SinavMUN Conference Manual COVER PAGE - TBC - PENDING LOGO

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CONTENTS

WELCOME LETTER 3

A. ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION 4
Conference Overview 4

Venue and Logistics 5

Conference Schedule 6

Social Events 7

Dress Code 7

B. ACADEMIC INFORMATION 8
Introduction to the United Nations and MUN 101 8

Committees and Agenda Items 17

Preparation Guide 18

Rules of Procedure 31

From Working Paper to Draft Resolution Paper 38

Road to Academic Excellence 43

WELCOME LETTER 3

Dear Delegates

It is with great honor and excitement that I welcome you all to SINAVMUN 2025. As the
Secretary-General, I am thrilled to witness the gathering of such bright, passionate,
and determined individuals under one roof, united by the common goal of learning,
debating, and growing. Whether you are a seasoned participant or a first-time
delegate, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zones, embrace challenges,
and make the most of this unique experience. Remember, a Model United Nations
conference is not just about winning arguments or securing awards—it is about
learning, understanding, and growing.

The theme for SINAVMUN 2025, “The Era of Words,” serves as a touching reminder
of the impact mere words can have on the world around us. Words, when used with
intention and purpose combined with the correct way of delivery, hold the power
to inspire, heal, and transform lives. However, careless or harmful words can leave
wounds deeper than we might ever realize. As you engage in debates and discussions
throughout the conference, I urge you to recognize the weight of your words during
this conference as a practice for better usage outside of it. Each sentence you craft is
not just an argument but a reflection of your countries’ ideas, values, and intentions.

In international diplomacy, the power of language is seen at every level—from carefully

set presidential speeches that can create new alliances, to policy statements that
shape entire geopolitical landscapes. A single phrase can calm ongoing tensions, while
a misguided comment can slow down years of progress. This is precisely why the ‘Era
of Words’ stands as an important reminder of how crucial intentional and respectful
communication can be in the global arena. As future diplomats and changemakers,
your thoughtful choice of words in debates today will mirror the careful negotiation
strategies that influence peace treaties, trade agreements, and country policies
tomorrow.

As SINAVMUN 2025 unfolds, my hope is that every debate, every speech, and every
conversation here will be a testament to the power of words used wisely. May you
leave this conference not only with a deeper understanding of global issues but also
with new skills, invaluable experiences, and even a friendship that will be cherished
for a lifetime.

Speak with purpose, listen with intent, and engage with an open heart. Remember,
what you learn of how you say things here might not just change a resolution during
this conference — it might change someone’s life later on in your future.

Looking forward to seeing you all in March,

Selahattin Furkan KARADAS

Secretary-General, SINAVMUN 2025

4
A. ORGANIZATIONAL
INFORMATION

Conference Overview
A. Introduction to the SinavMUN 2025 and Conference Theme

“The Era of Words: Diplomacy in the Age of Reason”

Welcome to SinavMUN 2025, an exceptional platform where young leaders gather to

discuss and address the most pressing global issues of our time. This conference aims to
inspire participants to think critically, collaborate effectively, and advocate passionately
for the causes they believe in.

This year’s theme, “The Era of Words: Diplomacy in the Age of Reason,” emphasizes the
transformative power of dialogue and reasoned negotiation in addressing complex
issues.

In an age marked by technological advancements and evolving global dynamics,

diplomacy remains the cornerstone of peaceful resolution and progress. Through
this theme, we invite delegates to explore the power of words and rational discourse
in reconstructing international cooperation, addressing conflicts, and promoting
sustainable development.

B. Conference Format and Duration

SinavMUN is a conference that adheres to the Harvard Model of Model United Nations
(MUN), a globally recognized structure that encourages participants to engage in
debates and resolution drafting on global issues. This format emphasizes collaboration,
critical thinking, and diplomacy, providing a structured yet dynamic environment for
delegates to refine their skills.

While the opening and closing ceremonies are important milestones in the conference
timeline, they are not considered official committee sessions. Delegates will formally
commence their MUN experience within their respective committees. The opening
ceremony will set the tone for the event, offering inspiration and guidance, while the
closing ceremony will celebrate achievements and reflect on the shared journey of
learning and growth.
Venue and Logistics 5

Venue and Accommodation

SinavJMUN 2025 will be held at the Limak Limra Hotel in Antalya, a venue that is perfect
for MUN conferences. Participants will stay in double and triple rooms.

All committee sessions will take place in the hotel’s modern meeting rooms, offering
a professional and convenient setting for debates and discussions. Since the meeting
rooms are located within the hotel, it will be easy for everyone to move between sessions
and other activities.

Transportation Details
Each campus will be responsible for arranging its own transportation to Antalya. Once
delegates arrive in Antalya, transfers between the airport or bus station and the hotel
will be provided. These transfers are scheduled as follows:

• Arrival Transfers: Morning of March 4, 2025

• Departure Transfers: Noon on March 7, 2025

6
Conference Schedule
04.03.2025
• 08:00-10:00 • Early Registration
• 10:00-12:00 • Registration
• 12:00-14:00 • Late Registration
• 12:30-14:00 • Lunch
• 14:00-16:00 • Welcome Reception & Ice Breakers
• 16:00-17:00 • Opening Ceremony
• 17:00-17:30 • Coffee Break
• 17:30-18:30 • RoP Training
• 19:00-20:30 • Dinner
• 21:00-23:00 • Welcome Party
• 23:30 • Lights Out
05.03.2025
• 07:30-09:00 • Breakfast
• 09:00-10:30 • 1st Session
• 10:30-11:00 • Coffee Break
• 11:00-12:30 • 2nd Session
• 12:30-13:30 • Lunch
• 13:30-15:00 • 3rd Session
• 15:00-15:30 • Coffee Break
• 15:30-17:00 • 4th Session
• 17:00-17:30 • Coffee Break
• 17:30-18:30 • Interactive Workshop Session
• 19:00-20:30 • Dinner
• 21:00-23:30 • Social Event
• 00:00 • Lights Out
06.03.2025
• 07:30-09:00 • Breakfast
• 09:00-10:30 • 5th Session
• 10:30-11:00 • Coffee Break
• 11:00-12:30 • 6th Session
• 12:30-13:30 • Lunch
• 13:30-15:00 • 7th Session
• 15:00-15:30 • Coffee Break
• 15:30-17:00 • 8th Session
• 17:00-17:30 • Coffee Break
• 17:30-18:30 • 9th Session
• 19:00-20:30 • Dinner
• 21:00 • Farewell Party
07.03.2025
• 08:00-9:30 • Breakfast
• 10:00-11:30 • Closing Ceremony
• 11:30-12:00 • Photoshoot
• 12:00 • Checkout & Departures
Social Events 7

SinavMUN 2025 will feature three unique social events after each day’s sessions.

Participation in social events is optional and will require a separate ticket purchase, as
they are not included in the conference fee. Tickets will be sold on-site, offering flexibility
for those who wish to participate.

Dress Code

• This image represents the

general overlook of a delegate.
Campus Advisor-Teachers
can make alterations on dress
color/make-up/facial hair if
deemed necessary.

To maintain a professional atmosphere and align with the formal nature of Model United
Nations, all delegates are expected to adhere to the following dress code:

• For Female Delegates: Female students should wear formal business attire, including
blazers, blouses, slacks, or knee-length skirts. Closed-toe shoes, such as heels or flats,
are required. Minimal and professional accessories are encouraged.

• For Male Delegates: Male students should wear formal business suits, including a
blazer, dress shirt, tie, and formal trousers. Dress shoes are mandatory, and athletic or
casual footwear is not permitted. Maintaining a neat and professional appearance is
essential.
General Guidelines:

• Jeans, sneakers, mini skirts, and other casual attire are strictly prohibited.

• Delegates should ensure that their clothing is appropriate for a formal conference
setting, emphasizing professionalism throughout the event.

Please note that the Dress Code explained above covers the formal part of the
Conference. Opening and Closing ceremonies, formal sessions and lunches are
included in this part.

Breakfast, Dinners and Social Events do not require a specific Dress Code.
8 B. ACADEMIC
INFORMATION

Introduction to the United Nations and MUN 101

THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Introduction to the United Nations

You have a long way to go with committees, procedures, diplomatic rules, but before we
dive into all of this, let’s all take a look at what the United Nations is and how it works,
where the Model United Nations finds its origin.

World War II, the most terrible war that human history has ever seen to this day, had
left behind a lot of destruction and uncertainty. The borders of many countries have
changed, nuclear weapons have been used, and humanity has felt beyond even the
most pessimistic forecasts where the consequences of the war could lead. After this
decade-long war, in which only weapons spoke and diplomacy, humanity’s greatest
weapon since Ancient Greece, was forgotten, an international organization was needed
to restore the stability that had been disrupted.

It was April 1945, when the rest of the World was still facing the consequences of the
Second World War, one hundred delegates representing 50 countries decided to gather
in San Francisco on behalf of humanity for a loftier goal; to restore world peace. Despite
all the obstacles at that meeting, the first UN Charter was written. And in October 1945,
the United Nations, with a total of 51 countries, was officially established.

The UN, whose historical adventure was started by the winners of the war, has since faced
many large and small conflicts and human crises. The United Nations, while still ensuring
global peace and international security is its priority, has been appointed with very broad
goals such as ensuring basic human rights and gender equality and the economic
and social well-being of all peoples and unlike the League of Nations, the decisions
were supported by socioeconomic and all Member States, each of which has one
9
military measures that would increase the vote.
sanctioning power.
Security Council
How does it Work?
Now that we have understood the
historical background of the UN and why
its existence is important, let’s take a closer
look at how this international organization
which consists of 193 countries works today.

When states become members of the

United Nations, they accept the obligations
of the UN Charter, an international Under the Charter, the Security Council has
agreement that establishes the basic primary responsibility for the maintenance
principles of international relations. This of international peace and security. It has 15
condition, according to the UN has four Members, and each Member has one vote.
purposes: Under the Charter, all Member States are
obligated to comply with Council decisions.
• to maintain international peace and
security; Economic and Social Council

• to develop friendly relations among A founding UN Charter body established

nations; in 1946, the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) is the place where the world’s
• to cooperate in solving international
problems and in the development of economic, social and environmental
respect for Human Rights; challenges are discussed and debated, and
policy recommendations issued.
• and to be a centre for harmonizing the
actions of nations. Trusteeship Council

The principal organs of the United The Trusteeship Council was established to
Nations: provide international supervision for 11 Trust
Territories and to make sure that adequate
The United Nations (UN) has six main organs. steps were taken to prepare the Territories
Five of them — the General Assembly, for self-government or independence.
the Security Council, the Economic and Since all the aforementioned territories
Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, have attained self-government or
and the Secretariat — are based at UN independence the Trusteeship Council
Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the suspended its operations.
International Court of Justice, is located at
The Hague in the Netherlands. International Court of Justice

The six organs of the United Nations are The International Court of Justice is the
outlined in the sections below: principal judicial organ of the United
Nations. The Court is charged with settling
General Assembly legal disputes between States and giving
advisory opinions to the United Nations
The General Assembly is the main
and its specialized agencies.
deliberative organ of the United Nations.
It is composed of representatives from
10
Secretariat to establish conditions
11
under which justice
The UN Secretariat, consisting of staff and respect for the
representing all nationalities working in obligations arising
duty stations all over the world, carries out from treaties and other
the day-to-day work of the Organization. sources of international
The Secretariat services the other law can be maintained,
principal organs of the United Nations and and
administers the programmes and policies
established by them. to promote social
progress and better
What is not the United Nations?
standards of life in
UN Members are sovereign countries. The larger freedom.”
United Nations is not a world government
and does not make laws. Nevertheless, The Preamble describes four areas that are
it provides the means to help resolve the pillars of the UN,
the international conflict and formulate • Peace and Security
policies on issues affecting all of us. At the • Human Rights
UN, all Member States, large and small, • The Rule of Law
developed, and underdeveloped, with • Development
different political views and social systems, These four pillars are all interconnected.
have the right to say and vote in this You cannot fully achieve one without
process. achieving all of them.

What does the United Nations stand for?

The foundation upon which the UN was

created is described in the Preamble of the
UN Charter as follows:

WE THE PEOPLES OF
THE UNITED NATIONS
DETERMINED

to save succeeding
generations from the San Francisco, June 26, 1945. The day the
scourge of war, which United Nations Charter was signed by
twice in our lifetime has founding Member States.
brought untold sorrow
to mankind, and

to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human
rights, in the dignity
and worth of the
human person, in the
equal rights of men and
women and of nations
large and small, and
12

The UN with a data. This small illustration shows the statistics

of the Peacekeeping implementations by the United Nations.
 13

MODEL UNITED NATIONS 101 United Nations, where you will argue for the
policies of that country on your assigned
Now that we have fully understood the topic, and eventually write a resolution on
United Nations, its structure, purpose, behalf of your assigned country. This means
and the philosophy behind it, we can you have to put yourself in the shoes of an
start learning about MUN, which is a international diplomat and learn the issues
simulation of it. MUN is a UN simulation facing another country, as well as how they
that is growing day by day, with more would respond to that issue.
than 500,000 students participating every
As a Model UN delegate representing
year worldwide, and teaches students
your country, you will participate in a
diplomatic manners, debate culture, and
“committee” with assigned topics. You
solutions to social and political problems
may learn about access to technology
of the world. These conferences, where
in developing countries, how sports can
you can find a committee that suits you
help promote peace, how to reduce the
regardless of your interest, are part of a
risk of nuclear war, or how the world can
larger habitat than the 4-day conferences
come together to stop the threat of global
where many international diplomatic
climate change. It will be your job to
figures have been experienced in the past.
decide what the UN should do about these
Friendly reminder: Do not be frightened issues and lead the other delegates in your
by some terms and notions that you are committee to approve your “resolution”-
not familiar with yet. Try to understand the your document of solutions to the issue.
general scope of the Model UN and grasp
Most of a Model UN conference is based on
the idea behind it. We will get to those
your “committee.” where you will debate
notions you do not know. But we promise
and discuss your topic, and ultimately
at the end of this Manual you will be not
write your resolution. Your committee is a
just knowing them but using them!
room of 10- 400 delegates, though usually
But what exactly is Model United Nations? 20-50, who are representing countries just
At a Model UN conference, you become like you are. Throughout the conference
a World Leader for 4 days. As a Model you will be led by your “Committee Board,”
UN “Delegate,” you take on the role of a the conference staff that is there to make
representative of another country to the sure the committee is orderly and that you
 are having a good experience. There are debates, a doctor who is trying to reconcile
14 many different types of staff roles, however with his patient about his treatment, or a
you will be led by a “Chair” who helps guide party leader who wants to run in the next
your committee through debate, and the election, MUN conferences will give you all
other members of staff will help your Chair the political and debate-based skills you
maintain control of your committee. need in these situations without you even
realizing it.
WHY MODEL UN?
University, Career, CV
Educational experience
Especially if you are still a high school
At Model UN, students gain a wide range of student and you are thinking about
skills and knowledge in a broad spectrum whether MUN has a reputation in the eyes
that is actually quite critical to their of international universities, our answer is:
professional lives but has not found enough yes, it has. The conferences you will attend,
room for itself in traditional educational and the unique leadership and debate
models. experiences you will have there will add
prestige to your academic CV wherever
Are you afraid to speak out in public? Well,
you are in the world.
we were all there at some point. MUN
allows you to improve your speaking skills Hall of fame
in front of your friends. It helps you to see
yourself through the eyes of other cultures From Monarchs to Secretary Generals to
by improving your research skills and Hollywood actors, lots of successful and
learning the policies of countries that you influential people took part in MUN when
didn’t even know existed before. in High School. For some MUN inspiration
in the run-up to an MUN conference, we’ve
Behind this multicultural structure, MUN compiled a list of famous people who took
will give you critical social skills that will part in Model United Nations as students.
help you throughout your life. Whether
you are a lawyer who wants to win the
 Ban Ki-moon
15
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon began
his United Nations career as a High School MUN conference delegate.
Speaking to a global MUN conference, Ki-moon told the students: “I
participated in a UN-style debate when I was a college student. So,
you never know where this conference might lead. You could end up
as Secretary-General of the United Nations, or maybe your country’s
UN ambassador.” For a career in the United Nations, there is no better
training on offer than at an MUN conference.

Rainn Wilson

The actor best known for playing beet farmer and Dunder Mifflin Paper
Company salesperson Dwight Schrute on The Office, was also an avid
MUN participant whilst in High School. In a 2010 interview, Wilson told
USA Today that he was a self-proclaimed “Model United Nations Nerd”
as a child.

Stephen M. Schwebel

Former judge and president of the International Court of Justice (ICC),

Stephen Schwebel started his career with the United Nations as an
MUN delegate like any other. Having first got involved with MUN
during High School, he later participated in the founding of the United
Nations Council of Harvard when studying towards his bachelor’s
degree at the university.

Award Policy
At MUN conferences, our priority is for every delegate to have a pleasant and educational
experience. We think that the conferences are a unique opportunity for a high school
student in Turkey to get acquainted with international relations, to speak in front of the
community and to learn parliamentary diplomacy.

Above all else, we hope that delegates leave the conference as better-informed global
citizens who are better able to engage with others in conversations about important
world issues than when they first arrived. However, we also value the recognition of
students and delegations that have contributed to the conference in exemplary ways.

At Closing Ceremonies, the Secretariat will announce individual and delegation awards.

• Each Committee Board will determine individual awards on the basis of the following
criteria:

• Ability to work with and persuade other delegates through in-depth explanations and
convincing arguments;

• Quality of position papers and attendance at all committee sessions;

• Adherence to all of our policies;

 • Exhibition of a desire to compromise, while adhering to the policies and interests of
16 the assigned individual or country;

• Ability to develop and convey pragmatic and actionable solutions, both orally and in
written form;

• Exhibition of an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the topic area(s); and,

• Skill and effectiveness in caucusing, resolution-writing, and debate.

The Secretariat will present awards to several delegates from the entire committee
based on the above features and your general position within the committee. Although
the number of awards varies depending on the number of participants; usually one best
delegate, two outstanding and three honourable mentions will be selected from among
the delegates on each committee.
Committees and Agenda Items 17

During SinavMUN 2025, we will entertain 8 different committees, that are:

1. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

a. Agenda item: Human Rights Implications of Internet and Social Media

Restrictions: Balancing National Security, and Freedom of Expression

2. Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN)

a. Agenda item: Addressing Economic and Social Impacts of Measures to

Combat Tax Evasion and the need of new Global Tax Systems.

3. World Health Organization (WHO)

a. Agenda item: Ethical and Operational Strategies for Vaccination Mandates

During Global Health Emergencies: The Balance Between Public Health
Imperatives and Individual Rights

4. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

a. Agenda item: Climate Accountability and Support: Exploring Sanctions and

Incentives for Nations Failing to Meet Climate Agreements and Renewable
Energy Goals

5. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

a. Agenda item: Ensuring the Protection of Media Workes in Conflict Zones

6. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

a. Agenda item: Protecting Human Rights for Refugee Women and Girls:
Considering Gender Equality, Cultural Sensitivity, and Global Responsibility

7. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

a. Agenda item: Enhancing Global Mechanisms to Regulate the Proliferation

of Nuclear Weapons Technology

8. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

a. Agenda item: Addressing the Growing Challenges of Overpopulation: Their

Impact on Resources and Extreme measures taken by nations.
18
Preparation Guide
CONFERENCE PREPARATION

In this part of the document, in which we have given you the theoretical information you
need to know about UN and MUN so far, we will thoroughly answer the question “How
do I prepare for an MUN conference?” together with 3 fundamental points.

First, reviewing the informational part of the work, we will see the resources and tools
that are needed to most effectively and effectively prepare yourself academically for a
conference.

Second, in the light of the information you have obtained, we will examine how to
prepare for the discussions you will have during the conference process by using this
information.

Finally, we will review the position paper, which is the concrete output of your pre-
conference work.

Information based preparation

When preparing for an MUN conference, you first need to know which country you will
represent on which committee. At some times, this information may be presented to
you separately.

Knowing the topic of your committee without knowing which country you will be a
representative of is the first important fact that specifies the research area and reduces
it to a special area in preparation for the conference.

One of the most important issues that you should keep in mind when preparing for
your committee at the conference is to know the duties and responsibilities of your
committee, to see where it is in the structure of the UN and to understand what powers
it has.

Because, as we mentioned in the section “The Structure of the UN”, the UN consists of
bodies with many different powers and fields of activity. It is important for a delegate to
know the field of work designated by their authority when making decisions on these
issues, as well as what issues these bodies will discuss.

After reading your topic background guides, your objective is to gain a better
understanding of the topic, your country’s policy on the topic, and what your country
wants to do about the topic. You are going to dive into many different websites and
research sources. You need a way to organize all your sources or else you will lose track
of your research.

After investigating the authority, scope, and subject of the committee, you can proceed
with a special study of the country you will be representing during the conference.

The purpose of this special study is not limited to conducting research of your country’s
position only on the topic of your committee.
Drawing a general framework of the country you are representing starting from this
19
issue and learning about their real-life political attitudes is the beginning of being a
good delegate.

In addition, it will be useful for your committee to reconsider previous work done by the
related UN bodies and other international organizations on this issue and have some
perspective upon the agenda of your committee.

Let’s try to find the answer to the question of how to use the information in your research
folder that you have prepared most effectively without drowning yourself in too many
documents.

How to turn information into knowledge?

We often use the terms “information” and “knowledge” interchangeably, but there are
differences between these concepts. In short, information is the facts about a subject,
whereas knowledge is an understanding of a subject, through either education or
experience.

In terms of research, “information” is the vast amount of data from many different
sources available to you. Often, delegates who prepare for a conference end up with
hundreds of crosstabs that start to look blurry and take more energy to tame rather than
draw conclusions and generate insights.

For this very reason, it is not expected that you will be able to master the topic that your
committee will handle as much as a university professor when preparing for an MUN
conference.

This because the MUN simulation requires you to represent not a good academic scholar,
but a good politician. Hanging out with all the statistics, reading old conference notes
for pages, etc. these are tasks that require intensive work. After overcoming this with
your initial research, you start a solution-oriented work.

It will not be difficult for you to describe the political position you will take on the
committee after investigating what statements the country you will represent has
previously made about the committee’s agenda. it is possible for you to provide solutions
to your committee after you comprehend the three basic information:

1. The previous efforts made by different UN bodies, international organizations etc.

2. Your country’s approach to the subject and its capacity to engage in the problem

3. Your country’s possible allies regarding the committee’s agenda

From this point on, what you need to do is to show a strategy for how to solve the
problems which are in the scope of your committee’s agenda.

For this purpose, there is a “position paper” that you sent to your Committee Board
before the conference.
 POSITION PAPER
20
As mentioned above, the position paper is a document in which you need to put your
political position on the issue in the committee’s agenda, as well as possible solutions.

A good position paper, identifying problem the problem in the committee and says
something about all the problems it describes. What should be kept in mind here is not
the discussion of the correctness of the solutions that will be written in your position
paper, the problem is the recipe and the effort.

An ideal position paper should include three sections:

1. The History of the Agenda What are the roots of the problem laid out in your
committee’s agenda?

2. Your country’s policies How does your country perceive the situation?

3. What steps would you like to see taken to deal with the problem?

4. Your solutions to the Problem What do you believe it takes to solve the problem?

Sample Position Paper

Committee: United Nations General Assembly

Agenda: Consequences of Pandemic
Country: Spain
School: ABC College

Spain is one of the hardest-hit countries in the pandemic, the

coronavirus speeded quickly and widely without being detected.
Spain imposed a tight lockdown on March 14 to slow the spread of
the virus which has so far killed more than 20,800 people, the third-
highest number of deaths in the world after the United States and
Italy. While Spain has the world’s highest coronavirus death toll after
Belgium, the percentage of infected patients who die stands at 10.4
percent, below other hard-hit nations like Italy, France, and Britain.
The impact on society and the economy is great and the Spanish
government is putting measures in place to support business
owners. The main response of the Spanish Government has been
Royal Decree Law 8/2020 (DRL 8/2020), that includes a number of
extraordinary measures to address the economic and social impact
of COVID-19 and provides an appropriate response to the situations
arising as a result of the current crisis.

The nationwide lockdown that began March 15 brought daily life to a

halt. Students were sent home. Businesses of all sizes had to grapple
with growing uncertainty about their prospects. As Spain is restarting
the economy, we must address a dual imperative: safeguarding both
lives and livelihoods. To succeed at this task, we must, first, craft
effective policies that could accelerate Spain’s recovery and lessen
 the financial impact on individuals and business and, second, use
21
the crisis to catalyse change and rethink the fundamental structure
of companies, sectors, and the overall economy.

Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the Spanish stock

market index IBEX- 35 suffered the consequences of the outbreak
of the disease, much like the rest of the world’s indexes. The biggest
impact was reported during the first few days of March, when Spain’s
principal stock exchange saw a plunge in their stocks that set the
index under the 7,000-point mark.

The economic impact in Spain will be more severe than in other

nations due to its economic structure. The demography, the relative
abundance of small and medium sized businesses and the high
level of dependence on the service sector (tourism, retail, hotels and
transport) make Spain more vulnerable than most nations. Europe
will probably enter recession in the first half of 2020, and Spain is
likely to do so in the second half. However, the duration and depth
of the recession are not yet known.

Billions of people are in lockdown, unable to visit one another, unable

go to work, unable to attend school, unable to meet one another
in public places. People around the world are in desperate straits,
struggling at home, in care homes and intensive care units, dying
of the same cause, separated from their loved ones in their hours of
need. The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates to us that our economic,
political and social systems can serve our needs and purposes only
when they induce us to cooperate at the appropriate scale. The
COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to both public
health and the global economy. Only by avoiding nationalist rhetoric
and policies, and embracing stronger international cooperation,
can governments protect citizens. The world that emerges from the
coronavirus pandemic may be a warring collection of countries that
are more closed off and nationalistic than before. But without rapid
and effective global cooperation, the world may not exit this crisis
safely at all .

As you can see, there is a position above that has very clearly defined the problems
and offers solutions in its own way.

From a similar point of view, you should work for your position paper both to concretely
present your work up to the conference and to create a slightly different first impression
in the eyes of those responsible for the committee.

In this way, you will have taken the first concrete step to become a successful delegate
before you come to the conference.
22
Delegate Journey 23

In this part of the Manual, we will try to explain the journey of a delegate from the first
day to the last day of an MUN conference. In doing so, we will do a deep dive analysis of
these concepts after presenting a storyline that is a little more isolated from the rules
and concepts. But before that, let’s see what kind of adventure awaits a delegate at an
MUN conference.

Components of a Committee

In this section, we will answer the question of “Who creates an MUN committee?”. A
committee is composed of delegates, administrative staff, and the committee board.
Delegates, that is, you, as delegations of the countries to which they are appointed, take
part in discussions in the committee. There is also a committee board for directing,
moderating, and managing these discussions. A committee board, although it varies
from conference to conference, consists of the following three components: USG, Head
Chair, Co-Chair.

In addition to delegates and the committee board, there is also an administrative staff,
who are called “admins” for short. These people are also present at the committee during
the debate to meet the basic needs of the delegates and members of the committee
board.

It is important that you get along well with other components other than you, have a
nice conference and be an exemplary delegate. Never forget the importance of respect
and effective communication!

Points

Points are used to discuss something outside of substantive debate. They are more
personal and don’t require a vote. A Point of Order and a Point of Personal Privilege have
a special level of priority. However, a delegate may interrupt the Speaker or Chair via
Point of Personal Privilege in order to express their concern. Delegates should only take
advantage of this level of priority when necessary.

Points used in MUN

1. Point of Order - these are used to correct a procedural error. E.g., The chair forgot
Roll Call.

2. Point of Inquiry - Used to ask the Dais a question regarding Parliamentary

Procedure.

3. Point of Personal Privilege - Used with to express a personal concern. E.g., The
room is too warm, your placard broke, or you cannot hear the speaker.

4. Point of Information - Used to ask a question so they may clarify a speech.

How to raise a Point in Committee

1. Raise your placard and get called, if it is a point of Personal Privilege or a Point of
Order, you may interrupt the flow of debate within reason.
 2. State the point that you are going to raise and what you would like to say
24
E.g. – “Point of Order, we forgot roll call at the start of debate”

Motion

Perhaps the most common word you come across in this Manual is motion. So, what
exactly does motion mean?

“A specific action made by delegates to direct debate in a certain direction.”

A delegate may wish to change the course of the committee by submitting a motion
of their choice during the committee session, when it is possible to raise a motion. For
example, we will examine the very first time we encounter the concept of motion on the
journey map.

One of the delegates pulled the committee in one direction by giving a motion for”
Setting the Agenda”. All the motions that will be given after that serve a similar purpose.
There are also motions, the characteristics of which differ by the way they are voted. You
can find the details of these in the Rules of Procedure section of this document.

Opening Debate

Let’s start from the moment you set foot on the committee for the first time.

You are in a room where there are many delegates, like you and yourself, and committee
directors and administrative staff.

In order to start the debate in an official way, you must first set the committee’s agenda.

You may think that your committee already has an agenda. There is no need to get
confused. For example, you could have a committee with more than one agenda. At this
point, you could also choose which topic you want to open up about first.

Your committee directors will guide you until your agenda is set.

After the agenda of your committee is set, there are no obstacles to start discussing it.
Then, as can be seen above, the opening speeches begin.

Opening Speech

The most important feature of the opening speech for a delegate is the first impression
it creates on other delegates and the committee board in the committee. Please check
out the tips we have prepared for you at the very last section of this document.

At the moment, we will examine the concepts of formal debate and caucuses; namely the
General Speaker List, moderated caucus and unmoderated caucus, which we describe
as the forms of discussion.

General Speakers’ List

After the opening speeches are over, you have thrown off the excitement and are now
ready for discussions.
According to the Rules of Procedure, you have a chance to advance the committee in
25
two ways. The first is the discussion format that we call formal debate which exists with
the General Speaker List, (hereinafter as the GSL). This discussion format is the basis of
your committee.

As we mentioned above, debate opens on this basis. After the Speaker List is created and
the delegates who wish to have their names added to the list, the speaker delegates,
respectively, come to the committee stage in a format similar to the opening speeches
and give their speeches individually and receive questions or comments depending
on their wishes. Again, there is no need to get panicked with all this information. We
suggest you take a look at the detailed information which can be found in the
relevant sections of the Rules of Procedure.

The point to be noted in this format is the following. The committee does not yet have
a tendency to lean on and focus on the subheadings, specific issues of the agenda.
Delegates have the right to speak on any topic in such a way as to be on the committee
agenda. This is important for the development of ideas in the committee and for the
emergence of different positions. But sooner or later the committee will need other
discussion tools.

Yields

In MUN conferences, the only really effective way to share your point of view or your
ideas is in speeches. Speeches are normally given in the General Speakers List (GSL) or
in moderated caucuses.

In the GSL, there are four common ‘yields’ that you can use after your speech. They are:

1. Yield to the Chair: This means that any extra time that you have not used is absorbed
by the chair, i.e., there is nothing else that happens. The next speaker is then called
up.

2. Yield to Questions: If a delegate would like to open to questions from the floor based
on their speech. The chair will then select an appropriate number of delegates for
questions. If a delate would like to ask a second, follow-on question to their original
one, they cannot just say it. They must make a Request to Follow Up or a Plea to
Follow Up. It is the chair’s discretion on whether or not to allow the follow up.

3. Yield to another Delegate: This can be utilized when a delegate believes one of his
allies can add on to his/her speech. However, this yield should be discussed with the
delegate beforehand, so as to make sure both of you are on the same page, and so
that the delegate is not caught off guard.

4. Yield to Comments: Delegates can make a comment on your speech. The time for
each comment varies conference to conference. The comment can be as simple as
“The delegate agrees/disagrees with what the Delegate just said,” or they can be
much more comprehensive.

Moderated Caucus

Delegates take the stage one by one during the formal debate and bring the discussions
in the committee to a certain place by making their GSL speeches. There may be certain
 points that are tapering in these conversations. The moderated caucus exists as a form
26 of discussion to meet this need, that is, to address specific issues that stand out in GSL
conversations with a better focus.

A delegate can give a motion to switch to the moderated caucus. In doing so, they also
share the topic they would like to examine with a special focus. If the proposed motion
is accepted, the committee proceeds with a discussion format in which each delegate
speaks one by one with the moderation of the committee board. This format is used
for the discussion of the motion. The difference between the moderated caucus and
the GSL speeches is that the moderated caucus speeches, although they are given
individually, are dialogues, not monologues and they are specifically focused on a part
of the committee agenda.

There are 3 things that should be specifically mentioned when giving a motion for
the moderated caucus:

- The topic of discussion

- The duration of caucus

- The duration of each individual speech

With these things in mind, let’s look at this motion proposal example for a moderated
caucus:

“As the delegation of Norway, we would like to give motion to have a

moderated caucus for 20 minutes on ‘Bureaucratic obstacles that refugees
face on educational issues”. We propose that each speaker’s time should be
1.5 minutes.”

As it is clearly seen, the motion includes all of the three points that should be specified.
Total time of the caucus, the topic which is proposed to be discussed during caucus and
the individual speaker time are included in the proposal.

Unmoderated Caucus
So far, we have mentioned two different concepts that we have described as forms
of discussion. Formal debate and caucus. In formal debate, delegates continue their
speeches by following an existing speaker list and making GSL speeches. They discuss a
more angular topic in more detail in moderated caucuses.

If we remember that the main task of the committee is to produce a written document
at the end of sessions, we see that a different form of discussion is needed for this
writing process. Delegates need a space where they can discuss directly with each other
in a relatively more informal context and work to create the aforementioned written
document.

The unmoderated caucus fulfils this need. An unmoderated caucus is a type of debate
in which, as its name implies, conversations and discussions do not proceed with the
control of a particular moderation. Delegates get up from their seats and communicate
directly with other delegates to conduct more intimate discussions.

Just like in the moderated caucus, a motion proposal for the unmoderated caucus
must specifically include certain things:
27
The topic of discussion

The duration of caucus

As it can be understood, unlike the moderated caucus, no individual speaker’s time is

specified in this motion. Due to the nature of the unmoderated caucus, it does not need
such specificity.

With these things in mind, let’s look at this motion proposal example for an unmoderated
caucus:

“As the delegation from the United States of America, in order to prepare a
working paper, we would like to give a motion for an unmoderated caucus for
25 minutes.”

As you can see, there is no specificity regarding an individual speaker’s time. There we
observe the topic of the proposed unmoderated caucus and its proposed duration.

After talking about the types of discussions and the dynamics of the committee, we
come to the end of the delegate journey. The contents that we will talk about next will
describe how the written documents that the delegates have to create in the committee
will be included into the committee discussions.

Extensions:
Caucuses can be extended only once, but only after the caucus has ended. The total
length of an extension may not surpass the total time of the motion. For instance, a
motion with a total time limit of 20 minutes can be extended up to 19 minutes and 59
seconds.

Most Disruptive Motion

Voting on caucuses will proceed in the order of “most disruptive”, hence the motion that
impacts the rules of formal debate the most will take precedent.

For instance, a motion for a 15-minute moderated caucus would be voted on before
a motion for a 10-minute moderated caucus, as 15 minutes is more disruptive than 10
minutes.

When moderated caucuses proposed with the same time limit and speaking time, the
moderated caucus proposed first will take precedent.

If moderated caucuses have the same time limit but different speaking times, the
moderated caucus that allows for more speakers shall take precedent (ex: Moderated
caucus for 5 minutes with a speaking time of 45 seconds will take precedent over a
5-minute moderated caucus with a 1-minute speaking time.)

A motion for an unmoderated caucus is always voted on before a moderated caucus

regardless of time.

Working Paper Submission

 You must submit your working papers, which you have brought out collectively with the
28 other delegates during the unmoderated discussions, in print or digital form, depending
on the initiative of the Committee Board. Any written document that is not submitted
to the Committee Board is not considered an official document of the committee.

Another important point is that in a committee with more than one working paper, these
working papers are numbered and processed in accordance with the order in which
they are submitted. The Committee Board may take the initiative to request that the
working papers be presented to the committee. Or the Board can ask the administrative
staff to print the written documents and distribute them to the delegates. In both cases,
you can propose to submit your working paper with a motion. Let’s look at the example
for this:

“As the Iranian delegation, we would like to propose a motion to introduce the
Working Paper 1.1.”

After all the working papers submitted as a result of these proposals, which were
accepted without the need for a vote, are introduced, the debate is resumed from the
place where it left off.

Draft Resolution Submission

Draft Resolution papers, which are formed in the discussions after the introduction of
working papers, also enter into the submission process in a similar way as working papers.
In this case, the Committee Board usually expects one of the delegates who submits the
paper to present their draft resolution paper. After the presentation is made, the Q&A
section is processed for a certain period of time depending on the Board’s initiative.
Then, before moving on to another draft resolution, the amendment process is put to
order.

The thing to pay attention to here is not to forget that time is your enemy!

As in the Working Paper process, Draft Resolution papers are processed in the order in
which they are submitted. It should be noted here that there will only be one resolution
paper for the same agenda. For this reason, if the first Draft Resolution paper that
has been processed is voted in favour of, the Draft resolution Papers that have been
submitted later will be useless before they are processed.

Importance of Sponsors and Signatories:

When drafting a resolution or report segment, you might notice that delegates may
sign a document as a sponsor or signatory. What’s the difference?

Sponsors are the initial drafters of a document and are the visionaries of the document’s
ideas. They are expected to be fully supportive of it and may be called upon by the Dais
to explain its contents.

Signatories are delegates who assist, approve, or support a document, and wish to
see it in voting bloc. There are typically many more signatories than sponsors for any
document. Delegates who may not support a document but wish to see it brought up
in voting bloc may sign a document as well.
Note: A draft resolution must have the signatures of one fifth of the total members of the
29
committee for it to be approved and introduced, of which at least two voting delegations
must be designated as sponsors.

Amendment Process
Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a
written statement that adds, deletes or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution.
The amendment process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing
delegates to change the operative clauses (the pre-ambulatory clauses cannot be
modified).

There are two types of amendments:

1. A friendly amendment is a change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree
with. After the amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and
approved by the committee chair, it will be automatically incorporated into the
resolution.

2. An unfriendly amendment is a change that some or all of the draft resolution’s

sponsors do not support and must be voted upon by the committee. This also refers
to delegates who did not write this resolution at all but see potential in it as long as
several changes are made to it. The sponsors of the amendment will need to obtain
a required number of signatories in order to introduce it. Prior to voting on the draft
resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly amendments.

Writing an amendment is very simple. All you have to do is make an operative clause that
adds, deletes, or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution. Examples include:

Adds an operative clause that reads “14. Encourages all Latin American countries to…”

Deletes operative clause 9.

Changes operative clause 1 to read “1. Calls upon the Red Cross to provide low-cost
medicines…”

VOTING PROCEDURE

Difference between Substantive and Procedural Voting

A parliamentary procedure has a lot of formalities to ensure that a democratic process
is upheld. Therefore, there are a lot of votes, and there is a difference between types of
matters that require a vote.

Procedural votes relate to the structure of the committee sessions. This includes votes
on motions for moderated and unmoderated caucuses, and appeals. In a procedural
vote, no delegate may abstain.

Substantive votes relate to the topics for discussion. This includes votes on introducing
draft resolutions and working papers, as well as the final vote. Delegates must vote
according to how they presented themselves at roll call.

Voting on Resolution
 After the amendment process is completed on a Draft Resolution, the debate is closed,
30 and the voting procedure is started. As explained in the motion section, a motion must
be presented to the committee when moving from one process to another. After the
amendment process is completed, the delegates present the “Closure of the Debate”
motion and propose that the discussions be completed. You can check out the related
Rules of Procedure articles for a detailed description of this process.

Motion for Roll Call Vote

A motion for roll call vote may be made by any delegate and must be automatically
accepted by the chair. In the event of a Roll Call vote, delegates are given six possible
first responses:

1. Yes: a substantive vote in the affirmative.

2. No: a substantive vote against.

3. Yes, with Rights: a substantive vote in the affirmative that allows the delegate
to explain their vote. You may only declare “rights,” if you are voting against your
national policy or if you decide to switch your vote from your declared position
during committee.

4. No, with Rights: a substantive vote against that allows the delegate to explain their
vote. You may only declare “rights,” if you are voting against your national policy or
if you decide to switch your vote from your declared position during committee.

5. Abstain: Neither a vote in favour nor against. An abstention lowers the total vote
count. For example, a draft resolution with a vote of 10 in favour, 5 against, and 99
abstentions passes. Abstention votes are not votes against.

6. Pass: Upon declaring a pass, the chairperson will continue with roll call
vote, passing the delegate that has passed. After all states after having
voted, the chairperson will again call on the delegate to vote; however, if you
use a pass, you abandon your right to abstain and must vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’

Adjournment of the Debate

After the resolution voting process is completed, a final motion proposal is submitted
to terminate the committee’s activities because the committee has achieved its goal.
With the help of the Committee Board, the delegates submit the motion proposal of
“Adjournment of the Debate”. The details required for the completion of this process can
also be found in the relevant Rules of Procedure articles.

After reading this section, you should look at the Rules of Procedure articles we provide.
Finally, it will be useful for you to contact this section frequently about where you are
and what process you need to operate during the committee sessions at the conference.
Rules of Procedure 7. General Powers of the Committee
Board: The Board will declare the 31
opening and closing of each meeting
RULES OF PROCEDURE
and may propose the adoption of any
The procedure that we utilise is Robert’s procedural motion to which there
is no significant objection. Subject
Rules of Order dated 1847, which forms
to these rules, the Board will have
the diplomatic backbone of the American complete control of the proceedings
Senate. at any meeting. The Chairs will direct
discussions, accord the right to speak,
RULES OF PROCEDURE put questions, announce decisions,
rule on points of order, and ensure and
General Rules
enforce the observance of these rules.
1. Scope: These rules apply to all The Chairs may temporarily transfer
committees except for modifications their duties to another member of
provided by the Secretariat and will the Committee Board. Committee
be considered adopted in advance of Board members may also advise
session. delegations on the course of debate.
In the exercise of these functions,
2. Language: English will be the
official and working language of the they will be at all times subject to these
conference. rules and responsible to the Secretary
General.
3. Delegations: Each member state
will be represented by one delegate 8. Appeal: Any decision of the Chair, with
and shall have one vote on each the exception of those matters for
committee. which the Rules of Procedure explicitly
prohibit appeal, may be appealed
4. Participation of Non-Members: A immediately by a delegate. The Chair
guest speaker, expert witness, or may speak briefly in defence of the
representative of an entity that is ruling. The appeal will then be put to
neither a member of the committee a vote, and the decision of the Chair
nor an accredited observer may will stand unless overruled by a two-
address a committee only with the thirds majority. The Secretary General
prior approval of the Committee has ultimate discretion on any ruling,
Board. whether it is appealed successfully or
not.
5. Credentials: The credentials of all
delegations have been accepted 9. Quorum: The Board may declare a
upon registration. The Secretary- committee open and permit debate
General shall be the final arbiter of to proceed when at least one-
the validity of all credentials. Any fourth of the voting members of the
representative to whose admission a committee is present. A member of
member objects will provisionally be the committee is considered present
seated with the same rights as other if at least one delegate representing
representatives, pending a decision that member is in the committee
from the Secretary General. chamber. The presence of a majority
of the members will be required for a
6. Statements by the Secretariat: The
vote. A quorum will be assumed to be
Secretary General or a member of the
present unless specifically challenged
Secretariat whom they designate may
by a point of order and shown to be
make either written or oral statements
absent. A roll call is never required to
to the committee at any time.
determine the presence of a quorum.
 10. Courtesy: Delegates will show unmoderated caucus temporarily
32 courtesy and respect to the committee suspends formal debate and allows
staff and to other delegates. The Chair members to discuss ideas informally
will immediately call to order any in the committee room. A motion
delegate who fails to comply with this for an unmoderated caucus is in
rule. order at any time when the floor is
open, prior to closure of debate. The
11. Electronic Devices: No laptops, delegate making the motion must
tablets, cell phones, or other electronic briefly explain the purpose of the
devices may be used in the committee motion and specify a time limit for
room during formal debate or the caucus, not to exceed twenty
moderated caucus. Computers may minutes. The motion will be put to
be used outside the committee room a vote immediately, and a simple
at any time, or in the committee room majority is required for passage. The
during unmoderated caucus at the Chair may rule the motion dilatory,
discretion of the Committee Board. and their decision is not subject to
appeal. The Chair may prematurely
Rules Governing Debate end an unmoderated caucus if the
Chair feels that the caucus has ceased
12. In the event of an international
to be productive, and this decision is
crisis or emergency, the Secretary
not subject to appeal.
General or their representative may
call upon a committee to table 15. Moderated Caucus: A motion for a
debate on the current topic area so moderated caucus is in order at any
that the more urgent matter may time when the floor is open, prior
be attended to immediately. Under to closure of debate. The delegate
such circumstances, a delegate making the motion must briefly
may motion to table the topic and specify a topic, a speaking time, and
temporarily set the agenda to the crisis an overall time limit, not to exceed
situation. After a resolution has been twenty minutes, for the caucus. Once
passed on the crisis, the committee raised, the motion will be voted on
will return to debate on the tabled immediately, with a simple majority
topic. Until a resolution has passed, required for passage. If no delegates
the committee may return to debate wish to speak, the moderated caucus
on the tabled topic area only at the will immediately conclude, even if
discretion of the Secretary General or time remains in the caucus. The Chair
their representative. may also decide, subject to appeal, to
suspend the caucus early.
13. Debate: One continuously open
speakers list will be established for 16. Closure of Debate: When the floor
the duration of the topic area, except is open, a delegate may move to
as interrupted by procedural points close debate on the substantive or
or motions, caucuses, discussion of procedural matter under discussion.
amendments, and introduction of The Chair may, subject to appeal, rule
draft resolutions. Speakers may speak such a motion dilatory. When closure
generally on the topic area being of debate is moved, the Chair may
considered and may address any recognize up to two speakers against
working paper or any draft resolution the motion. No speaker in favour of the
currently on the floor. A draft motion will be recognized. Closure of
resolution can only be referred to as debate requires a two-thirds majority
such once it has been introduced to to pass. If the committee is in favour
the committee. of closure, the Chair will declare the
closure of debate, and the resolutions
14. Unmoderated Caucus: An
or amendment on the floor will be
 brought to an immediate vote. will have an open speakers’ list for
the topic being discussed. Separate 33
17. Motion to Suspend the Meeting: speakers list will be established as
This motion is made to suspend the needed for debate on amendments.
meeting for the purpose of a regular Periodically, the Chair will call on
caucus or a moderated caucus, but its delegations wishing to be added to
use also depends upon the conference the speakers list, and delegations
you are attending. When moving to may remove their name from the
suspend the meeting, the delegate list via written request. If all motions
should specify a certain amount of on the floor fail, the committee will
time and the purpose. This motion temporarily return to the speakers list
requires an immediate vote. until a consensus on debate can be
established.
18. Adjournment of the Meeting:
Whenever the floor is open, a delegate 21. Speeches: No delegate may address
may move for the adjournment of the a session without having previously
meeting, to suspend all committee obtained the permission of the Chair.
functions for the duration of the The Chair may call a speaker to order
conference. The Chair may rule such if their remarks are not relevant to
motions dilatory; this decision is not the subject under discussion, or
subject to appeal. When in order, such offensive to committee members or
a motion will not be debated but will staff. Delegates who are absent when
be immediately put to a vote and will recognized by the dais automatically
require a simple majority to pass. forfeit their time, and debate will
continue.
19. Postponement and Resumption
of Debate: Whenever the floor is 22. Speaking Time: When any speakers’
open, a delegate may move for list is opened, the speaking time is
the postponement of debate on a automatically set to one minute.
resolution or amendment currently Delegates may also make a motion to
on the floor. The motion, otherwise set a new speaking time at any time
known as “tabling,” will require a two- when points or motions are in order
thirds majority to pass and will be during formal debate. This motion
debated by two speakers in favour requires a simple majority to pass.
and two opposed. No debate or action
will be allowed on any resolution 23. Yields: A delegate granted the right to
or amendment on which debate speak from a speakers list may, after
has been postponed, and if debate speaking, yield in one of three ways: to
on a resolution or amendment has another delegate, to questions, or to
not been resumed before debate is the dais. Yield to another delegate:
closed, that resolution or amendment Any remaining time will be given to
may not be voted upon. A motion to that delegate, who may not, however,
resume debate on an amendment then yield any remaining time to a
or resolution on which debate has third delegate. To turn the floor over
been postponed will require a simple to a co-delegate is not considered a
majority to pass and will be debated yield.
by two speakers in favour and two
opposed. Resumption of debate will • Yield to questions: Questioners will
cancel the effects of postponement be selected by the Chair and limited
of debate. to one question each. Follow-up
questions will be allowed only at
Rules Governing Speeches the discretion of the Chair. Only the
speaker’s answers to questions will
20. General Speakers’ List: The committee be deducted from the speaker’s
 remaining time. procedure. The point of order will be
34 immediately ruled upon by the Chair
• Yield to the Chair: Such a yield in accordance with these Rules of
should be made if the delegate has Procedure.
finished speaking and does not
wish to yield to another delegate 28. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry:
or to questions, and further does When the floor is open, a delegate
not wish their speech to be subject may rise to a point of parliamentary
to comments. The Chair will then inquiry to ask the Chair a question
move to the next speaker. A yield regarding the Rules of Procedure.
to the Chair is in order, but not
automatic, when a speaker’s time Rules Governing Substantive Matters
has elapsed. Yields are in order only
on substantive speeches and not 29. Working Papers: Delegates may
during moderated caucus. propose working papers for committee
consideration. Working papers are
24. Comments: If a substantive speech is intended to aid the committee in
followed by no yields, the Chair may its discussion and formulation of
recognize two delegations, other than resolutions and need not be written
the initial speaker, to comment for in resolution format. Like Resolutions,
thirty seconds each on the specific working papers do not have sponsors
content of the speech just completed. – but the Board will set a minimum
Delegates who make comments may number of signatories required for
not yield. No comments will be in a working paper to be discussed
order during debate on procedural in committee. Working papers are
motions, moderated caucus, or introduced at the discretion of the
debate on amendments Board and no substantive motion is
needed.
25. Right of Reply: A delegate whose
personal integrity has been impugned 30. Resolutions: A resolution may be
by another delegate may request a introduced when it receives the
Right of Reply. The Reply, if granted, approval of the Board and is signed
will take the form of a thirty-second by a sufficient number of countries.
speech. The Chair’s decision whether Signing a resolution need not
to grant the Right of Reply cannot indicate support for the resolution,
be appealed, and a delegate granted and the signatory has no further
a Right of Reply will not address the rights or obligations and may sign
committee until requested to do so more than one draft resolution. There
by the Chair. are no official sponsors of resolutions.
Resolutions require a simple majority
Points to pass unless otherwise stated
in specific committee rules. More
26. Point of Personal Privilege: than one resolution may be on the
Whenever a delegate experiences floor at any one time, but at most
personal discomfort which impairs one resolution may be passed per
their ability to participate in the committee.
proceedings, he or she may rise to a
point of personal privilege to request 31. Introducing Resolutions: Once all
that the discomfort be corrected. resolutions have been approved
as stipulated above and have been
27. Point of Order: During the discussion copied and distributed, a delegate
of any matter, a delegate may rise to a may make a motion to introduce the
point of order to indicate an instance resolutions. This motion should specify
of improper use of parliamentary the order in which the resolutions
 will be introduced. This motion Division of the question means that a
requires a simple majority to pass. specified set of operative clauses may 35
Traditionally, a panel of those involved be voted on separately from the rest.
in the drafting of the resolution will Preambulatory clauses may not be
present a summary of the document, removed by division of the question.
followed by a question-and-answer The motion may be debated to the
period. There is some flexibility in how extent of two speakers for and two
this arrangement may work, which speakers against. This motion requires
delegates should discuss with the a simple majority to pass: The Chair will
Board. accept motions to divide the question
on a specific resolution. This motion is
32. Amendments: Delegates may amend about dividing the question in general
any resolution on the floor after it has and does not specify a manner by
been introduced. The Board will set which to divide the question. This
a minimum number of signatories motion is procedural and requires a
required for an amendment to simple majority.
be considered, which will be
communicated to delegates following • If the motion passes, the Chair
the introduction of resolutions. will accept proposals on how to
Amendments to amendments are divide the question. Such proposals
out of order. There are no official may divide the question into two
sponsors of amendments. Not every or more parts. After all proposals
amendment may be introduced have been accepted, the Chair will
and voted on. The procedure for arrange them from most severe to
amendments is as follows: least, and each will be voted on, in
that order. This is a substantive vote
• Each amendment must be and requires a simple majority. If no
introduced by a motion to introduce division passes, the resolution, or
an amendment. This requires a amendment remains intact.
simple majority to pass and is a
procedural vote. • If any proposal passes, all other
proposals are discarded, and
• If the motion to introduce the the resolution or amendment is
amendment passes, then the divided accordingly. A substantive
chair will draw an alternating list vote must then be taken on each
of for and against speakers. The divided part to determine whether
delegate who made the motion or not it is included in the final
may introduce may speak as the draft. A simple majority is required
first for the speaker at the Chair’s for inclusion of each part. After
discretion. A motion to close debate all divided parts have been voted
will be in order after at least one for on, those that were voted to be
and one against speaker. included are recombined into the
final draft resolution which must
• Votes on amendments are
then be voted upon under regular
substantive votes and require a
Rules of Procedure. If all of the
simple majority to pass.
operative parts of the substantive
proposal are rejected, the proposal
Rules Governing Voting
will be considered to have been
33. Division of the Question: After rejected as a whole.
debate on a resolution or amendment
34. Reordering Resolutions: The default
has been closed, a delegate may
order in which resolutions are voted
move to divide the question on any
on is the order in which they were
item which is about to be voted on.
introduced. After debate on a topic
 has been closed, a delegate may first sequence of the roll call must
36 motion to change the order in which vote “Yes” or “No” during the second
resolutions on the committee floor sequence. The same delegate may
will be voted on. Such a motion must not request the right of explanation.
specify a desired order.
• A delegate may only request the
35. Voting: Once the committee is in right of explanation if their vote
voting procedure and all relevant appears to constitute a divergence
motions have been entertained, from his or her country’s policy and
the committee will vote on the if he or she votes “Yes with rights”
resolutions on the floor. Voting occurs or “No with rights” in the first round
on each resolution in succession; of voting. After all delegates have
once a resolution has been passed, no voted, delegates who stated their
further resolutions will be voted on. vote with rights will be granted 30
In all matters, both substantive and seconds each to explain their votes.
procedural, each country will have one
vote. Each vote may be a “Yes,” “No,” • The Chair will then announce the
or “Abstain.” All matters will be voted outcome of the vote.
upon by placards, except in the case
of a roll call vote. After the Chair has
announced the beginning of voting,
no delegate will interrupt the voting
except on a point of personal privilege
or on a point of order in connection
with the actual conduct of the voting.
A simple majority requires more “Yes”
votes than “No” votes; abstentions
are not counted toward either total.
A two-thirds majority vote requires at
least twice as many “Yes” votes as “No”
votes. A procedural vote is a vote on
any matter besides an amendment or
resolution and requires every country
to vote either “Yes” or “No” on the
question.

36. Roll Call Voting: After debate is closed

on any topic area or amendment, any
delegate may request a roll call vote.
A motion for a roll call vote is in order
only for substantive motions. The
Chair’s decision whether to accept
the motion for a roll call vote may not
be appealed.

• In a roll call vote, the Chair will call

all countries noted by the dais to be
in attendance in alphabetical order

• In the first sequence, delegates may

vote “Yes,” “No,” “Abstain,” “Pass,”
“Yes with rights,” or “No with rights.”

• A delegate who passes during the

Precedence of Motions
37
Motions will be considered in the following order of preference. If a point or motion is on
the floor, points, or motions lower on this list are out of order.

Parliamentary Points

Points of Personal Privilege

Points of Order

Points in order only when the floor is open, i.e., Points of Parliamentary Inquiry

Procedural motions that are not

debatable:

• Adjournment of the Meeting

• Suspension of the Meeting

• Motion to Extend the Previous Motion

• Unmoderated Caucus

• Moderated Caucus

• Motion to change the speaking time

• Introduction of a draft resolution

• Introduction of an amendment

• Procedural motions that are applicable to a resolution or amendment under

consideration: reorder before division

• Closure of Debate

• Postponement of Debate

• Reordering Resolutions

• Division of the Question

• Substantive motions:

• Amendments

• Resolution

• Other procedural motions, e.g., Resumption of Debate

• or have a Roll Call Vote

38
From Working Paper to Draft Resolution Paper
FROM A WORKING PAPER TO A RESOLUTION

1. Working Paper

2. Approval

3. Draft Resolution

4. Amendments

5. Resolution

6. Voting

On How to Write a Working Paper

Congratulations, you have managed to survive so far. In this diplomatic journey, which we
started with the structure of the UN, we have learned many steps from making speeches
to the difficult and gloomy atmosphere of parliamentary procedures, and we are now
ready to write a resolution paper. But the resolution process is a very gradual and careful
process. Let’s take a look at the Working Paper, which is our first stage together.

A Working Paper is usually a harbinger of a Draft Resolution. The lobbying you do during
the long committee sessions is a place where you can put forward, through negotiation
and compromise, the first draft of ideas that you hope to guide the solution to committee’s
agenda. However, the fact that a Working paper will turn into a Draft Resolution does not
mean that it should be formatted like a Draft Resolution from the very beginning. You
can choose to use the time you take to find appropriate introductory or transactional
phrases or appropriate formatting and punctuation to convey your important ideas to
many other delegates in a less formal way. Doing this can be especially useful at the
initial stages of the writing process. In the following guide, we will give you some tips on
how to better use the working paper stage, which will make your valuable time on the
committee much more efficient for your lobbying activities.

1. Keep it short and concise! Highlight important parts! In the lobbying rush of
group meetings, many delegates will not have time to read your entire document.
You and your group will often find yourself explaining the same concepts to different
delegates over and over again. So, it would be a good strategy to highlight the points
you care about the most and write in bold.

2. Include maps and graphs! Since the Working paper you are going to prepare will
not be an official document, feel free to use a map when describing the movement
of your troops or where to set up your medical aid camp. It is a good idea to support
your ideas with visuals both to demonstrate your mastery of the geography of the
region and to go to other delegates with more concrete resources.

3. Use Equations! More food aid + Training of teenagers to cook = less idle hands in
refugee camps.

Sometimes writing out the variables / stakeholders in an equation like the one above
can be clearer than an entire paragraph. Use an equation to establish your main idea in
a way that shows clear cause and effect. Even when you have clauses written later on in
the process you can keep your equation on the top of the draft. With the draft in hand,
39
you can tell others that they are welcome to read further but your main idea is here in
the math on the top of the page.

Now that we have learned the tactics of writing Working Paper in general terms, we can
now better understand and interpret the following example:

Committee: UN Commission on Trade and Development

Topic: Generalized System of Preferences

Signatories: Algeria, United States, Colombia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Portugal,
Republic of Korea, and Spain

The authors of this working paper believe that a GSP should be set up so that Least-
Developed Countries (LDCs) receive preferential treatment from Developed Countries
(DCs). To that end we propose:

1. Each DC reduces its tariffs to the lowest level possible. This level will be determined
by the below created subcommittee.

2. Bilateral trade agreements should be pursued for further reductions in tariffs.

3. Trade preferences should be granted in the following areas: a) Agriculture b)

Manufactures c) Semi-manufactures d) Raw materials

4. Decisions on giving nations preference in product coverage should be made in

consultation with the affected LDC. Annual re-evaluation of coverage shall take
place with the LDC with dispute going to the below-created subcommittee.

Friendly reminder: The purpose of the working paper is to clearly

communicate the interests of one or more countries. Please note
that there is no set format for working papers; the below is just one
example of a possible working paper. To facilitate the photocopying
and delivery, working papers should include the name and topic of
the committee. After receiving the approval of the Board, working
papers may be copied and distributed to the committee.

On How to write a Resolution

One of the biggest questions in the minds of delegates who are just starting MUN is
undoubtedly how to write a resolution paper. The solution protocol contains all the
proposed solutions to a problem, and it is very important to write it down because
the ultimate goal of a committee is to link the problem given on the first day of the
committee to the solution after discussing it during the sessions. The resolution paper
also helps the secretariat about who has emerged victorious from the ongoing lobbying
activities in the committee and who has contributed the most.
 A resolution is a:
40
- Legal document

- Product of debate

- Sustainable solution

Anatomy of a Resolution:

Since a resolution is a legal document, it not only has to be original and brilliant, but it
also has to look a certain way. MUN resolution formatting following the guidelines of
that is set by the United Nations. Every couple of years, the United Nations updates their
formatting guidelines for its variety of legal documents, but let’s spare you the read.

A resolution is actually really simple to write. It has three main parts: the heading, the
pre-ambulatory clauses, and the operative clauses. We’ll break down the example above
into these three parts below.

1. Heading

The heading contains four pieces of information: the committee’s name, the sponsors,
the signatories, and the topic (not necessarily in that order depending on each individual
conference’s rules).

2. Preambulatory clauses

The pre-ambulatory clauses state all the issues that the committee wants to resolve on
this issue. It may state reasons why the committee is working on this issue and highlight
previous international actions on the issue. Pre-ambulatory clauses can include:

Past UN resolutions, treaties, or conventions related to the topic

Past regional, non-governmental, or national efforts in resolving this topic

References to the UN Charter or other international frameworks and laws

Statements made by the Secretary- General or a relevant UN body or agency

General background formation or facts about the topic, its significance, and its impact.

It’s very simple to write a preambulatory clause.

First, take a statement that you want to write about (perhaps an issue you want to solve
or a specific fact from one of the five bullet points above). You then take that statement,
combine it with an underlined preambulatory phrase, and end it with a comma. Let’s
take a look at this example:

Imagine the country I am representing would like to address the issue of how HIV/
AIDS has spread rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa. I pick a preambulatory phrase and then I
combine it to what I would like to emphasize and write:

Alarmed by the 17% increase in HIV/AIDS contraction among sub- Saharan

African countries in the past five years,
You can look at the end of this document to see the list for preambulatory phrases.
41
Strategy Tip: In general, you want fewer preambulatory clauses
than operative clauses. More operative clauses convey that you
have more solutions than you have problems.

3. Operative clauses

Operative clauses state the solutions that the sponsors of the resolution proposes to
resolve the issues. The operative clauses should address the issues specifically mentioned
in the pre-ambulatory clauses above it.

It’s very simple to write an operative clause. First, take a solution that you want to include
in the draft resolution. You then take that solution, combine it with an underlined
operative phrase, and end it with a semicolon (the last operative clause ends with a
period). Operative clauses are also numbered. This differentiates them from pre-
ambulatory clauses, helps show logical progression in the resolution, and makes the
operative clauses easy to refer to in speeches and comments.

For example, my first solution is to distribute low-cost medicines for HIV/AIDS to sub-
Saharan African countries. I pick an operative phrase and I combine it with my solution:

1. Calls upon the developed countries and major pharmaceutical

countries to provide low-cost, generic medicines for HIV/AIDS to sub-
Saharan African countries;

You can look at the end of this document to see the list for operative phrases.

Strategy Tip: Usually more details in an operative clause will make

it stronger or at least make the idea clearer to other delegates. A
simple way to strengthen each operative clause is to answer the
“who, what, when, where, why, and how” of each resolution. These
details can actually be broken down into sub-operative clauses
underneath the main operative clause.

Amendments

Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a

written statement that adds, deletes or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution.
Writing an amendment is very simple. All you have to do is make an operative clause
that adds, deletes, or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution.
 SAMPLE DRAFT RESOLUTION PAPER
42

Committee: General Assembly 1st Committee Topic: Child Soldiers

Sponsors: China, Rwanda, Russia Signatories: DR Congo, India, North

Korea

RESOLUTION 1.1

The General Assembly,

Concerned that children are being recruited for military purposes,

Recognizing that the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration

programmes (DDR) are too rigid, unable to adapt to different
situations of different soldiers,

Understanding that DDR programmes are costly and unaffordable

for countries who are having the issue of child soldiers,

Concerned for the safety of the people involved in carrying out DDR,

1. Endorses funding for the International Rescue Committee and NGOs

to set up schools as to give former child soldiers an education and
equip them with different skills to direct them away from a life of
violence after conflict, including:

a. Elementary schools,

b. Middle schools,

c. High schools, and,

d. Colleges;

2. Calls upon countries to create military units specifically to directly

rescue or counter the use of child soldiers in their country by rebel
militias;

3. Recommends the setting up of “rehabilitation villages” to collect all

former child soldiers and rehabilitate them, focusing on sustainability,
holistic skill building, and education;

4. Reminds countries subscribing to these recommendations that

rehabilitating every child will depend on individual cases.
Road to Academic Excellence 43

ROAD TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Welcome to the “WHAT TO DO TO EXCEL IN MUN AND WIN AWARDS!” part of this
Manual.

In this very last part of the Manual, we have come to the section where we have again
highlighted the points that we find important about the entire processes described
above and made recommendations to the delegates.

So far, we have seen together the process of a delegate from preparing for the conference
to voting on the resolution paper on the last day. From now on, every time you look back
at this document, you know where to find what and which parts are more important.
But we also wanted to make a summary by preparing this section for you. We would like
to share some tips with you in the light of the information we have compiled from all
the sections.

What to Do Before the Conference

For a good preliminary preparation, get to know your country before the topic. Because
a good delegate is a delegate who acts in accordance with the policies of his country.

Know your committee agenda! Mastering the subject does not mean having all the
statistical information about the subject, it is the ability to take an early position and
generate ideas in the discussions that will come before you in the committee in the light
of the information you have.

Write a good position paper! No matter how well you prepare for the conference, if you
cannot show it on your position paper, the committee board will not possibly know about
it. Therefore, pay attention to your position paper, which will reflect and summarize all
the preliminary preparation you have made. Remember also that a good position paper
consists not so much of information, but of knowledge! The point is not to promote your
country, but to already give signals to the committee on how you will lead it!

What to Do During Your Opening Speech

Remember your position paper for a good opening statement! Try to explain the
perspective and solutions you offer on the Position paper without detailing them.

A good opening speech doesn’t have to include everything! You don’t have to fit what
you are going to do in a single keynote speech. Try to be more specific and impressive!

Show the other delegates that you know the committee! You have informed the
committee board with your position paper that you are well aware of the committee.
Now it’s time to show this to the other delegates. Because a good delegate means the
delegate who can make other delegates think that they are good!

What to Do During GSL Speeches

The name of your country should always be on this list! It’s always positive to have
your name on the list, even if you don’t think you have anything new to talk about. You
 always have the right not to give your speech or hand it over to another delegate, use it.
44
Use this list as a tool to show your self-confidence! In some of your GSL turns, keep
your introductory speech short and leave the rest of your time for questions and opinions.
This will show the other delegates and the committee board that you are confident. You
can check out Rules of Procedure again for details about the Yield process.

What to Do During Moderated Caucuses

Try to be creative! Use the discussion topic in the proposals you will submit to discuss
solutions that you have already prepared. Being creative in doing so will allow other
delegates to vote in favour of your proposal.

Don’t give motion to just give motion! It doesn’t matter how many motions you propose
to the committee. So do not feel the need to constantly open a new topic and raise a
motion. Follow the discussions and use your motions if necessary.

Learn to listen! Never forget that the Moderated Caucus format does not consist of
monologues! Listen to the delegates speaking before you, take notes. In order to direct
the discussion, you will need to know where the discussion is going.

What to Do During Unmoderated Caucuses

Do not be alone! Unmoderated caucuses are forms of discussion that you use to prepare
the necessary written documents for the committee. That is why it will not be good for
you to be alone during these sessions. Keep in touch with other delegates, talk to them
with references to previous discussions to show that you are listening and that you are
following the committee, and try to rally people around you. As soon as you realize that
you are struggling, ask the committee board for help. Remember that nothing will be
worse than for you to sit on your own.

Lead people! Unmoderated sessions always need a natural facilitator and leader. Lead
them by exploiting the power void in the unmoderated caucuses and attracting other
delegates to your side. But do not impose yourself on others while doing this, wait for
the process to develop naturally. The other delegates should be impressed by your
knowledge and abilities so that they come to you.

• Crowd up! Keep in mind that you need votes at the end of the committee. The working
documents you write may be much better, but if you are outnumbered by the other
group, you will lose to them at the end of the day. Therefore, try to attract delegates
from other groups to your side by making concessions. And you do it best by promising
them, listening to them. Because remember that the best delegate is the one who can
mobilize other delegates, not the one who tells the best idea all the time!

Finally, whatever you do, try to enjoy the conference. Because every conference, you
will have time to correct your mistakes, to positively criticize yourself when you look
back. Enjoy your unique experience without bringing any negative thoughts to your
mind during the conference period. Be sure that each conference will open doors to
completely different experiences for you!
APPENDIX • Welcoming
45
PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES • Affirming

Guided by • Alarmed by

Having adopted • Approving

Having considered • Aware of

Having considered further • Bearing in mind

Having devoted attention • Believing

Having examined • Cognizant of

Having heard • Confident

Having received • Contemplating

Having studied • Convinced

Keeping in mind • Declaring

Noting further • Deeply concerned

Noting with approval • Deeply conscious

Noting with deep concern • Deeply convinced

Noting with regret • Deeply disturbed

Noting with satisfaction • Deeply regretting

Observing • Desiring

Reaffirming • Emphasizing

Realizing • Expecting

Recalling • Expressing its appreciation

Recognizing • Expressing its satisfaction

• Fulfilling

Referring • Fully alarmed

• Seeking • Fully aware

• Taking into account • Fully believing

• Taking note

• Viewing with appreciation

 OPERATIVE CLAUSES • Notes
46
Accepts • Proclaims

Affirms • Reaffirms

Approves • Recommends

Authorizes • Regrets

Calls for • Reminds

Calls upon • Requests

Condemns • Resolves

Confirms • Solemnly affirms

Congratulates • Strongly condemns

Considers • Supports

Declares accordingly • Takes note of

Demands • Trusts

Deplores • Urges

Designates • Welcomes

Draws attention

Emphasizes

Encourages

• Endorses

• Expresses its appreciation

• Expresses its hope

• Further invites

• Further proclaims

• Further recommends

• Further reminds

• Further requests

• Further resolves

• Has resolved