ROP and Pos. Paper

7/30/2019 ROP and Pos. Paper

1/22

1. ROP and Parliamentary Procedures

1.1 Chair and Vice Chair

A Chair plays an utmost important role during the course of the

conference and in many cases are assisted by a vice chair. Thenumber of vice chairs rely on the size if the conference not to

mention the participators within it. In many conferences a chair is

assisted by two vice chairs, and in other cases by only one.

1.1.1 Chair

The task of a Chair is explained as follows:

a. A chair opens, closes and adjourns debates, given

that the specific council affirms mid-breaks.

b. A Chair is to lead through the course of the debate

and is granted authority to affirm decisions, whereas

a vice chair in hierarchical terms position below

them.

c. Substance-wise, a Chair should be able to project the

output and therefore is expected to fully understand

the substance of the debate. Should the debate lose

its track, the Chair is to place it back in its rightful

order.

d. As the key-holder to several important decisions

throughout the conference, a chair has to qualify in

terms of KETEGASANbe very firm and stern. This

applies in substantive and procedural simulation

matters, in order to create a condusive and effective

resolution. Not only that, the Chairs bears with them

the name of their council and must therefore be able

to create the specific atmosphere needed to create

an effective discussion.

e. Their accountability is also reflected through

technical authorities to grant and legitimize Working

Papers and Draft Resolutions, therefore giving them

further right to label them in numbers.


2/22

f. They are authorized to monitor and to take necessary

actions as to matters of conference

condusivenessconduciveness, riots, and granting

permission to members of the council who wish toexcuse themselves.

g. They are to supervise and monitor delegates with

achievements throughout the course of the council.

Announcements usually take place after Final

Resolutions are affirmed and the council has finally

ended.

1.1.2 Vice-Chair

As earlier mentioned a vice chair plays a fairly similar

role as the Chair, but differs in terms of strength of

authority, hierarchical position and decision making. Also to

be taken into consideration is the role of a moderator. As

known, a council runs through a procedural basis and it is

therefore the task of a moderator to make sure it runs on

its rightful track. This, complemented by a Chair and its

Vice is to sustain the function of the council as substantial

supervisors. They, therefore completes the council. But it is

also wise to keep in mind that MUNs throughout the

corners of the world vary, therefore terms and condition

apply. Not all MUNs come with moderators, therefore adds

the uniqueness MUNs in general.

1.2 Rules of Procedure

1.2.1 ROP in Brief

Since The Model of United Nations is a formal type of

conference, then it certainly needs a proper system and

procedure in its application. The Rule of Procedure is the

compilation of rules that is meant to be the guidance of the

conference. There might be a lot of delegates who get

involved in this conference. And definitely, there might be


3/22

a lot of different arguments and points of view as well. And

this rule of procedure is made to handle this situation.

Having compiled extensive research on the topicareas, and having developed a understanding of the

represented countrys stance on the issue, the delegates

are no ready to try to solve the problem while keeping their

national interests in mind. Yet delegates may be unsure of

how the actual committee will run. Because the United

Nations strives to include every member of the

international community, its membership is very large. As a

result, debate must follow an organized procedure to be

productive. The Rules of Procedure that MUN use at some

different models are a synthesis of parliamentary rules

from a variety of sources: the United Nations, Roberts

Rules of Order, etc. Dont be discouraged; learning the

rules is like mastering a new language - at first it is a bit

confusing, but after a little practice you learn how to

function in the new environment.

1.2.2 Example

[Appendix example

of Rules of Procedure]

General

1. SCOPE: These rules for the General Assembly, the

Economic and Social Council, the Economic and Social

Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Organization of

African Unity, the Organization of American States, and the

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are

self-sufficient, except for modifications provided by the

Secretariat, and shall be considered adopted in advance of

session. No other rules of procedure are applicable.

2. LANGUAGE: English shall be the official and working

language of the conference.


4/22

3. STATEMENTS BY THESECRETARIAT: The Secretary-

General or a member of the Secretariat designated by him,

may at any time make either oral or written statements to

the committee.4. DELEGATIONS: Each member will be represented by

one or two delegates and one vote on each committee.

5. CREDENTIALS: The credentials of all delegations have

been accepted upon registration. Actions relating to the

modification of rights, privileges, or credentials of any

member may not be initiated without the written consent

of the Secretary General. Any representative to whose

admission a member objects shall provisionally be seated

with the same rights as other representatives, pending a

decision from the Secretary-General.

6. PARTICIPATION OF NON-MEMBERS: Representatives

of Accredited Observers shall have the same rights as

those of full members, except that they may not sign or

vote on substantive issues such as resolutions or

amendments, but they can vote on procedural matters. A

representative of an organization which is not a member of

the United Nations or an Accredited Observer may address

a committee only with the prior approval of the Director.

7. GENERAL POWERS OF THESECRETARIAT: The

Director shall declare the opening and closing of each

meeting and may propose the adoption of any procedural

motion to which there is no significant objection. The

Director, subject to these rules, shall have complete control

of the proceedings at any meeting. The Moderator shall

direct discussions, accord the right to speak, put questions,

announce decisions, rule on points of order, and ensure

and enforce the observance of these rules. The Moderator

may temporarily transfer his or her duties to another

member of the Committee staff. Committee staff members


5/22

may also advise delegations on the possible course of

debate. In the exercise of these functions, the Committee

staff shall be at all times subject to these rules and

responsible to the Secretary-General.8. APPEAL: Any decision of the Moderator or Director, with

the exception of those that are explicitly stated to be

unappealable, may be appealed immediately by a

delegate. The Moderator or Director may speak briefly in

defense of the ruling. The appeal shall then be put to a

vote, and the decision of the Chair shall stand unless

overruled by a majority of those members present and

voting. The Directors decision not to sign a resolution or

amendment is never appealable. A Yes vote indicates

support of the Chairs ruling; a No vote indicates opposition

to that ruling. The Chairs ruling shall stand unless

overruled by a majority of No votes.

9. QUORUM: The Director may declare a Committee open

and permit debate to proceed when at least one quarter of

the members of the Committee are present. A member of

the Committee is a representative who is officially

registered with the Conference. The presence of a majority

of the members shall be required for the vote on any

substantive motion. A quorum shall be assumed to be

present unless specifically challenged and shown to be

absent.

10. COURTESY: All delegates shall show courtesy and

respect to the Committee staff and to other delegates. The

Moderator shall immediately call to order any delegate who

fails to comply with this rule.

Debate

11. AGENDA: The first order of business for the

Committee shall be the consideration of the Agenda. The


6/22

only motion in order at this time will be in the form of I

move that Topic Area X be placed first on the Agenda.

The motion requires a second and is debatable.

A Speakers list shall be established for and against themotion.

A motion to close debate will be in order after the

Committee has heard two speakers for the motion and two

against or all the speakers on one side and at least two on

the opposite side. The Moderator shall recognize two

speakers against the motion to close debate, and a vote of

two-thirds is required for closure of debate on the agenda.

When the debate is closed, the Committee shall move to

an immediate vote on the motion; a simple majority is

required for passage.

A motion to proceed to the second Topic Area is in order

only after the Committee has adopted or rejected a

resolution on the first Topic Area. A motion to proceed to

the second agenda item after a resolution has failed

requires a second and is debatable to the extent of one

speaker in favor and one against. This motion requires a

vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting to

pass.

In the event of a crisis or emergency, the Secretary-

General or Under Secretary-General may call upon a

committee to table debate on the current topic area so that

the more urgent matter may be attended to immediately.

After a resolution has been passed on the crisis topic, the

committee will return to debate on the tabled topic. If a

resolution on the crisis topic fails, the committee may

return to debate on the tabled topic area only at the

discretion of the Secretary-General or Under-Secretary

General.


7/22

Comments are not in order during debate on the agenda,

since deciding the Agenda is a procedural question.

Motions to caucus are in order during debate on the

Agenda.12. DEBATE: After the Agenda has been determined, one

continuously open Speakers list shall be established for

the purpose of general debate. This Speakers list shall be

followed for all debate on the Topic Area, except when

superseded by procedural motions, amendments, or the

introduction of a resolution. Speakers may speak generally

on the Topic Area being considered and may address any

resolution currently on the floor. Once a resolution has

been introduced, it remains on the floor and may be

debated until it fails, the Committee postpones debate on

it, or the Committee moves to the next Topic Area.

13. CAUCUSING: A motion to caucus is in order at any

time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The

delegate must briefly explain its purpose and specify a

time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes.

The motion shall immediately be put to a vote. A majority

of members present and voting is required for passage.

The Moderator may rule the motion out of order and his/her

decision is not subject to appeal.

14. MODERATED CAUCUS:The purpose of the moderated

caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical

junctures in the discussion. In a moderated caucus, the

Moderator will temporarily depart from the Speakers List

and call on delegates to speak at his/her discretion. A

motion for a moderated caucus is in order at any time

when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The

delegate making the motion must briefly explain its

purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus. Once

raised, the motion will be voted on immediately, with


8/22

voting by majority of the members present required for

passage.

15. CLOSURE OF DEBATE: When the floor is open, a

delegate may move to close debate on the substantive orprocedural matter under discussion. The Moderator may,

subject to appeal, rule such a motion dilatory. When

closure of debate is moved, the Moderator may recognize

up to two speakers against the motion. No speaker in favor

of the motion shall be recognized. Closure of debate

requires the support of two-thirds of the members present

and voting. If the there are no speakers against closing

debate, the committee will automatically vote on the

closure of debate. If the Committee is in favor of closure,

the Moderator shall declare the closure of the debate, and

the resolution or amendment shall be brought to an

immediate vote.

16. SUSPENSION OR ADJOURNMENT OF THEMEETING:

Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move the

suspension of the meeting, to suspend all Committee

functions until the next meeting, or the adjournment of the

meeting, to suspend all Committee functions for the

duration of the Conference. The Moderator may rule such

motions out of order; these decisions shall not be subject to

appeal. Such motions shall not be debatable but shall be

immediately put to the vote and shall require a majority to

pass. A motion to adjourn shall be out of order prior to the

lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last

meeting of the Committee.

17. POSTPONEMENT ANDRESUMPTION OF DEBATE:

Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the

postponement of debate on a resolution or amendment

currently on the floor. The motion shall require two-thirds

vote to pass and shall be debatable to the extent of one


9/22

speaker in favor and one opposed. No debate or action

shall be allowed on any resolution or amendment on which

debate has been postponed. A motion to resume debate on

an amendment or resolution on which debate has beenpostponed shall require a majority to pass and shall be

debatable to the extent of one speaker in favor and one

opposed. Resumption of debate shall cancel the effects of

postponement of debate.

18. RECONSIDERATION: A motion to reconsider is in order

when a resolution or amendment has been adopted or

rejected, and must be made by a member who voted with

the majority on the substantive proposal. The Moderator

shall recognize two speakers opposing the motion after

which the motion shall be immediately put to a vote. A two-

thirds majority of the members present and voting is

required for reconsideration.

Speeches

19. SPEAKERS LIST: The Committee shall have at all

times an open Speakers list for the Topic Area being

discussed. Separate Speakers lists shall be established as

needed for procedural motions and debate on

amendments. A nation may add its name to the Speakers

list by submitting a request in writing to the Chair, provided

that nation is not already on the Speakers list. The names

of the next several nations to speak shall always be posted

for the convenience of the Committee. The Speakers list

for the second topic area will not be open until the

Committee has proceeded to that topic. The Topic Areas

General Speakers list may never be closed. The speakers

list is the default activity of the committee. If there are no

motions on the floor, debate automatically returns to the

speakers list.


10/22

20. SPEECHES: No delegate may address a session

without having previously obtained the permission of the

Moderator. The Moderator may call a speaker to order if his

or her remarks are not relevant to the subject underdiscussion, or are offensive to any committee members or

staff.

21. TIME-LIMIT ON SPEECHES: The Moderator may limit

the time allotted to each speaker. The minimum time-limit

shall be ten seconds. When a delegate exceeds his/her

allotted time, the Moderator may call the speaker to order

without delay.

22. YIELDS: A delegate granted the right to speak on a

substantive issue may yield in one of three ways: to

another delegate, to questions, or to the Chair.

Yield to another delegate. His/her remaining time shall be

given to that delegate, who may not, however, then yield

back to the original delegate.

Yield to questions. Questioners shall be selected by the

Moderator and limited to one question each. The Moderator

shall have the right to call to order any delegate whose

question is, in the opinion of the Moderator, rhetorical and

leading and not designed to elicit information. Only the

speakers answers to questions shall be deducted from the

speakers remaining time.

Yield to the chair. Such a yield should be made if the

delegate does not wish his/her speech to be subject to

comments. The moderator shall then move to the next

speaker. Only one yield is allowed: a speaker who is

yielded to may not yield at all. Yields are in order only on

substantive speeches. A delegate must declare yields by

the conclusion of his/her speech.

23. COMMENTS: If a substantive speech involves no

yields, the Moderator may recognize delegates, other than


11/22

the initial speaker, to comment for thirty seconds on the

specific content of the speech just completed.

Commentators may not yield. No comments shall be in

order during debate on procedural motions.24. RIGHT OF REPLY: A delegate whose personal or

national integrity has been impugned by another delegate

may request a Right of Reply. The Moderators decision

whether to grant the Right of Reply is not appealable, and

a delegate granted a Right of Reply will not address the

committee except at the request of the Moderator. A Right

of Reply to a Right of Reply is out of order.

.Points

25. POINTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: Whenever a

delegate experiences personal discomfort which impairs

his/her ability to participate in the proceedings, he may rise

to a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the

discomfort be corrected. While a Point of Personal Privilege

may interrupt a speaker, delegates should use this power

with the utmost discretion.

26. POINTS OF ORDER: During the discussion of any

matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to complain

of improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order

shall be immediately decided by the Moderator in

accordance with these rules of procedure. The Moderator

may rule out of order those points which are dilatory or

improper; such a decision is unappealable. A

representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on

the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of

Order may only interrupt a speaker when the speech itself

is not following proper parliamentary procedure.

27. POINTS OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY: When the

floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point of

Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Moderator a question


12/22

regarding the rules of procedure. A Point of Parliamentary

Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. Points of

Information do not exist. Delegates wishing to ask

substantive questions should do so during a Caucus.

Substantive

28. WORKING PAPERS: Delegates may propose working

papers for committee consideration. Working papers are

intended to aid the Committee in its discussion and

formulation of resolutions and need not be written in

resolution format. Working papers require the signature of

the Director to be copied and distributed.

29. RESOLUTIONS: A resolution may be introduced when

it receives the approval of the Director and is signed by 25

members in the General Assembly or 10 members in the

Economic and Social Council, the Economic and Social

Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Organization of

African Unity, the Organization of American States, and the

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Signing a resolution need not indicate support of the

resolution, and the signer has no further rights or

obligations. There are no official sponsors of resolutions.

30. INTRODUCING RESOLUTIONS: Once a resolution has

been approved as stipulated above and has been copied

and distributed, a delegate may rise to introduce the

resolution. The content of such an introduction shall be

limited to summarizing the operatives of the resolution.

Such an introduction shall be considered procedural in

nature, and hence, yields and comments are out of order. A

resolution shall remain on the floor until debate on that

specific resolution is postponed or closed. There are no

sponsors of resolutions. Debate on resolutions proceeds

according to the Topic Areas General Speakers list.


13/22

31. COMPETENCE: A motion to question the competence

of the Committee to discuss a resolution or amendment is

in order only immediately after the resolution has been

introduced. The motion requires a majority to pass and isdebatable to the extent of one speaker for and one against.

32. AMENDMENTS: Delegates may amend any resolution

which has been introduced. An amendment must have the

approval of the Director and the signatures of 12 members

in the General Assembly or 5 members in the Economic

and Social Council, the Economic and Social Commission

for Asia and the Pacific, the Organization of African Unity,

the Organization of American States, and the Organization

for Security and Cooperation in Europe. There are no

official sponsors amendments. Amendments to

amendments are out of order; however, an amended part

of a resolution may be further amended. There are no

official sponsors of amendments.

An approved amendment may be introduced when the

floor is open. General Debate shall be suspended and a

Speakers list shall be established for and against the

amendment.

A motion to close debate will be in order after the

Committee has heard two speakers for the amendment and

two against or all the speakers on one side and at least two

on the opposite side. The

moderator shall recognize two speakers against the motion

to close debate, and a vote of two-thirds is required for

closure.

When debate is closed on the amendment, the

Committee shall move to an immediate vote. Once the

Committee has acted upon the amendment, general

debate according to the general Speakers list shall

resume.


14/22

Voting

33. REORDERING REOSOLUTIONS: Because WorldMUN

only allows one resolution to bepassed, delegates maypropose to reorder the order in which resolutions are voted

on for strategic purposes.

34. DIVISION OF THEQUESTION. After debate on any

resolution or amendment has been closed, a delegate may

move that operative parts of the proposal be voted on

separately. The only substantive vote on a motion to divide

the question is the final vote on the resolution.

The Moderator shall, at that point, take any further

motions to divide the question and then arrange them from

most severe to least.

If an objection is made to a motion to divide the question,

that motion shall be debated to the extent of two speakers

for and two against, to be followed by an immediate vote

on that motion.

If the motion passes, a simple majority being required for

passage, the resolution shall be divided accordingly, and a

separate vote shall be taken on each divided part to

determine whether or not it

is included in the final draft.

Those parts of the substantive proposal which are

subsequently passed shall be recombined into the final

resolution and shall be put to a (substantive) vote as a

whole. If all the operative parts of the proposal are

rejected, the proposal shall be considered to have been

rejected as a whole.

35. VOTING: Each country shall have one vote. Each vote

may be a Yes, No, or Abstain. On procedural motions,

members may not abstain. Members present and voting

shall be defined as members casting an affirmative or


15/22

negative vote. Members who abstain from voting on

substantive matters are considered as not voting. All

matters shall be voted upon by placards, except in the case

of a roll call vote. After the Moderator has announced thebeginning of voting, no delegate shall interrupt the voting

except on a Point of Personal Privilege or on a Point of

Order in connection with the conduct of the voting. If a

majority is required, ties fail. The substantive vote on

whether or not a committee will pass a resolution requires

a majority to pass.

36. ROLL CALL VOTING: After debate is closed on any

resolution or amendment, any delegate may request a roll

call vote. Such a motion may be made from the floor,

seconded by 25 members of the GA, 15 members of the

ECOSOC, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and

the Pacific, the Organization of African Unity, the

Organization of American States, and the Organization for

Security and Cooperation in Europe. A motion for a roll call

vote is in order only for substantive motions.

In a roll call vote, the Moderator shall call the roll call in

alphabetical order starting with a randomly selected

member.

In the first round, delegates may vote Yes, No,

Abstain, or Pass. Delegates who do not pass may

request the right to explain their votes.

A delegate who passes during the first sequence of the

roll call must vote during the second sequence. This

delegate may request the right to explain his or her vote.

The Moderator shall then call for changes of votes; no

delegate may request a right of explanation if he or she did

not request one in the previous two sequences.

All delegates who requested rights of explanation shall

then be granted the right to explain their votes.


16/22

The Moderator shall then announce the outcome of the

vote.

37. PRECEDENCE: Motions shall be considered in the

following order of preference:

1. Parliamentary Points

a. Points which may interrupt a speaker:

Points of Personal Privilege (Rule 24)

Points of Order (Rule 25)

b. Points which are in order only when the floor is open:

Points of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule 26)

2. Procedural motions that is not debatable:

a. Adjournment of the Meeting (Rule 15)

b. Suspension of the Meeting (Rule 15)

c. Caucusing (Rule 12)

d. Moderated Caucus (Rule 13)

3. Procedural motion that are applicable to a

resolution or

amendment under consideration:

a. Closure of Debate (Rule 14) b. Postponement of Debate

(Rule 16)

b. Competence (Rule 30in order only after introduction of

resolution or amendment)

c. Division of the Question (Rule 32in order only after

debate has been closed)

4. Substantive motions:

a. Amendments (Rule 31)

b. Resolution (Rules 28-29)

5. Other procedural motions:

a. Resumption of Debate (Rule 16)

b. Reconsideration (Rule 17)

1.3 Parliamentary Procedures


17/22

1.3.1 Quorum

The Director may declare a Committee open and permit

debate to proceed when at least one-quarter of the

members of the Committee (as declared at the beginningof the first session) are present. The presence of a majority

of the members (as declared at the beginning of the first

session) will be required for the vote on any substantive

motion. A quorum will be assumed to be present unless

specifically challenged and shown to be absent. A roll call is

never required to determine the presence of a quorum.

1.3.2 Points

If you want to ask a question, or point the attention of the

Chairperson to something, you use a Point. For example,

when you cannot hear the speaker, when you think the

Chair has made a procedural mistake, or when you do not

understand the decision of the Chair and want to clarify the

procedure. There are three types of Points (Point of

Personal Privilege, Point of Parliamentary Inquiryand Point

of Order).

1.3.2.1 Points of Parliamentary Inquiry

When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point

of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Moderator a

question regarding the rules of procedure. This

however, may never interrupt a speaker. Delegates

with substantive questions should not rise to this

point, but should rather approach the committee

staff during caucus or send note to the dais.

1.3.2.2 Points of Order

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may

rise to a Point of Order to complain of improper

parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order shall be

immediately decided by the Moderator in accordance

with these rules of procedure. The Moderator may


18/22

rule out of order those points which are dilatory or

improper; such a decision is un-appealable. A

representative rising to a Point of Order may not

speak on the substance of the matter underdiscussion. A Point of Order may only interrupt a

speaker when the speech itself is not following

proper parliamentary procedure.

1.3.2.3 Points of Personal Privilege

Whenever a delegate experiences extreme

discomfort, which impairs him/her from partaking in

the proceeding, he/she may rise to a Point of

Personal Privilege, so that the discomfort may be

corrected. Such a point may interrupt a speaker and

so should be used with the utmost discretion.

1.3.2.4 Points of (National) Reply

A delegate whose personal or national integrity has

been affronted by that of another delegate, within

the scope of formal debate, may request the

Moderator for the Right of Reply. If approved by the

Secretariat, the respective delegate will be severely

reprimanded and possibly excluded from further

committee proceeding. Delegates are requested to

employ the Right of Reply with the utmost discretion.

In addition to that, in several MUNs a delegate whose

personal or national integrity has been impugned by

another delegate may submit a Right of Reply only in

writing to the Committee staff. The Director will grant

the Right of Reply at his/her discretion; this decision

is not appealable. A delegate granted a a Right of

Reply will not address the committee except at the

request of the Director. A Right of Reply to a Right of

Reply is out of order.

1.3.3 Yield


19/22

A yield is what you do with the remainder of your

speaking time. Yielding essentially means giving the rest of

your time to someone. You may yield to other delegation,

to questions (if you are willing to answer them), or to theChairperson (if you have finished speaking or you have no

more time anyway).

You may yield:

to questions,

your time to the chair,

your time to another delegate.

If you yield to questions, two other delegates (chosen at

the Moderators discretion) will, in turn, ask you two

questions (pertaining to your speech, of course) that you

will have to field in a maximum time of a minute each. If

your speech is highly controversial, and you feel that you

are unable to defend it by answering questions, you may

yield to the chair, in which case the two comments that

should follow are also out of order, and Speakers List

moves onto the next speaker.

If you happen to have time left within your speaking

time, you may yield that time to another member nation.

The following two comments will then be out of order and

the Speakers List will move on after your time has elapsed.

1.3.3.1 Yielding to Chair

Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not

wish his/her speech to be subject to questions. The

Director will then move to the next speaker.

1.3.3.2 Yielding to Another Delegate

His or her remaining time will be offered to that

delegate. If the delegate accepts the yield, the

Director shall recognize the delegate for the

remaining time. To turn the floor over to a co-

delegate of the same member state is not considered


20/22

a yield. The second delegate speaking may not yield

back to the original delegate.

1.3.3.3 Yielding to Questions

Questions will be selected by the Director and limitedto one question each. Follow-up questions will be

allowed only at the discretion of the Director. The

Director will have the right to call to order to any

delegate whose question is in the opinion of the

Director, rhetorical, leading and/or not designed to

elict information. Only the speakers answers to

questions will be deducted from the speakers

remaining time.

1.3.4 Comments

If a substantive speech involves no yields, the Director may

recognize up to two delegates, other than the original

speaker (i.e. no yields on yielded time). There are no yields

allowed if the delegate is speaking on a procedural matter.

A delegate must declare any yield by the conclusion of

his/her speech. Even if a delegates time has elapsed,

he/she must still yield. Yields only need to be made when in

a Speakers List.


21/22

2. Position Paper

2.1 Nature of Position Papers

Position paper is an essay detailing your countrys policies on

the topics being discussed in your committee. Position papers area great way to sift through and distill all the information you

discover through research in a simple format that serves as a

valuable reference for yourself, other delegates, and directors.

The position paper is not an exercise in elaborate writing styles

or a demonstration of breadth of knowledge on a topic; rather, it

is an opportunity to clarify the issues, state a position, and

suggest solutions from a certain national perspective for the

benefit of fellow delegates and the conference staff.

Furthermore, it serves as an organizer allowing consistent and

coherent representation during the simulation, the position paper

indicates a participant's degree of readiness to the chairpersons.

Many conferences require that each delegation submit a

position paper. Most conferences that require position papers ask

for position papers about around a month or even a week

(depending on the conference) before the conference so that

staff members can read position papers and get a feel for the

direction debate will take. If the conference you are attending

does not require a position paper, you should still consider

writing one to help you organize your research and prepare your

speeches.

Writing a position paper will help you organize your ideas so

that you can share your countrys position with the rest of the

committee. Many delegates use their position paper as their

opening remark. Writing a position paper might appear to be a

daunting task, especially for new delegates. If you conduct

extensive research, a position paper should be easy and useful to

write Position papers are usually ONE to ONE-and-a-HALF pages

in length. Your position paper should include a brief introduction

followed by a comprehensive


22/22

They break down your countrys position on the topics that are

being discussed by the committee. Many conferences will ask for

specific details in a position paper, so be sure to include all the

required information. Most conferences will provide delegates abackground guide to the issue. Usually, the background guide

will contain questions to consider.

A good position paper will not only provide facts but also

make proposals for resolutions. It will include:

A brief introduction to your country and its history

concerning the topic and committee

How the issue affects your country

Your countrys policies with respect to the issue and your

countrys justification for these policies

Quotes from your countrys leaders about the issue

Statistics to back up your countrys position on the issue

Actions taken by your government with regard to the

issue

Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed

or ratified

UN actions that your country supported or opposed

What your country believes should be done to address the

issue

What your country would like to accomplish in the

committees resolution

How the positions of other countries affect your countrys

position

Documents

ROP and Pos. Paper