SPCC Model United Nations

Delegate Handbook

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Dear Delegates, It is with greatest pleasure that we welcome you to the first event presented by SPCC’s newest club – the third session of SPCCMUN. As youngsters, we may feel powerless to make an impact, yet awareness is the first step in making a positive difference to the world. In the 21st century, we are burdened by countless issues: threats to international security, food crises, human rights atrocities…these are only a few of the many. What Model United Nations aims to achieve is to supply us, the younger generation, with knowledge of international affairs and politics, such that the compromises and solutions we come to now can hopefully be stepping-stones towards a greater solution for the issues we face. It may seem daunting to stand in front of a group of people, with each one looking closely at your every speech, every amendment, hoping to find a loophole to attack you on. Yet it is through constant questioning that we can hope to find a solution to the plethora of problems that we face. With this in mind, we urge you to participate to the best of your ability and engage fully in all discussions. Whether you are a novice to MUN or a seasoned delegate with awards under your belt, there is always something to be learnt from every discussion. We wish you all the best of luck and we hope you enjoy the product of the time and effort that we have put into planning! 5G Victoria Kwok 5G Agnes Yip Secretary-Generals SPCC Model United Nations

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BEFORE THE CONFERENCE.

RESEARCH Research the issue

1. Read the chair report! Chairs have spent many hours doing your homework for you, so don’t waste their effort :) Chair reports will contain an outline on the issue and suggested topics for discussion.

2. Read relevant UN documents: the chair report will give you a list of past resolutions / actions by the UN, so make sure you look into that to see what the committee should discuss on the basis of.

3. Do not cite Wikipedia, but it offers great summary of issues. The footnotes may have good sources as well.

Research your country

1. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your country’s socio-economic conditions, politics etc.

2. “CIA The World Factbook” or Wikipedia (do not cite it though!) are excellent sources to understand more about your assigned country.

3. Extended research on your country’s stance relating to the issue is necessary. Google keywords to find any official statements or actions made by your country’s government. Also, make sure you know the current situation and what your country has done. (You will be able to find these by searching keywords in the News section)

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WRITING POSITION PAPERS Position papers – what are they for?

1. Usually submitted prior to the conference, then compiled and sent to all delegates 2. Used to clarify a country’ stance, such that other countries can have a clearer idea of

who her allies / enemies are and form coalitions and blocs accordingly Position papers – what to include?

1. Heading: a. Committee b. Topic c. Country

2. Country’s background and situation in relation to the issue at hand 3. How the issue affects your country (can cite facts and figures) 4. Your country’s policies with respect to the issue (and justifications, if necessary) 5. Past actions taken by your country (and justifications, if necessary) 6. UN Conventions and resolutions that the country has ratified or sponsored 7. What the country hopes to achieve in the short term / long term 8. Specific calls for action (not just “urges nations to cooperate”!)

Position papers – tips!

1. The position paper need not be long (no more than one page, as a rule of thumb) 2. Position papers, like essays, should be divided into paragraphs by logical flow

(because no one wants to read one big chunk of information…) 3. Read up on your country’s information: population, economic situation, political

situation, cultural practices, international position and relations beforehand 4. Feel free to make it look realistic by using the country’s seal 5. Never use “I” – refer to yourself as “this delegation” or simply by the name of your

country 6. Position papers make good foundations for your opening speech 7. Please refer to Appendix I for a sample position paper

RESOLUTIONS Resolution writing – what are resolutions?

1. A draft resolution is a very important document that you will be debating most of the time in the committee.

2. They summarise the factors considered and actions that the UN hopes to take. 3. All resolutions you submit are drafts until passed by the committee. 4. If resolutions are adopted, countries in the committee will be asked to carry out the

agreed actions (but the UN cannot force them to do so, because UN resolutions are non-binding, except Security Council resolutions).

Resolution writing – how to write a resolution?

1. A resolution is expressed in the form of an extended sentence. There is one full stop at the end of the resolution.

2. They contain two parts – the preamble and operative clauses.

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3. The preamble outlines the beliefs and factors considered. 4. Operative clauses outline the actions that the committee will take. 5. Each resolution has one main author and other sponsors (i.e. supporters). 6. When thinking about operative clauses, think about how the problem can be solved by

asking for cooperation from different countries or actions by individual governments. Examples include but are not limited to legislation, setting up monitoring committees, providing resources to less-developed countries… etc.

7. Heading: a. Committee: ___________ b. Topic: __________ c. Author: __________ d. Signatories: __________

8. Preambulatory clauses are not numbered and end with a comma. 9. Operative clauses end with a semicolon, except the last clause which concludes the

resolution and ends with a full stop. 10. Each operative clause may contain a number of sub-clauses numbered with a), b), c)

and then i), ii), iii).. 11. Don’t worry too much about the format, just make sure you include the main points

that you want to discuss! 12. See Appendix II for a sample draft resolution and Appendix III for a list of useful

action words when writing operative clauses. Resolution writing – how to submit resolutions?

1. If you are writing a resolution, send it to the chair before the conference. You need the support of THREE other delegates before you can submit it.

2. The chair may ask you to combine/merge draft resolutions if they are too similar, so make sure yours is concrete, specific and relevant.

Resolution writing – how to cooperate and who should I ask?

1. You need support from other delegates (at least THREE sponsors) before you can submit a resolution, so it’s important to contact other delegates with similar stances and lobby for their support.

2. Talk to other delegates, ask what country they’re from and ask for their contact details. Then, you can communicate online / via phone afterwards to discuss details of cooperation.

3. Generally, google your country’s foreign relations / look at the country fact sheet that your mentor has given you, to see what countries your country is ‘friends’ with and who your likely partners for cooperation are.

4. Cooperation can be difficult sometimes, as countries all have different interests, so try to find a common ground and include terms that will benefit, or at least have no negative effect, on the delegates that you are cooperating with.

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DURING THE CONFERENCE. Communication

1. English is the official language for SPCC MUN (as well as many others MUNs and, indeed, the UN!)

2. If you want to communicate with other delegates, you can either a. Speak in hushed tones (so as not to disturb the ongoing debate). b. Write a note, fold it in half, only showing your country name and your

recipient’s country name on top (you won’t want to expose your national secrets!) and give it to the helpers who will be standing by.

c. Use skype/facebook (for ‘educational purposes’!) 3. If you wish to communicate with the chair, either message her/skype her or simply

pass a note. Roll call

1. At the start of each committee session, the chair will take roll call. 2. The chair will say the name of your country in alphabetical order. 3. Make sure you raise your placard high and say ‘Present!’ 4. If your chair doesn’t notice you, you may not be allowed to vote. 5. Don’t be late!! Your speaking and voting rights may be taken away until the next roll

call. Introduction of resolutions

1. After the chair has approved your resolution, you may introduce it for debate when you see fit: “Motion to introduce draft resolution”

2. Resolutions may be introduced either at the start or after a few opening speeches. 3. The committee will VOTE whether or not to debate the resolution. The motion to

introduce a draft resolution, like all procedural matters, requires a simple majority to pass. *Note that voting “FOR” in motion to introduce does not mean agreeing with the content of the resolution.

4. The author will come up and read the clauses of the resolution. 5. It will be displayed on the screen but make sure you have a hard/soft copy to mark on. 6. If time allows, Points of Information (POIs) can be raised to clarify certain wording or

expressions in the resolution. However, POIs are not meant for serious debate, just to help everyone understand the resolution better so we can have a more fruitful debate.

Speeches

1. There are different occasions to speak and debate resolutions in SPCCMUN – the general speakers list (GSL), moderated caucuses and unmoderated caucuses.

2. With the short time between speeches, it will be difficult to write out full speeches and we don’t recommend reading from a script, instead – write bullet points of the main points you hope to cover.

3. Don’t worry too much if you can’t fill up the time, that’s OK too! Just make sure you say your main points, express your country’s stance and simply try your best ;)

4. Time left behind may be a) yielded to questions; b) yielded to comments; or c) yielded to the chair.

5. Even though MUN takes place in the form of a debate, you don’t have to be too aggressive. Just voice out your views firmly and calmly. Remember – we are looking for cooperation in solving international problems here!

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Moderated caucuses 1. Timed speeches addressing the entire committee under the chair’s supervision. 2. Delegates can motion to start a moderated caucus. This request will be

approved/rejected by the chair and then put to a vote. Like all procedural matters, it requires a simple majority to pass.

3. When motioning to start a moderated caucus, delegates / the chair must specify the topic, speaking time (e.g. 10 mins) and the number of speakers that will be entertained e.g. 10 speakers with 1 minute of speaking time each.

4. The “Speakers List”, containing the order of delegates who are going to speak, will be displayed on the screen throughout the debate.

5. At regular intervals, the chair will ask if any delegates wish to add their names onto the speakers list. At that point, raise your placard to let the chair know and then prepare to speak!

6. At the end of one moderated caucus (i.e. when all the speaker quota has been filled), you can either ask your chair to extend the moderated caucus for __ mins and entertain __ more speakers OR start another moderated caucus on a different topic.

Moderated caucuses – what should I say?

1. Each moderated caucus will be centred on a specific topic. This must be specified by the delegate before starting the moderated caucus.

2. Speeches also have fixed duration, from 30s to 1minute or even more. 3. It will be difficult to write out full speeches and we don’t recommend reading from a

script, instead – write bullet points of the main points you hope to cover. Feel free to ask your mentors, who will be sitting next to you, to give you pointers on what to address or how to express your stance.

4. Even though MUN takes place in the form of a debate, you don’t have to be too aggressive. Just voice out your views firmly and calmly! Remember – we are looking for cooperation in solving international problems here!

Unmoderated caucuses – what are they and what for?

1. Despite what some people may tell you, unmoderated caucuses are not just breaks! 2. Feel free to go to the washroom if you need to, but also make sure that you mingle

with other delegates, lobby for support and work on writing (and obtaining signatories for) amendments.

3. The GSL will be suspended until after the unmoderated caucus is over. 4. Just like starting a moderated caucus, you need to motion to introduce a moderated

caucus. This will be approved/rejected by the chair and then put to a vote. A simple majority is required to pass this motion.

5. In SPCCMUN, time is of the essence and the chair reserves the right to reject unmoderated caucuses that are over 5 minutes long. Try not to introduce one if it is not critically necessary.

Lobbying / diplomacy – what is it for?

1. Ask any Model UN participant, and they will tell you the important of lobbying, diplomatic skills and compromise.

2. In MUN (as well as in the actual UN, of course), delegates need to put aside their differences and cooperate to solve global issues.

3. Since every country has their own national interest and each delegate has a unique viewpoint, you must persuasively convince other people to agree with your viewpoint and sponsor your draft resolution / amendment!

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4. That’s why lobbying / diplomacy is so important – your mentor will give you further tips, but in a nutshell, show that you are understanding but also firm on your viewpoint.

5. Try to come up with draft resolutions / amendments that will let more people benefit – that way, you can receive more support!

6. Sometimes the committee will separate into two blocs, with roughly half of the delegates supporting one side, and the other half supporting the other side. In such cases, it may be difficult to come to a compromise, but try to figure out clauses that most delegates will agree with.

Amendments – what are they?

1. Amendments are made to alter parts of a draft resolution to fit a country’s stance. 2. For example, if one clause in the draft resolution goes against your country’s national

law or if your country refuses to implement a certain plan, then that’s the time to raise an amendment!

3. Amendments may add (“insert”), delete (“strike out”) or change (“modify”) clauses in the draft resolution.

4. There are two different types of amendments – friendly and unfriendly. a. Friendly amendments are submitted or approved by the main author and

sponsors of the draft resolution. They don’t need voting and are approved automatically.

b. Unfriendly amendments are not submitted or approved by the main author or sponsors of the draft resolution.

i. They need at least TWO signatories before they can be submitted to the chair and considered for debate.

ii. They need to be voted on (and have majority vote!) before they take effect

5. Please refer to Appendix IV for a sample amendment. Amendments - how do I raise them?

1. Unlike draft resolutions, both the writing and submission of amendments takes place during the conference

2. You can write amendments during the session (while communicating with other delegates via note-passing if necessary)

3. You might find it more convenient to write them during unmoderated caucuses since you need to obtain at least TWO signatories for the amendment to be submitted for the chair and considered for debate, so make sure you get enough support ;)

4. You may submit it to the chair either via note-passing, email or USB. 5. If the amendment is approved by the chair, you may motion to introduce the

amendment. This request will most likely be approved by the chair, and will be put to a vote. It requires a simple majority to pass. *Note that voting FOR does not mean agreeing with the content of the resolution, though if you do not wish that an amendment passes, it is better not to allow it to be debated.

Amendments – debating and voting

1. After the chair introduces your amendment, there will be an equal number of speeches FOR and AGAINST (at most 3)

a. i.e. if there are two speeches FOR the amendment, there must be two speakers speaking AGAINST the amendment.

2. The chair or delegates may also open a moderated caucus to discuss the amendment.

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3. After speeches for and against and / or discussion in a moderated caucus, the committee will proceed to voting at the discretion of the chair.

4. Amendments need a simple majority to pass.

Draft resolutions – voting 1. After considerable rounds of debates (more realistically, when the allotted session is

about to end), the chair will call for voting on the draft resolution. 2. In voting, you have 3 options – FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN. 3. When the chair calls the name of your country, say either “for”, “against” or

“abstain”. 4. Just like amendments, resolutions need a simple majority to pass (i.e. if there are 20

delegates in total, there must be 11 votes FOR in order to pass the amendment; 10 votes is not enough!)

5. Don’t be too upset if your resolution is not passed! – the point of Model UN is the discussion process and the skills learnt; of course, the friends you make are very valuable as well ;)

Special notes on… Point of personal privilege

1. If you have any personal concerns, for example when the air con is too cold or when you need to leave, just let the chair know!

2. Just say “point of personal privilege” and state your point e.g. “may I be excused?” or “can you please turn the air con down?” etc.

3. Chairs are very friendly and will usually grant your request. Right of reply

1. You may request the right of reply by standing up during another delegate’s speech IF you feel that you / your country have been insulted.

2. Granting or rejecting the right of reply is at the discretion of the chair. 3. If granted, you will be allowed 30s to state your response.

Point of parliamentary inquiry

1. Feel free to raise a “point of parliamentary inquiry” if you are unsure of MUN procedure at any point in the conference.

Point of order

1. If you believe that the chair has made a mistake in procedure, you may raise a “point of order” to clarify or ask the chair to amend her instructions.

Motion to divide the question

1. Motion to divide the question means that instead of voting on an entire resolution, the committee will vote clause by clause. Each clause requires a simple majority to pass and only the passed clauses will appear in the final resolution.

2. The motion may be debated be fore being put to a vote. Up to 2 speeches for and against can be entertained.

3. The motion requires a simple majority to pass.

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The list below shows the number of votes necessary for each motion:

Motion/Point Debatable Votes Required?

Can interrupt Speaker?

Point of personal privilege No No Yes Point of order No No Yes

Right of reply (*At the discretion of Chair) No No No (Stand up immediately)

Point of parliamentary inquiry No No No

Motion to open the General Speaker’s List No Simple majority

No

Motion to adjourn meeting No Simple majority

No

Motion for unmoderated caucus No Simple majority

No

Motion for moderated caucus No Simple majority

No

Motion to close debate / the speakers’ list on the topic area under discussion

Yes (2 against, if any)

Simple majority No

Motion to close debate / the speakers’ list on a resolution

Yes (2 against, if any)

Simple majority No

Motion to divide the question Yes (2 for, 2 against)

Simple majority No

Motion to vote by roll call No Simple majority No

Motion to introduce a draft resolution No Simple majority No

Motion to introduce an amendment No Simple majority No

*Note that a simple majority means 1 more than half of the total number of voting delegations. E.g. if there are 20 voting delegates, it would require 10+1 = 11 votes FOR to pass. 10 votes FOR would not be sufficient. *All delegates are REQUIRED to vote on procedural matters e.g. passing a motion for caucus / to introduce a resolution etc. No abstentions are allowed.

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Flow of debate:

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Appendix I: Sample position paper FORUM: Security Council TOPIC: The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo COUNTRY: The Lebanese Republic The Lebanese Republic calls for urgent cooperative action in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to make possible free and fair elections and the long-term restoration of peace and stability in Congo. Lebanon suggests reevaluation and specifying the mission’s mandate in this regard. The regional instability and the subsequent menace to civilians is an issue of concern to the Lebanese nation. The approximately 250,000 Lebanese nationals in Congo, equally divided between Muslims and Christians, form one of the most dynamic Lebanese communities in Africa. In line with resolution 1649 (2005), the Lebanese Republic strongly expresses its support for the for the process of the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed in 2002. After the historic first independent elections after Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the Republic insists on the importance of the upcoming elections as the foundation for the longer-term restoration of peace and stability, national reconciliation and establishment of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If electoral manipulation cannot be avoided by the Congolese government in cooperation with MONUC, a relapse into mass violence is a real possibility. Therefore, Lebanon will support any resolution which aims to strengthen the mandate of MONUC with the objective of ensuring free and fair elections. Lebanon supports the idea to increase personnel and material to the UN mission. The Republic thus urges the Great Powers to use their capacities and to give the mission the necessary means to fulfill with its mandate under chapter VII. We believe that the mandate under chapter VII already allows MONUC to use force against spoilers as the threat to the civilian population has been qualified “a threat to international peace and security”. We therefore consider that MONUC has a sufficient mandate concerning the use of force. Lebanon recognizes that MONUC needs greater access to intelligence gathered by permanent members of the SC. The Lebanese nation calls on the developed member states to increase funds to establish a single, co-located team dedicated to managing information, as suggested in the Brahimi Report. Lebanon calls upon all involved actors to share intelligence and to better coordinate their efforts in the fields, such as increasing the cooperation between MONUC and the IEMF.

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Appendix II: Sample resolution FORUM: GENERAL ASSEMBLY (in our case – “committee”) TOPIC: Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula SUBMITTED BY: _____________ The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 55/11 of 31 October 2000, in which it welcomed and supported the inter-Korean summit and the joint declaration adopted on 15 June 2000 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations regarding the maintenance of international peace and security, Convinced that inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation are essential for consolidating peace and security on the Korean peninsula and also contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond, inconformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter, Recognizing that the summit held in Pyongyang from 2 to 4 October 2007 between the two leaders and their Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity represent a major milestone in improving inter-Korean relations, Recalling the statements welcoming the inter-Korean summit made on 1 October 2007 by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, and recalling also the statement welcoming the adoption of the Declaration made on 4 October 2007 by the Secretary-General,

1. Welcomes and supports the inter-Korean summit held from 2 to 4 October 2007 and the Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity adopted on 4 October 2007 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea;

2. Encourages the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to implement the Declaration fully and in good faith, thereby consolidating peace on the Korean peninsula and laying a solid foundation for peaceful reunification;

3. Invites Member States to continue to support and assist, as appropriate, the process

of inter-Korean dialogue, reconciliation and reunification so that it may contribute to peace and security not only on the Korean peninsula but also in north-east Asia and the world as a whole.

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Appendix III: Useful phrases for resolutions This is hardly an extensive list, but it should cover most of the basic terminology used in the United Nations resolutions. Preamble – Pre-ambulatory Phrases Acknowledging Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Believing Bearing in mind Confident that Contemplating Convinced Concerned Condemning*

Conscious Convinced Declaring Disturbed Expressing its (dis)satisfaction in Expressing its appreciation for Fully aware of Having considered Having devoted attention to

Having examined Having heard Mindful of Noting with approval/regret/concern Recalling Recognising Referring to Regretting Reiterating Deploring Desiring

Operative Clauses – Action Phrases Accepts Advocates Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls for Calls upon Condemns** Congratulates Confirms Considers Decides Declares (accordingly) Deplores Draws attention to Designates Proclaims

Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation for Expresses its hope for Expresses its (satisfaction Fulfils Adopts Receives Invites Notes with approval Notes with deep concern Notes with regret Notes with satisfaction Observes

Realises Reaffirms Recalls Recognises Recommends Refers to Regrets Reiterates Reminds Requests Seeks Supports Takes note of Trusts Urges Welcomes

Notes *Words such as “deeply”, “strongly” are often added to show emphasis **Condemnation is reserved for the Security Council only

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Appendix IV: Sample amendment COMMITTEE: __________ TOPIC: Research into the Ozone Layer Resolution: Draft Resolution 1.2 Amendment submitted by: Somalia Signatories: ______ To strike in Operative Clause 3 the words in line 24:

"all governments consider imposing"

and insert the words:

"the governments of all G7 developed nations impose"

so that the clause would read:

"Suggests that the governments of all G7 developed nations impose taxes on the production etc."