General Terms
What is the UN?
Global organization made up of all 195 recognized countries
Trying to promote peace by promoting dialogue between countries
Functions through multiple branches, or committees to promote diplomacy across different subjects:
What is a mod?
Formal debate; one person goes up to speak at a time
Topic, delegate speaking time, and total speaking time are predetermined and rigid
What is a resolution?
Final written solution in your committee.
How do you open committee?
"Motion to open committee"
What is a GA?
Most structured and official level of MUN
You go straight from a problem to debate to a solution over the course of the committee
You only have to worry about finding a bloc (group of delegates) and passing a resolution
Usually has the biggest committees in a MUN conference
More awards but it’s harder to stand out
Is always based on a branch of the UN or an international organization
Describe one ability that a chair / the dais have.
We’re going to rule that dillatory”
Dais’s way of saying “we aren’t doing that”
“That is an order”
If a chair says this after a motion is made, it will be voted on immediately and no other motions will be taken
Decorum!
Dias’s way of saying “Sit down and be quiet.”
What is the point of a mod and unmod?
Mod is useful for formal debate, unmod is useful for delegates to communicate in groups and get things done.
What are the four parts of a position paper?
Topic Background
Past UN Action
Country Policy
Possible Solutions
What motion do you use to figure out who is here today?
"Motion to begin roll call"
What is a Spec?
A step up from GAs with added chaos
Where before everything was within the scope of a branch within the UN, in a Spec the topic can be any real or fictional committee at any point in time
ie. any country’s government, a city council, a topic completely made up by the dais…
Adds crisis events and directives
Note: You still write a resolution before the end!
As a Model UN delegate, who/what do you represent?
You represent the interests of your country's government.
Motion for a mod using the regular format
“Motion for a __:__ mod on ______.”
What do you begin with when writing your position paper?
The background guide!
How do you get discussion started in committee?
"Motion to open Speaker's List"
What is a crisis event?
New problems that the dais throw at you throughout committee to put a spin on it and simulate a problem evolving in real time
Directly impacted by the directives that are passed
How is the day usually broken up in a MUN conference?
Usually 3-4 committee sessions per day, separated by breaks or lunch.
When is a point of order applicable?
Correct/clarify something to the dais
What is the difference between preambulatory and operative clauses?
Introducing your resolution vs what you'll actually do
What is the Speaker's List and its purpose? What special rule is attached to it?
A list of delegates chosen to introduce their positions
Dais will revert to it should committee run out of points and motions
How does a Spec "add chaos" compared to a GA?
You can be any country’s government, a city council, a topic completely made up by the dais…
And the problem evolves over time
What are some differences between the powers of different UN committees? Why are they important to consider?
Some committees can only make recommendations for laws and have to ask for funding, while others can take more direct action such as sending peacekeepers in an area. It's important to consider because your solution needs to be aligned with what your committee can actually do.
Give an example for a valid trigger for Right of Reply and and invalid trigger for Right of Reply
Valid trigger for Right of Reply:
“Russia claims it has vast territory for this infrastructure, but let’s be honest. The only vast territory they have is their forehead.”
Invalid trigger for Right of Reply:
“We condemn the western imperialist pigs that plague this world.”
What is the difference between a directive and a resolution?
A directive is for spec, a resolution is for GA and spec
A directive has no preambulatory clauses
A directive responds to an immediate situation, a resolution is your ending long term solution
What is the difference between Present and Present and Voting?
“… and voting” means you have to vote yes/no on resolutions or directives; you cannot abstain
In a Spec you are faced with an evolving problem due to crisis events, and as such you need directives to quickly and efficiently respond to these problems.