Debate Format (Mods and Unmods)
Roll Call Every conference and committee session is started by a roll call by the chair (the judge)
There are two different ways you can address the chair:
“The (insert full country name) is present”
“The (insert full country name) is present and voting”
If you say you are present and voting,when voting, you can only vote yes or no.
If you are present, you can vote yes, no, or have the option to abstain(not vote and stay neutral)
Typically, this is not important until the later sessions of the conference, as that is when you begin to vote on resolution papers.
Setting the agenda As will be discussed more in depth in the General Assembly section typically every GA has two topics, topic A and topic B. You will have to vote on which topic you discuss. Typically, you will only get through one topic for the conference.
After roll call, the chair will ask for any motions and a delegation will ask to “move to open debate”, the first motion of the conference.
After debate has been opened, a delegation will motion to open the “Speaker’s List”, where countries will begin to discuss which topic the committee should address first.
After the chair sees that there has been thorough enough discussion about the two topics, there will be a motion that calls to set the agenda in the order of topic A, followed by topic B, and vice versa, which will then be voted on.
Speakers List After a topic has been voted on, you begin to actually start discussing the issues and coming up with solutions. Recall that the speaker’s list was opened for debating which topic to vote on. Now, the speaker’s list will be used to start discussing the topic. This is where countries give opening statements and brainstorm possible ideas.
If you want your name to be added to the speaker’s list, simply write and pass a note to the chair saying “please add (insert your country name) to the speaker’s list”.
In a speaker’s list, by default, there is a 60 second speaking time. You can go under, but not over that time limit, but try to use as much of the 60 seconds as you can. If you’re speech falls under 60 seconds, make sure to yield your time to the chair, meaning you give back the rest of the time to the chair. If you don’t yield during the speaker’s list, other countries can use that time to ask you questions or poke holes in your argument (this is not a common occurrence however).
Caucusing After the chair feels like there has been enough discussion from the speaker’s list, he/she will be asking for motions on the floor. Typically, you will have two options:
Mod During moderated caucuses , the Chair will call on delegates one at a time as they talk about a certain aspect of the issue at hand. Topics of the moderated caucuses are specific. For example, if the overall topic was air pollution, the topic of the moderated caucus cannot be “air pollution” or “solutions to air pollution”, those are way too general. Rather, a moderated caucus topic could be “educating the public” or “reducing global carbon footprint”. The possible topics that can be discussed in moderated caucuses is endless, just make sure it somehow pertains or relates back to the issue itself. A good tip is to create topics that best show off your plan. So say you have a plan to raise awareness on air pollution through social media you might want to motion for a moderated caucuses with a 45/9 (45 seconds of speaking and a total of 9 minutes) on the topic of public awareness. If you motion for a moderated caucuses (rather then speaking for a topic someone else motion for) the chair will give you the option of speaking first or lass essentially assuring you will be able to speak.
Unmod During unmoderated caucuses, debate is not “moderated” by the chair. The delegates will take a break from formal speeches and will walk around and meet with each other and discuss possible ideas. As the conference progresses, the delegates will begin to form groups, aka caucusing blocs, with other delegates who share similar ideas and will start to write working papers, which are the first “drafts” to a complete resolution paper (read more in the resolution paper section). The unmoderated caucus will be used to write the draft as well as getting supporters for your paper and its ideas.
There are two different ways you can address the chair:
“The (insert full country name) is present”
“The (insert full country name) is present and voting”
If you say you are present and voting,when voting, you can only vote yes or no.
If you are present, you can vote yes, no, or have the option to abstain(not vote and stay neutral)
Typically, this is not important until the later sessions of the conference, as that is when you begin to vote on resolution papers.
Setting the agenda As will be discussed more in depth in the General Assembly section typically every GA has two topics, topic A and topic B. You will have to vote on which topic you discuss. Typically, you will only get through one topic for the conference.
After roll call, the chair will ask for any motions and a delegation will ask to “move to open debate”, the first motion of the conference.
After debate has been opened, a delegation will motion to open the “Speaker’s List”, where countries will begin to discuss which topic the committee should address first.
After the chair sees that there has been thorough enough discussion about the two topics, there will be a motion that calls to set the agenda in the order of topic A, followed by topic B, and vice versa, which will then be voted on.
Speakers List After a topic has been voted on, you begin to actually start discussing the issues and coming up with solutions. Recall that the speaker’s list was opened for debating which topic to vote on. Now, the speaker’s list will be used to start discussing the topic. This is where countries give opening statements and brainstorm possible ideas.
If you want your name to be added to the speaker’s list, simply write and pass a note to the chair saying “please add (insert your country name) to the speaker’s list”.
In a speaker’s list, by default, there is a 60 second speaking time. You can go under, but not over that time limit, but try to use as much of the 60 seconds as you can. If you’re speech falls under 60 seconds, make sure to yield your time to the chair, meaning you give back the rest of the time to the chair. If you don’t yield during the speaker’s list, other countries can use that time to ask you questions or poke holes in your argument (this is not a common occurrence however).
Caucusing After the chair feels like there has been enough discussion from the speaker’s list, he/she will be asking for motions on the floor. Typically, you will have two options:
Mod During moderated caucuses , the Chair will call on delegates one at a time as they talk about a certain aspect of the issue at hand. Topics of the moderated caucuses are specific. For example, if the overall topic was air pollution, the topic of the moderated caucus cannot be “air pollution” or “solutions to air pollution”, those are way too general. Rather, a moderated caucus topic could be “educating the public” or “reducing global carbon footprint”. The possible topics that can be discussed in moderated caucuses is endless, just make sure it somehow pertains or relates back to the issue itself. A good tip is to create topics that best show off your plan. So say you have a plan to raise awareness on air pollution through social media you might want to motion for a moderated caucuses with a 45/9 (45 seconds of speaking and a total of 9 minutes) on the topic of public awareness. If you motion for a moderated caucuses (rather then speaking for a topic someone else motion for) the chair will give you the option of speaking first or lass essentially assuring you will be able to speak.
Unmod During unmoderated caucuses, debate is not “moderated” by the chair. The delegates will take a break from formal speeches and will walk around and meet with each other and discuss possible ideas. As the conference progresses, the delegates will begin to form groups, aka caucusing blocs, with other delegates who share similar ideas and will start to write working papers, which are the first “drafts” to a complete resolution paper (read more in the resolution paper section). The unmoderated caucus will be used to write the draft as well as getting supporters for your paper and its ideas.
Speeches
Speeches are the most important part of a conference. Speeches are the time when you share ideas, discuss things that you had in mind and show how much you know about the topic.
They are usually not long, they can reach from 30 seconds to 1 min (on average) but the time depends on the caucus set. Since the time is short, you should come to your point pretty quick, but also don’t rush whatever you’re trying to say.
Speeches are usually spoken formally, you start by showing gratitude to the chair and dias (the heads of committee) and the fellow delegates.
F.ex.:
*Thank you honorable chair, fellow delegates... *
Then you usually say the name of your delegation to show people who you are representing (also great to make them remember you)
Make sure you have the actual name of your country if you choose the second option, usually countries have “The republic of...” or “The kingdom of...”
F.ex.:
*... the delegation of Belgium... / ... the Kingdom of Belgium*
Afterwards you start introducing the idea or topic you wanted to focus on in your speech. This can either be a explanation, a reason or an introduction to a new idea; whatever you want to say or introduce.
A whole first sentence could look like this:
“Thank you honorable chair, fellow delegates, the delegation of Belgium believes that focusing on trying to establish peace in those countries is more important than rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure.”
If you feel like you’re not ready to speak freely yet, no worries, most people don’t just say what comes to their minds.
A great tip is to write down notes, bullet points or short ideas that you are trying to address in your speech and take a notepad with you to be able to look at your notes if you need them. Forming the sentences in your head might sound difficult but it will come naturally.
If you think that you need a little more preparation, that’s ok too. A lot of people write down their whole speeches and read them. Whatever you feel most comfortable doing is best for you.
But keep in mind that with each speech you give, you will get more confident in what you are doing and try stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time to improve what you do.
They are usually not long, they can reach from 30 seconds to 1 min (on average) but the time depends on the caucus set. Since the time is short, you should come to your point pretty quick, but also don’t rush whatever you’re trying to say.
Speeches are usually spoken formally, you start by showing gratitude to the chair and dias (the heads of committee) and the fellow delegates.
F.ex.:
*Thank you honorable chair, fellow delegates... *
Then you usually say the name of your delegation to show people who you are representing (also great to make them remember you)
Make sure you have the actual name of your country if you choose the second option, usually countries have “The republic of...” or “The kingdom of...”
F.ex.:
*... the delegation of Belgium... / ... the Kingdom of Belgium*
Afterwards you start introducing the idea or topic you wanted to focus on in your speech. This can either be a explanation, a reason or an introduction to a new idea; whatever you want to say or introduce.
A whole first sentence could look like this:
“Thank you honorable chair, fellow delegates, the delegation of Belgium believes that focusing on trying to establish peace in those countries is more important than rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure.”
If you feel like you’re not ready to speak freely yet, no worries, most people don’t just say what comes to their minds.
A great tip is to write down notes, bullet points or short ideas that you are trying to address in your speech and take a notepad with you to be able to look at your notes if you need them. Forming the sentences in your head might sound difficult but it will come naturally.
If you think that you need a little more preparation, that’s ok too. A lot of people write down their whole speeches and read them. Whatever you feel most comfortable doing is best for you.
But keep in mind that with each speech you give, you will get more confident in what you are doing and try stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time to improve what you do.
Notes in committtee
In any committee you can send notes to other delegates. You can use these to establish connections while in moderated caucuses or communicate with already made allies. Please keep these MUN appropriate. Sometimes chairs will read them. Write your note on a paper and fold it then write who it is for and who is sending it this way the pager (person collecting and distributing notes) and other delegation knows who it is from.
Resolution Paper
The resolution paper is the piece of international legislation that a GA committee is focused on writing. In committee, you will collaborate with your fellow delegates in order to produce a coherent document addressing the issue These are typically written using a laptop or IPad during unmods. Some conferences may require them to be handwritten however.
The goal is to implement your planned solutions to the issue using a specific clause format. The documents will go through revisions as they are introduced to the committee. When they are being written during the first unmods, they are “working papers”. Once they are formally submitted to the chair, they can only be changed using the formal amendment process. They are then called “Draft Resolutions”. Only when they are voted on by the final committees are they full resolutions.
The principal authors of the paper are called “Sponsors”. However, in addition to sponsors, the papers need the approval of a number of other delegates known as signatories (this number is usually set at the beginning of the committee by the chair).
The format for papers is very specific. They contain two distinct forms of clauses. Preambulatory and Operative. Preambs are pretty unimportant and usually just reiterate the need for addressing the issue. Operatives contain specific language on how solutions to the issue will be reached. An example of each is included below.
PREAMB
Fulfilling the need for greater economic and financial cooperation in the develop of the sustainable disaster-resilient infrastructure,
OPERATIVE
- Advocates for, the overhaul of the UNDP Financing Solutions for Sustainable Development to add a separate department specifically for climate related solutions:
- Under the supervision of the existing management structure,
- Including the extension of cooperation with the IMF’s existing international fraud
- Including its reorganization into consisting of two main tiers providing the following services:
- Tier-one which will function as a global development bank that issues loans for the development of resilient and weather hesitant infrastructure in nations that apply,
- Tier-Two which will issue micro finances loans to private individuals for the start- up of sustainable small businesses in areas affected by a climate-related natural disaster and in need of redevelopment,
- Prioritizing the issuing of loans and bonds for projects that aid governments and private firms in developing projects that will help to work towards the four priorities outlined in the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction;
Formal intstructions for writing each can be found at this site: http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/resolutions/preambulatory-and-operative-clauses
The process for formally amending a draft resolution once it has been introduced is simple. First, write the new clauses or the clause you would like to strike on a piece of paper. Then, to approve it you may get it signed by all of the sponsors of the paper (this is a friendly amendment) or submit it to the chair and have the entire committee vote to approve it (this is an unfriendly amendment).
When voting on the resolutions, this may be done through a simple placard vote (you raise your name card and they count all at once) or through a roll call vote in which they will call out your country/ position and you must vote yes or no. You may also abstain if you did not declare you were present and voting during the last roll call.
Crisis notes and directives
Crisis notes are how you will interact with the world of your character. This is how you will carry out your plans and ambitions. They are written like a correspondence or letter. (As well they are usually written on paper and given to the dias/chair when they ask for it) They can be to whoever you want as long as it makes sense in relation to your character. So for example if you were a prominent general in a military coup that wants to mobilize troops you might want to write to a lower ranking officer that can organize and lead soldiers. Use your imagination when creating your plans. Remember the chair will be reading your letters and responding so try to make your ideas interesting and worthwhile for them. As well make your letters as specific (without writing too much) as possible. This will help the chair to understand what you want to do and actually give you what you want. If you don't they may turn your idea of an army into a toy soldier set.
Directives are similar to the resolution papers of a GA. At least in the sense that they are voted on and are how the whole crisis committee moves forward with plans. Unlike resolution papers however directives have less of the structure found in resolution papers as well you will be passing many in committee. Using the example of war again examples of directives can be sending ambassadors on diplomatic missions, moving production of war materials, and moving troops. Directives are similar to crisis notes except they are totally public and everyone will vote on them. Your crisis note will be held secret until they are revealed by you or your movements are detected. Optimize your time and energy by making the directives and crisis notes you make work for you. Add inconspicuous things to the directive notes to slowly gain resources you can use.
Directives are similar to the resolution papers of a GA. At least in the sense that they are voted on and are how the whole crisis committee moves forward with plans. Unlike resolution papers however directives have less of the structure found in resolution papers as well you will be passing many in committee. Using the example of war again examples of directives can be sending ambassadors on diplomatic missions, moving production of war materials, and moving troops. Directives are similar to crisis notes except they are totally public and everyone will vote on them. Your crisis note will be held secret until they are revealed by you or your movements are detected. Optimize your time and energy by making the directives and crisis notes you make work for you. Add inconspicuous things to the directive notes to slowly gain resources you can use.