MUN Guide

Model United Nations Guide Page 2

Researching Your Topic

1. Develop an understanding of your topic

2. Know past actions of your committee

3. Understand your current situation

4. Determine any possible future situations

Researching Your Country

1. Know the geography of your country (location, neighbors)

2. Learn your country’s history

3. Note the population size

4. Find nations with which you trade (often allies)

5. Research your country’s bloc

Researching Your Committee

1. Full name

2. Founding (when, why, and how)

3. Powers

4. Members

5. Voting

6. Structure (sub-committee, report to another committee)

7. Role in UN


Structure

Three paragraphs:

1. History of Topic

(Include international actions as well)

2. Your country’s past actions

(Include actions with the United Nations)

3. Your country’s proposed actions

(Basically summarize what your country wants in a resolution)

Sample

(See next page)


Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee

Defamation of Religions

Republic of Iraq

From the dawn of man, there has been a need for religion. From the dawn of society, there has been a desire for power. Unfortunately, many falsely correlate the two, leading to prej-udice, defamation, and, in some cases, violence. There has been a history of religious defama-tion across the globe; a contemporary example of this being the Holocaust. Millions of Jews were slaughtered in the tyrant Adolph Hitler’s evil quest to create a “perfect” race of humans. Even more recent is the fear and discrimination against Islam and its followers after the attacks on September 11, 2001. In order to combat these and other attacks on faith, the United Nations has set forth resolutions that aim to reduce the defamation of religions across the globe. Sadly, a rising number of nations seem to oppose and defy these measures which were enacted to ensure the right to “manifest [one’s] religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance,” as is stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since the United Nations, the sole inter-national governing body composed of one hundred ninety-two nations, has consistently ap-proved of Resolutions concerning the Defamation of Religions through the Social, Humanitari-an, and Cultural Committee, the Republic of Iraq strongly feels that it would be wise to continue the tradition of supporting rights for all.

Iraq, being situated in the Middle Eastern region of the globe, sits in the original seat of religion. From this region emerged the Mesopotamians, the Babylonians, and the Israelites. The land of Iraq has borne the feet of Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed throughout its epic history long before it was declared a free nation in 1932. Long after the days of the ancients, their religions live on around the world. Currently, Iraq is home to a population which is approximately ninety-seven percent Muslim. As many have witnessed in the previous years, followers of Islam have been under strict watch and suspicion due to the September 11 attacks. However, the alienation of Iraq’s people is no new topic. In fact, this troublesome practice has been occurring since the time of the Crusades. In the twentieth century, Iraq and the Organization of the Islamic Confer-ence brought forth a Resolution to the United Nations entitled “The Defamation of Islam.” Its purpose was originally to protect the followers of the religion from harassment ranging from ver-bal abuse to military attacks. Since then, it has expanded and morphed into other resolutions that protect all religions from defamation.

The Republic of Iraq supports the prolongation of resolutions such as this. In the current conference, a resolution reinsuring the protection of Islam and all other religions would be ap-proved. SOCHUM, Iraq believes, should discuss the varying ranges of religious defamation and the weight when balanced against the individual right to free speech. The Charter of the United Nations says in its Preamble that “We the peoples of the United Nations” vow “to practice toler-ance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors” and are “resolved to com-bine our efforts to accomplish these aims.” If this goal is to be reached, we must work together to protect all peoples and all cultures and all religions. The United Nations must continue to up-hold the Resolutions established heretofore to indefinitely halt the defamation of religions for now and the future generations to come.


Motion: sets debate in a certain direction, changes for-

mat (voting, caucuses, speaking time, end debate)

Yield to the Chair: dissolves your speaking time after

you finish (no questions)

Yield to Another Delegate: gives another delegate

your remaining speaking time

Yield to Points: allows delegates to ask you questions

after you finish speaking

Point of Inquiry: lets you ask the speaker a question or

ask the chairs about procedure

Point of Personal Privilege: lets you use the restroom,

open a window, etc.

Point of Order: lets you correct a mistake in parliamen-

tary procedure


What to Expect

After introductions are made, there will be a motion to set up a Speaker’s

List. There will also be a motion to define a speaking time. In order to give

a short speech, you should raise your placard when the chair asks if anyone

would like to speak. If you are a novice, it might be beneficial to be the

fourth or fifth person on the list so that you can get an idea of how the

speeches usually go. As you listen to the speeches, jot down any countries

that have similar views or opposing views.

How to Plan a Speech

1. Make a list of three or so sub-topics that you want to address

2. Jot down key facts about each that support your country’s views

3. Include a resolution to each of your sub-topics that is favorable for your

country

How to Give a Speech

1. Say that you will yield extra time to points (questions) or to the chair

2. Address the chairs and the delegates

3. Briefly summarize issue and state sub-topics

4. Explain your country’s views on each of those topics

5. Thank the chairs and the delegates

6. Answer any questions


Moderated Caucus

Starts with a motion (“Motion to enter a Moderated Caucus with a speak-

ing time of ___ on the topic of ___”)

Simple majority vote

Rapid-fire debate between candidates usually on a single issue

To speak, raise your placard after a speaker

Usually occurs after five or so opening speeches

Un-Moderated Caucus

Starts with a motion (“Motion to enter an Un-Moderated Caucus for

____”)

Simple majority vote

Gives delegates time to form blocs (groups of nations) and write resolu-

tions

No regulation of speaking times, just conversations with other delegates

Usually occurs after a couple sessions of Moderated Caucuses


Basics

Written by each bloc

Writer=sponsor

Contains solutions for each problem discussed in committee, though

some only address specific ones

Written during Un-Moderated Caucuses

Ultimate goal of conference

Passed by a 2/3 majority (multiple can be passed as long as they do not

contradict each other

How to Write a Resolution

Heading: Committee name, sponsors, signatories (countries who want to

debate this resolution and not necessarily supporters), and sometimes

the topic

Preambulatory Clauses: discuss history of topic, see sample phrases on

next page

Operative Clauses: state resolutions, see sample phrases on page 9

Amendments: adds/deletes/changes resolution, friendly (sponsors

agree) or unfriendly (voted on by committee)


Accepts

Affirms

Approves

Authorizes

Calls

Calls upon

Condemns

Confirms

Congratulates

Considers

Declares accordingly

Deplores

Designates

Draws the attention

Emphasizes Encourages

Endorses

Expresses its appreciation

Expresses its hope

Further invites

Deplores

Designates

Draws the attention

Emphasizes

Encourages

Endorses


Expresses its hope

Further invites

Further proclaims

Further reminds Further recom-

mends

Further requests

Further resolves

Has resolved

Notes

Proclaims

Reaffirms

Recommends

Regrets

Reminds

Requests

Solemnly affirms

Strongly condemns

Supports

Takes note of

Transmits

Trusts


Accepts

Affirms

Approves

Authorizes

Calls

Calls upon

Condemns

Confirms

Congratulates

Considers

Declares accordingly

Deplores

Designates

Draws the attention

Emphasizes

Encourages

Endorses


Expresses its hope

Further invites

Further proclaims

Further reminds

Further recommends

Further requests

Further resolves

Has resolved

Notes

Notes with zest

Proclaims

Reaffirms

Recommends

Regrets

Reminds

Requests

Solemnly affirms

Strongly condemns

Supports

Takes note of

Transmits

Trusts


Sponsors: United States, Austria and Italy

Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands and Gabon

Topic: "Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies"

The General Assembly,

Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Hu-

man Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global citi-

zens,

Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with

UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,

Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental organi-

zations,

Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of re-

form, particularly in the humanitarian realm,

1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries

at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts;

2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to

streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;

3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of

relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;

4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations

from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment

forces;

5. Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic

and social situations and events of all countries;

6. Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian as-

sistance; and

7. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict assistance through

reconstruction and development.


Best Delegate

www.bestdelegate.com

CIA World Factbook

www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook

BBC

www.bbc.com

CNN

www.cnn.com

United Nations

www.un.org

Committee Pages

www.un.org/en/aboutun/structure/index.shtml

RAND Corporation

www.rand.org/

New York Times

www.nytimes.com

Documents

MUN Guide