
was used for a matter. This point can interrupt a speaker.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: Used to ask the chairs any questions about the
procedure that you may have.
Point of Information to the speaker (POI): It is a question to the delegate who has
the floor after they have indicated that they are open to several questions. It must
be in the form of a short question, not a 2-part question, or a short statement
followed by a question. The content of the question must refer to the content of the
speech and the delegate who is asking the question must stay standing while he is
being answered.
Motions
Motion to approach the Chairs: It is used when a delegate wishes to further discuss
an issue. It depends on the chairs’ discretion if it will be entertained.
Motion to divide the House: It is used ONLY during voting procedures. After it has
been made, the chairs will retake the vote, with no abstentions allowed, meaning
delegates can vote only in favor or against. It depends on the chairs’ discretion if it
will be entertained.
Motion for follow-up: It is made by a delegate after the speaker has answered their
POI, but the delegate needs further clarification/ or has another relevant question. It
is not allowed to all conferences, and it depends on the chairs’ discretion if it will be
entertained. It is not allowed in all conferences.
Motion to extend POI’s: It is made after the speaker has finished answering all the
POI’s, but there are more questions by different delegates on the floor. It is not
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allowed in all conferences, and it depends on the chairs’ discretion if it will be
entertained.
Motion to move to the Previous Question: It is made usually close to the end of the
debate, as to move to the voting procedures. Delegates can object, however, if they
do so they are expected to acquire the floor and deliver a speech. It depends on the
chairs’ discretion if it will be entertained.
Motion to extend Debate Time: It is made if delegates want to continue the open
debate on a topic. It depends on the chairs’ discretion if it will be entertained. It is
rarely entertained at all.
Motion to vote by roll call: It is made by a delegate after the results of the voting
procedure continuously do not add up. When entertained the Chairs will call upon
every country, and they respond whether they are in favor, against, or abstain. It
depends on the chairs’ discretion if it will be entertained.
Motion to adjourn Meeting: It is the last motion made in any conference; it is made
to end the conference as a whole.
Mock Resolution
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Forum: Disarmament and International Security Committee (GA1)
Issue: Addressing the potential risk of weaponization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Submitted by: Argentina
Co-submitted by: Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Germany,
Guinea, Iceland, Japan.
Recognizing the growing power of technology in this century following the burst of
development, the positive effects and new advances this technology has brought, as
well as the possible ramifications in various aspects of life,
2. Calls for the addition of a protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 which
should have as a goal the prevention of needless injury, unnecessary
suffering, and innocent civilian deaths that could be caused by the
unregulated use of AI and autonomous weapons during the war and should
clarify the following:
a. Under what circumstances can a state make use of autonomous
weapons and AI;
b. The application of the Laws of War on warfare containing AI and
autonomous weapons;
c. In what amount and in which kind of operations is a military allowed
to use its AI weapons;
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4. Encourages the creation of a communal and shared facility, funded by the
United Nations, to resolve cases such as but not limited to:
a. The utilization of Artificial Intelligence into naval, aerial, and terrain
army vehicles;
b. The harvest of Big Data, as it can be considered private data of an area
or a country;
c. Going through the programming of major importance AI, such as:
i) Healthcare AI, that has a major role in the safeguard of
patients;
ii) Smart cars and automated drones AI;
iii) Security and Surveillance AI and other real-time image
processing technology;
iv) Smart home AI that uses data-science and builds upon
personal private data;
To ensure, that not only that the 3 laws of robotics are being
implemented, but also to cancel any possible data leakage;
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means of Signing a binding convention enforced by the UNSC to prevent the
weaponization and misuse of AI by means of :
a. Create a commission monitored by UNSC to monitor compliance
and investigate any violation of the aforementioned convention;
b. Investigate any violation of the convention;
c. Issue reports to the General Assembly and the security council for
further;
9. Highlights that in the era of hybrid warfare where a single cyber breach is
considered a threat to a state’s prosperity, security and sovereignty and
could even trigger a war, it is necessary for every nation to have a solid, well-
organized cyber-attack defense system including:
a. A capable identification program that should have the ability to
distinguish a real attack from a “false alarm”,
b. Up-to-date technology that can compete with new AI and next-
generation technology in general,
c. An efficient detection and attribution program which must be able to
provide the user with clear information about the organization
responsible for the attacks thus avoiding misunderstandings and false
retaliation;
10. Hopes that the countries will stay actively seized upon this matter.
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Each country is required to have an ambassador who is the “lead” delegate of a
country. The only requirement to be an ambassador is to be in a General Assembly
Committee (GA) and have a bit of experience. In some conferences, ambassadors are
required to deliver opening speeches in the opening ceremony.
Opening speeches are in their essence just a speech that revolved around your
policies. A policy must be composed of your country’s point of view, its historical
background on the topic, and its stance now.
For example on this topic: Working towards strong, sustainable, and balanced
growth worldwide by Canada
Canada’s position on the issue of worldwide growth is very fragile. The Canadian
delegation achieved a strong and respected growth after the Second World War
(WWII), where there was a combination of abundant resources with the help of a skilled
labour force. Currently the delegation is developing both economically and
technologically parallel to the United States. While facing political difficulties in
improving the quality of health care, education and social services, Canada aims to
develop diverse energy resources, without losing its commitment to the environment.
The delegation hopes to reduce extreme poverty, and build a more peaceful, inclusive
and prosperous world, and for this reason the delegation supports the Feminist
International Assistance Policy. Last but not least, the delegation hopes to foster strong
partnerships with civil societies, allowing them to work safely, something essential,
achieving the latter objectives.
! Above is one policy statement. Your Opening Speech should revolve around all of
your topics
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To become a better delegate, there are a few steps you can take. First and
foremost, there is a need for the attitude. Always speak with confidence, because
don’t forget you are always representing a country with a voice to be heard.
Secondly, always try to scan the room, recognize classic delegates (the PowerDel
(=a very experienced delegate who will dominate the debate), the First Timer (= a
shy delegate in his first conference), etc. If possible, try to socialize with them,
before the house comes in order or during lunch, as having someone support you on
the debate is of major importance.
Another key move you must do is note down someone’s weak points on their
speech or answers to POI’s. That you must do, especially on the main submitter- if
you are to vote against.
Lastly, always remember to yield to your friend for support. Once you finish your
speech and/or questions, the chairs will ask you how do you wish to yield (=give
back) the floor. There you can either yield TO the chairs, by saying “We/ the
delegation of XX yields the floor TO the chairs”, or yield to another country, by asking
first if you may. If you can, and the other delegate accepts, yield by saying “We/ the
delegate of XX yields the floor to the delegate of YY”.
NOTES
1. Mun is a process that requires you to come prepared, whether that means
getting to know your country and all recent happenings around it. You also
need to figure out which countries are your allies and which countries are your
blocs. Writing a policy statement, clauses, or even a sample resolution before
the conference with the help of an included study guide, is also really helpful
2. Get to know the other delegates. Even though they might be ‘’enemy’’
countries, Mun is overall a social event and your main goal, above expressing
your ideas and passing a resolution, is to have fun and get to meet new people!
Usually, when the chairs enter for the first time, there will be either a funny
debate happening, in which you informally debate on topics such as;
“Bohemian rhapsody is objectively the best song ever” or you will be doing
some ice breakers.
3. Always know your country. You don’t have to know every single detail about it,
but please be aware of its economical state, its president, its polity, where it is
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on the map, its allies and blocks, and most importantly its relationship to your
topics.
4. Try to keep up with the latest events and political affairs. This way you will have
a more spherical understanding of some matters
5. As you participate in more conferences you will start seeing the same things,
regarding country relationships. Try to observe them as much as possible, as
they
6. Always go prepared for the conferences. Try to have some clauses for all topics
done, as this will help you become the main submitter.
8. Never stress about MUN. It’s a social activity; you go there to have fun. No one
will ever force you to do something that exceeds your capability. YOU GO
THERE TO HAVE FUN…
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