Hwa Chong International Model United Nations Delegate...

Hwa Chong International Model United Nations

Delegate Training Handbook

2 Table of Contents

Part I: The Basics What is MUN? 3 HMUN Councils and their Descriptions 4 Order of Events in Council Sessions 5

Country and Issue Research 6 The Opening Speech 7

Part II: The Debate Definitions 8

General Rules 10

Debating Procedure 11

Note Passing and Messages 14

Part III: Resolutions What is a Resolution? 15

How to Write a Resolution 16

Phrases for Resolution Writing 18

A Sample Resolution 20

Lobbying and Signing 23

Interest Groups 26

Debating on a Resolution 27

Amendments 29

Part IV: Decorum Dress Code 31 Behaviour in Councils 33

Final Words Final Words 34

Note: Adapted from the THIMUN training manual.

To see their complete manual go to www.thimun.org. 2

3 Part I: The Basics What is MUN? MUN (Model United Nations) is an extra-curricular activity in many schools and universities. In MUN, each student assumes the role of a delegate representing a country or organization (e.g. USA, Spain, North Korea, ASEAN, etc.). The student will be placed in a specific committee, such as the Security Council or Human Rights Council, and debate about agendas or issues concerning the world. The aims of a MUN conference are to encourage debate and sharing of views between student from different schools and of different ethnicities. This would allow students an insight into complexities of international relations and realpolitik. For more information about Model United Nations, visit http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/unintro/unintro.asp.

This MUN is a chance for you, the student, to gain hands-on experience about what the real UN does on a day-to-day basis. The more involved you get with the country you’re representing and the more passionate you get about learning how your representative country’s diplomats would act, the more fun you’ll find yourself having and the more you will actually gain from the experience. So, Get involved - Get passionate!

HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

4 HMUN Councils and their Descriptions United Nations Security Council (UNSC) The Security Council is given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Agendas in this council may concern issues such as nuclear weaponry, cyber warfare, and the use of drones in war. http://www.un.org/en/sc/about/ United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations program headquartered in New York City that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. www.unicef.org/ United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an agency that coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. www.unep.org International Court of Justice (ICJ) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). www.icj-cij.org/court/

World Health Organization (WHO) The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. www.who.int/


Order of Events in Council Sessions

Begin Agenda

Opening Speeches

Speaker’s List (General debating)

Introduce Resolution

Debating for Resolution

Debating against Resolution

Voting on Resolution

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Roll-call

Moderated Caucus (Topic-focused

debating) Unmoderated Caucus

(Informal discussions, lobbying for resolution)

Introduce Amendments


6 Country and Issue Research A MUN conference can only run normally when the delegate of each country provides a realistic representation of his/her country’s stance on the given topic. So, it is essential that you do a certain amount of research in any areas where necessary. These areas include:

• The historical origin of the problem, or why the problem arose;

• The general stance of your represented country in the issue, and the justification for the stance taken;

• What your country believes should be done to address the issue; • Specific proposals on how to solve the issue; • What your country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution.

Note that the very specific details will not be necessary – reciting a long list of names and dates that are only relevant to your country usually sends the council into a lullaby. Nevertheless, basic research is always important. A common mistake delegates will make is to give their personal, instinctive stance on the issue rather than their country’s actual views. (When the delegate of North Korea starts arguing passionately in favour of freedom of expression, something is definitely wrong.) Tempting as it is, going “off policy” is a move that is looked down upon. As the delegate is not behaving as a true representative of the country, it defeats the purpose of simulating a UN conference, since he/she fails to demonstrate the knowledge acquired of their country. In short, have a good understanding of your country’s stance on the given topics. A MUN conference in which delegates carry out their proper roles (e.g. USA and Russia conducting a verbal war, backed by appropriate allies) can be a surprisingly enriching experience.


7 The Opening Speech In this Conference all delegates will be asked to give an opening speech to begin the conference. An opening speech is a general address to the council on your country’s thoughts and feelings toward the conference. Opening speeches have very strict time limits. The chair WILL interrupt you if you go even 1 second over your allotted time. For the HMUN conference, the time given per delegation is as follows:

1 minute for all delegation representatives What should an opening speech contain?

v Always address the audience formally, e.g. “Honorable Chair, fellow delegates.”

This should appear at the very beginning of your speech.

v Formal titles like your country’s full and official name (i.e. “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, instead of “North Korea”).

v After this, you have at least 30 seconds to fill. Try to make it interesting. It is

NOT necessary to state your country’s policy on the issue you’re about to debate.

It is far more important to use your speech as a way of being recognized. Tell your audience, who probably have far less understanding about your country than you do, some surprising facts that make people think of your country as a force to be dealt with.

v Above all, strive for interest. Listening to a whole classroom of delegates get up and repeat “How pleased country X is to be in attendance at this conference” tends to bore even the most fervent of MUN delegates. Be different, and stand out from the crowd!


8 Part II: The Debate Definitions of Debating Terms 1. The Characters The Chair (Chairman, Chairperson): The Chair’s role is very important. It is his/her job to conduct the debate and to maintain order while remaining totally impartial. The house: All the members of the assembly, except the Chair and Co-Chairs. 2. The Floor To have the floor: To have been given the right to speak from the podium in debate. To yield the floor: To give up one’s right to the floor, either to the chair, to another

delegate or to points of information (see next page under “points”). Recognise: As in “Delegate of X, you have been recognised.” This grants you the

privilege of speaking. The Chair of the assembly must “recognise” you before you are able to state your point.

3. The Motions A motion: The proposal for debate which will eventually be voted upon. Moderated Caucus: A formal debate on a focused topic related to the agenda. For

example, on the agenda “Addressing Child Slavery”, you could say: “Motion for a 10-minute moderated caucus on exploring the root cause of child slavery.”

Unmoderated Caucus: An informal debate session, for extended discussion of the

agenda or for lobbying on resolutions. For example, you could say: “Motion for an unmoderated caucus of 10 minutes for lobbying.”


9 Move to Previous Question: A request to end debate (on an amendment or the

resolution) and move to voting procedure because the discussion has died out. 4. The Points Point of information: A BRIEF question, directed either to the speaker who has the floor

or to the chairperson, by a member of the house who had been duly recognized by the chair.

Point of order: A question directed to the chairman by a member of the house who feels

that a mistake has been made in the order of debate. Point of Parliamentary Procedure: A question asked of the chair about the rules of procedure. Point of Personal Privilege: This allows for the mention of any number of disorders

relating to personal comfort. Use this if something beyond your control is preventing you from fully participating in the conference. E.g. Audibility or clarity of a speaker, annoyances, disorder, insults, etc.

5. Time Time “for” a Resolution: People fully supporting the resolution speak in favour of it.

The purpose of this time is to convince people to vote FOR the resolution. Time “against” the Resolution: Here there is time to argue against the resolution OR try

to amend the resolution (make changes to it). HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

10 General Rules of Debate The decisions of the Chair are final. Only the Chair, a member of the house recognized by the Chair for a point, or the speaker holding the floor has any right to speak. The Chair will propose the limitations of debate time for each motion. This will normally

be:

Main Motions: 10 minutes for and 10 minutes against or 20 minutes of Open debate.

Amendments: 3 minutes for and 3 minutes against or 6 minutes of open debate.

The Chair may, if circumstances warrant it, extend or reduce debate times or speaking times and limit the number of points of information. Except by a decision of the Chair, there will be no suspension of the rules or changes in the order of debate. Always use the correct form of address, speaking to the chair at all times and never directly to another delegate. The Chair may call upon a particular delegation to speak, even if they have not requested the floor. This can be for delegates who:

• Represent countries (that) are strongly involved in the agenda • Represent countries that have been repeatedly offended during debate • Did not participate actively in debating


11 Debating Procedure 1. General Speaker’s List • Formal, open debating on the given agenda. After all delegates deliver their opening

speeches, this will be the default event taking place in the council session, until a resolution on the agenda is brought up.

• A speaker’s list works like so:

1. The chair initiates the speaker’s list 2. Any delegates wishing to speak raise their placards 3. The chair recognises a list of delegates 4. According to the list (one after another), delegates come up and speak on the

agenda (e.g. the root causes identified and the possible solutions) 1. After finishing a speech during the speaker’s list, the Chair will ask the delegate on

how they will yield the floor (give their speaking rights). Delegates have 3 options:

1. To Points of Information Essentially, to allow other delegates to fire questions regarding points you made in your speech. Typically, delegates should allow 2 to 3 points of information, but if you’re feeling a little brave, you could always say “any and all”. After you provide an answer, delegates with the points of information cannot respond again, unless:

a) They request (arbitrarily) for a follow-up b) They have a Right to Reply as decided by the Chair, for example,

when your answer directly offends their country.

2. To another delegate There are two scenarios to do this:

a) The other delegate is an ally that can complement your speech b) You want to force an answer out of a delegate, whose country was

addressed/accused in your speech HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

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2. To another delegate (cont’d) Do not try and yield pingpong-style between another delegate and yourself, or orchestrate a chain yielding among certain delegates. Once Delegate A yields to Delegate B, B is not allowed to yield to another delegate.

3. To the Chair Basically giving up your speaking rights entirely and allowing the next delegate on the speaker’s list to speak. Try not to go for this one.

2. Moderated Caucus • Formal debating on a focused topic, as defined by the delegate who raises it. • For example, on the agenda “Addressing Child Slavery”, you could say: “Motion for a

10-minute moderated caucus on exploring the root cause of child slavery, with 1 minute allocated for each speaker.”

• A moderated caucus works quite similarly to the speaker’s list.

1. The chair initiates the caucus 2. Any delegates wishing to speak raise their placards 3. The chair recognises a selected number of delegates

• An important difference: After every speech in a moderated caucus, the floor is

automatically yielded to the chair only. This means that: o NO points of information are allowed in a moderated caucus. To retort any

points made by delegates, you will have to raise your placard and add yourself to the list of speakers.

o NO yielding to other delegates. • Motions for a moderated caucus can be raised anytime during the general speaker’s

list (when nobody is speaking on the floor, obviously), but it is better to raise one when you find that the ongoing debate is not engaging a particular aspect of the agenda.


13 • When time for the moderated caucus elapses, the council will return to the speaker’s

list. 3. Unmoderated Caucus • Informal debating time among delegates (i.e. not overseen by the Chair). • It can be raised like: “Motion for an unmoderated caucus of 10 minutes for lobbying.” • Motions for an unmoderated caucus can technically be raised anytime during the

speaker’s list, but to be sensible, raise it when debate seems to be going stale, not right after the speaker’s list is opened.

• This is not a recess break! Try doing something productive like lobbying for your

resolution. • When time for the unmoderated caucus elapses, the council will return to the

speaker’s list. • For more on how to spend an unmoderated caucus, see Lobbying and Signing

(pg. 23-25) HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

14 Note-Passing and Messages Delegates may not talk amongst themselves during the formal debate time (anytime at the conference). If you want to communicate (with other delegates or the chair), you’ll need to write down your message on a piece of paper. The outside of this note must state clearly (write neatly or the note-passers probably won’t send it!) who the note is FROM, and who the note is TO. The “to” and “from” sections of this must be filled out with a COUNTRY name, not the name of the actual delegate.

SAMPLE NOTE From: Russia To: Angola

Do you want to work with me in striking out Clause 6? When you have a note ready to pass, raise it in your hand and the admin staff will pick it up from you and deliver it. Note passing can be made anytime during formal debate, whether during the speaker’s list, moderated caucus or debating on a resolution. However, Note passing is out of order during voting procedures.


15 Part III: Resolutions What is a Resolution? It is basically a piece of formal writing to address a certain agenda, or an ongoing problem in the world. A UN resolution provides the guidelines for member states to solve the addressed issue. A resolution is done in a very particular format, having two sections. The first section explains a bit of the background of the small slice of the issue you a re trying to solve, the second gives your opinions about how you propose to actually solve problem as you see it. It is really as simple as that, the rest is just details! A resolution starts off with pre-ambulatory phrases. These are the bits that tell the history of the problem, you use these to define the part of the problem you are trying to solve. (Background information, past resolutions that have tried to focus on this same problem, pertinent facts, and past injustices are all examples of the information that goes into this section.) A resolution ends with operative clauses. Operative clauses are the parts of resolutions that actually suggest a solution to the problem that you defined in the pre-ambulatory clauses. The operative clauses suggest real and possible solutions for the problem you have defined.


16 How to Write a Resolution Look at the sample resolution appearing on pages 20-22. Notice particularly the Headings which appear on each resolution. Each resolution must have these headings. Each page of a resolution must be numbered. Headings: The first line states the FORUM: (which is your allocated Council e.g. ECOSOC or the Human Rights Council) The Second line states the QUESTION OF: (write in what issue will be looked at in the

resolution) The Resolution begins with the words, in caps lock, “THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY” or “ECOSOC,” and then continues on the next line with the pre-ambulatory clauses of the resolution. Other formatting styles to notice: 1. The introductory word or phrase of each clause is underlined. 2. There is a line-space between each clause in both pre-ambulatory and operative clauses. 3. The lines of text are numbered. 4. Each operative clause is numbered. 5. Sub-clauses are lettered: a), b), c), etc; sub-sub-clauses numbered i), ii), iii), etc. 6. Operative clauses and sub-clauses are indented (by using the tab settings not the space-bar!). 7. Acronyms and abbreviations are written out in full the first time they are used in a resolution. 8. School names do not appear on a resolution. 9. The whole resolution is one long sentence; commas and semi-colons are used to end lines, not periods.


17 More Important Concepts to Remember/Know about Resolutions: For this conference, each resolution, even after lobbying and merging (discussed later), should be no more than 3 pages long. When writing, begin with the operative clauses, then add your pre-ambulatory ones to the beginning later. It is easier to write it this way. Pre-ambulatory clauses contain the background to the problem, the arguments for creating the solution and the reasoning behind the calls for action which are contained in the operative clauses. Resolutions generally are focused on solving problems, not creating them, so being conciliatory and not condemnatory is important. (It is not the time to make an ideological statement; it is a time to try to bring people together to find solutions.) Conciliatory – trying to find solutions and work with other people. Condemnatory – only pointing out things that are wrong, trying to make people frustrated and angry. Resolutions do not have to give all the specifics. They’re just the general overview of how a problem should be handled. Therefore, you do not need to spend time in Operative clauses explaining how a particular organization is going to get the money to run the new program you might be suggesting they begin. Resolutions should try to look at the problem and its solution from a global perspective. A resolution that goes into detail about how Canada is going to safeguard its groundwater from depletion is not going to be of any interest to Egypt. Try to make your solutions workable for more than just one country. That way other country delegates will be interested in listening to you and your ideas. The page entitled “Phrases for Resolution Writing” contains ALL the approved ways to start each phrase, whether Operative or Pre-ambulatory. Each phrase MUST start with one of these words, correctly underlined. In this, it is NOT possible to be creative, that’s why the words are listed for you.


18 Phrases for Resolution Writing Pre-ambulatory phrases Acknowledging Expecting Noting with Appreciation Affirming Expressing in appreciation Noting with Approval Alarmed by Expressing its satisfaction Noting with deep concern Approving Fulfilling Noting with regret Aware of Fully alarmed Noting with satisfaction Believing Fully aware Observing Bearing in mind Fully believing Pointing out Confident Further deploring Reaffirming Congratulating Further recalling Realizing Contemplating Guided by Recalling Convinced Having adopted Recognising Declaring Having considered Referring Deeply concerned Having considered further Reminding Deeply conscious Having devoted further Reminding Deeply convinced Having examined Taking into account Deeply disturbed Having heard Taking into consideration Deeply regretting Having received Taking note Deploring Having studied Viewing with appreciation Desiring Keeping in mind Welcoming Emphasising Noting further


19 Operative phrases

Accepts Encourages Recommends Affirms Endorses Regrets Approves Expresses its appreciation Requests Asks Expresses its hope Resolves Authorises Further invites Seeks Calls for Further proclaims Strongly affirms Calls upon Further recommends Strongly condemns Condemns Further requests Strongly urges Congratulates Further resolves Suggests Confirms Hopes Supports Declares accordingly Invites Trusts Deplores Proclaims Transmits Designates Proposes Urges


20 Sample Resolution FORUM: Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) QUESTION OF: Sustainable Development and ICT Challenges: Connecting the Unconnected SUBMITTED BY: The Republic of Sudan THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, Recalling Resolution 65/141 of 2 February 2011, which recognises that “information and communication technologies have the potential to provide the new solutions to development challenges”, Noting with concern the current unreliability and high costs of electricity to power ICT equipment in developing countries, which make it hard to encourage its use among citizens of such countries, Guided by the aims and intentions of the One Laptop per Child program, which are to engage people to learn and share together, and to “become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future”, Believing that the lack of ICT access, which could bring great benefit to people’s daily lives, may not even be a concern for some because they are faced with more immediate problems such as healthcare and food, Recognising the relevance of various aspects of the Eighth Millennium Goal, which were “to cooperate with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications”, Regrets that large ICT companies provide access based on financial viability only, thus ignoring populations that are either remote, small, economically disadvantaged, or where difficult terrain impacts installation cost, Defining “Least Connected Countries” as countries that are in the lowest quartile of the ICT Development Index (IDI) results from the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) research in 2011, which includes nations such as Chad, Mali, Liberia and Ethiopia as well as many others,

1) Authorises the evaluation of existing telecommunications infrastructure in developing member nations, in particular the Least Connected Countries, for further development by the ITU with all member nations to identify issues with telecommunications that are present in such nations by:

a. conducting such evaluation by UN officials and appointed experts from the ITU in cooperation with local telecommunications service providers,

b. assessing telecommunications systems based on guidelines established by the ITU, which can be amended to fit the individual circumstances and needs of each nation,

c. developing possible solutions based on the results of such evaluation to improve such systems;


21 2) Expresses the hope of enhancing the efficiency of government services through introducing ICT

into government sectors such as public healthcare and public school systems, thus improving on aspects such as but not limited to:

a. public access to hospitals and immediate healthcare in both rural and urban areas, b. facilitating emergency government aid in the form of emergency hotlines for government

services; 3) Further resolves to cooperate with member nations to create a support ICT system for developing

nations and continuously improve ICT’s spread across the globe through ways such as but not limited to:

a. working with representatives of such groups such as trading unions, government departments and environmental groups to gather feedback from a larger cross-section of the population which will help their collective needs from ICT systems,

b. providing a forum in which individual citizens are allowed to form and voice their opinions on the impact of ICT on their daily lives and thus re-evaluating the system for greater improvements;

4) Recommends the provision of introductory vocational training on ICT use to teachers within

member nations on the usage of ICT to integrate into schools and syllabi to create a sustainable base of technological skills in the community through ways such as but not restricted to:

a. creating specified training programs to facilitate the training of such teachers, b. recruiting existing teachers specialised in such skill sets to conduct the training;

5) Strongly encourages the integration of ICT education programmes to impart the knowledge of

how to use such technologies for their own benefit through ways such as but not limited to: a. providing such education programs for the general public by UN organisations and other

relevant NGOs, covering topics such as basic computer use, e-mails and internet security, b. conducting a literacy campaign, headed by the Literacy Research Association (LRA) and

other interested organisations, to improve the literacy rates of developing nations to increase the use of ICT;

6) Further recommends training technical support staff to maintain the ICT equipment installed and

to continuously develop and improve such equipment through ways such as but not limited to: a. training a team of experienced technical support staff from member nations by the ITU

who will carry out regular system checks on the ICT equipment to ensure the smooth running of the ICT systems,

b. continuously developing newer technologies with a cost-effective and energy-efficient focus to reduce the environmental and financial impacts of using such ICT systems;


22 7) Encourages a stronger collaboration between the UN and relevant telecommunications

companies to negotiate a cheaper, subsidised internet service, which complements the One Laptop per Child program;

8) Invites existing organisations and companies to seek alternative methods to increase ICT usage

by evaluating existing projects created by private sectors such as but not limited to: a. hosting annual conferences with companies with relevant knowledge on this issue to

attend and contribute ideas, b. offering leadership positions responsible for such projects;

9) Welcomes the organisation of biannual meetings to discuss the aforementioned topics amongst

relevant UN organisations and NGOs, as well as: a. to consistently review the existing humanitarian measures and programs that such

organisations have been implemented by: i. requesting reports from organisations in regards to their progress on such

measures, ii. identifying crucial areas of weakness within the programs which need to be

addresses, b. to facilitate negotiations between donating and donation-recipient countries on the subject

of the use of donated funds on ICT use, c. to facilitate the cooperation between relevant UN organisations and nations to

collaboratively implement solutions to the issue; 10) Appeals to other member nations and/or private donors to act upon these issues and invest in the

long term benefits that ICT brings towards the economic growth of developing nations and the standards of living of their citizens by providing resources and aid such as:

a. financial support through the ICT Development Fund of the ITU, but ensuring that there are tracking methods to prevent embezzlement or defalcation of such funds

b. technology of infrastructure support to provide basic technological frameworks for government services, such as but not limited to:

i. landline telephones, ii. modems and local area networks (LANs),

iii. technical support or maintenance personnel, c. the establishment of a growth pole in the ICT industry in areas surrounding developing

nations funded by the World Bank. HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

23 Lobbying Once you’ve written your draft resolution, the next step is to garner support for it – which you can do when lobbying in council. Lobbying is the time to have an open, informal discussion with other delegates in the council. Lobbying takes place during unmoderated caucuses, which will typically last for 10-15 minutes per caucus unless otherwise set by the chair. There are a few aims in lobbying:

• To establish allies in other delegates • To convince other delegates of your ideas • To discuss, compare and/or merge resolutions

To be fully ready to participate in a lobbying session, each delegate should bring several paper copies of their already finished draft resolutions with them to share with other delegates. Merging resolutions is strongly advised, as delegates will often find similar clauses in their resolutions, and it will be extremely tiring for the council to sit through multiple similar resolutions.


24 Signing Resolutions Signing is required for every resolution to be put up for debate. Delegates will have to get their resolutions signed during lobbying time. There are 3 positions that can be signed in a resolution: 1. Main Submitter The main submitter is usually the delegate that has written most of the clauses in a resolution (especially if the resolution was merged). For each resolution, there will be 1 main submitter only. The main submitter will be responsible for:

• Submitting their resolution to the chair

• Introducing the motion to discuss their resolution

• Reading out the resolution to the council

• Providing a speech in favour of the resolution Most notably, the main submitter will be the one taking credit for the resolution as a whole (e.g. for receiving the Best Resolution Paper award). Main submitters are the toughest roles to play in a MUN conference, but they’re also the most rewarding! Notes: As main submitter, you cannot be a co-submitter for other resolutions on the same agenda; however, you are allowed to make signatories. 2. Co-Submitters These are delegates who support the resolution and will speak in favour of it. At least 1 co-submitter will be required for a resolution to be up for debate. There are no limits to the number of co-submitters. Notes:

1. Co-submitters are only allowed to vote in favour of the resolution. Make sure you really like the one you’re signing.


25

2. As co-submitter, you cannot be a co-submitter for other resolutions on the same agenda; however, you are allowed to make signatories.

3. Signatories Signatories are delegates that not necessarily support the resolution, but approve of it being put up for discussion. In other words, you can become a signatory of any resolution so long as it looks mildly interesting to you. At least 5 signatories will be required for a resolution to be put up for debate. There are no limits to the number of signatories. Note: Signatories are allowed to vote in every way on the resolution: for, against or abstaining. To summarise, for any resolution to be up for discussion, you will require:

• 1 main submitter only (you, ideally.) • 1 co-submitter (minimum) • 5 signatories (minimum)

Ø ALWAYS sign in your country’s name, not your own. (e.g. “Republic of Ireland”, not

“Johnny Tan Bo Bo”)

Who should I approach when lobbying? A rather important question. This goes back to country research – as delegates, you are strongly advised to look up your list of allies and enemies. Quite obviously, you should mainly approach your allies for co-submitters in a resolution. (e.g. if you’re South Korea, try inviting the USA for a co-submitter spot. Inviting North Korea will likely raise eyebrows.) On the other hand, you are always welcome to make your enemies sign up as signatories. Literally anyone can be a signatory!


26 Interest Groups You should find out if you are a member of one of the following Interest Groups. The members of these groups are often friendly to one another. It is a way of finding out who your diplomatic friends are; it is also a way of figuring out where/ who you can expect support from. This is not a complete list of Interest Groups and alliances. Be open to others that you might find. ANZUS - The Australian, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty: A military

alliance that binds the countries primarily to co-operate on defence issues in the Pacific Ocean area.

Arab League - Organisation of 22 Arab and Muslim countries worldwide. ASEAN – Association of South East Asian Nations: South East Asian countries to

increase the welfare of the people in the region, both economically and culturally. AU - African Union: An organisation of African nations whose main purpose is to

encourage cooperation and development among its member states. EU – European Union: An economic and political union of 28 member states that are

located primarily in Europe. G20 - A forum for the cooperation and consultation of major economies on matters

pertaining to the international financial system. NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Military alliance of Western European

countries under the direction of the US to protect Europe. OAS - Organisation of American States: North and South American countries under the

direction of the US, for the purpose of economic development and mutual protection

OPEC - Oil Producing and Exporting Countries who control the supply and price of oil.


27 Debating on a Resolution Once a resolution is written, signed and submitted to the chair, it is time to open a debate on it. Note that all debate on a resolution should be focused on the operative clauses only – as in, the actions proposed for countries to take. Pre-ambulatory clauses are less substantial and thus of secondary concern. Generally, there are 4 steps to debating on a resolution: 1. Introducing the Resolution

(Submitted resolution papers will be shown to the whole council on a projector.) Before debating on the resolution begins, the floor will unconditionally be yielded to the main submitter. S/he will read out all the operative clauses of the resolution paper, after which they are allowed 2 minutes to deliver a speech on their resolution.

As a main submitter, make sure you take the introductory speech seriously. This speech will set the momentum of the debate that follows, so be sure to prepare an impactful delivery!

2. Debating For/Against the Resolution

This is where the fun begins.

To decide whether you will be debating for or against the resolution, refer once again to your list of allies and enemies. Although it is tempting to pick sides based on how appealing the resolution seems to you, always remember that in the international scene, bilateral or multilateral relations have considerable influence over decisions made by countries. No matter how much sense Russia’s resolution makes, the Delegate of USA may not necessarily subscribe to the same view or adopt the same stance


28 2. Debating For/Against the Resolution (cont’d)

Picking sides can also largely depend on the economic welfare of your represented country:

• Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) will often oppose resolutions that call for all countries to step up development (by improving education and whatnot);

• More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) should go against large-

scale operational resolutions that require heavy funding (e.g. calling for military protection of World Heritage Sites) as these resolutions usually have a huge reliance on MEDCs.

3. Voting

This is it – determining whether the resolution as a whole will be passed. There are 3 possible votes for delegates:

• For the Resolution • Against the Resolution • Abstaining

o Delegates may abstain if the issue at hand, or the resolution submitted, is

not of major concern to their represented country. You are advised not to abstain but to take the stance of the country you are representing.

4. Clapping

Only if the resolution passes or unless the Chair feels it is appropriate to do so. HMUN Delegate Training Handbook

29 Amendments Normally, before any resolution is voted on, it should be amended by delegates during debating time on the resolution; that is, having its operative clauses modified slightly. The intention of proposed amendments to resolutions should normally be to improve the resolution, with the objective of achieving a wider consensus, and thus helping the resolution pass. All Amendments must be submitted to the Chair, at the appropriate time during formal debate for the resolution, on an Amendment Sheet of the approved format (You’ll receive these at the conference. If you need one, ask a runner for one if you’ve run out). Amendments not submitted to the Chair in advance are not in order (won’t be allowed to be read). All Amendments must clearly state: 1. which country is proposing the amendment; 2. the clause or sub-clause which is affected by the amendment; 3. the kind of amendment, e.g. strike, insert, strike and insert, add; 4. the line or lines in which the amendment is to be made.

SAMPLE AMENDMENT From: Japan To: Chair Clause: 4b (ii) Line: “…with guidance from the relevant NGOs” Amendment: Strike “guidance”,

insert “financial, technological or military assistance” Amendments may be handwritten but must be LEGIBLE. Illegible or untidy amendments will be ruled out of order. (This is serious! Print or write very clearly!!!) Amendments are in order only if they are amending the resolution under debate. You cannot amend a proposed amendment, nor can you send amendments to the chair on


30 resolutions that are not currently under debate. Debating on Amendments The procedure for debating on an amendment is very much like debating on a resolution itself. There are 3 steps: 1. Introducing the Amendment

After notifying the chair, the submitter of the amendment (it can be any delegate, including co-submitters, signatories and non-signatories) will be yielded the floor. The submitter will read out the amendment, and then provide a 1 minute speech to justify the amendment.

2. Debating For/Against the Amendment

Largely similar to debating on a resolution; refer to pg. 27, Step 2. 3. Voting

As with resolutions, there are 3 possible votes for delegates: • For the Amendment • Against the Amendment • Abstaining

Clapping is usually not in order for amendments, regardless of whether it passes.


31 Part IV: Decorum Decorum refers to the rules of behaviour in councils. Delegates breaching any rules below will be dealt with appropriately by the Chair or other relevant personnel. Dress Code Formal wear is required for all delegates of HMUN. • Males

You will require:

o A business shirt

o A tie

o Formal pants

o Dark shoes

o A blazer


32 Dress Code (cont’d) • Females

You will require:

o A business shirt

o Formal pants/skirt § Skirts should be of appropriate length (No

more than 5 inches above knee level)

o Dark shoes

§ May be high-heeled or flat-heeled; left

to your discretion

o A blazer


33 Behaviour in Councils 1. Communication

As stated, direct verbal communication among delegates is strictly prohibited during council sessions, except during an unmoderated caucus or indoor recess. During debate time, delegates should only communicate through note-passing (see pg.14).

Direct verbal communication is allowed to be directed to the Chair, but only to raise motions (e.g. to Move to Previous Question) or points (e.g. Point of Personal Privilege). (See Pg. 8-9 for more on motions and points.)

2. Debating Language

Delegates are highly encouraged to use formal parliamentary language in debate; however, occasional informal language can be useful to lighten the mood of the council. (MUN is for fun.)

Delegates must always make speeches in the third person. This means:

• Referring to themselves as “this delegate” or “the delegate of [insert your represented country here]”

• Referring to other delegates as “the delegate” or “the delegate of [inset their

represented country here]” • Referring to the chair as “the Chair” (do not try anything else, seriously)

Any use of strongly inappropriate language (vulgarities, mature content etc) will be met with severe punishment from the Chair.

3. Clapping and Laughter

Clapping is usually allowed for passed resolutions only, after the voting process. Laughter is usually not in order to maintain respect for all speakers on the floor.


34 Final Words That’s all! Preparing for MUN will take quite a bit of effort, but once you step into council, it is a lot easier than it looks. As long as you like speaking to a certain extent, you are guaranteed to enjoy your MUN experience. Start getting ready, and see you at HMUN! This Delegate Training Handbook is brought to you by the 2014 HMUN Organizing Committee, Hwa Chong International School.


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