A - INTRODUCTION

The United Nations formally began four months after the San Francisco Conference ended, on
October 24, 1945, when its Charter was accepted by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United
Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of other signatories.

More than 75 years later, the United Nations is still striving to keep international peace and
security, provide humanitarian aid to those in need, promote human rights, and enforce
international law.

GEMS MUN is a Model UN Conference that aims to bring people from different places and
backgrounds together to discuss important modern issues. This discussion takes place within
Committees, which act as proxies for the actual UN bodies (such as the General Assembly and
Security Council). From September 8 to September 10, GEMS MUN is held as a 3-day
conference. Delegates will participate in committee meetings where, as representatives of their
allocated nation, they will discuss issues of current concern. Delegates will be required to adopt
the positions of their allocated nation during debates, regardless of their own personal
convictions. It is advised that Delegates learn how to accomplish this.

B - STRUCTURE OF COMMITTEE

Overview:
The typical structure of a GEMS MUN Committee is defined as follows:
Opening
Debate Topics & Proposals
Create Working Papers
Debate and Adjust Working Papers
Vote on Working Paper

I | Opening
At the beginning of a Committee, the following will occur:

Opening Session
Committees begin with a Delegate declaring a Motion to Open Session

Roll Call
1. Next, a Delegate must declare a Motion for Roll Call
2. The Chair will then proceed to read Roll Call for their Committee
 3. When a Delegate’s Delegation Country is called (for example the United States)

Present & Voting

The Delegate is taken account for but rejects the right to abstain

Present
The Delegate is taken into account for and reserves the right to abstain Opening Agenda

Generals Speaker’s List

Next, a Delegate must declare a Motion for GSL (Generals Speaker’s List)
The Chair will announce to the Committee the order of Generals Speaker’s List.The Chair will
then ask if any Delegates wish to change their place in the order.Delegates may give a Point of
Personal Privilege to ask to change their place in the order Next, in the order defined, each
Delegate will give a GSL speech of 1 minute or less

II | Debating Topics & Proposals

During this portion of the Committee, Delegates will debate the different aspects of the
Topic. This portion will begin Without Caucus, but any delegate may use a Motion to move to a
different Phase.
For example:
Motion for a Moderated Caucus
Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus

III | Creating Working Papers

After the Committee has finished debating the topic itself, a Delegate may use a Motion
for Drafting Working Papers. Delegates will then begin drafting Working Papers, also known as
Resolutions. At the end of this portion, each Bloc should have a complete working paper.

IV | Debating & Adjusting Working Papers

This portion will begin with one of the Bloc leaders declaring a Motion to Debate
Resolution. The Bloc leader who gave that motion will then be asked to present their resolution
to the committee with a speech. After that speech, Delegates may give motions to transition to
different Phases while debating a specific Resolution.

V | Voting on Working Papers

This portion takes place after all debate on a single Working Paper has finished. A
delegate may give a Motion to Move into Voting Procedure with respect to a specific resolution.
 C - THE COMMITTEE FLOW

I. Role Call:
After quorum is ensured and at least a third of the committee is present, the session starts with
the role call. Almost like a class attendance, the country names will be called out by the dais in
alphabetical order and delegates are expected to respond with either of these:
• Present: Delegates can choose to vote yes, no or abstain from voting.
• Present and voting: Delegates must vote either yes or no. (P5 Nations must always use this
response unless a part of a strategic plan)

II. Setting the Agenda:

As soon as the floor is opened to motions, a delegate must raise a motion to set the agenda of
the committee. The committee cannot move ahead unless the agenda is set. A simple majority
is required to pass this motion.
Simple Majority: It is 50% + 1 of the committee. It is required for motions.
Absolute Majority: It is 66.67% of the committee. (Required for working papers and resolution)

III. General Speakers’ List (GSL):

After the agenda of the committee is set, the floor will be opened to motions again. Delegates
are expected to open the speaker’s list. The motion to open the speaker’s list requires a simple
majority to pass. The delegate who raises the motion will be added as the first speaker, and
every following delegate shall be added in order or by the discretion of the dais.
The GSL speech is a 1.5 minute long speech. The speaker will have seconds to deliver their
speech, which would ideally cover their nation’s stances and justifications, evaluation of the
overall situation, and solutions (if any).
The Speakers’ List is the default activity of the Committee. If no motions are on the floor, debate
automatically returns to the Speakers’ List. A motion to close any Speakers’ List is never in
Order.

IV. Caucusing:
Formal and informal debate includes caucusing in addition to the speakers list. The two types of
caucuses are;
 A. Moderated Caucus:
Moderated caucuses are formal debates, where a detailed, meticulous discussion on a sub-topic
of the agenda is to be made. The purpose of a moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate
at critical junctures in the discussion.
A delegate can raise a motion to start a moderated caucus. In doing so, the total time of the
caucus (a maximum of 15 mins), individual speaking time ( a maximum of 60 secs) and the topic
of the caucus must be clearly stated. A simple majority is needed to pass the motion.

Example: “The delegate of XXXXXX would like to raise a motion to start a moderated caucus
on the topic ‘Management of nuclear spills and radioactive decay at nuclear test sites’ for a total
time of 15 minutes, whereby each speaker gets 60 seconds.”
of the main agenda.

During a moderated phase, Delegates must adhere to the standard motions and points procedure.
During this phase, delegates must speak in a formal language and are not permitted to use
personal pronouns.
The following speaking etiquette must be followed by the delegate:
1. A Delegate must refrain from using the singular or plural first-person pronouns
(I/me/we).
a. Rather, a Delegate must refer to themselves as:
i. “The Delegate”
ii. “The Delegate of [Country]”
iii. “[Country]”
b. To refer to a specific bloc (groups of delegates working together on documents or
amendments) of countries, the Delegate must refer to them as:
i. “The Delegates”
ii. “These countries”
iii. “This Bloc”

2. A Delegate must avoid using second-person singular or plural pronouns (you/you

all/ya’ll).
c. A Delegate shall instead address the other Delegate in the third person.

If the motion is passed by a simple majority, the delegate who raised the motion is automatically
the first speaker.
 B. Unmoderated Caucus:
Unmoderated caucuses are free-form debates. The dais will leave the meeting and the
delegates are allowed to interact and construct working papers in blocs. The working papers
are draft segments of the resolution and must contain viable solutions regarding the matter
discussed in the moderated caucus prior to it. It is a good platform for writing and negotiating
with fellow delegates.
A delegate may raise a motion for an unmoderated caucus at any time when the floor is open,
prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must specify a time limit for the
caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes.
During an unmoderated caucus, anyone may speak at any time, with no particular order, and
cooperation is encouraged for the purpose of reaching agreement and writing a draft
resolution. All points are suspended during the duration of the caucus. Once time has elapsed, the
time for the caucus can be extended to up to half of the original time.

V. Voting:
Each Delegate of the Committee shall have one vote and must demonstrate their voting
intentions by raising their placard at the Chairpersons’ request unless there is a Roll Call Vote.
Delegates must either vote in favor, against or abstain.

● Roll Call Vote: Roll Call Vote may only be in order for substantive matters. This Motion
shall automatically pass unless the Presidency rules it out of order; the decision is not
subject to appeal. The Roll Call starts from a delegate selected by the Presidency.
● Passing During Roll Call: a Delegate may choose to pass. The Presidency will place the
Delegate at the bottom of the voting list. A Delegate who has passed once during a voting
sequence may not pass again but must ascertain their vote.
● Voting with Rights: A Delegate may request a right of explanation after voting. Upon
completion of voting, the Delegate will be permitted to explain the reasons as to why they
have chosen to vote in a certain way. The Presidency may limit the speaking time at their
discretion.

D - PROCEDURAL TOOLS

Procedural Tools are used by the Committee to take actions during a moderated phase in order to
achieve the desired result. They may only be made while the Delegate is the Active Speaker or
by raising the placard.
1. Motion: Motions are recommendations to the committee for specific actions to be
discussed or taken. They regard discussion, voting, or procedural matters. Many Motions
are used to change phases. They are active if the committee is in a moderated phase.
Every motion may specify a certain time for that motion to be active. Steps to raise a
motion:
a. Delegates should raise their placards,
b. After the dais members acknowledge the delegate, they should state their motion,
Eg: The delegate of “country” would like to raise a motion to start a moderated
caucus on the topic “Factors Affecting Climate Change” for a total of 10 minutes,
with each speaker getting 60 seconds,
c. After stating the motion, the Delegate should wait for the response from the dais,
d. Any instructions from dais should be followed.

- Motion to Set the Agenda

Motions to open the session are used at the start of the committee to start the debate and
motions to close the session are used at the end to finish the debate.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to set the agenda as ....”
If approved: The session will open/close

- Motion to suspend the session

To take a break, a motion to suspend the session is used.
If approved: The committee will either enter or exit a Phase of Recess

- Motion for Roll Call

Motion to proceed into Roll Call.
If Approved: Phase transitions to Roll Call

- Motion for a Moderated Caucus

In order to transition into a Moderated Caucus, a motion for a moderated caucus is used.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to enter a moderated
caucus on the topic ‘<TOPIC>’ for the total time of <TOTAL TIME> with each
individual getting <INDIVIDUAL TIME>”
If Approved: Phase transitions to Moderated Caucus

- Motion for a Speaker’s List

Motion to start the Speaker's List.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to enter the General
Speakers List”
If Approved: Phase transition to Speaker’s List
- Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus
In order to transition into a Unmoderated Caucus, a motion for an unmoderated caucus is
used.
Caucus:“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to enter an
unmoderated caucus for “<TOTAL TIME>”
If Approved: Phase transitions to Unmoderated Caucus

- Motion to Introduce Resolution

Motion to Introduce Resolution is raised to transition into present the resolution that was
made.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to present Resolution
<NUMBER/NAME
OF THE RESOLUTION>”
If Approved: Phase transitions to Resolution Introduction

- Motion to Introduce Amendment

Motion to Introduce is raised by a delegate to transition into introducing an Amendment.
The motion-caller will be expected to give an introductory speech for their Amendment
as well.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to enter an amendment
session of the presented Resolution”
If Approved: Phase transitions to Amendment

- Motion to Suspend Amendment

Motion used by a Delegate to transition away from debating an Amendment. The
motion-caller must be the person who introduced the Amendment.
If Approved: A vote will take place on the Motion. If approved, the Amendment shall be
suspended

- Motion to Move into the Voting Procedures

Motion to move into the Voting Procedure is raised by a delegate to transition into voting.
“The delegate of <your country> would like to raise a motion to vote for the presented
Resolution”
If Approved: A vote will take place on the Motion. If approved, the Phase will transition
to either Voting on a Resolution or Voting on an Amendment
2. Points: Points are used to discuss something outside of a substantive debate. They are
more personal and do not require a vote. A Point of Order and a Point of Personal
Privilege have special priority, which means a delegate may interrupt the Speaker or
Chair to express their concern. Delegates should use this level of priority only when
absolutely necessary.

- Point of Personal Privilege

This point is raised to accommodate yourself for personal reasons. Eg: Taking off your
jacket, opening a window, moving near an outlet.

- Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry is raised when a delegate has a question to the
Executive Board (Dais). Consider a scenario where a delegate left to use the restroom and
returned late, missing some of the debate. Points of Parliamentary Inquiry may be made
by the delegate to learn what was being discussed.

- Point of Information
A Point of Information is raised when a delegate has a question to another delegate in
order for them to clarify a speech. It is not always permitted and is only used during
speakers’ lists. (Only entertained during GSL’s)

3. Interrupting Points & Rights: Special Points known as Interrupting Points & Rights
may be raised at any moment, even when another Delegate is speaking. They are
intended to address issues of particular concern and shouldn't be utilized casually or
carelessly. If the committee is in a Moderated Phase, they are engaged.

Usage of Interrupting Points when the Delegate is not the Active Speaker:
a. State your Point, and await a response from the Chair,
For example: Point of Order,
b. Follow any instructions from your Chair.

- Point of Order
A Point of Order is raised when there is a factual error, when a delegate’s country has
been directly accused, or when a delegate’s country’s sovereignty has been breached. Eg:
Chair forgot to list a country during the roll call, then this point is used.

- Right of Reply
When a delegate is personally attacked by another delegate or by the nation of the
delegate making the point, the right of reply is invoked.
 If Approved: the Delegate will have a chance to issue a statement defending themselves
or asking for an apology

E - GUIDE TO WRITING POSITION PAPER AND RESOLUTION

- Position Paper
Position paper serves as preliminary documents prior to committee sessions. These
documents follow a specific format and describe the delegate's proposed solution or
framework to address the agenda. This outlines a country's stance, relationships, and
policies in relation to the current agenda. It must include:
● A brief background on the agenda
● A country’s stance/position on the topic
● A country’s relation to the topic
● A country’s proposed solution to the topic

1. Do Your Research – Research is a very important component of successfully writing a

position paper. It is important to be able to accurately express the points of view of the
country that you are representing at the Model UN Conference. Great sources to consider
are speeches made by the Heads of State of the country you are representing; agreements
or resolutions that your country has ratified; any reports that your country has made;
government programs on an issue; etc. Make sure your sources are reliable!
2. Topic Backgrounds – Keep this information short and concise. While topic backgrounds
for a country are important to know and understand, you do not want the entire paper to
be on the history of the issue. For example, the background topic of immigration would
include the definition of immigration, a brief history of the issue of immigration,
statistical data on the impact of immigration for that country, etc.
3. Country Policy – This is perhaps one of the most important parts of your paper. Make
sure that you write about your country’s perspective on the issue (not your own views)
and make sure to keep to the facts. Remember, the reason for the position paper is to have
a solid foundation on which to present your country’s views and rationale on the issue.
4. Proposed Solutions – This section of the paper focuses on possible solutions for the issue.
The goal is always to practice diplomacy in resolving issues. You should keep in mind
that your proposed solutions should ensure long-term sustainability and not just be a
temporary “band-aid” for the issue. Nor should they negatively impact another country as
this could cause that country to eventually become resentful and possibly lead to war.

- Working Paper
A working paper is a collaborative document created by a group of delegates during the
committee session to propose solutions and ideas related to the topic under discussion. It
 serves as a preliminary draft of a resolution and is an essential tool for facilitating
cooperation and building consensus among delegates.

Difference between working paper and resolution:

The resolution is made to conclude the discussion on the agenda whereas the working
paper is the summary of discussions throughout the day. Committees may have multiple
working papers on the same topic, reflecting different approaches and perspectives.

- Resolution
A resolution is a formal document that outlines proposed solutions and policy
recommendations to address the issues and topics being discussed in the committee. It
represents the collective agreement and consensus of the participating delegates on how
to tackle the problem at hand. Resolutions are the final outcome of the committee's work
and are crucial for shaping the MUN simulation's conclusions and results. It represents a
pinnacle of collaborative efforts and negotiations among delegates.It contains sponsors,
signatories and agenda preambulatory clauses and operative clauses.

F - Disciplinary Matters and Code of Conduct

The Director and Secretariat of GEMS MUN holds the exclusive discretionary right to expel or
suspend the participation of any Delegate or Chair who does not follow the Code of Conduct of
GEMS MUN. Prior to expulsion or suspension, a Delegate of Chair may be given a single
warning for violating the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is defined as the following,
with Delegates and Chairs referred as the Participants:

1. Delegates, EB and Organizing Committee shall not discriminate or hold prejudice against
any other Participant based on the following characteristics or factors:
a. race,
b. ethnicity,
c. nationality,
d. gender,
e. gender identity,
f. sexual orientation,
g. religion,
h. disability,
i. socioeconomic background,
j. or any other personal attribute

2. Delegates, EB and Organizing Committee shall not partake in the following actions:
a. harassment,
b. bullying,
c. discrimination,
d. hate speech,
e. personal attacks,
f. intimidation,
g. plagiarism,
h. disruption of proceedings,
i. distribution of inappropriate materials,
j. purposeful misrepresentation of facts,
k. or any other behavior that undermines respectful and constructive dialogue
l. bringing of any unauthorized materials , i.e all abusive substances

In attending the GEMS Model United Nations Conference, the Delegate, Chair, or Participant
agrees that they shall follow the GEMS MUN Code of Conduct to the best of their abilities, and
that they recognize the consequences of violating it.