Rules and vocabulary

As this is a beginner conference, we recognize that some delegates might be new to MUN. Because of this, please familiarize yourselves with these rules and vocabulary, so that the debate can begin as promptly as possible.

RULES OF PROCEDURE:

  • No direct dialogue between delegates except during caucus and points of information

    • If you need to speak to another delegate, pass notes/use admins

  • Do not use first-person pronouns

    • Always use ‘we’ or ‘the delegate of [your country]’

  • Use parliamentary language

    • If a comment is rude or inappropriate, another delegate can request a formal apology

PARTS OF THE DEBATE:

  • Starts with an opening statement→ a delegation presents their clause or resolution with a speech

    • They conclude their opening statement by choosing to respond to points of information

  • Open debate → delegates can give speeches in favor or against, or propose amendments

  • Closed debates → Two speeches in favor and two speeches against, followed by a voting procedure where abstentions are in order


AMENDMENTS:

  • Amendments can be sent to the chairs at any point during open debate, though the chairs don’t have to entertain them

  • Friendly amendments: request a change in vocabulary or in numbers (percentages, etc…) → sent directly to the presenting delegate, who can choose to accept them without a debate

  • For amendments, we entertain a presentation, speech in favor and speech against, including points of information

  • During voting procedures, abstentions aren’t in order


POINTS:

  • Point of information → a question asked directly to the presenting delegate, following a speech or a presentation

  • Point of information to the chair → additional information, if a delegate made a mistake or a fact is incorrect

  • Point of personal privilege → question to the chair regarding your personal comfort (bathroom break, make the screen bigger, ask them to speak louder, etc)

  • Point of order → if you find that a delegate is not respecting the rules of procedure


MOTIONS:

  • Motion/Permission to follow up → if a delegate still has a question after their point of information has been answered

  • Motion to extend points of information → if delegates still have questions, or a delegate did not get to ask their point of information, needs to be seconded

  • Motion to move on to voting procedures→cuts the speeches short, needs to be seconded

  • Motion to move on to previous question → motion to move on to the next part of the debate, needs to be seconded

  • Motion to move into time For/Against → move on to the opposing argument, needs to be seconded, and the proposing delegate needs to make a speech

  • Motion to divide the house → if the vote is too close, or results in a tie, all abstentions must vote for or against, needs to be seconded


RESOLUTION VOCABULARY:

  • Clause → policies one would like to implement if the resolution passes

  • Working paper → first draft of what the clauses should entail, written by one or multiple delegations, usually during caucus

  • Draft resolution → final draft of a working paper, with the proper content and formatting. Needs to be approved by the chairs to begin debate

  • Sponsors → major contributors to a draft resolution, their country will appear and one of them introduces the resolution to the house

  • Signatories → someone who stands behind what the document says, showing support towards a draft resolution


A RESOLUTION CONTAINS:

  • Preambulatory clauses → italicized and not numbered, give context and data, explaining why the nations have decided to write up a said resolution

  • Operative clauses → Numbered clauses detailing what policies would solve the conflict at hand


SPECIFIC SECURITY COUNCIL RULES:

  • During voting procedures, if a member of the P5 is unsatisfied with the outcome of the debate, they can use their veto power

    • Once the veto power has been exercised, the 5 permanent members will meet in another room for a ‘P5 caucus’, during which they can try to come to an agreement

    • If no agreement has been made, the clause/amendment/resolution will be vetoed

  • If a disagreement between Security Council delegates is too important, the delegates reserve the right to declare war on another

    • only to be used in extreme cases