IASMUN 2017
Delegate’s Guide
 Venue Address



International American School
ul. Dembego 18, 02-796, Metro Kabaty, Warszawa
tel. +48 22 649 14 40
e-mail: secretary@ias.edu.pl

POLIN: History Museum of Polish Jews

Anielewicza 6, 00-157

Warsaw Poland

tel: 22 471 03 00
 WHAT IS MUN ALL ABOUT?

A Model United Nations conference is a simulation of the real-life United Nations committees. During MUNs
students take on the role of ambassadors representing different countries and Non-Governmental Organisations
(NGO) representatives. The idea of participating in such a conference is simple - it allows one to gain insight in the
way the world functions also teaching students practical knowledge about international relations, diplomacy and
negotiations.

An MUN usually offers several different committees for delegates to choose from, including, for example, the United
Nations Security Council, the World Health Organisation or the International Court of Justice. Delegates then
discuss topics prepared by the organisers of the conference, very often tackling actual world problems. Before the
conference, students gather knowledge about their country in order to represent it’s politics accurately.

The goal of the debates is to reach a consensus which could be applied in of the real world. To gain as much as
possible from the conference, each participant is encouraged to engage actively in the debates. He should be
present on every committee session, observe the behaviour of other delegates and focus on representing his
country’s policy. The delegates learn to break away from national self-interest and develop international
cooperation. This requires engagement in discussions, which eventually leads to a resolution; which summarises
the work of each committee.

MUN is a place where young people can develop skills which are necessary in life. Aside from negotiations and

debating, conferences offer an opportunity to meet people from many different cultures gathered in one place. It

creates the possibility to learn social skills and even create long-lasting international friendship.



 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR MUN?

Preparation is a vital point if you are willing to be a professional and active delegate during Model United
Nations. Not only does it allow for the better understanding of problems, but it also helps persuade other
delegates to your presented point of view.

Before the beginning of the conference delegations are assigned to countries they will be representing.

Extensive research and thorough preparation are necessary to represent their member state in
committees. Prior to the conference, each delegate is required to prepare several documents (opening
speech, position paper, draft resolution) that will be presented on the session. The delegate is advised to
prepare a lobbying strategy, outlining key arguments for his solution.

Due to this, it is crucial to investigate the policy of the represented country as much as possible, taking into
account its history, geography, culture, policy, economy, current problems, particularly in the context of the
debated issue. The diversity of information sources is greatly desired. It is recommended to start with the
website of the UN (www.un.org) where delegates can learn how the UN works and find useful information
concerning their subject. Apart from the Internet and traditional sources such as books and newspapers,
the embassy of the represented country is mostly very supportive as well.

Moreover, the chairs of each committee prepare STUDY GUIDES relating to the topic of debate.



 THE SECRETARIAT

The Secretary-General (SG) - SHIKHA GIANCHANDANI

The highest official during the IAS Model United Nations. He is responsible for making sure that the conference runs in
accordance with the agenda and that the formal (as well as some informal) rules are being exerted. He announces the
opening and the closing of the conference. The Secretary-General is also a final arbiter and decision-maker during the
MUN, concerning form and substance of the debates as well as the technical and logistical issues. He holds a power to
issue the valid and effectual interpretations of the rules of procedure. In case of any uncertainties which may occur during
the debates, the Chairs have a right to ask the Secretary-General for announcing the final solution. The Secretary’s
decisions are of utmost importance and therefore can suspend the Chairs decisions.

The Deputy Secretary-General (Deputy SG) - JAN KWASNIAK

The Secretary-General has a right to nominate at least one deputy, which will act on behalf of the Secretary. Deputy or the
deputies are representing the highest authority of the Secretary-General and therefore are entitled to execute his reserved
powers. Secretary-General can divide the responsibilities between larger numbers of deputies.

The Chairs and The Deputy Chairs


The Chairs and their respective alternate chairpersons are the leaders of the committees. Their duty is to organise and
preside over the debates. However, they are not members of any of the committees and therefore they have no right to
express their opinions about the topic of the discussion. Their responsibility is to run the sessions in accordance with the
rules of procedure and thus they are entitled to answer all the delegates’ questions concerning formal issues. The Chairs
decision, in reference to the delegations, is always final. When the Chair is not present in the house or he/she is not able
to preside over the session, he/she may grant the Deputy Chair an authorisation to conduct the meeting of the committee.
In case of such situation, the Deputy Chair possesses all powers assigned to the Chair’s post. Please note, that in some
committees it is also allowed to address the Chair as “The President”. This refers to the special committees called
“councils”, which are the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.
The President of the General Assembly - BHAWESH VASNANI

This official presides over the sessions of the General Assembly, which is the forum of all delegates from all the
committees. The GA meeting is held during the last day of conference, after committees have agreed on the
final resolutions’ propositions and they are now intended to be discussed and voted by all the Member States
representatives. The President acts similarly to the Chair, being the person who bears the responsibility of
upholding the formal rules during session, granting the speakers the floor and conducting the voting
procedures. In extraordinary situations or when the President is not able to run the GA meeting, the house can
debate under the Secretary-General or authorised Deputy Secretary-General.

The Pages

Perhaps being the most important part of the staff, the Pages are responsible for carrying the documents for
the delegates as well as passing the formal information between the delegates during their debates. They work
extensively to provide the participants with sufficient circumstances to actively and successfully represent their
countries. The Main Page is an official leader of the Pages Staff.



 Position Paper

A position paper is a document written by delegates before the conference. At IASMUN it DOES NOT take the role of the
opening speech. It is a document that briefly but comprehensively defines the issue and clearly explains the policies as well
as national interests of a given Member State concerning a particular topic. It may prove to be useful during the informal
lobbying process in which you are going to look for co-submitters in merging resolutions. The position paper is also the
basis of the resolution every delegate needs to write beforehand. It shows the country’s policy and will be the ULTIMATE
INDICATOR OF LOBBYING SUCCESS. You will be able to read other delegate’s position papers before the conference on
the IASMUN website of your committee. Please analyse the most influential countries positions in order to prepare for the
debate.

Please note that you may not insult other members of the United Nations or present your own delegation in an unworldly
fashion.

To sum up, a position paper consists of four components:

• a short summary of recent international action related to the question;

• reference to key documents relating to the issue;

• a general statement of the country’s policy on the issue;

Specific suggestions for a solution to the question, which may provide ideas for the operative clauses the resolution.

You have been provided with an example of a position paper on a next page. Please remember, that any form of plagiarism
is forbidden.



 


Sample Position paper 


Delegation: Japan

Commission: Disarmament

The Question of Space Arms Proliferation

Honourable Chairs, Distinguished Delegates,

Japan continues to be a leader in the development of peaceful space technology. Since 1970, when the first successful
launch of a satellite from Japan was achieved, applications in communication, broadcasting, meteorology, and earth
observation followed in rapid progression. Japan has worked to co-operate with the United States, Western Europe and
Canada in the construction of an earth-orbiting space station. The government of Japan believes that space technology
development is critical for the nation’s future, so it is encouraging active participation in this industry by Japanese firms.
Because of its international approach to peace and security Japan strongly supports the Outer Space Treaty. Preventing
the deployment, placing, or testing of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space must be accepted
as a fundamental principle of this new frontier.

The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty (SALT 1) also set a precedent in establishing protection from attack from a country’s
orbiting satellites. This convention should be extended as a matter of international law. The government of Japan
commends the Advisory Committee and the Preparatory Committee in preparing the draft report of UNISPACE III, the
Executive Summary, and the Vienna Declaration eight months in advance. However, Japan is concerned at the cleavages
that have been accentuated between Western space powers and the non-space states. Japan emphasises the continued
practical benefits to life on earth of the diverse spin-offs of space technology.

The delegation of Japan is certain that the debates in our committee are going to be stimulating and will provide new
solutions to this problem.

(The delegate is open to points of information) / (The delegate yields the floor back to the Chair.)
 MOST IMPORTANT PHRASES:

1) GENERAL SPEAKERS LIST - the list of speakers, who are to continue the discussion, the basic medium of
conducting the debate. The order of countries is determined by the chair upon each delegate’s notification. It
starts with an opening speech of one country and an arranged order of speakers follows. After each caucus the
debate is moved to the general speakers list.

2) MODERATED CAUCUS - a form of debate that needs to be motioned for by the delegate after the chair asks
“Are there any motions on the floor?”. The motion needs to include:

a topic of the caucus (e.g. “The controversies surrounding Internet censorship”)


total time of the discussion (preferably 5-15 minutes)

suggested time of one speech (usually from 45 seconds to 2 minutes)

3) UNMODERATED CAUCUS - a form of discussion not moderated by the chairs, usually used for informal
lobbying and writing draft resolutions. Needs to be motioned for by the delegate and lasts for a specific time
(usually 10-30 minutes).

4) RIGHT TO REPLY - used when a delegate feels offended by another delegate’s speech in order to state the
reason of feeling exasperate

5) POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE - used by the delegate to discuss the subject connected with his physical
state (e.g. heat in the room or no battery in a laptop)

6) POINT OF INQUIRY - used during moderated caucus to ask a question connected with the speech of another
delegate

During the committee debate, delegates should try to minimise the use of electronic devices.

Delegates are required to be dressed accordingly (Western Business Attire). National costumes are also allowed.



 SPEAKING RULES

When giving speech at the floor of the General Assembly or committee, the delegates are

to obey certain rules:

• A speech must always begin with a formal phrase: "Thank you Mr.../ Madame/Honourable Chair/President..."
or “Distinguished chairs, honourable delegates”

• During a speech delegates should not use “I” as they are not presenting their own opinion but the policy of their
country. Therefore, delegates must be addressed in the third person as well.

• e.g. “Honourable Ambassador of the United States of America” 


• The time allotted for a speaker is set by the Chair or President and 

can be changed during the debate.

• The speech cannot be offensive and must be always relevant to the 


issue currently discussed

• Upon finishing every speech the delegate must yield the floor to The 

Chair.

• e.g. "I yield the floor back to the President of the General Assembly" 




 RESOLUTION

The final results of debates are resolutions - written suggestions for addressing a specific problem or issue.
Resolutions, which are drafted by delegates and voted on by the committee normally require a simple majority to pass
(except in the Security Council). Only Security Council resolutions can compel nations to take action. All other UN
bodies use resolutions to make recommendations or suggestions for future action.

Draft resolutions are all resolutions that have not been voted on. Delegates write draft resolutions and during lobbying
and merging they discuss each other’s documents. There are three main parts to a resolution: the heading, the
preamble and the operative section. The heading shows the committee and topic. This first section also lists lists the
main submitter and co-submitters.

The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights
past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle e.g. (realising, recognising, fully
aware) and ends with a comma. Perambulatory clauses can include:

• References to the UN Charter; Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion

• Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body or agency;

• Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental organisations in dealing with the issue; and

• General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.

The last section of the resolution, the perambulatory clauses, identify the actions or recommendations made in the
resolution. Each operative clause begins with a verb e.g. (encourages, calls upon, condemns). Operative clauses
should be organised in a logical progression, with each containing a single idea or proposal, and are always numbered.
If a clause requires further explanation, bulleted lists set off by letters or roman numerals can also be used. After the
last operative clause, the resolution ends in a period.

Ultimately, resolutions passed by a committee represent a great deal of debate and compromise. They are the tangible
results of hours, if not days, of debate and discussion. It is important to become familiar with the resolution writing
process and practice drafting resolutions using the proper structure and wording.
 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly is a principal organ of the United Nations. Its powers are to oversee the budget of the United
Nations, appoint the non-permanent members to the Security Council, receive reports from other parts of the United
Nations and make recommendations in the form of General Assembly Resolutions. It has also established a wide
number of subsidiary organs.

In IASMUN, the General Assembly meets during a crisis or emergency situation. This is when delegates from all of
the committees gather together in delegations, which are composed of students from various schools and countries.
The delegates’ main aim is to propose a solution to the crisis situation through debate and dialogue. You can find
further information on what the crisis is and how it works in the next section of this booklet.

As was stated earlier, the President of the General Assembly chairs the GA’s sessions. He is the person in charge of
ensuring that formal protocol is followed and that proper debate procedures are followed. He is assisted by the Vice-
Presidents. In extraordinary situations, the sessions can be chaired by the Secretary General.



 CRISIS

A crisis is an unexpected event, that can happen anytime during committee and GA debates. It is usually a
confusing action, decision of a country leader or a disaster, that forces delegates to react in order to secure their
country’s position, provide humanitarian aid for a region or solve a military conflict. It is usually announced through a
news flash or an extraordinary event in the committee.

The best and most active delegates will most likely be willing to engage in discussion, eager to improvise the
speeches in order to achieve lobbying success. As a crisis intensifies, delegates should react responsibly further
escalation of the problem usually involves more drastic consequences than in topic committee debates.



 RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule 1.

The Secretary General, The President of the General Assembly, as well as the Under Secretary Generals are collectively to
be called the Secretariat.

Rule 2.

The Secretariat shall coordinate the work of the Committee sessions and the General Assembly, and perform any
administrative work or aid with the procedures in the Committees by providing the Member States with material and staff
that may be required.

Rule 3.

Any member of the Secretariat has the privilege to make an oral statement in front of a Committee at any given time.

Rule 4.

The interpretation of the Rules of Procedure is the task of the Secretary General. His decisions shall not be questioned by
any of the Member States.

Rule 5.

The Secretariat shall not receive any instructions about the procedures from external authority.

Rule 6.

The Secretary General will ensure a fluent course of action, and supervise the work of the Staff.

Rule 7.

The Legal Counsel and the legal service shall ensure that every IASMUN 2016 document is coherent with existing
legislation, and therefore shall receive every draft resolution, working paper and other document presented in the
Committees. After the review, the Legal Counsel shall advise the sponsors of the document.
Rule 8.

The Chairs are given complete authority during the Committee sessions. The Chairs shall coordinate the work in the
Committees to ensure the procedures are conducted under the rules of the RoP. Also they will direct discussions,
guide and aid the delegates, as well as mediate between the Member States. The Chairs may suggest and rule out
motions to ensure proper procedures during the Committee meetings.

Rule 9.

The official working language of IAS Model United Nations 2016 is English. All documents shall be available in
English.

Rule 10.

Delegates must, at all times, respect other delegates and the members of the Staff and Secretariat.

Rule 11.

The delegates shall address the General Assembly or the Committees after being granted the floor. After the speech,
the delegates must yield the floor back to the President of the General Assembly, the Chair or another Member
State. Yielding the floor to another Member State can be only used once during the delegate’s speech, and cannot
be used by the following delegate. When addressing oneself, the delegate must speak in third person.

Rule 12.

Plagiarism of documents is strictly prohibited. The delegates engaged in the acts of plagiarism shall meet disciplinary
measures conducted by the Secretary General.

Rule 13.

All electronic devices shall be switched off during the GA or Committee sessions. The use of portable computers and
tablets is only allowed during the unmoderated caucus in the Committees or the General Assembly.

Rule 14.

Delegates violating the Rules of Procedure, the Terms and Conditions of IASMUN 2016 or the general standards of
diplomacy will be excluded from the debates in accordance with the decision of the Secretary General.
Rule 15.

All delegates must wear suitable business attire for the MUN Conference. Western business dress is preferred.

Rule 16.

In the beginning of every meeting, the Chairs or the President of the General Assembly shall call the Member States to
state their status of attendance. Member States shall reply “present” or “present and voting," where delegations who are
“present and voting” cannot abstain from any voting procedure.

Rule 17.

A minimum of two-thirds shall be present for the Chair/PGA to open the quorum. Quorum is required to open the session
for debate. The quorum remains valid until the end of the session, unless the Motion to Challenge the Quorum is raised
[this motion needs a second].

Rule 18.

A minute of silence is allowed to be introduced under a written request to the Chair of the Committee or the President of
the General Assembly.

Rule 19.

After establishing the quorum, the Motion to Set the Agenda is in order. Upon setting the agenda, the delegates shall
decide which of the topics of the MUN shall be discussed first. This shall be decided by a given motion. If there is an
objection to the motion about the issue to be discussed, two speeches in favour and against shall be presented. The
motion shall be then voted upon by the Member States. There shall be no abstentions from the delegations.

Rule 20.

Upon setting the agenda, a Motion to open the General Speaker’s List shall be adopted. The Chairs will call upon the
delegates eager to be put on the Speaker’s List, until a Motion to Close the Speaker’s List is suggested.

Rule 21.

The delegates have an opportunity to put the Member State’s name on the list only once.
Rule 22.

When the Speaker’s List is finished, the debate will be declared closed, and the Committee will move to the voting
procedure concerning the issue of discussion unless any Motion is raised.

Rule 23.

Delegates may address the audience and raise points and motions only when given the floor by the PGA, the Chair or
previous delegate.

Rule 24.

The President of the General Assembly and the Chair of the Committee has the authority to call to order delegates whose
speeches are irrelevant or inappropriate.

Rule 25.

Only Points of Personal Privilege may interrupt the current speaker.

Rule 26.

Delegates whose national integrity or sovereignty has been offended by other delegates are allowed to raise a Right of
Reply. The Chair must decide whether the Right of Reply is in order. The delegates must remember that a Right of Reply
to a Right of Reply is out of order.

Rule 27.

The initial time limit for the Speaker’s List shall be 1:30min. If a delegate wished to change the time limit, a Motion to Set
the Speaker’s Time shall be raised. Upon the voting procedure, the order of precedence is focused on the decreasing
length of the Speaker’s Time.

Rule 28.

During the sessions, delegates may raise a Motion to Move to the Unmoderated Caucus, which is the most informal form

of debate. The time of the Unmoderated Caucus shall be set by the delegates, yet it cannot exceed 30min. A Motion to

Exceed the Unmoderated Caucus is in order. The delegates are expected to prepare working papers or draft resolutions
during the Caucus.
Rule 29.

When a Motion to Move to the Moderated Caucus is raised and adopted by the Committee a free debate about a certain
issue takes place. Every delegate has the right to take part in the debate without setting the Speaker’s List.

Rule 30.

The order of precedence puts the Moderated Caucus above the Unmoderated Caucus in the hierarchy.

Rule 31.

Upon the voting procedure, the order of precedence is based on the length of the time of the Caucus. A longer proposed
time of Caucus shall be put above the shorter proposed time of Caucus.

Rule 32.

At any point of the debates, a delegate may raise a Motion to Close the Debate. The decision to entertain this motion
belongs to the PGA or the Chair of the Committee.

Rule 33.

During the debate the delegates may propose to suspend the meeting for a specified time.

Rule 34.

During the debate the delegate may raise a Motion to Adjourn the Debate/Meeting. This motion is used when a solution
for the issue cannot be reached. If the Motion is passed the debate will be closed without adopting any resolution.

Rule 35.

Any topic that was closed can be reopened by the delegates through a Motion to Resume Debate on a particular issue.
 


Rule 36.

Delegates may write and distribute working papers to the Member States in the Committee. Working papers are not
official documents and don’t have to be written in resolution format. They are written to aid the Committee with the
creation of draft resolutions and can be edited only by the sponsor for the working paper.

Rule 37.

Every document presented in the Committees shall be reviewed by the legal services member present in the council
during the meeting.

Rule 38.

Delegates may introduce draft resolutions after approval of the Legal Counsel or the legal services. The draft
resolutions must be signed by 20% of the Member States in the Committee. Resolutions can be introduced when the
floor is open.

Rule 39

The authors of the draft resolution shall be signed as “sponsors”. Supporting delegates are to be signed as
“signatories”. A sponsor is obliged to vote “in favour” of the resolution, the signatories are not obliged to vote for the
draft.

Rule 40.

A first order amendment is written by a delegate to add, delete or innovate a part of the draft resolution that is being
discussed in the Committee. Amendments need the approval of the Chair of the council.

Rule 41.

If an amendment is accepted by every sponsor of the draft resolution, it is considered a friendly amendment. Friendly
amendments are added to the draft resolution without further debate or a voting procedure.

Rule 42.

Second order amendments are out of order.

Rule 44.

Voting procedures take place after debates or after a Motion to Move into Voting Procedure. During the voting procedure
the Member States must state the status of their country by saying either “In favour," “Against” or “Abstain”. Member
States which are “present and voting” cannot abstain from the voting procedure.

Rule 45.

A voting procedure can be repeated by a Motion to Split the House. During the repeated voting procedure, no Member
State is allowed to abstain.

Rule 46.

On procedural votes, no abstentions are allowed.

Rule 47.

As a consequence of the violation of the Rules of Procedure, the delegate shall be excluded from the debates upon taking
immediate actions of the Secretariat.

Rule 48.

The Secretary General can overrule any of the debate sessions by intervening or introducing new activities to do. The
Secretary General has the ultimate decision to make, whether it’s related to the committee sessions, or overall MUN
decisions.

*The delegates are always welcome to ask the Staff about the Rules of Procedure*