Rules & Procedures
The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed.
Agenda
A change or addition to a resolution.
Amendment
A student acting as a representative of a member state or observer in a Model UN conference.
Delegate
A sign with a country's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to signal to the president that he or she wishes to speak.
Placard
A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole should do something.
Motion
A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole should do something.
Motion
A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN committee.
Draft resolution
The entire group of people representing a member state or observer in all committees at the Model UN conference.
Delegation
A tool, shaped like a small wooden hammer, that the president uses to keep order within a Model UN committee.
Gavel
To agree with a motion being proposed. Some motions must be seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
Second
To agree with a motion being proposed. Some motions must be seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
Second
A document that has been passed by an organ of the UN that aims to address a particular problem or issue.
Resolution
The person who moderates the debate and enforces rules.
Chair
A type of caucus in which delegates remain seated, and the President calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period, enabling an exchange of positions from countries.
Moderated Caucus
A group of countries in a similar geographical region or with a similar position on a particular topic.
Bloc
A list that determines the order in which delegates will speak.
Speakers' List
The part of a resolution that describes previous actions taken on the topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It begins with a participle or adjective (noting, concerned, regretting, aware of, recalling, etc.).
Pre-ambulatory Clause
A group of countries in a similar geographical region or with a similar position on a particular topic.
Bloc
A type of caucus in which delegates meet informally with one another and the committee staff to discuss and negotiate draft resolutions, amendments and other issues.
Unmoderated Caucus
The ability, held by the five permanent members of the Security Council, to prevent any draft resolution in the Security Council from passing by voting no.
Veto
The order and respect for others that all delegates at a Model UN conference must exhibit.
Decorum
The part of a resolution that describes how the UN will address a problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.).
Operative Clause
The leader of a Model UN conference.
Secretary General
The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed.
Agenda
China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Permanent Members of the Security Council