GLOBAL MUN NETWORK

How to
MUN
MUN
101. Welcome to the
Model United Nations
Handbook - your
comprehensive
guide to navigating
the intricate world of
Model UN
conferences.
This handbook,
made by GLOBAL
MUN NETWORK is
more than a manual
—it's your key to
becoming a
confident and
impactful delegate.
PART 1: THE BASICS
What exactly is the United Nations, and how does it function? 02
PART 2: INTRODUCTION TO MUN
Introduction to Model United Nations 04
PART 3: RESEARCH
Research essentials 05
PART 4: POSITION PAPERS
Once done with research, it is time to format a position paper. 07
PART 5: INTERNATIONAL LAWS & TREATIES
Well, time to get serious now. 11
PART 6: RULES OF PROCEDURE (ROP)
Explore the different types of RoPs 13
PART 7: LOBBYING AND BLOC FORMATION
Lobbying and forming blocs are crucial in Model UN, let’s learn it! 20
PART 8: RESOLUTION
The passing of resolutions is the main point of a MUN session. 21
PART 9: CRISIS COMMITTEE
Time for some improvised problem- solving!
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How To MUN 101

"To do great things is difficult, but to command great things is more difficult." —Friedrich Nietzsche

Welcome, beginner delegates! You've entered the nexus of aspiring leaders and diplomats, where
you'll encounter peers who both challenge and uplift you. Through this guide, you'll grasp not only
the fundamental principles and mechanics of a Model United Nations (MUN) conference but also
the art of diplomacy and discourse. MUN transcends mere debate and problem-solving; it's an
odyssey that instills discipline, decorum, and above all, a relentless pursuit of excellence.

To our seasoned community members, welcome back! We trust this guide resonates with your own
MUN journey, serving as a valuable refresher as you prepare for your next conference.

Thank you for taking the time to go through this guide, the future awaits!

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PART 1: THE BASICS

So, what exactly is the United Nations, and how does it function?

The United Nations, formed in 1945, is an international organization created to promote

cooperation among member countries. It originated after World War II from the League of Nations
and now includes almost every nation in the world. It serves as a central place for countries to come
together, discuss common issues, and find solutions. The UN functions on the basis of its founding
charter (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter).

It has 6 main bodies: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social
Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat.
However, the Trusteeship Council no longer functions as a regular body of the UN, and only meets
under its decision or the decision of its President, or at the request of a majority of its members or
the General Assembly or the Security Council.

1. The General Assembly (UNGA) is the primary decision-making body of the UN. It
includes representatives from all 193 member countries, making it the only UN group
where every nation is represented. Important decisions, like those concerning peace and
security, admitting new members, and budgets, need approval from a two-thirds majority
of the General Assembly.

2. The Security Council (UNSC) , according to the UN Charter, is chiefly responsible for
keeping global peace and security. It consists of 15 members, with 5 permanent ones (The
United States of America, The United Kingdom, The French Republic, The Russian
Federation, The People's Republic of China) and 10 non-permanent ones. The Security
Council leads in identifying threats to peace or acts of aggression.

3. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the main group for coordinating and
reviewing policies on economic, social, and environmental matters. It has 54 members
chosen by the General Assembly for three-year terms that overlap. It serves as the primary
UN forum for discussing and brainstorming ideas on sustainable development.

4. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) , based in the Peace Palace in the Hague
(Netherlands), is the main legal body of the United Nations. The Court's purpose is to

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 resolve disputes between states based on international law and provide legal advice to
authorized UN bodies and specialized agencies. Its operations are governed by its Statute.

5. The Secretariat consists of the Secretary-General and thousands of international UN staff

responsible for implementing the daily tasks assigned by the General Assembly and other
main UN bodies. The Secretary-General serves as the Organization's top administrative
officer, appointed by the General Assembly upon the Security Council's recommendation
for a renewable five-year term. Additionally, the Secretary-General represents the ideals of
the UN and advocates for all people worldwide, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

Other common agencies of the UN include:

1. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
2. United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR)
3. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
4. International Labour Organization (ILO)
5. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
6. World Health Organization (WHO)
7. Disarmament and International Security Committee(DISEC (GA1))
8. Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN (GA2))
9. Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM (GA3))
10. Special, Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL(GA4))
11. Admin and Budgetary Committee (ABC (GA5))
12. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
13. United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
14. United Nations Office on Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
15. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
16. United Nations Commision on the Status of Women (UNCSW)
17. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
18. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

The Mandates of these committees are varied and dictated by the UN charter. Further information
can also be found on their respective websites.

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Part 2: Introduction to Model United Nations

Now that you’ve learned about the United Nations and its principles, you probably have an idea of
what Model United Nations is. Any guesses?

Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations and a popular extracurricular
activity all around the world. MUN roots can be traced back to the aftermath of World War I.
Students envisioned a forum where countries could discuss issues peacefully inspired by the league
of nations, and the first official Model United Nations conference was held in 1947 at McCallum
College in Simla, India. It focused on the newly formed United Nations and its role in global issues.
In the 1960s, MUN conferences became more popular internationally. Today, thousands of MUN
conferences are held every year in countries all over the globe.

In this educational roleplay, each participant, known as a delegate, is assigned a particular country,
committee, and agendas. Delegates will then conduct research accordingly and represent their
country during the conference. The moderators of each committee, commonly known as ‘Chair’
and ‘Co-chair’, are responsible for ensuring successful committee flow, organizing the debate, and
promoting fair opportunities within the delegates.

What makes MUN such a challenging yet rewarding experience is its professional and diplomatic
nature that necessitates many rules, usually referred to as Rules of Procedure. Typically, your MUN
moderators will help you learn more about Rules of Procedure by conducting training sessions and
sharing valuable resources - such as this handbook!

Now that you have an idea about Model United Nations, you might be wondering - how would
this benefit me? There are many benefits to attending MUN conferences. The collaborative
atmosphere allows you to build your public speaking, communication, and social skills. Not to
mention all the documents you’re writing such as Position and Resolution papers, which enhance
your writing and researching skills to allow ample preparation for the conference. But at the end of
the day, most people join MUN for fun! It’s a unique opportunity to meet new like-minded people,
wear all your fancy clothes, and celebrate the spirit of diplomacy and international relations.

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Part 3: Research

Not only will you find organizations of the UN at an MUN conference, you might also find other
committees, such as crisis committees or international organizations, for example the European
Union (EU), Lok Sabha, G20, COP28 etc.

Generally, MUN councils are divided into beginner and expert level committees. Beginner councils
are usually less concerned with politics, (eg. UNHRC or UNEP) while expert committees include
more political agendas, or issues that have to be tread with the utmost tact (eg. UNSC and Crisis).

As a delegate, your greatest strength will be your research, and greatest weakness will be ignorance.
Some of the details you must be aware of include your committee's mandate. A committee's
mandate explains the roles, responsibilities and rights of the committee. This directly influences the
resolutions a delegate can come up with, as not all councils can authorize all solutions (eg. only the
UNSC can impose economic sanctions). Another important component to be aware of is the
United Nations Charter, the Geneva Convention and any other charter that governs your
committee (eg. ECHR for the EU).

Besides this, here is a list of questions to answer to ensure that your research is as thorough as
possible:

General research:
1) What are the countries, organizations or individuals that hold the strongest connections to
the agenda, and may influence or be influenced by the course of the debate?
2) What is the recent history or rising trends related to the agenda?
3) What are current events that might affect the flow of debate in/against your favor?
4) What is the logic behind persecuting/supporting a certain country?
5) What are past solutions or policies that have been implemented by the UN regarding this
agenda?

Country specific research:

1) What is the stance of your country on the agenda?
2) How does the issue affect your country?
3) What policies have been implemented by your country internally?
4) What international actions have they taken and what treaties have they signed?

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 5) Which countries share similar/opposing views with yours?
6) What are possible proposals you can make in accordance with the committee mandate and
your country's foreign policies?

Some tips to remember while researching:

1) Remember to go through the study guide provided to you by your chairs, and do most of
your research on the provided sub-topics. These will be the focal point of your speeches and
discussion.
2) Use valid and reputable sources for research, Wikipedia is NOT a recognized source. Use
UN websites, Amnesty, Reuters, Human Rights Watch and your own countrys government
portal for the most accurate research. Stick to .org/.gov websites.
3) Seek to understand, not only collect statistics. MUN is about LOGIC as well as just data.
Speed-reading, skimming, and highlighting are all good ways to build a general knowledge
base.
4) Don’t leave research for the last minute, keep yourself regularly updated on news and
current affairs, especially anything related to politics or international events. Being well
informed is integral, and always appreciated.
5) Stick to the stance of your country, and the current government. Deliver this with as much
confidence, grace and positivity as possible. Do not go against any official statement made
by your country, and do not accept or agree to anything your government has denied or
refused to comment on.

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Part 4: Position Papers

Once done with research, it is time to format a position paper. A position paper is usually prepared
before the MUN conference and submitted to the chairpersons of your committee. A position
paper is what its name suggests: a paper in which a Member State or Observer sets out its position
on a set of topics.

The delegate provides context and background information related to the topics being discussed.
This may include historical events, relevant treaties or resolutions, and the current state of affairs
regarding the issues.

It should articulate the country's policies, priorities, and proposed solutions to the issues at hand.
It's essential to support the position with evidence, such as past actions, official statements, or
international agreements.

Delegates may propose specific actions or solutions to address the problems discussed in the
committee. These proposals should align with the country's position and reflect its interests and
objectives.

The conclusion summarizes the key points made in the position paper and reiterates the country's
stance on the topics. It may also include a call to action or express the country's willingness to
cooperate with other delegates to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Position papers serve as a guide for delegates during MUN conferences, helping them to articulate
their country's perspective and engage in productive debates and negotiations with other delegates.
They also demonstrate delegates' understanding of the topics and their ability to formulate
coherent arguments and proposals.
The structure of a position paper consists of two parts, the first contains the information which
must be ONE page and the second part is references with unlimited pages.

1) Introduction: that maintains background information about the topic and the country's
stance with general key points with respect to the committee.
2) National Actions: national organizations, official government websites, legal databases such
as treaties and policies, national articles, governmental statements and diplomatic
communication, as well as solutions that member states took collectively to address the
problem at hand.
3) International Action: monitor news outlets, international organizations, government
websites regarding engagement with other countries, diplomatic missions that provide

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 (international partnership, information on bilateral, multilateral initiatives, diplomatic
exchanges…), academic research and institutions, international conferences, and policy
institute.
4) Conclusion: Summarize the effort your country has done with respect to the topic, call for
action, and develop efficient resolutions that are secured with the right
organizations/policies/funds which makes it well prepared to work.
5) References: Whenever you reference a source or quote, citation must take place that
includes an in-text citation to acknowledge the source. This typically includes the author's
last name and the year of publication.
a) Include a list of references at the end of your position paper. This list should
contain all the sources cited in your paper.
b) Double-check the accuracy of your references to ensure that all information is
correct ( refrain from using Wikipedia and websites with .com)
c) References must be relevant to the topic and ensure the actions written in the first
page have been done.

Sample position paper:

Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council

Country: The State of Eritrea
Agenda: Deliberation on promotion and protection of human rights with special emphasis on the
ongoing crisis across the globe

Background of the Agenda:

Human rights violations, particularly during times of conflict, are common across the world and
contravene the values of the United Nations Charter, Article 1(2). The State of Eritrea is no
stranger to conflicts, as we have been affected by it during the Eritrean-Ethiopian war, where
horrendous war crimes were committed against Eritrea by Ethiopia, including but not limited to,
where Ethiopia expelled 77,000 Eritreans or Ethiopians of Eritrean Origin, violated multiple
provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
such as Article 2(d), the basic human rights of Eritrean civilians as established in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, such as Articles 3 and 5, were violated, resulting in tremendous
suffering, property loss, and socio economic hardships.

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The world is currently witnessing conflicts that affect individuals basic human rights, such as the
Russia-Ukraine conflict, in which the NATO alliance and western powers are attempting to
hegemonize the Russian Federation. This is seen as Ukraine's indiscriminate attacks against Russia,
which resulted in the death of 80 civilians, including children, in August 2023, which in violation
of Article 6(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has seen 8.1 million people displaced, and thousands of them have
had to endure violations of the most basic human rights, such as children and women being killed,
raped, kidnapped, and this violates Article 6 of the CRC and Article 3(1) of the Geneva
Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, among other
violations of jus in bello. The UN committees have repeatedly failed to address this, as it does not
meet the interests of the hypocritical western world.

Not much attention has been paid by the international community to the serious violations of
international laws such as UDHR article 5 and Refugee Convention articles 3 and 4, which are
being experienced by immigrants, asylum seekers, and citizens in the United States of America,
Canada, and several European nations on the grounds of race and religion.

Past International Actions Taken:

Multiple hypocritical nations and the special rapporteur on the human rights have always tried to
target peaceful nations such as the State of Eritrea, where Human Rights is enshrined in our
Constitution's Articles 15 and 16, where false allegations were placed on Eritrea that it had been
violating Human Rights by funding groups that violate UNSC resolution 1566(3) and placed
nearly a decade long travel ban, asset freezes, and targeted sanctions by implementing UNSC
resolution 1907 that tried to curb the ability of Eritrean civilians to grow and prosper in their
nation, these charges were proven to be blatant lies, and the sanctions, embargoes, travel bans, and
other measures were rescinded in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2444(4). Eritrea's terror
funding was also proven untrue, as stated in Article 1 of the resolution as Eritrea has excellent
Human Rights which in conformity with Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 3 and 5,
among others and will continue to have it despite the unwarranted harassment by certain powers.

Policy Decisions and Steps Taken by Eritrea:

Eritrea has always vowed to uphold the human rights of its people and has put many policy
measures into place, such as updating our national health policy to align with the SDGs and UHC.
The country's child mortality rate decreased from 130 per 1,000 live births in 1993 to 39 per 1,000
live births by 2020, demonstrating our adherence to CRC article 6. 80% of people reside within ten

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kilometers of a medical institution; this includes 98% percent of pregnant women who now have
access to routine prenatal and postnatal care, contributing to the upholding of Article 12 of
CEDAW. To help create friendship across borders and to uphold human rights Eritrea signed a
peace deal with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the year 2018 and this strong
commitment is stated in Article 1, 5 and 6 of the agreement.

Solutions for the Committee:

1. Recommends the United Nations General Assembly under article 22 of United Nation Charter
formation of the United Nations Entrepreneurship Forum (UNEF), which will be an international
body that helps like-minded entrepreneurs work together to develop their ideas and give them a
more accessible method to get investments.
2. Calls upon the High Commissioner of Human Rights to designate without delay an expert on
human rights in the Ukraine, who shall, monitor and report the violations of Human Rights
committed by the Ukrainian state parties against civilians
3. Requests the OHCHR and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues and Special Rapporteur
on the human rights of migrants as per HRC resolution 43/8 and 43/6 to investigate and report on
the rights of asylum seekers and migrants in the continents of North America and Europe, who face
discrimination on basis of religion, gender, race, caste, among other factors.

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Part 5: International Laws and Treaties

Treaties and agreements establish the mandatory rules and standards that signatory states have
agreed upon their relationship with member countries. All nations follow public international law,
a mix of customs, treaties, and rules from international organizations that govern how countries
interact with each other and sometimes within their own borders.

Countries agree to abide by the treaties they sign, and many also accept decisions made by
international organizations they're part of. Some argue that countries are also bound by customary
international law, which suggests that certain customs apply to all states, even if they haven't agreed
to them in treaties. So, if your country has signed an international treaty, it's usually expected to
follow its regulations.

Understanding and applying international legal norms can greatly strengthen your arguments and
make you seem more prepared. This will catch the attention of chairpersons and attract other
delegates to your working groups.

Not only can you benefit from using international law, but you can also use it to highlight your
opponents' mistakes. Many experienced delegates often overlook international legal principles,
which can weaken their positions. By familiarizing yourself with international law, you can politely
show that your opponents are ill informed.

Resolutions in Model UN usually don't address enforcing international law directly, but including
enforcement measures or referring matters to existing enforcement options can make resolutions
stronger and more credible. Even if resolutions aren't legally binding, proposing enforcement
mechanisms can deter violations and show commitment. Recognizing the limitations of
enforcement options can also help reach compromises. It's important to understand that many
violations of international law go unpunished due to lack of enforcement.

Important Resources:
International Laws- https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/international-law-and-justice

The UN Charter- https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/uncharter.pdf

Security Council Past Resolutions- https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0

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Human Rights-
https://www.ohchr.org/en/core-international-human-rights-instruments-and-their-monitoring-bo
dies

Security Council Annual Reports-

https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/sc_annual_reports

List of International Treaties- https://treaties.un.org/doc/source/events/2005/list.pdf

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Part 6: Rules of Procedure (RoP)

There are many different types of Rules of Procedure, the most common being HMUN,
THIMUN, and UNA-USA. In this guide, we will be discussing UNA-USA procedure, however
guides to THIMUN and HMUN procedure can be found here:

1) HMUN: https://www.harvardmun.org/resources-for-preparation
2) THIMUN: https://foundation.thimun.org/participation/affiliation-procedure/

It is also important to note that most conferences have varying ROP’s, which can be found on the
conference website or delegate guide. However, the procedure and flow of the committee remains
the same for the most part.

I. OPENING NOTES
1) Language: English is the official language for all committee discussions.
2) Conduct: Delegates must follow instructions from UNA-USA MUN staff. Failure to
comply may lead to dismissal.

II. SECRETARIAT
1) Secretariat Statements: The Secretary-General or their representative can speak to any
committee.
2) Secretariat Duties: The Chairperson manages meetings, proposes procedural motions, and
ensures rules are followed. They can delegate duties if needed and take actions to keep
debates running smoothly.
III. ROLL CALL
Every committee session starts with a roll call, without which quorum cannot be established. No
debate can happen without a quorum. A delegate may change their roll call status in the next
session when roll call takes place. For example, if a delegate answered "Present" in the first session,
they can answer "Present and Voting" in the next session when roll call takes place.

During roll call, country names are called out alphabetically, and delegates can answer either
"Present" or "Present and Voting."
1. Present: A delegate can vote Yes, No, or Abstain for a Draft Resolution when they answer
roll call with "Present.”

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 2. Present and Voting: A delegate must vote decisively, either Yes or No, if they answered roll
call with "Present and Voting." They cannot Abstain in this case.
3. Abstention: When a delegate is in doubt or if their country supports some points in the
resolution but opposes others, they may Abstain. Abstention can also be used if the delegate
believes passing the resolution won't harm the world significantly, even if it's not highly
specific or exemplary.

An Abstention doesn't count as either Yes or No, and the vote isn't included in the total tally.
Abstention is commonly used in the real United Nations to avoid obstructing resolution passing
while still maintaining foreign policy. It doesn't count against a delegate for awards.

IV. QUORUM
Quorum (also known as the minimum number of members of a committee required for the
committee proceedings to commence) for the Conference, is set at one-third of the members of the
committee present. A quorum will be assumed to be established, unless a Delegate’s presence is
specifically challenged and shown to be absent during the roll call. In case quorum fails, committee
sessions will be suspended at the discretion of the Executive Board. In the Security Council, the
quorum is 9 members present with the compulsory presence of the Five veto members, unless
otherwise established by the Executive Board.

V. AGENDA
1) Agenda: The agenda is shared with delegates before the conference.
2) Agenda Changes: The Secretary-General can add urgent topics to the agenda during
sessions.
3) Agenda Approval: Committees start by approving the agenda. Delegates can propose
changing the order of topics, followed by debate and a vote. If there's a crisis, debate on the
current topic may be paused to address the urgent issue, then resumed later.
4) At the start of each committee session a motion to open debate must be made. At this
time, any other motion will automatically be ruled dilatory. The only motion in order at
this time will be in the form of “The delegate of [country name] moves that [topic area x] be
placed first on the agenda.”
- The motion requires a second and is debatable;
- A provisional speakers list shall be established with three people speaking for and three
people speaking against the motion (speaking time for these remarks shall be one minute);
- After the provisional speakers list is exhausted the committee shall move into an immediate
vote: a simple majority is required for the motion to pass

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 - A motion to proceed to the second topic area is in order only after the committee has
adopted or rejected a resolution on the first topic area or debate has been adjourned;

VI. Speakers List

1) Delegates can request to speak on each topic, either verbally or in writing.
2) Speaking Time: The Chair can set time limits for speakers, but the committee can vote to
change them. If a delegate goes over their time, the Chair can intervene.
3) Speech Guidelines: Delegates must get permission from the Chair before speaking. The
Chair ensures speeches are relevant and enforces time limits.
4) After delivering their speech on a substantive issue, a recognized delegate can choose to
yield their remaining time in three ways: to another delegate, to take questions (points of
information), or back to the Chair:
- Yield to another delegate: The remaining time is passed to another delegate.
- Yield to questions: The Chair selects delegates to ask one question each per speech.
The Chair can intervene if a question seems irrelevant. Answers are limited to the
remaining time of the original speech.
- Yield to the Chair: The delegate opts not to receive comments on their speech and
allows the Chair to proceed to the next speaker.

VII. Opening of the Floor

The chairs will ask the delegates whether there are any motions on the floor. This will usually
happen after a few speakers are entertained in the GSL. The delegates will most likely raise motions
for a moderated or an unmoderated caucus.

Motion to move into Moderated Caucus

Moderated Caucus: Delegates shall raise their playcards to raise this motion when The chairs ask
for any motions on the floor. The delegates will have to state, 1) a specific topic under the given
agenda, 2) a suitable duration time of the caucus not to exceed twenty minutes and 3) suitable time
given to each speaker. The delegates shall then vote on these motions in order of disruptiveness.
In the case of multiple moderated caucuses, the Chair will rank the motions in descending order of
length. Moderated caucuses of the same length will be ranked in descending order of number of
speakers. Moderated caucuses that differ only in topic will be ranked in the same order that they
were proposed. No motions are in order between speeches during a moderated caucus. A delegate
who has been recognized to speak during a moderated caucus can and will be ruled out of order if
the delegate’s speech does not address the topic of the moderated caucus. A moderated caucus may

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be extended only once, but only after the caucus has ended, and the combined length of a
moderated caucus and its extension may not exceed 20 minutes.

The delegates may raise the motion as such

Example: “The delegate of ___ proposes to suspend formal debate to move into a moderated
caucus on the topic of______ for the total time being __minutes and individual speaking
time being ___seconds.”

Motion to move into Moderated Caucus

Unmoderated Caucus: An informal mode of debate that allows delegates to hold discussions with
other delegates directly, without moderation by the chairs. Also known as lobbying time, it allows
delegates to create country blocs, to collect support and signatures for their clauses and to work on
their speeches. An Unmoderated caucus is introduced by a motion that sets out its total time. The
delegate making the motion must specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes.
The motion will immediately be put to a vote and will pass given a simple majority. In the case of
multiple unmoderated caucuses, the Chair will rank the motions in descending order of length, and
the Committee members will vote accordingly. The Chair may rule the motion dilatory, and his or
her decision is not subject to appeal. An unmoderated caucus may be extended only once, and the
combined length of an unmoderated caucus and its extension may not exceed twenty minutes.

The delegates may raise the motion as such

Example: “The delegate of ___ proposes to suspend formal debate to move into an
unmoderated caucus for the total duration of ___minutes.”

Introducing a Draft Resolution to the Committee

This motion is raised after delegates have received their copies of “potential draft resolutions.” To
introduce a “potential draft resolution” to the committee, sponsors of the document must first
approach the podium and read out all of the operative clauses. Then, the entire committee will have
a vote on this motion. If it passes, the document shall be referred to as a “draft resolution.”

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OTHER MOTIONS

Motion to Table Debate

During the discussion of any matter, the committee may consider a motion to table debate on the
item under discussion at the recommendation of the Chair or any delegate. If the motion is
seconded, two representatives may speak in favor of and two against the motion. Then, the motion
shall immediately be put to a vote. A two-thirds majority is required for passage. If a motion to
table debate is passed, the topic is considered tabled and no further actions or votes will be taken on
it. A topic may be reintroduced to the committee so that debate can resume through the same
process. The motion to resume debate on a tabled topic shall also require a two-thirds majority for
passage.

Motion to Close Debate

A delegate may at any time move for the closure of debate on the item under discussion, after which
debate will end and all draft resolutions and amendments will be put to an immediate vote.
Permission to speak on the closure of debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the
closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to a vote. This motion requires a
two-thirds majority decision. Upon passage of this motion the Chair shall declare the closure of
debate and immediately move into voting procedure on the substantive proposals introduced and
pending before the committee. The committee shall also close debate and move into voting
procedure when the speakers list has been exhausted.

Motion to Adjourn the Meeting

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may move for the adjournment of the meeting.
Such a motion shall not be debated but shall be immediately put to a vote. After adjournment, the
committee shall reconvene at its next regularly scheduled meeting time; adjournment of the final
meeting shall adjourn the session.

Motion to Divide the House

A Motion to Divide the House can be proposed when there is a significant number of abstentions
that could potentially impact the outcome of a vote. For instance, if there are 20 votes in favor, 25
against, and 10 abstentions on a resolution, a delegate may move to divide the house. If the motion
passes, delegates who originally abstained would be required to vote either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on the
matter.

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Note: This would never occur in the United Nations because it is an extreme breach of national
sovereignty. This rule is a carryover from Robert’s Rules of Order.

Motion to Impeach
If the delegates in the committee are extremely dissatisfied with the way the chair is conducting
proceedings, the delegates may raise a ‘Motion to Impeach the chair’, which requires a Special
Majority to pass.

POINTS

Point of Personal Privilege

A Delegate may raise a Point of Personal Privilege if a matter impairs him/her from participating
fully in committee activities. The Dais shall try to effectively address the source of impairment.
This point may interrupt a Speaker.
For example: If the Delegate cannot hear or understand the Speaker or needs to be excused from the
House.

Point of Order
There are 3 types of points of information:
1) Factual Inaccuracy – If the speaker makes a statement that is factually incorrect.
For example: “The sun rises in the west.”

2) Logical Fallacy – If the speaker makes a statement that is logically fallacious.This point is only
allowed in high level conferences,all conferences do not allow this point.
For example: “Snowbell is a cat. Snowbell has blue eyes. Therefore, all Cats have blue eyes”

3)To the Chairperson–If the chairperson makes an error in the rules of procedureor makes a factual
error a delegate can raise this point.
For example 1: “A chair calls out the delegate of South Korea or North Korea while taking a role
call. ”(ROKand DPRK are the official names)
Example 2: “chairs does not raise a motion to begin the committee or to st the agenda”

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Point of Information
A Delegate may rise to a point of information to supply the house with factual information, to
contradict facts or to provide further information that will prove useful for the debate. This point
may interrupt a speaker.

Right to Reply
A Delegate who feels that his/her country or person has been insulted or its sovereignty by another
Delegate may raise a Right to Reply.
Disagreement with the content of a Delegate's speech is not grounds for a Right of Reply.
The Chair will recognize the Right of Reply at his/her discretion. Should the Chair rule the Right
of Reply out of order, his/her decision cannot be appealed. The Chair may also request that the
Delegate submit his/her Right of Reply in writing for further consideration before granting it. The
Chair might choose to set a time limit for a Right to Reply. No delegate may call for a Right to
Reply on a Right to Reply.

Appeal to Chairs Decision

Delegates can appeal the Chair's decision if they believe it's incorrect. They do this by submitting a
written note to the dais, formally moving to appeal. The Deputy-Secretary General will then
determine if the appeal will be considered. If accepted, both the delegate and the Chair present
their arguments before a decision is made.

Order Of Procedural Motions

The motions below shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions
before the committee:
a. Point of Personal Privilege
b. Point of Order
c. Point of Inquiry
d. Point of Information
e. Introduction of a Draft Resolution
f. Motion to Suspend Debate
g. Motion to Table Debate
h. Motion for Closure of Debate

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Part 7: Lobbying and Bloc Formation

Lobbying and forming blocs are crucial in Model UN because they help delegates work together
and get their ideas across. Lobbying involves the process of persuading and influencing other
delegates to support your ideas, proposals, or resolutions. When delegates lobby, they talk to other
delegates to find common ground and build alliances.
Before the committee starts, you have a chance to meet other delegates. It's a good time to make
friends and connect personally. Don't use this time to pressure people about their ideas for the
committee.

In a MUN, a bloc refers to a gathering of delegates who share a mutual objective and collaborate to
integrate specific principles into a resolution. These blocs are established around various shared
interests, including shared values, objectives, common adversaries, or connections such as regional,
cultural, or ideological bonds.
However, merely sharing a commonality with another delegate doesn't automatically imply
forming a bloc together. The selection of bloc members should be strategic and based on individual
circumstances, as not every delegate with a shared interest may align with your goals or tactics.
Therefore, forming a bloc requires careful consideration and is typically done on a case-by-case
basis.

When forming a bloc, here’s a few things to consider and to do:

● Listen carefully to the speeches of other delegates and take notes. Focus on their country's
position on the issue and whether it matches yours.
● Research the bilateral relationships between your country and theirs. Check if they have
friendly relations.
● Record their ideas from the speeches, which can be helpful when drafting a resolution. This
not only leaves a good impression but may also make them consider you as a potential
sponsor of the resolution.

Model UN isn't a solo competition but teamwork and collaboration, and the topics discussed and
voted on are significant global issues. Passing effective resolutions is crucial for a successful
conference. As soon as the conference begins, it's important to begin forming your team.
Maintaining a bloc isn't simple, but it's vital. By putting in some effort and making strategic moves,
you can establish and sustain a bloc until a vote, and with skill, you can keep it going throughout
the entire conference

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Part 8: Resolution

The passing of resolutions is the main point of a MUN session. All debates are geared towards the
final resolution which is a document showing the consensus reached through debate. All
resolutions require a simple majority to be passed in the house.

Drafting a resolution:
A resolution consists of two parts: the Preambulatory Clauses and the Operative Clauses. A list of
phrases to be used when writing Preambulatory and Operative Clauses have also been enclosed.It is
very important to understand the committee you are in while making an resolution and it can
transform the way a resolution is written and also it is important to know the mandate of the
committee before adding solutions as it will lead factual mistakes,you don’t want to add solutions
which are not possible.

Format of a Resolution

HEADING
Committee: i.e. the committee or organ in which the
resolution is introduced
Topic: the topic of the resolution
Sponsors: list of sponsoring countries
Signatories: list of countries that have signed the draft

PREAMBLE
The purpose of the preamble is to show that there is a problem that needs to be solved. However,
the preamble of a resolution does not propose action or make any substantive statement in the
topic at hand. The preamble begins with the name of one of the three major organs (e.g. "The
Commission on Human Rights,"). The preambulatory clauses can include: References to the U.N.
Charter; Citations of past U.N. resolutions or treaties that have been ratified under the topic of
discussion; Statements made by the Secretary- General or a relevant U.N. body or agency;
Recognition of the work or efforts of regional organizations in dealing with the issue; and General
statements on the topic, its significance, and its effects.

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OPERATIVE
Operative clauses are set out to achieve the committee's main policy goals on the topic. Each
operative clause begins with a number and ends with a semicolon.The final clause ends with a
period. Operative clauses should be organized in a logical progression, and each clause should
contain a single idea or policy proposal. Keep in mind that all resolutions except Those passed by
the Security Council are non-binding.

Sponsors
Sponsors are recognized as the writers of the Draft Resolution. The minimum number of sponsors
is usually 2 delegates or maximum of 5 delegates. Sponsors must agree to support a Resolution
unless major changes have been introduced through the amendment process.

Signatories
Signatories are recognized as the supporters of the Draft Resolution. The required number of
Signatories will be set by the Chair according to the size of the committee. Amendments to the
Draft Resolution are not required to be approved by Signatories. Signatories are not required to
support the Draft Resolution during voting procedure; they only agree to put their names as those
who are interested in the resolution and are willing to debate on it.

RESOLUTION INTRODUCTORY PHRASES:

The following phrases/words are a partial list of appropriate introductions in resolutions.

Preambular Phrases

Realizing
Further reminds
Affirming
Reaffirming
Further recommends
Alarmed by
Recalling Further resolves
Approving
Recognizing Further requests
Aware of
Seeking Has resolved

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Believing Taking into Notes
Bearing in mind consideration Proclaims
Confident Viewing with Reaffirms
Convinced apprehension Recommends
Declaring Welcoming Reminds
Deeply
Operative Phrases
Regrets
concerned Requests
Deeply convinced (Verb in third person Solemnly affirms
Deeply disturbed present indicative tense):
Strongly condemns
Deeply regretting Accepts Supports
Desiring Affirms Takes note of
Emphasizing Approves Transmits
Expecting Authorizes Urges
Fulfilling Calls Welcomes
Fully aware Calls upon
Fully alarmed Condemns
Fully believing Congratulates
Further deploring Confirms
Guided by Considers
Having adopted Declares accordingly
Having considered Deplores
Having examined Draws the attention
Having studied Designates
Having heard Emphasizes
Having received Encourages
Keeping in mind Endorses
Noting with regret Expresses its
Noting with satisfaction appreciation
Noting with deep

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Sample Resolution:

United Nations
A/HRC/RES/xx/x

Human Rights Council

For a better tomorrow

Adopted by the Human Rights Council on it’s XXX meeting, on 28th January 2024

Sponsors: Republic of Korea, The French Republic

Signatories: Japan, Republic of Armenia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Islamic
Republic of Pakistan,

Committee: Human Rights Council

Agenda: Enhancing cooperation between governments for universal realization of Human Rights during
global crises/pandemics.

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the principals of the United Nations Charter,

Recalling United Nations General Assembly resolutions (UNGA) 74/270 (2020); 74/274 (2020); 74/275
(2020); 75/1 (2020); 75/202 (2020)

Further recalling United Nations General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, in which the
Assembly stated that the Human Rights Council should be responsible for promoting universal respect for
the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,

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Recognises the unprecedented impact and adversity brought by the global crisis of COVID-19 onto public
health, economies and social structures worldwide,

Acknowledges the efforts of nations, healthcare workers, scientists and global organisations in responding to
the crisis, developing vaccines and providing healthcare to the inflicted,

Emphasises the disparities in vaccine distribution, importance of easy access to healthcare and immunisation,
economic recovery among nations, exacerbating the existing global inequalities,

Noting with regret the unregulated spread of misinformation and disinformation prevalent on social media,
blog pages which cause resistance among citizens to not adopt or cooperate the government policies,

Recognises the difficulty in tracing and containing the spread, and quarantining suspected individuals that
have or may have had contact with the source,

Recommends promoting utmost transparency of scientific research and to publish more evidence-based
information in official websites to combat misinformation and disinformation,

Emphasizing the significance of collaboration and solidarity among Member States to ensure a comprehensive
and coordinated response to global crises and pandemics,

Urges all Member States to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration in addressing the impact
of global crises and pandemics on the universal realisation of human rights, recognizing that a collective and
coordinated effort is essential to effectively respond to such challenges,

Calls upon the international community, especially leaders of nations and international , to create and secure a
strong framework for international cooperation and collaboration regarding discussions and policies that
aim to reduce the impact of future pandemics, epidemics and the like,

1) Expresses its appreciation to the initiatives of all the countries who have provide substantial
monetary and medical aid to those affected by the pandemic;
2) Requests the United Nations Children's Fund(UNICEF) and United Nations Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) with the government on the effects of distance
learning in education as including the mental health of children during ‘lockdown’ and
providing education to those who cannot afford it;
3) Recommends that all legal frameworks, law, policies and actions are made by member states
in accordance with international human rights standards including the Universal
Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political

25
 Rights (ICCPR), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
(ICESCR), and the United Nations Charter;
4) Welcomes the contribution of member states and Non-governmental Organisations
(NGOs) like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) ,Africa Humanitarian
Action (AHA) and Asociación Latinoamericana de Organizaciones de Promoción al
Desarrollo(ALOP),to contribute to curb the effect of any future crisis and pandemic;
5) Draws attention to the various loopholes present in current International Health
Regulations and requests the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to help who in
revising health regulations;
6) Suggests The International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the promotion and encouragement
to improve healthcare systems through methods including but not limited to:
a) Increase of funding investments towards the study of virology and biotechnology,
b) Increase of funding investments towards research and development department of
member states especially in the medical and/or pharmaceutical sector,
c) Increase of intake and training of medical and healthcare workers,
d) Reviewing and revamping the healthcare system wherever necessary to establish
optimum coordination;
7) Encourages coordination between the Ministries of Health and various jurisdictions on
work processesses as identifying risk scenarios and supporting health personnel and their
families through methods including but not limited to:
a) establishing a system of accountability,
b) incorporating transparency between employees as well as consensus based off a
prerequisite criteria regarding treatment and behaviour protocol,
c) establishing cooperation between the public and private healthcare sector through
credible funding sources,
d) encouraging patient triage and personalising treatment plans according to the
severity of the patient’s situation;

8) Suggesting the creation of Sentinel Surveillance Networks:

a) Encourage the establishment of sentinel surveillance systems which is optional in each member state,
capturing disease trends and emerging threats,

b) Suggest for the United Nations Security Council discuss the creation of a standardised protocol for data
collection, analysis, and transmission among participating countries to ensure uniformity of shared
information,

26
c) Develop a secure, centralised online platform accessible to participating countries for the seamless sharing
of disease-related information, which would be backed by blockchain technology to avoid any misuse,

d) Develop early warning systems and response protocols, triggering international cooperation and support
when necessary, avoiding any delays,

e) Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to countries with limited resources to enhance
their surveillance capabilities and participation in the global network,

f) The SSN would be entirely voluntary as it depends on the countries as whether they want to imply it or
not according to their sovereignty;

9) Recommends the creation of a Special Committee under WHO which would be tasked with proper
investigations in regards to the origin of the COVID pandemic and take concrete steps to avoid future
pandemics;

10) Suggests the holding of psychology workshops and therapies for the youth suffering from anxiety or
depression due to the pandemic;

11)Invites the Secretary-General to play a proactive coordinating role in facilitating international cooperation
on the universal realisation of human rights during global crises and pandemics, including through the
regular dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, and relevant information to Member States;

12)Calls upon the member nation to follow International Health Regulations(IHR) specifically Article 6,7
and 8,Article 4 sub clause 1 and 2 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR) which
states that certain human rights cannot be violated;

13) Recommends the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) to form a committee in accordance with
Article 22 of the Charter of the United Nations, the new committee will be named as International Crisis
Management Committee (ICMC), this will only function during the time of an emergency in accordance
with Article 47,48 and 49:

a) The mandate and function of the committee will be towards the management humanitarian crisis not
restricting to health crisis further mentioned in Annexure 1,

b)The funding of the committee will be provided by the donations of United Nations members and United
Nations subsidiary body further mentioned in Annexure 1,

27
c)This committee will have authority to take decisions that it deems necessary for the safety of people and
upholding the Human rights and during a time of crisis the specific rights mentioned in International
Covenant on civil and political rights Article 4 (2) will be followed no matter the situation;

14) Urges the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to aid during any pandemics, epidemics or global
crises and also collaborating with the World Food Programme (WFP) to ensure their well-being during times
of global crisis by:

a) Providing monthly relief packages to individuals with income levels lying below the poverty line,

b) Setting up of Emergency Service Marketplaces with subsidised rates and transportation services;

15) Requests all member nations to consider the Siracusa Principles while restricting certain rights during
pandemics or global crisis;

16) Suggests SPT country visits during the time of global pandemics or crisis to ensure there is no ill-treatment
of those detained in accordance with article 4 of the OCPAT.

17) Calls upon the humane treatment of Prisoners of War in accordance with the Article 13, 14, 15, 17 of the
Geneva Convention (III) of 1949 during the time of pandemics and global crises including those arising in
the future;

18)Calls upon for member states and various organisations to provide humanitarian assistance to countries
who are in need for critical infrastructure during a serious outbreak to:

a) Collaborate with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation(WHO) and
International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to the
affected populations if need arises,
b) Encourage NGOs to provide medical aid that consists of sanitary pads, medicine, etc to affected regions,
c) Provide of food and grains under the World Food Programme, d)
Encourage all able countries to boost refugee employment rates to ensure that affected individuals have a
proper means of attaining financial stability and maintaining a problem flow of income;

19) Requests the United Nation Human Right Council United Nations General Assembly, in 10 days from
the adoption of this resolution and International Crisis Management Committee (ICMC) mentioned in
clause 13 and in annexure 1 in if formed to report to United Nation General Assembly in every 160 days;

20) Calls upon member states to recognize violent crimes such as assault, murder and threats to commit such
crimes against a community as a hate crime under their Legal Framework;

28
21) Decides to establish a UNHRC Working on the rights of indigenous populations of china and the human
right violations during the COVID-19 pandemic in all the countries;

22) Further decides to remain seized of the matter and to continue monitoring the situation of rights of
people of Armenian descent in Azerbaijan and the people who are stuck as refugees during conflicts in
Ukraine and in Palestine,the people who will be affected by future crises.

Annexure 1

THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

“The International Crisis Management committee’’ here forth referred to as “the committee” or “ICMC”

In accordance of:

1) Article 22 of the UN charter grants power to the General assembly to establish subsidiary organs,

Principal of the body:

The ICMC is created with the sole aim of recognizing that all humans have the inherent right to
live and the ICMC will protect this right during any global crisis or pandemic.The ICMC will
protect the rights mentioned in Article 4(2) of International convent of civil and political rights
(ICCPR).

Trusting that all current member nations of the UNHRC have the common goal of safeguarding
human rights of people during crises or pandemics, this body shall uphold all the current principles
of UNHRC mentioned in its founding United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution
60/251.

C
The main aim of this body will be to uphold humanitarian rights while handling a global crisis or
pandemics and this body is free to take any help from NGOs or other United Nations bodies to
help in safeguarding the right to life of all individuals.

29
Keeping in mind the stated principles, the functions of this body will be as follows:

a) This body will be a secure and dedicated forum composed of legal and technical
advisers and experts, along with human rights experts,

b) Along with the members, there will be representatives from member states from regions prone
to conflict and in areas where there is a active epidemic, pandemic or global crisis,

c) The composition of members will be subject to change as and when the scenario changes,

d) This body will be tasked with reviewing that all nations are following all the humanitarian
principles at times of crisis or pandemic,

e) The flaws in following of the International basic human rights such as right to life will be
communicated directly to the secretary General, who will then be
directed to take necessary action if needed,

Funding – The body will receive its funding from the members of the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) and from the PKO (Peacekeeping operation) budget, from the IMF and the
contributions of member states

Powers:
a) Any global crisis or will fall under the scope of this new body,

b) Facilitating the sharing of intelligence and promoting effective coordination between

member states to enhance identification of root cause of the global crisis and pandemic across the
globe,

c) It will use robust monitoring and evaluation methods to measure the impact of crime
prevention, track progress and identify areas for improvement under the new framework,

30
d)This body will have authoritative power to condemn or sanction any country with the approval
of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), if they find it necessary as a country has violated
numerous international humanitarian laws.

e)For the purpose of the body to function during global crisis or pandemic will mean a group
events that are threatening in terms of health, safety or well-being of a community or large group or
violating set of basic human rights mentioned in Article 4(2) of International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (ICCPR),

f) Strengthens the foundation of global peace and security that the UN is laid upon.

31
DR VOTING

● There is only one final resolution. If a resolution passes, all other competing resolutions
automatically fail. However, if multiple resolutions address different aspects of the issue and
their solutions do not clash in implementation, multiple resolutions can be passed.
● The voting process consists of three rounds. In the first round, voting rights can be
requested, with explanations generally permitted only to sponsors who wish to oppose their
own drafts. If a representative wishes to change their vote in the second round, their voting
rights are nullified. The first two rounds proceed in alphabetical order by roll call, while the
last round is conducted by a show of placards. However, the specific method of the
voting process is determined by the Executive Board of each committee.
● To close debate on an agenda and transition into the voting procedure, a delegate may state,
"The Delegate of Country wishes to close debate and move into the voting procedure."
Once debate is closed, no further discussion occurs until a vote is conducted for the draft
resolutions.

AMENDMENTS

Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a written

statement that adds, deletes, or revises an operative clause in a draft resolution. The
amendment process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change
certain sections. There are two types of amendments according to the support from the author(s)
or sponsor(s) of the Draft Resolution:

1. Friendly Amendment: A friendly amendment is a change to the Draft Resolution that all
sponsors agree with. After the amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution's sponsors
and approved by the Committee Director or Vice Chairperson, it will be automatically
incorporated into the resolution.
2. Unfriendly Amendment: An unfriendly amendment is a change that one or more
sponsors of the Draft Resolution do not support and must be voted upon by the
committee. The author(s) of the amendment will need to obtain a required number of
signatories in order to introduce it (usually 20% of the committee). Prior to voting on the
draft resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly amendments.

32
There are three types of amendments according to the kind of change it proposes to the Draft
Resolution:

1. Addition Amendment: This seeks to add a clause to the proposed Draft Resolution. The clause,
if added, becomes the last point of the original Draft Resolution.
2. Deletion Amendment: This amendment seeks to remove/delete a clause from the original Draft
Resolution.
3. Modification Amendment: This is to allow for changes of any kind within the clauses in the
original Draft Resolution. For this, the complete original clause has to be written first, followed by
the fully amended Clause. Make sure that the part being changed in the original clause, and the
part that has been changed in the modified clause, both are underlined.

NOTE: All Unfriendly Amendments will be voted upon and need the same substantive
majority to pass that a Draft Resolution does. For example, in a Security Council, they
require a 2/3rd majority, whereas in most other committees, they require a 50%+1 majority.
All Friendly Amendments are passed automatically.

33
PART 9: Crisis Committee

Crisis committees in Model United Nations (MUN) simulate small organizations or boards and
involve delegates portraying characters like ambassadors, news reporters, or fictional figures.
Instead of representing countries, delegates strive to advance their character's perspective and
accumulate social, political, or economic influence throughout the conference, measured by the
impact of their actions inside the committee room.

In the Continuous Crisis Committees, there is no set agenda. The Committee is expected to
respond to the multitude of issues raised throughout the conference as corollaries of its own actions
and other simulated events, so it is generally granted the freedom to deal with issues as it sees fit.

Personal Pronouns: You are representing an individual in a crisis committee, therefore, personal
pronouns are acceptable in a crisis committee.
Note Passing: Note passing directly from delegate to delegate is sometimes permitted in crisis
committee. The reason being that notes are much more abundant in crisis committees, and there is
sometimes not enough time for a staff member to help pass out all notes in a timely manner.

BEGINNING DEBATE
Committee will begin with a roll call. Unlike GAs, a formal motion to open debate is not necessary,
and motions do not need to be seconded by another delegate.
In place of the Speaker’s List, crisis committees use three primary tools for discussion about the
topic at hand:
1. Round robins,
2. Moderated caucuses, and
3. Unmoderated caucuses.

MODERATED CAUCUS
● These are the most common in a crisis committee, and if there are no other motions on the
floor, the Chair will default to a moderated caucus. Most crisis committees conduct debate
through a series of moderated caucus.
● While there is no formal limit on the duration of a moderated caucus, a Chair will usually
not entertain anything beyond 10-12 minutes.

34
 ● The delegates may raise the motion as such: Motion for a six-minute moderated caucus
with a 30-second speaking time to discuss the latest crisis update

UNMODERATED CAUCUSES
● Similar to unmoderated caucuses in traditional committees, delegates are able to leave their
seats and discuss the topic freely.
● Unmoderated caucuses usually last no more than 10 minutes, and are more rare in crisis
committees than in GAs.
● In crisis committees, however, unmoderated caucuses are usually for merging directives,
rather than bloc-building. More information about directives will be discussed later.

ROUND ROBIN
● A round robin is a variation of the moderated caucus, where every delegate in the
committee gives a speech in order of chairs around the room.
● The delegate proposing a round robin also specifies the speaking time per delegate, which is
usually not more than one minute.
● Round robins are especially useful at the very beginning of a committee, since it allows each
delegate to lay out their position and discuss what issues they believe to be most worthy of
further discussion.
● They can also be useful after a major crisis update to allow all delegates to give their opinion
on how to resolve the latest crisis.

DIRECTIVES
Much like the working papers and draft resolutions that emerge from GA committees, directives
are composed of sponsors, signatories, and clauses.

Sponsors are those that have directly contributed to writing the document.
Signatories are individuals who are interested in seeing the document presented for voting, but do
not necessarily support the entirety of the document and did not contribute to writing it.

Directives consist of operative clauses, or statements starting with an action verb, that describe a
solution to the issue. Unlike GA writing, crisis writing does not require perambulatory clauses that
describe the background of the problem.

35
Public directives: Private directives are directives that the whole committee passes. Public
directives are reliant on the power of the committee as a whole. If the Dais approves a public
directive, it will then be put to a committee vote, requiring a simple majority to pass. If the public
directive receives a simple majority and passes, the action specified within the directive is
approved/takes place. Public directives require 3 sponsors and 3 signatories.

Private Directives: Private directives are directives that use only the powers of its sponsors. They
are sent to the Dais by the sponsors and then passed or failed by the Dais themselves. They do not
require approval by the committee. Private directives should be used to advance a delegate’s
personal interests and goals without the worry of committee opinion and publicity. There are two
types of private directives:
Covert: These directives or their sponsors remain confidential, but any publicly known effects will
be announced to the committee.
Overt: Passed in secret by the Dais. The content or results from a successful private overt directive
is announced to the committee, but the authors of the directive remain confidential

Crisis notes: These multifaceted notes drive the flow of the committee. Each delegate creates their
own story-line, or crisis arc, as they accumulate as many resources as possible. Delegates address
crisis notes to another character that is not represented by another person in the committee room
that can offer them a path to acquire resources.

Order of Precedence in Crisis Committees

1. Point of Personal Privilege
2. Point of Order
3. Point of Inquiry
4. Motion to Suspend the Rules
5. Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus
6. Motion for a Moderated Caucus
7. Motion to Introduce Public Directive
8. Motion to Close Debate on the Public Directive
9. Motion to Adjourn the Session/Meeting

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37