Model UN Facts
What are MUN participants called?
Delegates
What are motions typically used for?
Motions are used for directing debate.
People who are interested in hearing a resolution presented, no limit to how many you can have
Signatories
What is point of inquiry?
This is a point where you ask a question about parliamentary procedure
What are the 3 pillars of the UN
When was the first Model League of Nations held?
The first Model League of Nations was held in 1921
Who votes on a motion?
The committee.
For writing resolutions, what do preambulatory clauses do?
They describe the situation.
Are points voted on?
No, but a speaker can choose not to respond to a point of information
Current number of UN member states
193
When was the first MUN held?
The first MUN after the UN's founding occurred in 1947
When voting on a motion, what does it require in order to pass?
It typically requires a majority vote.
What are blocs?
Blocs are different groups that have similar ideas and opinions about the topics. They typically work together to create a draft resolution.
What is point of information?
This is a point where you ask the speaker a question
Organization that preceded the United Nations
The League of Nations
How is the flow of the debate set?
1. Set the agenda
2. Speakers list
3. Moderated caucus / Unmoderated caucus
4. Return to Speakers list
5. Voting procedures
What are the different ways a delegate can motion? (Name 3)
Motion to open the speaker’s list
Motion for a moderated caucus
Motion for an unmoderated caucus
Motion to introduce a draft resolution
Motion to enter voting procedures
For writing resolutions, what do operative clauses do?
Operative clauses describe the course of action taken by the committee
What is a point of order?
This is a point that is used when a delegate believes that there was a mistake made regarding the rules of procedure
The six official UN languages
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
What is the difference between the Moderated Caucus and the Unmoderated Cauces
Moderated:
Delegates speak in turn for short periods of time
You must be recognized by the chair to speak
Quicker than the speaker’s list, but shorter than an unmoderated caucus
Unmoderated:
Delegates talk amongst one another freely for a specified period of time
Usually 5-10 minutes long
The chair is not involved in the discussion at all
Useful for writing draft resolutions or negotiating intensely with other delegates
What is the difference between a friendly and an unfriendly amendment?
A Friendly Amendment is an amendment written and approved by all the sponsors to a draft resolution and is automatically included into the text. An Unfriendly Amendment is an amendment not approved by all the sponsors to their draft resolution and must be voted upon before it can be included into the text
People who actively take part in the drafting of a resolution, contribute ideas to a resolution, or pledge their support of a resolution's topics
Sponsors
What is point of personal privilege?
This is a point used to express a personal concern.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council
US, UK, Russia, France, China