Model UN:

The Basics
by- Bhimika goyal
 What is the United
Nations?

The United Nations is an international organization

whose aims are to facilitate cooperation between
countries in international law, international security,
economic development, social progress, and human
rights issues
It is made up of multiple committees and legislative
bodies, including the General Assembly, Economic
and Social Council, and Security Council
Founded in 1945, after World War II, the United
Nations has a total of 192 member countries.
What is Model United
Nations?

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations

Students play the roles of delegates representing a
specific country in a UN committee
The goal of a Model UN committee is to pass
resolutions that will resolve the issues being debated
The goal of each delegate is to have his/her countrys
interests and objectives reflected in the resolutions
 Flow of debate
Set the agenda

SpeakerS
List

Moderated Caucus Unmoderated Caucus

return to SpeakerS LiSt

Voting Procedures
SpeakerS LiSt

One delegation speaks for a

predetermined amount of time
Yield time to the chair (no questions)
or to the floor (questions)
Useful for laying out your countrys
position on an issue or describing a
course of action
 Beginning of Your Speech
Grab the audiences attention, with a quote from your Head of State or a
surprising statistic that dramatizes the main problem or question your
committee is considering
Explain in a sentence how this quote or statistic relates to the global
communitys concern for your committee topic.
Middle of Your Speech
using statistics and other evidence provide context and background on the
problem
Introduce your countrys policy recommendations
End of Your Speech
Reinforce why the urgency and importance of the problem, Briefly restate
your policy and hope for a common solution
Close with a compelling quote from your countrys president or foreign
minister (or a UN official) relating to the topic
Moderated Caucus

Delegates speak in turn for short

periods of time
You must be recognized by the
chair to speak
Quicker than the speakers list,
but more structured than an
unmoderated caucus
Unmoderated Caucus

Delegates talk amongst one another

freely for a specified amount of time
Usually 5-10 minutes
The chair is not involved in the
discussion at all
Useful for writing draft resolutions or
negotiating intensely with other delegates
Voting procedures

Voting procedures are entered when a

committee is ready to vote on draft
resolutions
A draft resolution must be introduced
through a motion before it can be voted
upon in voting procedures
After voting procedures, the committee
moves on to the next topic
Points and Motions
Motions are used to direct debate
Motion to open the speakers list
Motion for a moderated caucus
Motion for an unmoderated caucus
Motion to introduce a draft resolution
Motion to enter voting procedures
Motions must be voted on by the
committee and typically require a majority
vote
Points and Motions
Points are used to ask questions
Point of inquiryask a question about
parliamentary procedure
Point of personal privilegeask to go to
the bathroom
Point of informationask the speaker a
question
Points arent voted on, but a speaker can
choose not to respond to a point of
information
Resolutions

Resolutions are made up of

preambulatory and operative clauses
Preambulatory clauses describe the
situation
Operative clauses describe the course of
action taken by the committee
Preambulatory Phrases
General Assembly Third Committee

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 Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and
inalienable rights of all global citizens, [use commas to separate preambulatory
clauses]

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 organizations,
Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is
in need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm,
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; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses]
Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of
Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;
Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better
enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in
complex emergencies;
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;
Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the
political, economic and social situations and events of all countries;
Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated
appeals for humanitarian assistance; and
Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-
conflict assistance through reconstruction and development.
Things to keep in mind
while debating

Always refer to your country in the third

person
Dont say I believe that ___. Instead,
say The nation of China believes that
___,
Express the views of your country, not
your own views
Be formal and polite