DEBATE GUIDE
The debates at a Model United Nations conference are a very formal means of discussion.
Delegates and Chairs have to operate according to rules and formal phrases.
I. When a Delegate gives a speech, he/she must address the Presidents or the Chairs in the house, then the delegates.
i. "Distinguished chairs, honorable delegates,..."
II. The speaker (including the chairs) should always speak in 3rd person since he/she is representing a whole country or organization, and not just himself/herself personally. Refrain from using, "I" or "You" as a delegate when interacting with other delegates or the chair.
i. "The UK is in favor of this resolution, because it feels that...?"
ii. "Would the delegate of Iran please..."
iii. "Isn't the honorable delegate aware of the fact that...?"
iv. "The chair recognizes the delegation of Cuba."
III. After a delegate has finished his/her speech and has answered all the points of information, he/she must yield the floor to the chair. The chair cannot speak until the floor has been yielded.
i. "The delegate of UK yields the floor to the chair."
IV. Part of an MUN conference is the writing of resolutions. This template will provide the proper format of how resolutions should be written and a guide on writing a successful resolution.
Delegates and Chairs have to operate according to rules and formal phrases.
I. When a Delegate gives a speech, he/she must address the Presidents or the Chairs in the house, then the delegates.
i. "Distinguished chairs, honorable delegates,..."
II. The speaker (including the chairs) should always speak in 3rd person since he/she is representing a whole country or organization, and not just himself/herself personally. Refrain from using, "I" or "You" as a delegate when interacting with other delegates or the chair.
i. "The UK is in favor of this resolution, because it feels that...?"
ii. "Would the delegate of Iran please..."
iii. "Isn't the honorable delegate aware of the fact that...?"
iv. "The chair recognizes the delegation of Cuba."
III. After a delegate has finished his/her speech and has answered all the points of information, he/she must yield the floor to the chair. The chair cannot speak until the floor has been yielded.
i. "The delegate of UK yields the floor to the chair."
IV. Part of an MUN conference is the writing of resolutions. This template will provide the proper format of how resolutions should be written and a guide on writing a successful resolution.
DRESS CODE
- U2NESCO recommends delegates to follow a standard Western Business Attire.
- A suit and a necktie is recommended for men, but shirts and button up polos are acceptable.
- Men should not wear shorts. Dress trousers are recommended.
- A suit and a blouse is recommended for women, but shirts and button up polos are acceptable.
- Women should not wear overly short skirts and shorts. Dress trousers or skirts are recommended.
- Colourful trainers, sandals, flip-flops and overly high-heels should not be worn.
POINTSI. Point of Personal Privilege
i. Refers to the comfort of the delegate. ii. Refers to audibility.* iii. Cannot refer to the content of a speech. iv. Does not require a second. *May not interrupt the speaker. *Exception for audibility. II. Point of Order i. Refers to errors in procedure. ii. Can only refer to something that just happened, not earlier. *May not interrupt the speaker. III. Point of Information to the Chair i. Refers to any inquires. *May not interrupt the speaker. IV. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry i. Refers to inquires regarding rules & parliamentary procedures. *May not interrupt the speaker. |
MOTIONSI. Moving to the Previous Question. "Motion to move to the previous question."
-Calls for the closure of debate, and a vote to be taken on the resolution/amendment. -May be moved by the chair or a delegate. -May not interrupt the speaker. -Requires a second, stopped by objection(s). -May be overruled by the chair. II. Motion to Table a Resolution -Calls for temporary disposal of a resolution. -Tabled resolutions may only be discussed after all resolutions have been debated -Practically destroys a resolution. -May be overruled by the chair. -Non-debatable. -Needs a simple majority. (2/3 majority) -Used primarily in the case of poorly written and prepared resolutions. III. Motion to Move Into Open/Closed Debate -Needs a second. -Stopped by objection(s). IV. Motion to Divide the House. -Each member of the committee must give a public vote: for, against, or abstain in a roll-call voting format. -Delegates can still abstain, but must give one of the three responses. -Used primarily due to low voter participation or a close vote. |
AMENDMENTS
I. Amendments to the Agenda
-Amendments to the agenda may be proposed in writing at the start of business of every forum.
-Must be debated.
-Should only be encouraged by the chair if a substantial resolution is backing the amendment to the agenda.
II. Amendments - General
-Amendments should be submitted to the chair in writing.
-Can only be submitted by the delegate who has the floor- the chair however will grant priority while giving the floor to a delegate who has submitted an amendment sheet.
-Only in order if submitted on an official amendment sheet.
-The speaker should give a short explanation speech on the amendment, the chair will read it out loud.
-Always vote, never adopt it without a vote.
-Closed debate will be the norm for amendments.
-Only one amendment per amendment sheet will be in order.
-If the amendment fails, the delegate who proposed the amendment will have the floor to deliver a speech.
-The chair should prioritize constructive amendments, but the chair does not formally decide which amendments are debated.
-Abstentions are allowed.
-Amendments to the agenda may be proposed in writing at the start of business of every forum.
-Must be debated.
-Should only be encouraged by the chair if a substantial resolution is backing the amendment to the agenda.
II. Amendments - General
-Amendments should be submitted to the chair in writing.
-Can only be submitted by the delegate who has the floor- the chair however will grant priority while giving the floor to a delegate who has submitted an amendment sheet.
-Only in order if submitted on an official amendment sheet.
-The speaker should give a short explanation speech on the amendment, the chair will read it out loud.
-Always vote, never adopt it without a vote.
-Closed debate will be the norm for amendments.
-Only one amendment per amendment sheet will be in order.
-If the amendment fails, the delegate who proposed the amendment will have the floor to deliver a speech.
-The chair should prioritize constructive amendments, but the chair does not formally decide which amendments are debated.
-Abstentions are allowed.
YIELDING THE FLOOR
I. The floor may be yielded only to the chair who then recognizes the next speaker and point of information.
VOTING
I. Only Member Delegations can vote. In a close voting outcome, the chair may institute a roll call voting where each member state's name is announced in turn and they state whether they are for or against a resolution. Non-Member delegates are not allowed to vote.
II. Voting on a resolution: in favor, against, abstain.
III. Voting on an amendment: in favor, against, abstain.
IV. A resolution with a tied vote fails. However in this case, there may as well be a Motion to Divide the House, which will call for a roll call voting.
V. If the majority of the votes are abstentions, the resolution fails.
VI. Division of the House has the same meaning as a roll call vote.
VII. After the chair calls to Move to the Previous Question, no interruptions are allowed except points of order that are only connected with the voting.
II. Voting on a resolution: in favor, against, abstain.
III. Voting on an amendment: in favor, against, abstain.
IV. A resolution with a tied vote fails. However in this case, there may as well be a Motion to Divide the House, which will call for a roll call voting.
V. If the majority of the votes are abstentions, the resolution fails.
VI. Division of the House has the same meaning as a roll call vote.
VII. After the chair calls to Move to the Previous Question, no interruptions are allowed except points of order that are only connected with the voting.
WITHDRAWING A RESOLUTION
I. Only in order if all submitters and co-submitters agree to withdrawal before debate begins.
II. Passed with a simple majority. (2/3 Majority)
II. Passed with a simple majority. (2/3 Majority)
DEBATE TIME & DEBATE MODE
I. The chair will propose the limitations of debate time before the start of debate.
II. Open debate, absolute maximum debate time per resolution is two hours, closed debate is 90 minutes.
III. Use common sense to allocate time according to the number of resolutions you have received.
IV. Chair to decide on the limitations of speaking time by individual speakers.
V. Extension of debate time only in exceptional circumstances and only if time-frame permits.
*There are two types of debate; open and closed. Open debate means delegates may speak either in favor or against at a time, whi in closed debate the first half of the debate is restricted to speakers in favor and the second half to speakers against. At U2NESCO, debate will follow an open debate procedure during committees, with an attempt to alternate between views.
II. Open debate, absolute maximum debate time per resolution is two hours, closed debate is 90 minutes.
III. Use common sense to allocate time according to the number of resolutions you have received.
IV. Chair to decide on the limitations of speaking time by individual speakers.
V. Extension of debate time only in exceptional circumstances and only if time-frame permits.
*There are two types of debate; open and closed. Open debate means delegates may speak either in favor or against at a time, whi in closed debate the first half of the debate is restricted to speakers in favor and the second half to speakers against. At U2NESCO, debate will follow an open debate procedure during committees, with an attempt to alternate between views.
FUNDING
I. Can be discussed in resolutions, but in broad terms, no specific numbers/funds should be named.
II. It is assumed that the UN or other payers will find the money to fund the proposal.
III. Keep it general, and do not go into specifics.
II. It is assumed that the UN or other payers will find the money to fund the proposal.
III. Keep it general, and do not go into specifics.
SOURCE
THIMUN Foundation
www.thimun.org/index.php/educational
Modified for U2NESCO
www.thimun.org/index.php/educational
Modified for U2NESCO
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