Model United Nations BookletFOR YEAR 7

Index

The Origins ........... Page 2Researching your delegation ........... Page 4

Researching the issue ......... Page 10 Position Speech ......... Page 12

Resolutions .......... Page 14Procedures and motions .......... Page 20

VSA 2011

ORIGINS OF THE UNITED NATIONSThe United Nations was created on 24 October 1945. The idea of all nations uniting together in one organization designed to settle disputes peacefully was born of the desire of nations to avoid the horrors produced by the First and Second World Wars.

PURPOSE OF THE UN

The primary purposes for which the United Nations was founded are detailed in Chapter I, Article 1 of the Charter. These are:

1. To maintain international peace and security;

2. To develop friendly relations among Nations;

3. To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems;

4. To be a center for cooperation in order to achieve common solutions.

HOW DOES THE UN SEEK TO ACHIEVE IT’S PURPOSE?

Since 1945, the United Nations has established itself as a forum for the discussion of international disputes.

The United Nations seeks, both through its principal organs and various subsidiary bodies, to solve disputes through peaceful means, without threats or use of force.

It should be understood that the United Nations is not a world government, nor does it “legislate.” Rather, the actions of the United Nations has a strong moral persuasive effect.

The Member States often find it within their own best interests to follow UN recommendations.1

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations (MUN) is a student activity that provides an educational simulation of international politics and diplomacy. As its name suggests, MUN allows students to take on a role as a given country’s diplomat within an intergovernmental body.

How do students participate in Model United Nations conferences?

Model United Nations clubs host many conferences open to university students every year.

These students are assigned as delegates and asked to represent a specific member country of the United Nations.

Representing their assigned country, the delegates are expected to research their country’s position on the issue at hand and defend their assigned country’s interests during committee session.

Vocabulary

Nation: A large group of people associated with a particular territory or space, ex. China, Canada

Dispute: A debate, argument, or difference of opinion.

Charter: A document, issued by a nation or state stating the conditions under which a group is organized, and defining its rights and privileges.

Security: something that secures or makes safe; protection; defense.

Principal: first or highest in rank, importance, value, etc.; chief; foremost.

Humanitarian, having to do with the saving of human lives or to the stop suffering

Fundamental: Most basic, of high importance

Principal organs: the main bodies or committees of the United Nations

Subsidiary bodies: a group with the purpose of helping or supplementing another

Legislate: to make or enforce laws

Resolution: a solution or plan of action in order to solve a problem

Moral: concerned with the distinction between right and wrong

Persuasive: having the power or ability to persuade; tending to persuade

Best interest: the goal or solution that is best suited to the group or body involved

Simulation: The process of acting out or pretending of a real situation

Diplomacy: the conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations between nations.

Delegate: Person representing his/her country as part of a delegation

Intergovernmental body: A group of people representing a country among many others

How to Help MUN Delegates Become Prepared By Uday Mehra, International School of Amsterdam

9

Available Sources: Researching a Delegation

When researching your delegation, you will find that there are many available sources to help you with research. Though it may look overwhelming to find the right information on your country, many sources provide several areas of research; such as the area of Politics, Government, Economy, Society etc. There are several sources listed below from books to websites and other possibilities for research. You may also find that whilst looking through some sources, you will find information that would help you when writing about your political stance and position (policy statement/position paper1) for your committee, or if you will serve as the ambassador2 of your delegation, it would help when writing your opening speech3.

Websites:

CIA: The World Fact Book https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

U.S Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/index.htm

United Nations Website http://www.un.org/

Permanent Mission of Country to the UN http://www.un.org/members/missions.shtml

UN System: UN Organisations http://www.unsystem.org/

Foot Notes: 1 Please refer to page 53 to learn about Policy Statements/Position Papers. 2 Please refer to page 40 to learn about the Role of an Ambassador. 3 Please refer to page 41 to learn about Opening Speeches.

The CIA World Fact Book and the U.S Department of State websites are great places to start your research on a delegation. They both provide you with an in-depth review of a country and will allow you to see accurate and frequently updated information on a country’s statistics. There will be some countries on one website that has older information, but the other website would be able to compensate that with newer information and vice versa. The CIA World Fact Book gives you simple to read facts, however, the U.S Department of State’s facts are like those of the CIA World Fact Book, but contain expanded explanation.

The UN Website serves as a portal to information on the UN and the recent events at the UN, including recent treaties passed, resolutions, organisations etc. that will help you in seeing your delegation’s involvement and influence at the UN.

The Permanent Mission of your country to the UN website, is a portal to taking you to your own country’s independent website on their mission at the UN. These web links will provide you with an overview of your country’s stance at the UN, what they are involved in and who they side with during debate and sessions.

The UN System of Organisations is a portal for taking you to each UN Organisation’s own website to give an insight into their involvement and role at the UN. This website serves a similar purpose as the Permanent Mission of your country to the UN website; however it is for Organisations rather than countries therefore, you will find their views are more objective rather than subjective.

How to Help MUN Delegates Become Prepared By Uday Mehra, International School of Amsterdam

10

Essential Atlas of the World ISBN 0789493586

World Fact Book ISSN 1553-8133

ISSN 1553-8133

Books:

Other:

Contacting your Embassy http://www.embassyworld.com

By contacting a representative of your country directly, you will be able to ask questions that you are interested and concerned, which would therefore provide you with more specific answers and policies of your country. There are two ways of finding the contact details of the country’s representative in your country of residence. You can find the representative through the website on the left (Embassy World) or by the use of a search engine and typing “E.g. Japan’s Embassy in The United Kingdom”.

The BBC offers an in-depth view of country profiles with information about different aspects of the country from their economy to their environmental action. As the BBC is a News Source, it has accurate information that is updated regularly and sections about the country in the news are highlighted under their timeline sections on countries. To the left, one can find the links to different regions of the world from where one can find the desired country’s profile.

Websites:

BBC Country Profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles

All the Countries of the World By Annelise Hobbs

ISBN-13: 978-0-7858-2072-7 ISBN-10: 0-7858-2072-8

If you are a person who would prefer to use books rather than websites to gather information, that is also a great research technique as it provides you with latest editions of a topic. There are two books provided in this research section as others would focus too specifically on one aspect of a country rather than all the aspects of a country (such as a book on the literacy rates of all the countries in the world). These two books provide a vivid insight into researching a country, as The World Fact Book is the book version of the website on the previous page (CIA World Fact Book). The Essential Atlas of the World is a very useful Atlas made by Dorling Kindersley (DK) and is published yearly. The ISSN and ISBN have been provided to for these books. Please Note: these two books can be purchased; however, many libraries offer these books to borrow.

This book is a reference encyclopaedia to all the countries of the world and includes in-depth information about countries and their political standing. For those who prefer researching countries through books rather than websites, this is an ideal resource and can be found in many libraries and good book shops.

Researching a country

Vocabulary

Bloc: Group of countries with similar characteristics or desires

Ruling party: Group of individuals or body in charge of running of the country

Affiliation: Relationship with other individuals or groups

Vocabulary

Indigenous: originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country

Landlocked: a country with no access to an open body of water

literacy rate: The percentage of individuals able to read and write

Life span: The average length of an individual’s life in a country

Indigenous Population: a group of people with local cultural traditions

Vocabulary

Allies: Countries which share friendly relations

Nuclear Power: Having the ability to attack another country with nuclear weapons

Vocabulary:

Consumption: The use of raw materials for human purposes, ex. food, wood, water

Agreement/protocol: A document outlining the behavior and procedure among a number of countries

Ratified: to give formal approval or consent to

How to research an issue

Vocabulary

Delegation: Group of individuals/diplomats representing the interests of a country

Issue: The problem

Convention: 1. a meeting of representatives or delegates, for discussion of and action on issues 2. an agreement, compact, or contract.

Status quo: The current situation that exists

Overview of the process

Now that you’ve completed your research, you can focus on the written preparation!

The SPeech

Your Speech should Try to include the following: A. Background of the Topic

• In your country's opinion, what are the main aspects of the problem?

• What actions have been previously taken?

B. Position taken by your country • What are your national interests in the situation? • What actions has your country taken?

C. Proposal and Justification•What will you propose as a solution to solve the problem? •What are your main reasons for supporting this position?

The speech is presented in the debate where each country will have the opportunity to speak to the committee.

The purpose is to present, within a limited amount of time (usually 1-2 minutes), your country’s national interests and your country’s potential solution.

WRITINGThe number one rule is not summarize or provide a history lesson. You should understand that everyone in the committee knows the background of the topic so don’t waste your time.

THE HOOKPerhaps the most important part of your speech is the HOOK. This is the first 30 seconds of the speech to pull in the audience and HOLD ON to them.

Types of hooks

• A question: A question that the asker does not expect an answer to. For example: “How much longer must our people wait for justice?" or "How many times do I have to tell you?”

Continued....

• A startling statement: tell the audience something shocking to get them engaged. For example, the story of a woman who cannot feed her children or a story about a man killed by the government.

• A quotation from someone respected: “A great man once said “.........

• A reference to the occasion: “Five years ago today on this very spot, twelve goats were stolen from the people by the government”

Examples:

“AIDS is the greatest epidemic facing the modern world today, and without combating it directly now, we risk losing the lives of many innocents. It is imperative that the UN take action immediately against this epidemic.”

Kofi Annan

“WMDs are the greatest threat to the survival of humanity and must be systematically eradicated immediately.”

Sir Thomas Boyle, head of the Center for Defense Studies

DELIVERY

• After writing your speech, you must practice it at least a few times.

• Do not read your speech! It immediately puts everyone to sleep and you begin speaking in a monotone.

• If you become nervous while speaking, don’t hold on to the podium for dear life. Learn to walk around, or make hand gestures.

• Take a deep breath, believe in what you’re talking about. If you don’t convey confidence, people will not believe in what you’re saying.

• Eye contact is svery important. Learn to make eye contact with your audience throughout your speech to keep their attention.

• Most of all, learn to enjoy public speaking. Practice often, and you’ll find it becomes easier as you go along.

Resolution Papers

In the United Nations, official documents are written, which aim to solve a specific situation. These are called Resolutions. Resolutions in the UN and in MUN are submitted by one country, which is generally main writer of the resolution. Resolutions are not written by one country, but are a combined effort between different countries

Resolutions are successful once they have got 1/3 of the committee to agree. Offering solutions that benefit both sides are usually more popular.

THE PREPARATION

a.Think of Ideas. You and the other countries you are working with, should know the aspects which the resolution you would like to have in the resolution.

b.Draft. Decide how many should write this draft together. Too many delegates will become troublesome. Too little and getting support will become difficult.

c. Finalize. Before submitting the final version of the resolution, review it with the chairs and make any final changes. Be certain that the final resolution is without any mechanical or stylistic errors and that it is well-written.

d.Signatories and Copies. As per the Rules of Procedure, you must get the required number of delegate signatures. Finally, submit the resolution to the Chair for his/her signature. At this point, the dais staff will photocopy and distribute your resolution. It is up to the delegate to formally introduce the resolution.

THE HEADING1. On the top left margin should be:

• The committee name • The topic addressed by the resolution• Co submitters

THE BODY

A. The resolution begins with The General Assembly for all GA committees

B. The Preambulatory clauses describe what the issue is. They explain what the past and current situation is and state facts about the issue. Each clause in the preamble begins with an underlined word and ends with a comma.

C. Operative Clauses are numbered and state the action to be taken by the body. The Operative clauses explain what can be done to solve an issue.

• Please note that successful operative clauses not only explains what can be done, but give possible ways on how it could be achieved.

DRAFT RESOLUTIONTopic: Peacekeeping Reform

Submitted by: United Kingdom,

Co-Submitted by: The Republic of France, the Russian Federation, The United States of America, The Federal Republic of Germany

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Recognizing the forty-nine missions that the UN has embarked upon and learning from the successes and failures of each one,

Recalling the conferences of the past, such as the Declaration on the Prevention and Removal of Disputes... (1988), that provided a framework as to how the UN has come to be able to command its Peacekeeping forces,

Agreeing for all nations to abide by the doctrines decided upon in this resolution,Wishing to see more member states willingly donate troops to the UN Peace- keeping effort;

1. Approves funding for the needed training improvements through: a. donations from willing nations and willing Non-Governmental Organizations

such as the UN General Fund and World Bank,b. utilizing the reserve fund created by resolution A/47/832, c. funneling a portion of UN funding directly toward these improvements;

2. Recommends further development of the UN standby force, a.k.a. the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), focusing specifically on the areas of:

a. getting all nations to sign on to its benevolent ideals, b. compiling data from participating nations such as:

i) movement,ii) major equipment, iii) organization,iv) level of self-sufficiency,

c. eventually utilizing this dynamic force;3. Desires to see the UN intervene with the use of force only in matters of the utmost priority.

Hea

ding

Ope

rativ

e C

laus

esPr

eam

bula

tory

Cla

uses

Aware of Believing Deeply concerned Desiring Emphasizing Expecting Fully aware Having considered Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied Noting further Observing Realizing Referring toTaking note

AcceptsApproves Asks Calls for Congratulates Decides Declares DemandsEmphasizes Encourages Hopes Notes Recommends Requests SupportsSuggests Urges

Prea

mbu

lato

ry C

laus

e St

arte

rsO

pera

tive

Cla

use

Star

ters

BAD EXAMPLES OF OPERATIVE CLAUSES

2.Asks for the Government of DPR Korea to withdraw all nuclear weapons;

Explanation: This is an unrealistic clause, and it is unclear. It asks for DPR Korea to simply withdraw their weapons, however, it doesn’t state: how they should, why they should (the consequence if they don’t, such as being sanctioned) and it doesn’t provide a time span in which they should do it.

2. Calls for the UN to collect $100,000,000 from DPR Korea for holding nuclear weapons and asks that the IMF gives one quarter of it to third world countries for development

Explanation: This clause refers to a specific amount of funding, which cannot be discussed. The clause also refers to the colloquial term “third world countries”, which is not the official address of LEDCs.

3.Suggests that the currently government of DPR Korea immediately step down from power and allow the United Nations to act as a provisional government from where, re-elections should be held within one day the current government stepping down

Explanation: This clause is unrealistic as it asks a re-election to be held after one day of the government stepping down. As it asks for the government to step down and then have the UN act as a provisional government, it also breaches the sovereignty that DPR Korea has over its country, making it a strongly disputable clause.

Provisional government: A government set up by an outside authority such as the UN in order to continue stable governance in the countrySovereignty: A countries right to govern itself without interference

4. Requests within 60 days a report from the Director General of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Authority) on whether DPR Korea has established full and sustained suspension of all activities mentioned in this resolution, as well as on the process of Korean compliance with all the steps required by the IAEA Board and with the other provisions of this resolution, to the IAEA Board of Governors and in parallel to the Security Council for its consideration;

Explanation: Although this is a very good clause, and makes use of the IAEA well, and offers incentives to the situation, which member states can agree upon, this is however, a plagiarized clause from the UN Security Council Resolution 1737. - As Plagiarism isn’t at all tolerated at MUN conferences. -

PROCEDURES & RULES

Points of......

Point of Personal Privilege:This point refers to the comfort and wellbeing of a delegate. It cannot refer to the content of a speaker’s statement. It is not a point that is debatable and doesn’t require any other delegate to second it

“Point of Personal Privilege! Could the Air Conditioning be turned on, as it is a bit warm in here?”

It can refer to scheduling and the committee’s agenda

“Point of Information to the chair! What time is lunch?”

Point of Information to the Speaker:Remember, when you ask your Point of Information, remain standing as a mark of respect. It is a question directed to the delegate who has the floor about their delegation’s views or about the speech.

It is a question to the speaker, not a comment! If you want to get some information on the topic across to the house, you can do so by structuring it as a question

“Is the delegate aware that...” or “Does the delegate agree that...”

Do not ask another question to the delegate unless the chair has allowed you to (request of follow up) as there is no direct dialogue between delegates

“Does the delegate feel that the Six-Party Talks would be able to enforce the ideas in this resolution to DPR Korea?”

A Point of information can be a question or clarification on the issue being debated

“Point of Information to the chair! Could the chair explain when the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was signed?”

Right of Reply:A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment, invoked when a delegate feels personally insulted by another's speech. Generally requires a written note to the Chair to be invoked.

Motions To...

At MUN Conferences, there are several types of Motions. Below, you can read about them and see their purpose.

Motion to close debate:This motion was known as “the motion to move to voting procedure”

This motion means that when discussing something in debate it will be moved into voting procedures. It may not interrupt the speaker. This motion can be moved by either a chair or delegate, but requires a “second”

Even if there are objections, it is up to the chair’s discretion to entertain the motion or not The chair can overrule the motion if there is a lot of time left for the resolution and more debate can be created in the house

Motion to Adjourn the Debate:This motion calls for the temporary stopping of debate. It may not interrupt the speaker. The caller of the motion will need to make a short speech on why debate should be adjourned. This is often useful when delegates want to break into informal debate to gain support for an amendment.

This motion is voted on and a simple majority is required for the motion to pass Should the motion fail, debate will continue as normal.

Objection to the Main Motion:This motion is an objection to the debate The delegate that proposes this motion must make a short speech on why they have proposed it It will be voted on, and a two third majority is required for it to pass It is strongly discouraged as it is destructive for the house This motion is normally proposed if it is a topic that would result in a breech of national sovereignty

Motion to Extend Debate Time:This will be at the chair’s discretion and is not a debatable motion It may not interrupt the speaker Another delegate needs to “second” this motion It might not be entertained due to time constraints or if other events have been planned for the committee.

Motion to open and close the speakers listIf a delegate wishes to open or close the speakers list order to begin the speeches or to add or remove a speaker from the list. It may not interrupt the speaker. A two thirds majority is required for this motion to pass.

Motion to introduce a resolutionIn order for a draft resolution to be debated in the caucus, it must be first brought to the floor by a motion. It may not interrupt the speaker.

Motion to amend a resolutionIn order to open debate on the possible amendment of a resolution, The delegate proposes the motion and makes a short speech on why they have proposed it. It will then be voted on and and a two third majority is required for it to pass. It may not interrupt the speaker.

Motion for a caucus (moderated / un-moderated) In order to open a debate in any of the committees, a member must first motion for caucus. This will be at the chair’s discretion and is not a debatable motion It may not interrupt the speaker. Another delegate needs to “second” this motion.

Voting

Voting for motions:Delegates must vote on all motions, and no abstentions are allowed. A motion that requires a simple majority needs more than half of the committee members to vote ‘yes’.

A motion that requires two-thirds to pass requires exactly two-thirds of the committee members to vote ‘yes’.

Voting on resolutions: Each country will have one vote. Each vote may be a “Yes,” “No,” or “Abstain.” All matters will be voted upon using placards by default, except if a motion for a roll call vote is accepted.

A simple majority requires “Yes” votes from more than half of the members. Once any resolution has been passed, the voting procedure is closed, as only one resolution may be passed on a topic area.

Bibliography

Chen, George. "Model United Nations Handbook." Scribd. Scribd. Web. 29 May 2011. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/9717149/Model-United-Nations-Handbook>.

Divya Mansukhani. A Handbook for Establishing a National Youth Delegate Programme To The United Nations. New York: Divya Mansukhani, 2010. Print.

"Guide to Starding a Model United Nations Team." Harvard National Model United Nations. Ed. HNMUN Secretariat. 20 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Mar. 2011. <http://hnmun.org/wp-content/uploads/HNMUN-2011-Guide-to-Starting-an-MUN-Team.pdf>.

Harish, Nir. Academy Model United Nations Delegate Guide. 7th ed. Hackensack, New Jersey: Bergen County Academics, 2006. Print.

Ruggeiro, Amy. "Model UN Glossary | MUN." United Nations Association of the USA. 04 Aug. 2010. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://www.unausa.org/munglossary>.

"Worldmun-rules." WORLDMUN. Substantive Under-Secretaries-General, 17 Jan. 2011. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://worldmun.org/worldmun-rules>.

Yvonne Acosta. Global Model UN. Yvonne Acosta, 2010. Print.