DelegateGuide

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TableofContentsIntroductions 2

WhatisModelUnitedNations? 3

PublicSpeaking 4

Structure 4

Content 4

BodyLanguage 5

Research 7

YourCountry 8

TopThreeareasforyourCountryResearch 8

PositionPapers 9

Solutions 11

ParliamentaryProcedure 12

Motions 12

Pointofpersonalprivilege 12

Pointofparliamentaryinquiry 12

Pointoforder 12

Pointofinformation 12

MotionforanUnmoderatedCaucus 12

MotionforaModeratedCaucus 12

Motiontoclosedebate 12

Motiontoextendmoderated/unmoderatedcaucus 12

Heading 13

Pre-ambulatoryClauses 13

OperativeClauses 15

Amendments 15

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IntroductionsDearDelegates,Ifyouarereadingthesewords,thenitwillbebecauseyouareparticipatinginthesecondeditionofLIMUN:HighSchoolverysoon.ItisalsopossibleyouwillbewonderingwhatModelUnitedNationsisandwhatexactlyyouwillbedoingin17weeks’timeasIwritethis.HopefullythisguidewillbreakeverythingdownandgiveyouabetterunderstandingofwhattoexpectcomeNovember.WhenIstartedModelUNfourandahalfyearsago,Ididn'tthinkmuchofitbeyondseeingitas something to do inmy spare timewith friends. Little did I know that Iwas beginningsomethingthatwouldnotonlystillberelevantandimportanttometothisday,butalsogivemetheopportunitytotakeonavarietyofpositions,skillsandresponsibilities,perfectforanimpressiveCV.IfLIMUN:HighSchoolwillbeyourfirsttimeataModelUNconference,thenitisthehopeofmyself and the rest of the secretariat that youwill have great first impressions thatwillencourageyoutokeepupparticipation.Butwhatisalsoimportanttorememberisthateveryindividualwillhavetheirownreason(s)forbeingdrawntoMUN.HopefullyyouwilldiscoverwhatyoursisafterNovemberbutthisisultimatelyforyoutodiscover.I’mlookingforwardtomeetingallofyouinNovember,andgoodluckwithyourresearch!AlfieJenkinsDeputySecretary-GeneralofLIMUN:HighSchool2017WelcomeDelegates!Myname isDaniaand Iama finalyearstudentatKing’sCollegeLondon.WeareallveryexcitedtowelcomeyoutothesecondeditionofLondonInternationalModelUnitedNations:High School and if this will be your first time with us, we sincerely hope to make it amemorableexperienceforyou.Likemanyofyou,IbeganmyModelUnitedNationsjourneyinhighschoolattheageof14.Admittedly, it was very intimidating as I was unaware ofwhat I was gettingmyself into.However, aftermy first conference, I knew thatModelUnitedNationswouldbecomeanimportantpartofmyacademiccareerasIenjoyedtheboththeintellectualchallengeaswellastheknowledgethatIwasfosteringmyknowledgeofreallifesituationsinwhichIsomedayhopedtohelp.Ihopeyoutoofindtheconferenceassuchandifnot,IhopeyouareabletodiscoversomethingelseyouloveasMUNtrulycanbeaneye-openingadventuretooanyonewhoundertakesit.WearelookingforwardtowelcomingyouallthisNovemberandwishyouallthebestwithyourpreparationsforthebigweekend!Best,DaniaAsharyUnder-SecretaryGeneralofLogisticsofLIMUN:HighSchool2017

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WhatisModelUnitedNations?ModelUnitedNations, otherwise known asMUN, is an activity inwhich you represent acountryatoneoftheUnitedNationsbodiesasadelegate.ThegoalofMUNistoreacharesolutiononthetopicathandbyagreeingwithotherdelegatesandwritingsolutionstothetopicathand.AsaparticipantinMUN,youwillessentiallybeactingasadiplomatofyourchosencountry.You will research the topic and conform to your country’s foreign policy and nationalinterests,whilstseekingconsensus,cooperation,andcompromise.Thisisadifficultbalancingact,andMUNhelpsyoudevelopthesediplomaticskillsneededtosucceed.Beyondbeingaperfectplatformtonetworkandlearnwithlike-mindedstudents,MUNhelpsyoudevelopanumberofskillswhichwillallowyoutosucceedinlife.Youwillgainskillsinpublicspeaking,teamwork,andleadershiptomentionafew,skillsthatareapplicabletoanyuniversitydegreeorlineofwork.MUN is also an extremely impressive activity to have when applying to any role. Itdemonstratesacapabilitytoresearchanddebatetopicswhichyouwon’tlearnwhengoingthroughschool.Additionally,theabilitytositdownandspeakwithpeoplefromallcultures,religionsandnationalities ishighlyvaluable in the increasinglyglobalizedworldwe live intoday.Itisquitesimplyanincredibleactivitywhichwillprepareyouincountlessways.

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PublicSpeakingNaturally,public speaking inModelUNcanbe intimidatingat first.However, if youdon’tspeak then youwill not have any say on thedebate.Every delegatewhohas attendedaconferencerealises that it isabsolutely terrifyingtospeakfor the first time.Hopefully thissectionwillraiseyourconfidenceandimproveyourpublicspeaking.However,ifyoutrulywanttoimproveyourspeakingskillsyoushouldgetinvolved.Readingthissectionwilldolittletoyourpublicspeakingunlessyoustandupandspeakduringthecommitteesessions.You’vegotnothingtolose-standupandspeak.Itisimportanttoalsorememberthatyourchairsaretheretohelpyou!Ifyouforgetwhatyouwantedtosaymid-speechorifyoufeelthatyouneedabitmoretimetopreparewhenitisyourturntospeak,letthemknow.They’llbeunderstandingastheywereoncefirsttimedelegatesaswell.StructureAllModelUNSpeechesstartinthesameway,butwithsomevariations.Thebasicstructureofthespeechisasfollows:“HonourableChairandFellowDelegates”

● ArecognitionofthechairanddelegatesintheroomBodyofthespeech:

● Includesthepointswhichyouwanttoraiseinyourspeech.“Iyieldmytimebacktothechair”or“Thankyou”

● Whenyouare inageneral speakers listandstillhavesometime left to speechandyou’vefinishedyourspeechthenyouyieldyourtimebacktothechair.

● Youdon’thavetoyieldyourtimeinamoderatedcaucusbecauseofthenatureoftheinformaldebateinmoderatedcaucuses,thereforeitisbesttosimplyendyourspeechwith“Thankyou”.

Notonlywillthismakeiteasierforyoutorememberwhatyouwanttosay,butstructuringyour speech alsomakes it easier for the committee to understandwhat you’re saying.Ideally,otherdelegateswillremembertheframeworkofyourspeechandincorporateitintotheirspeeches.Thiswillhelpdrawattentiontoyoubeingoneofthecommitteeleaders.ContentYouhavetokeepinmindthatyouarerepresentingtheinterestsofyourcountry.ImagineyouareadiplomatintheactualUN.Forexample,ifyou’rerepresentingNorthKoreathenyouarenaturallyagainstnucleardisarmament-youarenotwillingtonegotiateonthistopic.Thisiswhereapositionpapercancomeinhandy(Positionpaperswillbecoveredlaterinthisguide).Thecontentofyourspeechcan includeanythingrelevanttothe issuesbeingdiscussed in

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yourcommittee.Itcanbetemptingtoincludelotsofpointsinyourspeech.Youarehighlyadvisedtoavoidthis-simplybecauseinmostoccasionsyouaregivenamaximumof1minuteofspeakingtime.It’saproblemofinformationoverloadandyouriskrunningovertimeifyouincludetoomuchinyourspeech.Itisimportanttoremainconsciousofhowmuchtimeyouhaveinordertoensureyouarenotcutshortinyourspeech.Focusingononeideacanincludeyourtopicframework,aspecificissue,orjustsaying“wedisagree” with another delegate’s speech. By focusing on one idea, you are inviting thecommitteetofocusonthisoneideawithyou.Yourchallengeistopickoutoneideafromtheswirlingmassofpossiblethingstospeakon.Butitisalsoimportanttomakesurethatwhatyoudecidetotalkaboutisrelevanttowhereyourcommitteeisatinthedebate.Ifyouareapproachingtheendofthefinalcommitteesessionthenitwillbeuselesstotalkabouttheproblemsofthetopicinamoderatedcaucusforexample.Mostdelegatesspendtoomuchspeakingtimegivingfactsinsteadofarguingapoint.Thekeyis topersuade,notdescribe. Thisproblemmostoftenhappens inopening speeches thatfeature statisticsand stories related to thecommittee’s topic. Thesemight serveasgoodintroductions, but other delegates and the chairs already have this information in theirresearch.Theynowwanttohearyourideasonwhattodoabouttheproblemandwhy.Thecommitteedoesnotrememberyourspeechesforthestatisticsorstoriesyoutell,butrathertheoneideayourspeechwasaboutandhowyoumadeeveryonefeelwhiletalkingaboutit.Itcanalsobetemptingtowriteanincrediblydetailedspeechonpaperbeforestandingupandspeaking.However,youareadvisedagainstthis.Itisbettertowriteafewbulletpointsonapieceofpaperwiththekeyideasyouwanttogetacross.Thereareanumberofreasonsforthis:

1. Ifyouwriteadetailedspeech,thenwhenyoustandupyou’realwayslookingatthepieceofpaperratherthanyouraudience.

2. Ifyouwriteadetailedspeech,thenyouriskgoingoverthetimelimit.3. It ismoreeffectivetolookatyourchairandfellowdelegatesthantolookdownat

yourshoes.BodyLanguageThedeliveryofyourspeechisjustasimportantasthecontentofyourspeech,andperhapswhatmattersevenmoreishowyouexpressyourideas.Whenconsideringdelivery,standupstraightandtalktothecommittee.Bythinkingofthis,youwillemitanauraofconfidence,peoplewillwanttocollaboratewithyou.Thisfallsinlinewithwhatwasstatedabove,itisextremelyimportanttospeakclearlyandloudlysothatalldelegatescanhearwhatyouaresaying.

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ModelUNcommitteeswill always vary in size,difficulty levelandkindsof topics covered.Therefore, there will be something to debate that interests everyone, from military andsecurityissues,toeconomicchallenges,humanrightsandcontemporarychallengestoglobalhealth.Otherthingstolookoutforwhenyouspeak:1. Ensurethatyoumaintaineyecontactwithasmuchofthecommitteeaspossible!Ithelps

toimaginethattheroomisdividedintoequalsectionsbeforeyouspeak,thenwhenitisyourturn,ifyoulookateachsectioninturnforafewsecondswhilespeaking,youwillengageeveryoneintheroommosteffectively.

2. Try to keep your feet locked firmly into the groundwhen you speak.While it can beinstinctivetocrossyourlegstogetherorshuffleyourfeetaroundwhenstandingupandspeaking, thiswillhinderyourability todraw inyouraudiencewithwhatyousayandmakeyousoundlesspowerful.

Thepeoplewhoareoftenawardedwithrecognitionattheendoftheconferencearethosewho:1. Speakconfidentlyandregularlythroughouttheconference,yetnotsimplytohavetheir

voiceheardbuttomakeintelligentandinsightfulcomments2. Areoneofthemainsponsorsofanydraftresolutionthatiseventuallypassed3. Collaboratewithotherdelegatesduringunmoderatedcaucusestoworktogethertofind

solutionstothetopicathand.4. Sticktotheirforeignpolicy.5. Actandspeakinadiplomaticmanner–thisalsomeansfindingconsensusinordertoreach

aneffectivesolutiontotheproblem.

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Facingyouraudiencewhenspeaking(justasthedelegatesatthefrontaredoingintheabovepicture) is vital if your speech is to grab attention. If you are seated in a positionwheredelegatessurroundyoufrommultiplesides,thenturntofaceeachsideoneaftertheotherwhilespeakingsothatyoucanengageeveryoneaseffectivelyaspossible.ResearchThispartof theguide isgoing tobeseparated into threeparts: the toolsyoushoulduse,research,yourcountryandresearchonyourtopic.ThereisapresumptionthatresearchforModelUNisatedious, longanddifficultprocess.However,research isverysimple ifyouknowwheretolook.In all conferences the chairswill provide a study guide for each committee - this is yourstartingpoint to findallof the issueswhichneedtoberesolved foryour topic.Readandhighlightitbeforeyoubeginyourindependentresearch.Ausefulwebsitetouse(notonlyforModelUN,butmostofworkthroughoutyouracademicstudies)isGoogleAdvancedSearch(http://www.google.co.uk/advanced_search).When researching, if you simply add “ModelUN StudyGuide” to the endof your searchparametersthenyou’llfindhundredsofstudyguidesfromdifferentconferencesaroundtheworld,andofficialUNstudies.WhatmakesGoogleAdvancedSearchanamazingtoolistheabilitytosearchforonlyPDFfiles-mostacademicpapersandModelUNstudyguideswillbeinPDFform,meaningthatyou’llhaveanalmostunlimitedsupplyofeasytofindacademicpapersandresources.

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YourCountryItisabsolutelynecessarytobewellversedinyourcountry’spoliciesastheyarevitaltothesuccess of the conference. The policies that your county has implemented are themostimportant issue,alongwiththetreatiesandalliances.Whenresearchingforyourcountry,lookforthepoliciesthattheyhaveimplementedinregardstothetopic.AllmajornationswillhaveasayonallModelUNTopicsthatwillbeeasytofindwithGoogleAdvancedSearch.Therewillveryoftenbeacademicresearchontheirpoliciesandwhethertheyareeffectiveornot.Credible,practical solutionsrelevant to thetopicaremore important thangeneral factsregardingyourcountry.Whenyouarerepresentingasmall,oreconomicallydisadvantagedcountrytheremaynotbeanypoliciesimplementedbythembecauseofthestatetheyarein:civilwar,diseaseorpolitical instability.However,donotconsiderthisadisadvantage.Youcancreateyourownforeignpolicybylookingthroughexistingstudyguidesandfindingthesolutionsthatyoulike,andpushingfortheminyourspeechesandresolutions.Also,ifyourcountry’sfindsitselfinadeficit,makingitimpossibletofinanciallysupportaresolutionthatrequiresextrafunding,itishighlyencouragedthatyoustillcontinuetoprovidesupportforitsimplementation.Havingalackoffundsasacountryshouldn'thindertoyoudoingwellataconference.Thebestdelegatescanalwaysperformexceptionallyregardlessofthecountrytheyaregiven.Furthermore,itisimperativethatyouresearchthenameattheveryleastofthevariousUNbodiesasmanyinexperienceddelegatestendtosuggestthecreationofanewUNBodyintheirresolutions,wheninactualitythereismostlikelyaUNagencycurrentlydealingwiththeissueathand.Therefore,indraftresolutionsitisbettertosaythatthisissueshouldbeunderacertainUNagencyratherthancreateanewone,italsodemonstratesthatyou’vedoneyourresearch.ItalsoavoidsthosequestionsabouthowtofundthisnewUNagencyTopThreeareasforyourCountryResearchThis following section is aimedat showingyouwhat themost important sectionsof yourcountry research are in order to guide you towards being a true representative of yourcountry.Ultimatelyyouarerepresentingacountryratherthanyourownopinions.Countrypolicies1. Hasyourcountryimplementedpoliciestosolvethisissue?Havetheybeensuccessful?Treatieswhichyourcountryhassignedupto2. Whatrelevanttreatieshasyourcountrysignedupto?Orforthatmatterwhichtreaties

hasyourcountryNOTsignedupto?AlliancesandBlockPositions3. Whatpoliciesdoyouralliessupport?Forexample,ifyou’reaEUcountrythenwhatdo

othermemberstatessupport?

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Havingyourresearchwithyoutomakenotes fromduringcommitteesessionswillbeveryuseful.Ahighlighterisalsohandytohighlightimportantbitsfromyourresearchthatyouwanttoreadout/discuss.PositionPapersThepositionpaperisessentiallyadocumentinwhichyouwriteoutyourcountry’sviewpointsandsubmittoyourchairbeforetheconference.Theresearchyouwillconductasaresultofthispaperwillinformyougreatlyonyourcountry’spositionregardingtheissue,andthuswillhelpfacilitateyourdiscussionduringcommitteesessions.ThissectionisbasedonanarticlefromthisURL, ifyouwould likeamore in-depthguideonhowtowriteapositionpaper Iwouldhighlyrecommendthatyoufollowthislink:http://vmun.com/writing-position-paper-model-united-nations/Apositionpapershoulddothefollowing:1. Clearly state your country’s position by statingwhat treaties it has signed, important

resolutionswhichithasapprovedandclearlysignalssupportordisapprovalforcertainactionsthathavebeentaken(yourcountry'salliescanbegoodtomentionbutthisisnotnecessary).

2. Clearlystatewhichtopicyou’readdressing.3. Bewritteninaformaltone.4. Itneedstobereferenced–althoughthisisnotrequiredperseatconferences,ifyourgoal

istogiveagoodimpressiontoyourchairthenyoushouldreferenceyourpositionpaper.5. Itneedstosuggestasetofsolutionsthatyourcountrywouldapprove.Agoodposition

papershouldmakeaclearreferencetocertainsolutionstodemonstratethatyouclearlycomprehendtheproblemsofthetopicathandandimportantlyhowtosolveit.

ApositionpapershouldNOTdothefollowing:

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1. ApositionpaperisNOTasummaryofthetopicwhichisbeingdebated.Thewholereasonwhyyou’rerequiredtowriteoneissothatyoucangiveyourcountry’sposition.

2. ApositionpapershouldalsoNOTgiveageneralsummaryofyourcountry,itseconomy,population,domesticpoliciesetc.Delegatesoftendothisinthefirstparagraphoftheirpositionpaperbutthesekindoffactsaboutyourcountryhavenoimportancetothetopicandsoshouldnotbeincludedinthepositionpaper.

Below, Ihaveprovidedanexampleofoneof thebestpositionpapers Ihaveeverhad toprovidefeedbackfor(intermsofcontent).Ifyouwriteapositionpaperofthiscalibre,Icanguaranteethatyourchairwillbeimpressed.Thispositionpaperisexcellentforanumberofreasons:1. Itisconciseandwritteninadiplomatictone.2. Itputsintocontexttherelevanceofthetopictodelegate’scountry.3. Clearlystatesthealliancesofthecountry.4. Expresseswhichpoliciesthecountryisinfavourof.5. Statespreviousactionsandbeliefsofthecountry.6. Insteadofdescribingatlengththeissueitwasfocusedonsolutions.

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SolutionsThe purpose of debating and writing resolutions for these topics is to find credible andpracticalsolutionstotheissue.Ifallofyourresearchisbasedonwhatyourcountryhasdone,thenyouaremissingthepointofresearching.WhenlookingforsolutionssearchforcurrentandpreviousUNResolutions.You’llbeabletorefertotheseinthepre-ambulatoryclausesofyourresolution(asdiscussedlater).Whenlookingatpastresolutionsdonotplagiarise.Ifcurrentpoliciesdonotwork,thenturntoothersources:1. ThinkTanks reports fromorganisations likeChathamHouseorUNA-UKcomeupwith

solutionsthatareregularlydiscussedatMUNconferences.2. BlogArticlescomefromapersonalorjournalisticperspective,buttheycanstillgiveyou

ideasthatyoucanproposeincommittee.3. Use your own ideas as long as they follow your country’s foreignpolicy.Often times,

thinkingofhowtoaddressthetopicinyourownwayismoreeffective

Bytheendofyourresearchyoushouldhavefilessavedonyourcomputerwhichwillprovideyouwithalltheinformationyouneed.

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ParliamentaryProcedureParliamentary procedure is a vital part ofModel UN; it affects how the committee goesthroughthedebate.AgraspofthemotionslistedbelowisessentialtomakingthemostoutofModelUNandunderstandingtheprocessofthedebate.MotionsDuringdebate,severalpointsandmotionscanarise.Ingeneral,thesecanneverinterruptaspeaker.Ifadelegatewishestomakeapointheissupposedtoraisehisplacardandstatehispoint.ThedelegatewillthenberecognisedbytheChair,andthedelegatewillriseandstatehis point. If themotion is accepted by the Chair then the chair will ask for seconds andobjections.Thevariousmotionsandpointsare:PointofpersonalprivilegeThispointistheonlypointthatmayinterruptadelegateortheChairwhiletheyarespeaking.Usethisifyoucannothearthedelegatewhoiscurrentlyspeaking.PointofparliamentaryinquiryIf the delegate is not surewhat to do next during the debate hemayuse this point. Thedelegatecould,forexample,askwhetheritisinordertoabstainonanamendment.PointoforderIfamistakeinprocedureismadeduringadebate,bytheChairorbyadelegate,thedelegatecanusethispoint.PointofinformationApointofinformationisusedasaquestiondirectedtothespeakerwhoiscurrentlyspeakingandonly if thedelegateyieldstopointsof information.Pointsof informationarealwaysquestionsconcerningthecontentsofthedebateandmustbephrasedasaquestion.MotionforanUnmoderatedCaucusAtypeofcaucusinwhichdelegatesleavetheirseatstomingleandspeakfreely.Frequentlyused to sort countries into blocs and towriteworking papers and draft resolutions. Thedelegationproposingthismotionshouldsuggestatimeandtopicforit.MotionforaModeratedCaucusAninformaldebate,delegatescannotyieldtheirtimeattheendoftheirspeech.TheChaircallsonthemoneatatimetospeakforashortperiodoftime,enablingafreerexchangeofopinionsthanwouldbepossible in formaldebate.Thedelegationputting it forwardmustincludethedurationofthecaucus,speakerstimeandtopic.MotiontoclosedebateThisisamotionusedwhenyouwanttogointovotingprocedureonadraftresolution.Motiontoextendmoderated/unmoderatedcaucusThismotionisusedwhenadelegatefeelsthatthereisnotbeenenoughtimetodiscussa

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resolution.Whentimehaselapseddelegatesmayusethismotion.

Anunmoderatedcaucus inaction. InUMC’s,delegates canmoveaboutmore freely, formblocsandwriteupworkingpapers/draftresolutions.ResolutionsOneofthemostcommonquestionsfromnewerdelegates ishowtowritearesolution.Aresolutioncontainsalltheproposedsolutionstoatopic.Learningtowritearesolutionisveryimportantbecauseitistheultimategoalofthecommittee:tohavewrittensolutionstotheproblemsthedelegatesaretryingtosolve.Theprimaryauthorsoftheresolutionwillalsoberecognisedastheleadersinthecommittee,whichdistinguishesthemfromeveryoneelseforawards.Onceyouunderstandthestructureofaresolution,itisafairlysimpletowrite.Aresolutionisseparatedintothreeparts:theheading,perambulatoryclausesandoperativeclauses.HeadingThe heading of a resolution contains the name of the committee in full and topic name.Sponsorsarethedelegateswhowrotetheresolution.Signatoriesareotherdelegatesinthecommitteewhodonotnecessarilyagreewiththeresolutionbutwouldliketoseeitdebated.Mostconferencesrequireaminimumnumberorpercentageofsponsorsandsignatories(oracombinationofboth)beforearesolutioncanbepresented—thisencouragesconsensus-building.Pre-ambulatoryClauses

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Pre-ambulatory clauses state the issues that the resolution is aiming to solve. It can alsoincludethebackgroundtotheproblemandalsostatepreviousinternationalactionontheissue.Theycaninclude:1.PastUNresolutions,treaties,orconventionsrelatedtothetopic2.Pastregional,non-governmental,ornationaleffortsinresolvingthistopic3.ReferencestotheUNCharterorotherinternationalframeworksandlaws4.StatementsmadebytheSecretary-GeneralorarelevantUNbodyoragency5.Generalbackgroundinformationorfactsaboutthetopic,itssignificance,anditsimpact.It’sverysimpletowriteapreambulatoryclause.First,takeastatementthatyouwouldliketowriteabout(perhapsanissueyouwanttosolveoraspecificfactfromoneofthefivebulletpointsabove).Youthentakethatstatement,combineitwithanunderlinedpreambulatoryphrase,andenditwithacomma.

Unlike proceduralmotions (such as ones to raisemoderated caucuses), resolution papersrequire a 2/3rds majority (or a unanimous decision for some committees) to pass. It istherefore vital that youworkwith asmany delegates as possiblewhen aiming to pass aresolution.

Hereareafewexamplesofpre-ambulatoryphrases(thisisnotanexhaustivelist):

1. Affirming 2. Alarmedby

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3. Deeplyconcerned 4. FullyAware5. Recalling 6. Declaring7. Realising 8. Observing9. Recognising 10. Nothingfurther

OperativeClausesOperativeclausesstatethesolutionsthatthesponsorsoftheresolutionproposetoresolvetheissues.Theoperativeclausesshouldaddresstheissuesspecificallymentionedinthepre-ambulatoryclausesaboveit.Inordertowriteanoperativeclause,firsttakeasolutionthatyouwouldliketoincludeinthedraftresolution.Youthentakethatsolution,combineitwithanunderlinedoperativephrase,andenditwithasemicolon(thelastoperativeclauseendswithaperiod).Operativeclausesarealsonumbered.Thisdifferentiatesthemfrompre-ambulatoryclauses,helpsshowlogicalprogressionintheresolution,andmakesiteasiertorefertotheoperativeclausesinspeechesandcomments.Usuallymoredetails inanoperativeclausewillmakeitstrongerorat leastmaketheideaclearertootherdelegates.Asimplewaytostrengtheneachoperativeclauseistothinkof“who,where andwhy” of each resolution, and find solutions (in your research) to thesequestions:1. Whoisbeingaffectedbytheissues?2. Whereistheissuemostprevalent?3. Whyhastheissueraised?Thesedetailscanactuallybebrokendownintosub-operativeclausesunderneaththemainoperativeclauseasdemonstratedbythesamedraftresolution.Hereareafewexamplesofoperativephrases:

1. Approved 2. Callsupon3. Demands 4. Endorses5. Furtherinvites 6. Recommends7. Requests 8. Designates9. Encourages 10. Furtherreminds

AmendmentsApproveddraftresolutionsaremodifiedthroughamendments.Anamendmentisawrittenstatement that adds, deletes or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution. Theamendment process allows delegates to change the operative clauses, strengtheningagreement on a resolution (the pre-ambulatory clauses can not be modified in mostconferences).Therearetwotypesofamendments:1.Afriendlyamendmentisachangetothedraftresolutionthatallsponsorsagreewith.Afterthe amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and approved by thecommitteechair,itwillbeautomaticallyincorporatedintotheresolution.Dependingontheconference, a friendly amendment will most likely allow you to only change issues with

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grammarorspelling.2.Anunfriendlyamendmentisachangethatsubstantiallychangesthesubstanceofaclause.The committee must vote upon it. This also refers to delegates who did not write thisresolutionatallbutseepotentialinitaslongasseveralchangesaremadetoit.Thesponsorsoftheamendmentwillneedtoobtainarequirednumberofsignatoriesinordertointroduceit.Beforevotingonthedraftresolution,thecommitteevotesonallunfriendlyamendments.Writing an amendment is fairly simple. You have tomake an operative clause that adds,deletes,orchangesanoperativeclauseinadraftresolution.Examplesinclude:1.Addsanoperativeclausethatreads“14.EncouragesallLatinAmericancountriesto…”2.Deletesoperativeclause9.3. Changes operative clause 1 to read “1. Calls upon the Red Cross to provide low-costmedicines…”Writing resolutions is initially a difficult task for any delegate. However, with time andpractice, youwill become fluent inwriting themandwill havememorised your favouriteclausessothatyoucaneasilyturnanystatementintoaclause.Ifyouarethedelegatewritingtheresolution,thenpeoplewillnaturallycometoyoutoseewhatyou’reworkingon-it’sagreatwaytomakealliesandfriendsintheprocess.IfyouwouldliketogetthemostoutofModelUN,thenitishighlyadvisablethatyougetinvolvedinresolutionwriting.ConcludingRemarksIhopethatthisguidehelpsyouinyourpreparationforaconference.Whenitcomestobeingadelegatetherearelotsofdifferentstylesofbeingadelegate.Therearethosedelegateswhicharenotwillingtocompromiseonanyissuesandtherearethosewhohaveemotionalspeecheswhichdon’taddresstheissuesperseandfallintopureidealism.Therewillalwaysbeacoupleofdelegates inyourcommitteewhodecidetoquoteMartinLutherKingJrorNelsonMandelaforthesakeofquotingthem-withoutitbeingrelatedtothetopic.ThebestwaytoapproachgoingtoaModelUNconferenceistorealisethatbeingadelegateisaboutcompromiseanddiplomacy-notinsultingsomeone’swork,evenifyouviewitasflawed.Respectotherpeople’swork.Youshouldalwaysbeopenmindedaboutthesolutionswhich people are proposing - whilst abiding by your country’s foreign policy. If you’reopposedtoasolution,thensaywhywithoutinsultingordisrespectinganyone.Itshowsthatyou’reaboveplainoppositionandyouappreciatetheeffortthatotherpeoplehaveputintotheirwork.YourChairs are the figureof authority in a committee,all delegateshave to respect theauthorityofthechair-mostofthemwillbeexperienceddelegateswithafewawardstotheirnames.Furthermore,nomatterhowfriendlyyouhavebecomewithyourchairsandfellowdelegatesoverthefewdays,trynottomakeyourspeechestooinformal.It’sveryimportantthatyoufirstrepresentyourcountrytothecommitteebeforeyourepresentyourselftoyournewfriends.

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Keepyourspeeches to time. It canbedifficult tosayexactlywhatyouneedto inashortamountoftime,butifthechairhastappedthegaveltoindicatetimeup,finishquickly(butdon’t rush), say thankyouandsitdown.Don’t try togetanother30 secondsoutofyourspeech-itshowsalackofpreparationforthetimegiven.Sticktothetimegiven,nomore,noless.However, with all of this being said. Model UN is about meeting people and formingfriendshipswiththepeopleinyourcommittee.Itisanactivitywhichcanteachyoutobecomeaglobalcitizeninaworldwhichisdeeplydivided.GoodLuck!GeorgeMullensSecretaryGeneralofLIMUN:HS2017