MODEL UN FOR ALL

gUIDE TO

PROCEDURES AND

COMMITTEE

DYNAMICS
TABLE OF CONTENT

What is UN
The United Nations
History
The structure of UN
What is MUN ?
Why should I attend ?
What skills will I get ?
Rules of procedure
How should I dress ?
How should I behave ?
How should I speak ?
Committee dynamics
Roll call
Speaker list
Opening speech
Motions
Points
Caucuses
Papers
Research
Opening speech
Position paper
Resolution draft
 WHAT IS UN ?

THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental

organization that aims to maintain international peace and
security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve
international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing
the actions of nations.

history

In 1945, nations
were in ruins.
World war II was
over and the
world wanted
peace.

50 governments
met in San
Francisco for a
conference and
signed a Charter,
creating the
United Nations.
 WHAT IS UN ?

On 25 June 1945,
it was adopted
and took effect on
24 October
1945, when the
UN began
operations.

Now, UN is
working to
maintain
international
peace and
security.

The structure of un

The UN is headquartered in New York and is

composed of six organs.

It was responsible for overseeing the

TRUSTEESHIP administration of territories that were
COUNCIL not yet self-governing before
suspending its action in 1994.
 WHAT IS THE

SRUCTURE OF

UN ?

The UN is headquartered
the in New York
It is responsible forand is of
a myriad
administrative and clerical duties
composed of six organs.
secretariat

the general ECONOMIC AND

assembly SOCIAL COUNCIL

193 memberstates 54 member states

7 main committees Central forum for the
Serves primarily as a forum for discussion of international
discussing general issues. economic and social issues
can establish committees and Can conduct studies, make
other bodies to study and policy recommendations,
report on specific issues consult with NGOs and prepare
no binding legal force upon draft conventions for
member-states, they do carry submission to the GA.
the weight of the moral
authority of the world
community. SECURITY

COUNCIL

INTERNATIONAL
5 permanent members and 10
COURT OF JUSTICE non-permanent members
elected for two-year terms.
15 members charged with maintaining
Hears cases concerning the international peace and security
interpretation of treaties and capable of directing the use of
the UN Charter economic sanctions and military
Considers disputes of a purely force. Disputes of pressing
legal nature concern may be referred to SC.
 WHAT IS MUN ?

WHAT IS MUN ?

Model United Nationsis a simulation

of the United Nations assembly
where the delegates discuss
specific issues in order to find
realistic and effective solutions
through diplomacy and negotiation.
A successful conference is achieved
deleg
ate :
when delegates can reach a
a stud
ent
compromise based upon their own
g as a
actin
country's national interests,
tive
senta
repre
international responsibilities and
ember
of a m
.
humanitarian obligations.
state
 WHAT IS MUN ?

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND ?

Model United Nations helps the participants to understand

the role of the UN in the world and learn its bodies and
memberstates. It teaches them the importance of dialogue,
diplomacy and negotiation. Model UN Conference
strengthen participants' knowledge in history, geography,
global politics, civics and citizenship as well as enhance their
public speaking and leadership skills.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I GET

FROM MUN ?

coordinating public
negotiation
with others speaking

critical problem decision

thinking solving making
 RULES OF
PROCEDURE

How should i dress?

The dress code for MUN is formal western business attire.

Excellent examples can be found online simply by searching
“formal western business attire”. Not adhering to the dress
code may result in penalty from the chair.

HOW SHOULD I BEHAVE?

All delegates should be mature and disciplined during the
conference. This includes being silent when the floor is taken,
not using profanity, and following the speaking guidelines.
Bad behavior may result in punishment from the chair.

HOW SHOULD I SPEAK?

When delegates speak they never use personal pronouns.
They always refer to themselves as “the delegate of ___” or
“the country of  ___”. This also applies to  speaking about
other delegates. Instead of addressing someone by name,
they address fellow delegates by saying “the delegate of___”
or “the country of ___”.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

Roll call
At the start of each session roll call will be conducted in
alphabetical order. Delegates will respond in one of two
ways:   

Present: The delegate is present in the committee and

can for or against substantive matters (issues related to
the topic being discussed), but can also abstain from
voting.

Present and Voting: The delegate is present in the

committee and HAS to vote for or against any substantive
matters

After roll is called the chair will

announce the numbers needed
for a simple majority and a two-thirds
majority and the number of sponsors
for draft resolutions/amendments.
If a delegate arrives after roll call
they are required to send a note to
the chair stating whether they are present or present and
voting.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

speakers list
After a topic is decided on the committee will move into the
speakers list. This time allows delegates to speak generally on
the current topic. The chair will ask delegates if they would
like to be added to the speakers list or not. The default
speaking time is one minute and thirty seconds. If a delegate
finishes speaking before their time runs out they have three
options:

Yield to another delegate: The delegate’s speaking time

is given to another delegate of their choosing
Yield to questions: The director will recognize other
delegates who have questions about what the current
speaker has said. While they may ask any question they
please, the delegate speaking is not required to answer
Yield to the chair: The delegate's speaking time is given
to the chair, allowing them to continue with the rest of the
speaker’s list.

Opening Speech
At the very start of the session when the Speaker’s List is
opened delegates on the list will give a short speech that will
outline their country’s stance on the topic at hand and speak in
broad terms about possible solutions.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

Motions
Motions are used by delegates to drive debate. They are
raised (proposed) when the chair declares the floor “open”.
Each motion (excluding a select few) requires a simple
majority to pass and, if there is one or more motion on the
floor, they are voted from most disruptive to least disruptive.
There are several motions that a delegate may raise:

Motion to set the agenda: To decide on which topic to

discuss first

Motion for an unmoderated caucus

Motion for a moderated caucus

Motion to extend the previous caucus

Motion to close the debate: Requires a two-thirds

majority, the committee will need to reset the agenda

Motion to suspend the meeting: Stop the committee

until the next scheduled meeting.

Motion to adjourn: End the committee, used before

the end of conference.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

Points
Points are short, brief questions/suggestions raised by a
delegate for his/her comfort to the chair.

Point of Personal Privilege: Used when a delegate is

experiencing discomfort that affects their ability
participate in conference

Point of Inquiry: Used when a delegate has a question o

something that needs further clarification during the
committee session

Point of Order: Used when a delegate has a question

about something that is not clearly understood during the
committee session or believes that there has been a
mistake regarding parliamentary procedure.

Point of Information: Used when a delegate needs

information/clarification from another delegate’s speech.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

Caucuses
Moderated Caucus:

When a motion for a moderated caucus is raised, the

delegate must specify:

The topic being discussed

Total time to discuss it
The speaker’s speaking time

After the resolution passes with a simple majority the

chair will ask for delegates who wish to speak after the
delegate who proposed the motion speaks. During a
moderated caucus talking to other delegates is
prohibited. 

Unmoderated Caucus:

When an unmoderated caucus is motioned for the

delegate needs to specify the total time and the topic
only. During this time the delegates may talk to each
other one-on-one and is an opportunity to find allies, form
blocs and compose working papers. The delegate will
maintain the appropriate manner during the
unmoderated caucus that is expected in the committee.
 COMMITTEE
DYNAMICS

Papers
Position Paper:
A position paper is a paper written and submitted before
conference. It outlines your country’s stance on the selected
topic and possible actions that your country believes your
committee should take.

Working Paper:
Working papers are used to present ideas on the thoughts
that have been discussed previously. They have no format,
and there is no maximum number of working papers. They
can be submitted by a delegate or bloc once the chair opens
submissions and specifies how they are to be submitted.

Draft Resolution:
Draft resolutions are simply resolutions that have yet to be
voted on. They must be written with other countries and gain
the support of at least half of the member countries before it
can be approved by the chair.
 RESEARCH

research

The research is the most important part of your

preparation before attending the conferences. You
should start by researching the background of your
country, knowing all the details about it. You should
know as much as you can.

main aspects on

which you should

base your research

The issue you will be debating.

The country you will be representing.

 RESEARCH

main aspects

THE ISSUE YOU THE COUNTRY

WILL BE YOU WILL BE
DEBATING REPRESENTING

Location.
The country is directly Natural ressource.
involved or not. Type of government
Did the country sign any The allies
treaties related to the topic? The difficulties (even if they are
The background of the not directly related to the topic)
topics A more developed country or a
less developed one.
Previous actions taken to
The religion.
solve the issue( were they
Your history regards to the UN.
effective or not ?).
Your history with other
countries.
Your previous achievement.
The country’s system.
 RESERACH

Note
Research is one of the keys to success in
Model United Nations.However, even
though there is a lot of information on the
internet, and in libraries, some of these
information can be useless
.Furthermore,you should make sure that
the source is a trusted one, cause you can
be asked to give the source of a fact.
Beside that , you should read carefully the
background guide of your topic cause it
contains many useful information, that you
are supposed to know before attending
the conference.

Some trusted sources

UN BBC CIA
 OPENING

SPEECH

The opening speech is a chance to introduce your country’s

policy as well as establishing the issue you want your committee
to focus on solving. You’ll want to call to action by proposing
solutions to the problem you mentioned earlier in your speech.
The opening speech needs to be short and consistent as it only
lasts for 1 minute or 1 minute 30 seconds , so concentrate on
getting one single message across.

how to write an opening speech?

Hook

The beginning of a speech should grab your audience’s attention.

It should give your audience a reason to listen to you

Quote: A quote Statistic: A Story: A story is the

Question: Asking
engages the statistic can grab oldest form of
the audience a
audience when an audience’s communication and if
question is often told well, can certainly
they recognize attention if it is
an easy way to get grab an audience’s
the figure you’re surprising or
their attention. attention.
quoting. interesting.

Point

The point is the purpose of your speech. It is the reason

why you’re speaking. Once you have your audience’s
attention, you should deliver your point.
Call to action

Good speeches end with a “call to action,” which is when

you tell your audience to go and do something. Your call
to action is your specific solution to the problem.
OPENING

SPEECH

example
 POSITION

PAPER

What is a position paper?

Position papers are usually one to one-and-a-half pages

in length. Your position paper should include a brief
introduction followed by a comprehensive breakdown of
your country's position on the topics that are being
discussed by the committee. A good position paper will
not only provide facts but also make proposals for
resolutions.

Some tips:

1-Keep it simple and clear

2-Make it official

3-Organize your ideas

 POSITION

PAPER

It should include:

A brief introduction to the country and its history

concerning the topic and committees.
How the topic affects the country.
The country's policies with respect to the issue and
the country's justification for these policies.
Quotes from the country's leaders about the issue.
Statistics to back up the country's position on the
issue.
Actions taken by the government with regard to
the issue.
Conventions and resolutions that the country has
signed or ratified.
UN actions that the country supported or
opposed.
What the country believes should be done to
address the issue.
What the country would like to accomplish in each
committee.
Some proposals for resolutions.
POSITION

PAPER

example
 RESOLUTION

DRAFT

RESOLUTION DRAFT

Your solution to the problemsthat the committee confronts

takes the form of a resolution, which is a complex document
that follows a strict format and reflects the
negotiation, debate, and innovative proposals
that the committee has produced. the
Resolution
Resolutions contains two main parts: should be

the heading and the body. able to be

read as a
single
sentence.
THE HEADING

Signatories are
The title should be centered, in capital
delegates who
assist, approve, letters, above the body of the resolution
draft . The next two lines should list the
or support the
resolution
draft and want name of the committee and the title of
to see it
presented
the topic, left-aligned.

The heading of a resolution

The resolution
should include the
begins with the
committee name, the topic
Note

committee's
that no

addressed by the authors

should name.
resolution,and the list of be listed.

signatories.
 RESOLUTION

DRAFT

THE BODY

The body section contains two main clauses:

preambulatory and operative clauses.

PREAMBULATORY OPERATIVE

CLAUSES CLAUSES

describe the problem being propose solutionsto the

addressed,recalls past issue tackled and state the
actionstaken,explainsthe action to be taken
purpose of the resolution, These clauses all begin with
and offerssupport forthe present tense active verbs
operative clausesthat follow. which are underlined.
Each clause in the preamble All operative clauses, except
begins with an underlined the last one ends, which
particple and ends with a ends with a period, are
comma. followed by a semicolon.
P.S : Make sure to leave a these clauses are always
line between each clause to numbered
make them easierto see. Any subclauses added
should be lettered (a,b,c,
etc) and end in a semicolon.
 RESOLUTION

DRAFT

WHAT TO NEED TO KNOW

Before a resolution can be formally introduced into a

committee, it should be approved by the Chair.

The
is the
chair the
o od erate as
pers
Each clause should have a purpose. to m ake it
deba
te ve as
p ro ducti
much ssible
po

The resolution draft must gain the support of

the member states in the committee

r of
n u mbe
the ies
ator The resolution draft should be
sign ed
need tion represented in a good form
lu
reso e
in a s on th
nd
depe ttee' size
mi
com

The resolution should take into account the “Questions

a Resolution Must Answer” section of the Background
Guide.
 RESOLUTION

DRAFT

Here are some words/phrases/active verbs that the clauses

must start with :

PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES

Affirming Having examined Having examined Having adopted

Alarmed by Having heard Having heard Having considered
Approving Having received Having received Expecting
Aware of Having studied Having studied Fulfilling
Bearing in mind Keeping in mind Keeping in mind Fully alarmed
Believing Noting further Noting further Fully aware
Cognizant of Deeply conscious welcoming Fully believing
Confident Deeply convinced Desiring Taking into account
Contemplating Deeply disturbed Recognizing Taking note
Convinced Deeply regretting Referring
Declaring Desiring Seeking
Deeply concerned Emphasizing

OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Accepts Deplores Has resolved Takes note of

Affirms Designates Notes Trusts
Approves Draws attention Proclaims Urges
Authorizes Emphasizes Reaffirms Welcomes
Calls for Encourages Recommends Strongly condemns
Calls upon Endorses Regrets
Condemns Expresses its hope Reminds
Confirms Further invites Requests
Congratulates Further proclaims Resolves
Considers Further reminds Solemnly affirms
Declares Further requests Supports
Demands Further resolves
 RESOLUTION

DRAFT

example