Resources

Rules of Procedure

Points:

• Point of information: A point of information, or POI, is essentially asking a question to another delegate, concerning something they have said or a resolution they have written, but can only be used when the delegate who is answering the questions says they are open to points of information
• Point of inquiry/parliamentary procedure: Used for a delegate to ask a chair a question about procedure. It cannot be used to interpret a speaker.
• Point of personal privilege: Used for a delegate to ask the chair about something personal, such as they cannot hear what the other delegates are saying or need to use the restroom.
• Point of order: Used when a delegate sees that either a chair or other delegates have not followed or misused the rules.
• Point of clarification: A point used to clarify or correct something another delegate said, such as a misrepresentation of facts; it is phrased in the form of statement instead of question and is not meant to argue, and instead set the record straight
   

Motions:

• Motion to move to voting procedure: A motion used to begin voting on the current resolution/amendment
• Motion to vote on the resolution clause by clause: A motion used to vote on each clause of the resolution separately rather than on the resolution as a whole
• Motion to extend debate time: A motion used to prolong the debate time on a topic. Can be used once time has been elapsed; this can also be applied to extending time for unmoderated caucasses/resolution writing
• Motion to split the house: A motion used so that abstentions on a vote are not permitted.
• Motion to submit a resolution: A motion used submit a resolution to the chairs
• Motion to entertain an amendment: A motion used to begin discussing submitted amendments
• Motion to approach the chair(s): A motion used when a delegate would like to go up to the dias to speak to the chairs personally
• Motion to cite sources: A motion that makes another delegate submit their sources for something they have said to the chair.
• Motion for an unmoderated caucus: A motion that opens an unmoderated caucus for a specified amount of time.
• Motion to withdraw a resolution: A motion used to remove a resolution from the debate
• Motion to vote on this resolution clause by clause: A motion used to vote on each individual clause of a resolution, allowing delegates to pass specific clauses, but not the resolution as a whole. Depending on committee size, delegates should vote with placards as opposed to roll call.
• Motion for a follow-up: A motion to request a follow-up question to the POI previously asked by the delegate
• Motion to suspend debate: A motion to temporarily halt debate
• Motion to end debate: A motion to permanently end the debate, and the committee as a whole; this is only used at the end of the last committee session
• Right of reply: A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment, when a delegate feels personally insulted by another's speech (offense towards the individual, not the delegate's country)

How to Write a Model UN Resolution Paper

Committee

Main Submitters (sometimes called Sponsors)

• Countries that are completely in favour of the resolution, and helped write most of it.
• The main submitters will give the speeches in favour, answer POIs, and read the resolution.
• Usually limited to between two and five delegations.

Co-Submitters (sometimes called signatories)

• Countries that want to see the resolution debated, but don't have to be completely in favour or completely against it.
• Usually limited to between two and seven delegations.

Topic

The [insert committee name],
 

Preambulatory Clauses

• Command terms
   

  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 Further proclaims Further reminds Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Has resolved

  Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns Supports Takes note of Transmits Trusts

 

• Format
  • Command term is italicized
  • Paragraph format
  • All sentences end with a comma
• Preambulatory clauses reference any facts, past actions, documents, resolutions or charters that you will use to justify or base your entire resolution off of. This serves to clarify any information that you will reference, or wish to be known, during your operative clauses.
• This is the shortest section of your resolution, and should have between two and five of these. This section is considerably ‘less important’ than the operative clauses.
   

Operative Clauses

• Command Terms
• There is a specific set of command terms that only the security council can use:
  • Condemns, declares accordingly, demands, proclaims, requests
• Format
  • Command term is underlined
  • Sentence format goes:
    • clause (main action);
      • sub-clause (further description of clause, can be multiple),
        • sub-sub clause (examples or specifics in terms of number of something or type, can be multiple),
• All clauses end with a semicolon, sub and sub-sub clauses end with a comma
• This is where you will explain every single action that the resolution will take, as well as outline the specifics of what these actions will require. This is the most important part of the resolution!
• Some examples of actions operative clauses can call for are:
  • Economic support from nation states to fund a peacekeeping or humanitarian mission
  • Creation of an organization to monitor the area, or reference of existing UN organizations as well!
  • (More Advanced)
  • Calling on nation states to enact sanctions on another country for not cooperating
  • Setting an ultimatum if actions requested (i.e. the removal of troops) are not upheld
     

Key Things to Keep in Mind

• The best delegates will go into the committee session already having written some resolution clauses. This shows the other delegations that you’re ready to do well, and that you’re prepared. This is also more likely to guarantee that your resolution will be entertained (or debated).
• The time to work on resolutions, through merging yours with others`, finding main submitters, adding clauses etc. is during unmoderated caucus (or lobbying).
• Most chairs recommend not spending as much time writing preambulatory clauses as they don't actually get anything done, prioritise getting the operatives written!
• Most resolutions are between 2 and 8 pages long.
• Most resolutions tend to end with the operative clause “Decides to remain actively seized on the matter”
   

Fictional Sample Resolution

United Nations Security Council

Main Sumbitters: The Kingdom of Wakanda, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, French Republic

Co Submitters: The United States of America, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Germany Topic: Reducing the Illicit Arms Trade In Africa

The Security Council,

Deeply Concerned with the growing amount of arms in Africa, in particular its sub-saharan region,

Noting the rebel militias in various countries that are being propped up by governments in Sub-Saharan Africa,

1. Recommends the creation of the Transnational African Committee on Disarmament, created in order to;
   1. Oversee the dismantling of illicit weapons in the region,
   2. Coordinate with local governments on peaceful disarmament methods,
   3. Determine the movement of any UN Peacekeeping forces dealing with illicit arms in the region,,
   4. Provide a report every 4 months on the status on the arms trade in Sub-Saharan Africa
2. Suggests that the TACD be led by experts on the subject of modern intra-African relations, to be chosen by a vote from members of the United Nations Security Council;
3. Recommends that TACD be funded by donations from member states, individuals, and other willing organizations;
4. Demands the creation of a United Nations Peacekeeping unit, the numbers of which are to be determined by the TACD, with the purpose of;
   1. Deterring attacks in areas of high violence
   2. Assisting with local humanitarian aid programs
   3. Coordinating peace-keeping efforts with other UN missions in the region, and with local governments

How to Write a Model UN Position Paper

Committee
Topic
Delegation
School
Name(s)

Paragraph 1: Introduction to the Topic

• Give a BRIEF summary of the topic being discussed (background, current developments, main causes etc.).
• DO NOT copy and paste from the background guide or any news source, this is your take on what is happening!
• If your country has a specific position that differs from how the topic is usually explained make sure it stands out
• i.e. if you were discussing the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the US would say it was an invasion but Afghanistan and the USSR would say it was a legal occupation
• Think of it in the context of your committee and of the UN as a whole
  • For example, keep in mind how past actions taken in regards to the topic (by other countries that you may be opposed to) have violated the statute of the UN
• Begin to situate your country in the topic, but don't state your country’s position yet (next paragraph)
   

Paragraph 2: Your Country’s Point of View

• Explain what your country thinks of the topic and its origin
• Make sure to point out any countries or actions that you may disagree with!
  • (including actions that have been taken by the UN, such as past resolutions or sanctions against your country)
• Keep in mind your country’s allies in regards to the topic
  • (refer to geological position, religion, past history, economic motivations etc.)
• How your country is being affected, why it’s important that the issue is discussed (or why it shouldn’t be), who are your ‘enemies’ in this?
• What YOUR COUNTRY thinks, not what YOU think!
• No use of personal pronouns!
  • “The delegation of (insert country) believes that…”
  • If your county has had a major role in the topic, explain your involvement from the point of view of your country
• Iie. if you are being accused of certain crimes, explain why your country believes it is not guilty (look at your country’s previous interactions with allegations having to do with the topic or topics related to it).
   

Paragraph 3: Your Delegation’s Proposed Solution

• Here is where you outline what YOUR DELEGATION representing the opinion and actions of YOUR COUNTRY plans on proposing as a course of action for resolving/addressing the topic
• Here you will BRIEFLY outline what your resolution clauses will say
  • Make sure your solution pertains to the scope of action of your committee
  • Only the Security Council can carry out actions in behalf of the UN (such as establishing a Peacekeeping mission)
• Why do you want to carry out this solution and how it would be beneficial to the committee and everyone involved?
   

Key Things to Keep in Mind as You’re Writing Your Paper

• You are never representing yourself or your opinions in regards to the topic; you are a representative of YOUR COUNTRY and your government’s point of view and course of action
• Make sure your proposed solution doesn’t contradict any past action that you (or your allies) have taken or that it doesn't violate any part of the UN Charter or international law (such as the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights etc.)
• The position paper will help your chairs see where you stand in regards to the topic and what your actions might be during committee, but it will also help YOU conceptualize your understanding of the topic and come up with ideas for what your resolution might look like and who you might want to work with. Take advantage of it!
   

Fictional Sample

Security Council
Resolving the Illegal Arms Trade in Africa
Delegation of the Kingdom of Wakanda
Graded - The American School of Sao Paulo
Sofia Amato and Samuel Bowles

The illicit trade of arms in Africa poses an existential threat to the internal stability and long term productivity of the region. Ever since the decolonization efforts of the British, French, and other European countries that ruled over Africa since the 19th century, the region has been racked with internal strife and proxy power struggles, leading to protracted economic difficulties and unprecedented violence. A major source of this instability is the massive amount of illegal arms that are traded across the region and beyond it. The United Nations estimates that the sum of arms is valued at over 1 billion dollars, and millions of weapons have been smuggled, with a large portion of them going to fuel conflicts beyond the region like those in Yemen, which have deteriorated into one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent history. Wakanda is no stranger to the danger of illicit arms either, with recent attempts by foreign smugglers like Ulysses Klaue looking to profiteer off of the recent civil war between King T'Challa and his brother N'Jadaka, stealing valuable Wakandan Military assets and selling them to guerrilla factions in Africa and other nearby regions.

Recently, the United Nations has adopted a much stronger approach to dealing with the smuggling of illegal arms, utilizing a conciliatory strategy of reintegration to former members of militia movements, offering them amnesty in exchange for the dismantling of their weapons. This strategy has had partial success, with tens of thousands of arms being removed from the hands of violent groups, but conflicts like the Sudanese Civil War and the ensuing collapse of South Sudan have reopened old wounds stemming from the illicit arms trade. The United Nations responded to this by placing an arms embargo on South Sudan, but international smugglers from places like Ukraine have openly defied it, moving thousands of arms into the country via plane. This, however, is not the first time Ukrainians have refused to comply with international arms legislation in the region, with smugglers sending shipments of arms into places like Ivory Coast as far back as the year 2000. Wakanda thus views the action of the international community as a step in the right direction, but too limited in scope to solve the entire problem. In addition, recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to further destabilize the region, and so it is necessary that the UN take a much more hands-on approach to the issue. As was learned from the recent civil war, where N'Jadaka tried to send Wakandan arms overseas in an effort to destabilize the world, the only way to solve the problem is to deal with the smuggling of arms in a strict fashion, while also trying to plant the seeds of growth.

In conclusion, the delegation of Wakanda will be strongly advocating for the United Nations to take an active and decisive role in the issue of illicit arms in Africa, and will suggest methods for dealing with internal, regional and international weapons trading. Sub-Saharan Africa cannot be allowed to slip further into chaos, and it is the duty of prosperous nations like Wakanda and other countries across the world to join together and provide a solution in the form of a peacekeeping mission and humanitarian aid to remedy this issue that threatens to engulf the region further into war. The Wakandan government strongly hopes that nations will take this opportunity to show the world a greater commitment to solving difficult problems that have been a thorn in the side of international prosperity, fulfilling the mission of the United Nations to achieve cooperation among nations for peaceful and humanitarian means.

General Overview of the Order of Events

1. Roll call
2. Opening statements/speeches
3. Lobbying/unmoderated caucus
4. Open debate
5. Submitting resolutions
6. Time in favour of resolution
7. Time against resolution
8. Open debate
9. Amendments
10. Voting procedure on resolution
11. Closed debate
12. Roll call vote
13. Submitting resolutions

(This order repeats for every topic.)