Introduction to Model United
Nations
Made By : Brahmleen Kaur
CONTENTS
1. What is MUN?
2. Research Work
3. MUN Glossary
4. Yield
5. Roll Call
6. Parliamentary Points
7. Moderated Caucus
8. Unmoderated Caucus
9. Committees
10. Dress Code
11. Conclusion
What is Model United
Nations ?
The Model United Nations serves as a realistic simulation of the
United Nations, engaging participants who act as delegates from
different nations collaborating to address urgent global
challenges. This event is conducted over a period of 2 to 3 days.
Research Work
A delegate's primary duty is to conduct In addition to this, it is imperative for a delegate to
comprehensive research, which involves grasping broaden their understanding by utilizing extensive
their portfolio's position on the agenda, identifying statistical and analytical data.
the issues facing their nation, exploring viable
solutions and most crucially, understanding their
nation's foreign policy.
Key Terminologies
Model United Nations can often create confusion not only
because of the complexity of various issues but also due to the
challenging language utilized during committee sessions.
Therefore, BDPSMUN 2025 offers a handy cheat sheet that
covers nearly all the terms you might require during the
conference.
Essential Terms
Abstain Adjourn Agenda
• In the process of voting on • Every UN or Model UN • The sequence in which
an important issue, delegates session concludes with a vote topics will be addressed during
can choose to abstain instead to adjourn, indicating that the committee discussions.
of casting a yes or no vote. This discussion is paused until the Typically, the foremost task of a
typically indicates that a nation following meeting. committee after roll call is to
does not endorse the establish the agenda.
resolution being considered,
yet is not against it strongly
enough to cast a no vote.
Amendment
• An alteration to a draft resolution currently being discussed. It can take two forms: a "friendly
amendment" which has the backing of the sponsors of the original draft resolution, and is accepted without
a vote, whereas an "unfriendly amendment" lacks the support of these sponsors and requires a full
committee vote.
Background Guide
• An overview of the subject matter being deliberated in a Model UN committee, typically prepared by the
conference facilitators and provided to delegates prior to the commencement of the conference. It serves as
the foundational resource for research ahead of a Model UN event.
Binding
• Possessing legal authority within United Nations member nations. Resolutions from the Security Council
carry binding force, akin to rulings from the International Court of Justice; however, resolutions passed by
the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council do not hold binding effect.
Bloc
• A coalition of countries sharing geographical proximity or similar viewpoints on a specific issue. Blocs
generally align their votes.
Caucus
• A pause in the structured debate allowing nations to engage
in a more relaxed and casual discussion about an issue. There
are two varieties of caucuses: moderated caucus and
unmoderated caucus.
Committee Chair
• An individual on the Executive Board responsible for
facilitating debate, managing time, adjudicating on points and
motions, and ensuring adherence to procedural rules. Commonly
referred to as a Moderator.
Executive Board (EB) Members
• The team of individuals overseeing the operations of a Model
UN committee.
Decorum
• The protocol and respect that all delegates at a Model UN
conference are required to demonstrate. The Chair will invoke
decorum if he or she perceives that the committee is being
disrespectful to a speaker, the Executive Board, or their
responsibilities as representatives.
Director
• An appointed member of the dais responsible for supervising the drafting of working papers and
resolutions, serving as a topic expert, ensuring delegates convey their nation's policies accurately, and
maintaining proper decorum during discussions.
Division of the Question
• While voting, delegates can propose to vote individually on specific clauses of a resolution, ensuring that
only the clauses that receive approval are included in the final resolution. This procedure is referred to as
the division of the question.
Draft Resolution
• A formal document aimed at addressing the issues discussed by a Model UN committee. If the committee
approves it, the draft resolution will then transform into an official resolution.
Faculty Advisor
• The academic staff member responsible for guiding a Model UN team, class, or organization.
Flow of Debate
• The sequence of events that occur throughout a Model UN
conference, demonstrating the transitions between formal and
informal debate along with the steps of drafting, discussing, and
voting on resolutions.
Gavel
• The instrument, resembling a compact wooden hammer, that
the Chair employs to maintain order in a Model UN committee.
Numerous conferences award the gavel from a committee to the
delegate acknowledged by the panel as the best of that
committee; hence, this term commonly refers to the accolade
bestowed upon the best delegate, even when no real gavel is
presented.
Formal Debate
• The "normal" format of debate at a Model UN conference,
where delegates deliver speeches for a specified duration
following the order defined by a speakers' list.
Member State
• A nation that has approved the Charter of the United Nations
and whose request for membership has been accepted by both
the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Moderator
• Lead Chair.
Motion
• A formal proposal put forward by a delegate for the entire committee to take action. Some examples of
motions include entering into caucus, adjourning, presenting a draft resolution, or initiating the voting
process.
Observer
• An entity such as a state, national group, regional body, or NGO that does not hold UN membership yet
engages in discussions. Observers are permitted to vote on procedural issues but are excluded from voting
on substantive ones.
On the floor Operative Clause
• In a Model UN conference, • This section of a resolution
during the initial phase, a outlines the methods the UN
working paper or draft will use to tackle an issue,
resolution cannot be debated. starting with an action verb
Once the Director approves it such as decides, establishes,
and the committee introduces or recommends.
it, it is then considered "on
the floor" for discussion.
Page Placard
• A committee member in a • A stiff card displaying a
Model UN who offers to country's name that a
transfer notes between delegate holds up to indicate
delegates or from a delegate to the Chair their desire to
to the dais for a limited time. speak.
Point
• A question brought forth by
a delegate seeking
information or action relevant
to them. This includes types
such as a point of order, point
of inquiry, and point of
personal privilege.
Position Paper
• An overview detailing a nation's stance regarding a specific
issue, crafted by a representative prior to a Model UN event.
Pre-ambulatory Clause
• The section of a resolution outlining past actions related to
the issue and the justifications for the resolution's necessity. It
starts with a participle or adjective (such as noting, concerned,
regretting, aware of, recalling, etc.).
Procedural
• Pertaining to the operations of a committee, rather than the
topic under consideration. Every delegate in attendance is
required to vote on procedural issues and cannot abstain.
Quorum
• The smallest count of delegates required to hold a committee
session. In the General Assembly, a quorum is defined as one
third of members to initiate discussion, and a majority to
approve a resolution. In the Security Council, there is no quorum
needed to engage in debate, but nine members are required to
pass a resolution.
Rapporteur
• An official seated at the dais responsible for maintaining the
speakers' list and recording attendance, while also assisting with
and overseeing administrative tasks within the committee
chamber.
Right of Reply
• The privilege to respond to a prior speaker's remarks, which
can be exercised if a delegate perceives personal offense from
another's statement. Typically requires a written notice to the
Chair for activation.
Rules of Procedure
• The established guidelines governing the operations of a
Model UN committee.
Second Secretariat
• To provide support for a proposed motion. • The team of individuals managing the operations
Numerous motions require a second before they of a Model UN conference.
can be discussed and voted on.
Simple Majority Secretary-General
• A majority that consists of 50% plus one of the • The chief representative and organizer of a
total delegates present in a committee. This is the Model UN conference.
threshold required to pass the majority of votes.
Signatory
• A country that seeks to bring a draft resolution
forward and signs it to initiate this process. A
signatory does not have to support a resolution; it
merely seeks to have it debated. Typically, Model
UN conferences necessitate a certain minimum of
sponsors and signatories for any draft resolution to
gain approval.
Yield
If a delegate ends the speech before the time limit, then
he/she can yield i.e. pass on the remaining time in four ways:
• Yield to the Executive Board
• Yield to Another Delegate
• Yield to the Floor
• Yield to Point of Information
Roll Call
Roll call is an attendance check The majority is determined Delegates may declare
procedure utilized to confirm using the ‘half plus one themselves as ‘present’ or
the presence of delegates in scheme’, a crucial factor for the ‘present and voting’. They can
the committee session. upcoming voting process. abstain from voting later if they
opt to declare only ‘present’.
The opening statement or speech emphasizes the Speakers listed on the General Speaker’s List,
position of the delegate’s country regarding the when permitted, may present their statements.
agenda. A clear and general stance of the nation The usual time limit for speaking is 90 seconds.
must be articulated.
Key Parliamentary Points
POINT OF INQUIRY - This is
POINT OF ORDER - This
1 2 utilized to pose a question to the
procedure is employed to rectify
executive board about the rules of
any mistakes in the process.
Parliamentary Procedure.
POINT OF INFORMATION - This is POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEDGE
employed to request clarification - This is for voicing individual
from a delegate on a speech. It issues such as the room
may not always be allowed and is temperature being uncomfortable,
strictly used during the 4 3 a broken placard, or difficulty in
designated speakers list. hearing the speaker.
Moderated Caucus
Moderated caucus gives a The motion can be framed
flow and a push to the like:
discussions and debates of
“The delegate of ………
the committee. In this a sub
would like to raise a motion
topic for the main agenda is
on the topic …… for a total
decided and the delegates
time period of ….. with
who are ready to give the
individual speaker’s
speeches raise their placards
time……”
and they are recognized by
the executive board
members one by one.
Unmoderated Caucus
An unmoderated caucus does not adhere to any formal
protocols. During this time, delegates have the freedom to roam
the space and interact with one another. They can engage in
lobbying and choose specific subtopics that will be addressed in
the subsequent moderated caucus.
Types of Committees
Typically, there are two primary categories of committees: those
pertaining to the United Nations and those specific to India.
For the BDPSMUN 2025 event, we will feature committees such
as AIPPM, UN General Assembly (UNGA), United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Human Rights
Council (UNHRC), United Nations Commission on the Status of
Women (UNCSW), and International Press (IP).
During AIPPM, participants receive the roles of different Indian
political ministers to engage in discussions about national issues.
This committee allows for the use of both Hindi and English
languages.
Within international committees, we focus on global issues that
are of significant concern and are designated different countries
to represent. Only the English language is permitted for
communication in these settings.
Dress Code
First Day - Formal Attire/ Western Business Attire
Second Day - Indian Traditional Wear
Conclusion
"No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings." -John F Kennedy
These words remind us that diplomacy, dialogue, and determination can overcome even the most complex
global challenges. Thus, to uplift the spirit if diplomacy, the Secretariat is thrilled to announce BDPSMUN
2025, happening on October 11th and 12th. This important debate event will focus on the theme 'NIRBHAU
NIRVAIR' - Without Fear. Without Hate.
At BDPSMUN 2025, you won’t just discuss global issues—you’ll understand them. You’ll refine your voice,
take on the role of a global changemaker, and form friendships that go far beyond committee walls.
We’re proud to host what we believe will be our most dynamic edition yet, with passionate participation and
powerful debates.
This is your chance to lead, to question, and to create change.
We’re honored to welcome you to BDPSMUN 2025—where diplomacy comes alive.
Wishing you all the very best :)
Thank You
