Maryville College Model United Nations XXV

Delegate Handbook

Schedule of Deadlines for MCMUN 2010

Deadlines
-

November 16th, 2009 Application and Registration Fee ($55.00) due

January 9th, 2010

Delegate fees ($37.00 per student) due Position Papers due Resolutions due Country and committee assignments due Meal Fees due

January 21, 22, and 23rd 2010 MCMUN Conference

Background Information
Model United Nations is an educational tool. Its primary purpose is to inform its delegates about the United Nations (UN) and the problems of international relations. Hopefully, as you read through this booklet, you will begin to understand the dynamics of the conference and the basic operation of the United Nations. The Maryville College Model United Nations (MCMUN) is designed to furnish a structure and forum for students to work with the most pressing international issues from a perspective different from their own, and thus broaden their awareness of world politics. By representing the role of another nation's delegation to the United Nations, students further realize the difficulties and complexities of international relations.

What is the United Nations?

The United Nations is the international organization of States founded after the Second World War that is designed to maintain international peace and security, promote social progress and better standards of life, develop friendly relations among nations, and facilitate international cooperation. In an increasingly volatile age, the United Nations provides a mechanism for instant consultation on emergencies, as well as for discussion of long-term problems. In cases where international negotiations are deadlocked, the United Nations is able to put, at the disposal of States concerned, the Offices of the Secretary-General to act as an impartial third party. In localized conflicts, the United Nations can provide non-partisan, on-site military assistance to observe adherence to ceasefire agreements or to act as a buffer between belligerents. Today UN agencies care for and protect refugees, combat illiteracy, and respond to natural disasters. They have helped to wipe out many diseases and to expand food production. Finally, in an increasingly interdependent world, UN agencies have furthered the orderly trade of materials and commodities through agreed and coordinated international arrangements.

General Assembly
The General Assembly (GA) is the first and largest body of the United Nations. All members of the UN are represented and have a voice in debate. Each member nation has one vote. The GA was created in the United Nations Charter in Chapter IV. It has the power to "discuss any question or any matters within the scope of the present charter [...]" (Article 10 of the UN Charter). The General Assemble debates issues confronted around the world and makes recommendations based upon committee resolutions concerning those issues. The General Assembly has no power to compel any Government to take any action. Its influence is exercised through the weight of its recommendations as an expression of world opinion.

Committees
The main committees correspond to the major fields of responsibility of the General Assembly (GA). Committees consider agenda items referred to them by the General Assembly and prepare recommendations by drafting resolutions for submission to the GA. All UN members have the right to be represented on each of these committees, with the exception of the Security Council, which has only fifteen members. Five of these (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States) are permanent. The other ten are elected by the Assembly for two-year terms. The five permanent members of the Security Council have veto power and can block any resolution with a "no" vote. The main committees of the Maryville College Model United Nations are as follows: Security Council, Economics and Finance, Disarmament/Terrorism, Social and Humanitarian, Environmental, and Special Political

What to Expect at the MCMUN Conference

The actual conference will last three days and will closely follow the procedures of the United Nations. The first two days will be focused on committee sessions. Delegates will debate the resolutions and will decide which ones will be passed on to the General Assembly. On the last day, all members will be present at the GA. Here, the resolutions that passed in the committees will be debated once more. Resolutions passed in GA will become official actions of the United Nations. The conference is very formal. The utmost diplomatic decorum is expected at all times. Dress is to be either Western business or formal native attire appropriate to one's country.

Conference Preparation
Just like in operations of the United Nations, the only way that the simulation can function smoothly is for everyone to work together. An integral part of our partnership is your preparation as a delegate. Each delegate should feel a sense of responsibility for the success of MCM UN. No matter how skillfully the Secretariat has set the stage and drawn up the agenda, only the delegates can insure that constructive and informed discussion of the issues concerned will take place. In order for you to be fully prepared to function as a delegate you should: Learn the general rules of procedure and how to use them in a positive manner. Rules used improperly and in a non-diplomatic fashion will only detract from your performance and the committee's. Attend all committee sessions and GA sessions and be on time. Be respectful of the rights of others. You are reminded that the committee as a branch of the UN must always remain decorum. Caucusing should be done inside committee cham bers. Act in character for your nation. This means that before the conference you should prepare by doing your research. At the conference you should act in a mature manner. Do not disgrace yourself, your school, and the nation you are representing with unbecoming behavior. In addition to the resolutions, prepare and submit a required position paper on behalf of your nation governing each of the announced agenda topics. One typed copy of each should be emailed to our office by the assigned date. Please be on time with these, they are not very difficult to prepare and we must have time to edit and copy them before the conference (for more information on preparing resolutions or position papers, read the appropriate sections found in this handbook).

The primary objective of this preparation should not only be to know what positions on major questions the country has taken, but also why it has done so. This will give the delegate the flexibility he or she needs to react within a dynamic conference situation. Please understand that these points are not meant to be a complete guide concerning preparation for your committee. These comm ittees will follow the rules of procedure laid forth by the M CM UN Secretariat. Please remember that these rules are sometimes subject to interpretation. The Secretary General has the final say in any dispute over the rules. Once the Secretary General has made a decision, there will be no farther argument ofby the decision the delegate, faculty advisor, or other party. DEBATE Debate, without a doubt, is the most important function of the UN. Through debate, each nation has a chance to express its views on international issues, to comment on the positions taken by other nations, and to propose solutions. Indeed, it is argued that the rote of the UN as a forum for international debate has contributed greatly to the easing of world tensions.
CRISIS SITUATIONS

It is important to remember that a crisis situation may occur during the simulation. This is done in an effort to demonstrate to the students how difficult it can become in the United Nations during a world crisis. Delegates are expected to act in accordance with the Secretary General's requirements concerning the crisis situation. Neither delegates nor countries are allowed to create their own crisis situation. Delegates, for example, cannot come in from a caucus with "breaking news" that a country has declared war.

Guidelines for Writing Resolutions and Position Papers

This year the Maryville College Model United Nations Staff has decided to impose some regulations concerning the writing of resolutions and position papers. The regulations are as follows: -We will not accept faxed resolutions or position papers. They must be emailed or sent ! through the mail on a CD in Microsoft Word format. Email is preferred. -The standard font for resolutions and position papers will be Times New Roman 12 pt, and they should be single spaced. Resolutions and position papers that do not meet these criteria will not be accepted.

Guide to Writing Resolutions

Unlike a national legislative body, the United Nations passes resolutions that are non-binding. Instead of serving to bind the actions of member states, the resolutions express opinion and make recommendations for preferred actions. UN resolutions are always divided into three sections: the heading, the preamble clauses, and the operative clauses. Heading The heading for all resolutions should read as follows: Committee: Subject: Sponsored By: (Organ where the topic is introduced) (Topic of resolution) (List of sponsoring nations)

The list of sponsors is the list of those that actually authored the resolutions, not those that are signatories. Signatories are not necessarily in support of the resolution; they simply agree to put it on the floor for discussion. Sample Heading: Committee: Security Council Subject: Enforcement of Member State Payments Sponsored by: The Russian Federation Preambulatory Clauses The purpose of preambulatory clauses is to outline the history of the problem, to show that the topic falls within the jurisdiction of the committee, and to show the need for the United Nations to achieve a solution. Pointing out appropriate sections of the UN Charter, citing precedents of action, citing previous resolutions or UN citing international law are also proper uses. Preambulatory clauses must always

begin with passive verbs and are always followed by a comma.

Sample Preambulatory Clauses: Affirming Alarmed Having considered Aware of Believing Bearing in mind Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Taking not Noting Further Operative Clauses The active parts of the resolution are the operative clauses. This section makes recommendations, urges actions, condemns situations, and encourages actions. Each clause calls for a specific action. It is important to remember, however, that only the Security Council passes binding resolutions. Operative clauses should begin with an active, present tense verb and be followed by a semicolon, with a period at the end of the last clause. Sample operative clauses: Draws attention Accepts Affirms Designates Approves Emphasizes Authorizes Encourages Calls Notes Calls upon Expresses its hope Endorses Further invites Confirms Further proclaims Considers Further recommends Declares accordingly Further reminds Further requests Further resolves Have resolved Supports Reaffirms Recommends Reminds Regrets Requests Resolves Solemnly affirms Condemns Proclaims Takes note of Urges Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Observing Emphasizing Expecting Having examined Having studied FulfillingFully aware Fully alarmed Fully Believing Further Deploring Further recalling Welcoming Seeking Guided by Having adopted Having further considered Realizing Having devoted attention Recalling Recognizing Having heard Having received Keeping in mind Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Noting with deep concern Desiring Referring

Amendments An amendment is a clarification in a resolution that incorporates additional interest after a resolution has been formally introduced. Keep in mind that prior to the formal introduction of a resolution changes can be made at will. In this stage, the resolution is called a working paper. A resolution is usually drafted from one or more working papers. Once the resolution has been introduced, if members wish to change the resolution without the consent of the sponsoring parties this is considered an amendment and must be submitted in accordance with the rules of procedure. Please consult your director if you have any questions. In the even that the sponsors of the resolution wish to modify the resolution or withdraw it, they may do so immediately without a vote. A resolution will only be withdrawn from the floor if all sponsors withdraw. Signatories may not withdraw from a resolution.

Guide to Writing Position Papers

The position paper is a concise statement of your country's position on the topics being discussed in the committees. These papers will be on file for any delegate to see at any time during the conference. The position paper should be in-depth enough so that any person can read it and know how your country stands on an issue. Papers should be no more than one page long and should be single-spaced. About one paragraph should be devoted to each topic. The positions should be similar to the resolutions but in an easier-to-read format. During the conference, the Chair of each committee will have copies of each delegates resolutions and position papers.

Sample Position Paper

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland I. Rights of International Refugees The United Kingdom is fully aware of and greatly concerned by the large number of people who move been forced to leave their homelands for fear of persecution by warring factions. The U.K. also is deeply disturbed by the many reports of grievous human rights violations occurring in refugee camps. While acknowledging that these two problems cannot be ignored, the U.K. believes that host countries cannot be made fully responsible for harboring refugees. The international community must play a strong role in finding a place for refugees to stay, providing assistance while they are in camps, insuring that rights violators are punished, and devising ways to return the refugees back to their country. Because some countries are virtually unable to assist large numbers of refugees, the U.K. emphasizes that countries do have the right to set limits on the amount of help they can provide to refugees in the name of protecting their own country. Finally, the U.K. believes that an economic situation, no matter how dire, can never be considered the same thing as persecution from a powerful political entity and thus people feeling a country due to economic matters are not refugees, but immigrants. II. UN Withdrawal from Bosnia The United Kingdom is dismayed at how the situation in Bosnia has been handled by the United Nations. The UN forces were deployed with very little direction and very few goals. The UN's primary role is humanitarian in nature. The situation in Bosnia has now turned into a military police operation, and thus falls out of the "jurisdiction" of the UN. Therefore, the operations should be turned over to NATO, which has the command structure and training needed to successfully patrol the country. The U.K. strongly urges that all military aspects be turned over to the joint Implementation Force (IFOR). III. Use and Support of the RU-486 Abortion Pill The U.K. has been studying the RU-486 pill as a method of abortion for quite some time. The pill has been extensively tested in France for many years. The U.K. believes that the pill is a safe method of abortion. The U.K. does understand the objections on the grounds of ethical matters (ex: the pill makes it too easy to get an abortion) but stands by its decision that those kinds of decisions should be made by the individual. Therefore, the U.K. believes that the RU-486 abortion pill should be recognized as a safe and effective means of terminating and unwanted pregnancy.

Sample Resolution __________________________________

Committee: Security Council Subject: International Refugees Sponsored by: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and northern Ireland Noting with deep concern that there are currently over 23 million refugees world-wide, Realizing that many countries are unable to handle the huge numbers of refugees resulting from the many conflicts, Aware of the fact that there are human rights violations occurring in refugee camps. 1. Calls upon the UN to, in connection with other human rights organizations, diligently observe and report human rights violations in camps; 2._Notes that host countries must not be expected to handle the burden alone and the UN must assist those countries with their refugee situations; 3. Reaffirms that it is the sovereign right of each country to decide on whether or not to offer asylum; 4. Recommends that there needs to be an emphasis on returning the refuges to their homes and insuring their security there; 5. Confirms that the basic human right of food, shelter, medical provisions, security and a sanitary environment must be protected, 6. Resolves that the host country does have a right to keep refugees in camps, set a quota on incoming refugees and close its borders to refugees, as long as refugees are not being forced back to the place from which they are fleeing when persecution is imminent; 7. Considers that economic condition is not sufficient to achieve the title of a legitimate refugee and that those people be considered immigrants.

Rules of Procedure
Point of Order: This motion is used for procedural matters. A point of order does not legally exist unless it is accepted by the Chair. If the Chair rules that a point of order is in order, the request may then be made. All points of order are made when the floor is open for motions and not during a speaker's time. Ample opportunity will be given to question the speaker at the speaker's approval. All points of order motions are declared only after the Chair has recognized the delegate. Right of Reply: This point is used by the delegate to formally reply to any slanderous remarks directed towards the delegate or his/her nation in the course of discussion. If granted by the Chair, the delegate will be given a specified amount of time to rebut the remarks. Suspension of the Meeting: This motion is used to call for adjournment of the meeting until a designated time. All debate on the topic will be postponed until the designated time when the Assembly will reconvene. Table the Question: This motion is used to stop all debate on the topic until a certain time or indefinitely. All discussion of the topic in question will end until a specified time. The Assembly will begin discussion of the next topic on the Agenda. The topic may be brought back to the floor prior to the specified time by an affirmative vote of reconsideration. Amending: This motion is used to propose an addition, deletion, or change in a specified proposal before the Body. A simple majority must agree on accepting debate on the amendment. If so, a new list of speakers is started. All speakers on this new list must direct their comments to the proposed amendment. Voting on the amendment will take place at the exhaustion of the speaker's list or after a motion for previous question has passed. Adoption of the amendment requires a majority vote. Motion for Previous Question: This motion is used to end all substantive debate on a given item and brings that item to an immediate vote. If passed, the Assembly would move into voting procedures on the particular issues. Voting Procedure: During voting procedure, all talking, note passing, and questioning must stop. The chamber doors will be closed, and no one will be allowed to enter or leave the chamber until voting has finished. Limiting Speaker's Time: This motion is used to limit the time a delegate has to speak each time he or she is in possession of the floor. The speaker's time will be strictly followed by all committees.

Limiting Debate: This motion is used to limit the total amount of time allowed for discussion on a topic. The Chair will announce the time at which all discussion on the topic will stop. At the appointed time, the Assembly will proceed immediately into voting procedures. Motion for a Caucus: This motion is used to propose a set time for delegates in the Assembly to caucus and begin open discussion on an issue. Caucuses will take place in the committee chamber; however, delegates are allowed to leave the chamber for personal reasons. At the end of each caucus, roll will be taken by the committee secretary. If a delegate is late returning to the meeting, they will be held responsible for informing the secretary of their presence. Motion for a Moderated Caucus: This motion is used to propose a set time for delegates in the Assembly to caucus and begin open discussion on an issue. This motion differs from a motion for a caucus in that the Chair serves as the moderator and allots a set amount of speaking time (usually no more than one minute) to each delegate present in the room. Delegates shall be called upon in alphabetical order and given their time to speak; once time has elapsed, the Chair shall move to the next delegate. Delegates shall remain seated until called upon. Roll Call Motion: The purpose of this motion is to have all nations' votes given orally when their name is called alphabetically. This motion only applies to resolutions and amendments, not procedural motions. If the motion fails, it cannot be reconsidered, and voting will be done by a show of placards. Making a Resolution an Important Question: The purpose of this motion is to give the resolution more importance when it is brought before the General Assembly. To pass an important question, the resolution must have a two-thirds majority. The resolution will then be introduced to the General Assembly as an Important Question Resolution. Each committee must pass Important Question on at least two resolutions. Dividing the Question: This motion is used to separate certain operative clauses from the resolution for voting procedures. Once passed, voting will proceed on the separate clauses first. Refer to Another Committee: This motion is used to send a matter to a particular committee which will further investigate the matter. All debate on the issue or proposal will stop and the proposal will be sent to the appointed party where that party will vote on the matter. Adjourn the Meeting: The purpose of the motion is to bring all Assembly functions to an end. The Assembly ceases to meet for the duration of the conference. This motion is subject to the express approval of the Chair and/or Secretary-General.

Parliamentary Procedure for MCMUN 2008

M OTION Point of Order Right of Reply Suspend Meeting Limit Debate INTERUPT SECOND DEBATABLE AMENDABLE VOTE SPEAKER REQUIRED REQUIRED YES YES NO NO NO NO YES YES YES YES YES NO YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO NO YES CHAIR CHAIR M AJORITY M AJORITY M AJORITY TW O THIRDS TW O THIRDS M AJORITY M AJORITY M AJORITY TW O THIRDS M AJORITY

2 PRO/2 CON YES 2 PRO/2 CON YES 2 PRO/2 CON NO 2 PRO/2 CON NO 1 PRO/ 1 CON NO 2 PRO/2 CON YES 2 PRO/2 CON NO 2 PRO/2 CON NO 1 PRO/ 1 CON YES

Limit Speaker's Time NO Reconsider Previous Question Divide the Question Table the Question NO NO NO NO

Propose Amendment NO Important Question Call a Caucus NO NO

(Moderated Caucuses also follow this procedure)

Adjourn the M eeting Roll Call Vote

NO NO

YES YES YES

NO

NO

M AJORITY M AJORITY M AJORITY

1 PRO/ 1 CON NO 1 PRO/ 1 CON NO

Refer M atter to Another NO Committee

In addition to the short rules provided are the following: 1. The following motions may only be made at the end of Speaker's Time; Limit Debate Limit Speaker's Time Previous Question Table the Question Propose Amendment Refer Matter to Another Committee 2. Motion to Reconsider: may only be made on an amendment or a resolution 3. There are no abstentions from votes on procedural matters. 4. There are no rights with placard votes. 5. Friendly amendments may be made provided that: -all sponsors of the resolution agree to the amendment -the amendment is written on the transparency provided and sent to the chair - the chair will inform the body of the change upon receipt of the amendment 6. Roll call votes will be considered out of order on all procedural matters. 7. Motions cannot be made on yielded time. If you have further questions or comments about the procedure please do not hesitate to email or call.

Judges' Criteria
The following is intended to give delegates and directors a general idea of what to work on in preparation for the 2008 MCMUN conference: Appropriate behavior: poise and maturity in front of an audience of peers. Self control under pressure situations. C haracter role consistency: knowing the role and m aintaining it at all tim es. K now ledge of the subject m utter: behavior and actions that exem plify how well the delegate has prepared him herself. or Leadership: delegate leadership in the com m ittee, caucus, and G eneral Assem bly. Students will be awarded for form ulating ideas, goals, resolutions, and/or amendments. Parliam entary procedure: ability to understand and utilize the procedure to the delegate's the and the com m ittee's advantage. Public speaking ability: and intelligent articulation of opinions and facts. clear Delegation unity and coordination:ability to think independently and, at the sam e tim e, the act in a m anner thatconsistent w ith the actions of others within the same delegation. is Professionalismthe ability to exhibit quality behavior toward M CM U N authority. : Dressed in form al attire appropriate for an international conference.
AWARDS:

One Best Overall Delegate. Five Best Delegate from each committee. Best Delegation Awards - 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. JUDGES: Judging w ill consist of M aryville C ollege faculty , alu m ni and staff m em bers. T he M C M U N staff w ill serve-as the final d ecision-m ak ing b od y. Ju dg ing w ill b e based on the above criteria fo llow ing a po int scale gu idelin e. D elegates w ill earn extra consideration if their reso lutions are chosen fo r the conference.

Sample Committee Dialog

In the Security Council, the issue of Rights of International Refugees is being discussed. The United Kingdom's proposal is being considered. France, UK , and U SA are on the speaker's list. Debate has been going on for som e time... Chair:"Delegate from the UK, you are next on the speaker's list. You have the floor for twenty m inutes." France:(standing) "Thank you, Chair. Fellow delegates, we have been debating on this issue for quite some time. Ithink it is very obvious what the two sides are, and it is time to vote on the issue. The UK and US have been babbling about this, and we are getting nowhere. I believe we should give both sides the chance to voice on their conclusions and then vote on the issue. I will motion for a five minute limit to speaker's time to give them this chance." C hair"Thank you, delegate from France. You have 19 m inutes left. W ill you yield to questions?" France:"No, I will answer no questions." Chair"Do you have any motions to m ake or would you like to yield your time?" France:"I m ake a motion to limit speaker's time to 5 minutes." Chair"That motion is in order, do I hear a second?" G ermany: second that motion." "I C hair"I have a second. D o I hear any objection... Seeing no objection, speaker's tim e is lim ited to 5 minutes. U K,you now have the floor for 5 minutes." UK:"Thank you. Honorable delegates, you have heard our points many times. This docum ent is a sound and widely supported proposal that seeks to protect refugees and the host countries. W hy the US does not both the believe that countries should have autonomy is a mystery to m e... " USA:(interrupting) "Right of Reply." C hair"That motion is not in order. There were no slanderous remarks made by the delegate from UK. UK, you m ay now continue." UK:"Thank you, Chair. As I was saying, this both handles the issues and protects the host countries, which is pivotal to the m any countries that have huge problems of their own. The benefits of this proposal are obvious. I urge allmembers of the Security Council to approve this proposal." Chair:"Delegate from the UK, do you have any motions to make at this time?" UK: "I motion to move for previous question." Chair"That motion is in order, do I hear a second?" Germ any: (raises hand) Chair"Seeing a second, do I see any con?" U SA:(raises hand) Chair"Seeing a con, we will have 1 pro and 1 con speaker. Speaking pro, UK. Speaking con, U SA . UK , you havethe floor for 15 seconds." UK:"Fellow delegates, you have heard the rem arks of the United States plenty of times and I am sure that you are asconvinced as I am that they are merely repeating the same thing over and over again. W e need to get this over with and on the issue." vote Chair"Thank you, delegate from UK. Delegate from the USA, you now have the floor for 15 seconds." USA: "I find it very odd that the finds it perfectly acceptable to give its own conclusions but doesnt see it necessary to let its major competitor have their last word. Considering that there is only one speaker left on the list, itseems obvious that the UK does not want to save time, but wants to shut out the major dissenting view." Chair"W e will now vote on whether or not to move to previous question. All those in favor?" (counts votes) "All opposed?... By a vote of 9-6, that m otion fails, we will not m ove to previous question. USA, you now have the floorfor 5 minutes." USA: "Before we vote on this proposal, I want to remind the delegates that this proposal effectively sets countries free to dismiss refugees for whatever reason. W e must all work together to handle this situation. By allowing states to shirk their duties, we are only making the problem worse. This proposal has been written by a country who does not want to help neighboring countries. This proposal goes against the ideal of an international community. This proposal supportsold ideals of isolationism . This is a flawed docum ent the ..."