The Little Farm House Holistic Education & Development Center
This document provides a brief background regarding the terms and procedures which
will be part of the HEDCen MUN SY 2020-2021. Each committee will have three
committee sessions. Committee and country assignments are available in the Model UN
Google Classroom. Each delegate is expected to research and to construct
speeches on the topics assigned. Submissions of research and speeches are not
required, but advanced position papers, written scripts, and organized speeches
are highly encouraged for the preparation. Irrelevant speeches to the topic may
weaken the chance of recognition of the delegate; however, it will not be graded as a
formal recitation.
All delegates will be given a maximum of 90 seconds to clearly state his/her position on
the topic. The arguments must be based on logical arguments and pre existing
evidence regarding the topics. If the delegate wants to speak again, the delegate must
raise their hand until they are recognized by the committee chair. A moderated caucus
and unmoderated caucus will proceed after every speech is delivered for the delegates
to interrogate, vote, and agree on a topic. Delegates may refer to the information packet
provided by the HEDCen MUN committee for additional details.
Delegate’s Guide 1
Terminology
Language: The official language that will be used for the whole conference will be
English. We request our delegates, committee chairs, and everyone who wishes to
speak to communicate in English not only during the moderated caucus, but on all parts
of the conference. A list of terminologies is provided below to fully understand the Model
UN.
● Abstain - During a vote on a substantive matter, delegates may abstain rather
than vote yes or no. This means that a delegation does not support the resolution
being voted on, but does not oppose it enough to vote no.
● Agenda - The order in which issues before a committee will be discussed. The
first duty of a committee after the roll call is to set the agenda.
● Bloc - A group of countries in a similar region or with a similar opinion regarding
an issue. Blocs usually vote together.
● Chair - The member of the dais that moderates, keeps time, rules on points and
motions, and enforces the rules of procedure.
● Decorum - The Chair calls for a decorum when he/she feels that the committee
is not being respectful towards a speaker, the dais, or of their roles as
representatives.
● Delegate - A student acting as a representative of a member state in a Model UN
committee.
● Delegation - The member state assigned to a student to represent in the Model
UN.
● Draft Resolution - A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a
Model UN committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution then be
called the committee resolution.
● Flow of Debate - The order of events that proceed during a Model UN
conference. This usually indicates the movement between formal and informal
debate and the process of drafting, debating and voting on resolutions.
Delegate’s Guide 2
● Formal Debate - The standard type of debate at a Model UN conference in
which delegates speak for a certain time in an order based on a speaker’s list.
● Member State - A country that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and
whose application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly and
United Nations Security Council. Currently, there are 193 member states.
● Moderated Caucus - A type of caucus in which delegates remain seated and the
Chair calls them one at a time to speak for a short period of time, this is a formal
type of debate.
● Motion - A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole does
something. Some motions might be to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a
draft resolution, or to move into a voting procedure.
● On the Floor - At a Model UN conference, when a working paper or draft
resolution is first written, it may not be discussed in debate. After it is approved
by the approval panel and introduced by the committee, it is put "on the floor"
and may be discussed.
● Operative Clause - The part of a resolution that describes how the UN should
address a problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes,
recommends, etc.).
● Roll call - The committee will be called into session by the chair. All nations will
be called in alphabetical order and each has to state whether it is "present" or
"present and voting". This will be counted as attendance.
● Rules of Procedure - The rules that a Model UN committee follows.
● Second - To agree with a motion being proposed. Many motions must be
seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
1) Committees
Delegate’s Guide 3
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
This organization is aimed to promote world peace and security through international
cooperation in Education, sciences, and culture. It contributes to the achievement of
sustainable development goals. UNESCO’s vision is to develop educational tools to
help people live free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works so that everyone has
access to quality education. This organization helps strengthen the bonds among
nations. Lastly, UNESCO has a lot of success stories such as UNESCO preserves 1073
World Heritage sites in 167 countries, 177 State Parties to the Intangible Heritage
Convention, and many more.
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization began into force on April 7, 1948. This organization has
more than 7000 people working and 150 offices, six regions in their headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland. The role of WHO is to direct and coordinate international health
within the United Nations system. Their main areas of work are health systems, they
strive to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases. Help for families to
survive is also provided so they can look forward to a healthy old age. They ensure the
safety of the food, water, medicines, vaccines, and air. WHO partners with countries,
civil society, the UN system, research institutions, and many more.
2) Delegates Information
2.1 Delegates
Each delegation must have a student representative that will give short speeches during
the conference.
2.3 Dress Code
Delegates are expected to wear formal attire. Female delegates are asked to wear
blazers and skirts or suit trousers. Male delegates are asked to wear a suit and tie. All
delegates must wear formal shoes.
2.4 Formal Language
During the discussion, delegates must use formal language, meaning all delegates must
speak in third person or first person plural. (The delegate confirms that….. / We confirm
that……).
2.5 Breaks
Delegate’s Guide 4
There will be breaks in between the committee sessions. Breaks during the first day will
last 30 minutes before the first committee session and 1 hour before proceeding with
the next session. A 15-minute break is allotted on Saturday before the General
Assembly.
3) Preparation
All delegates must have a short position paper with a few operative clauses. Delegates
are encouraged to write draft resolutions.
3.1 Preconference
Speaking from the country :
The delegate must not portray their personal judgements and viewpoints on the matters
at hand, but instead as the official position of the country that they represent. Research
about the country you are representing, it is recommended to research as much as
possible about :
● Socio-economics
● International relations
● Historical background
● Structure of government
3.2 Position Paper
A position paper is a document that will be made individually by the delegate. This
should give an overview of the country’s opinion or insights about the topic at hand. It
should include:
● Short background of the topic
● Previous actions taken by the country and its effects
● Country’s position on the topic
● Possible solutions
3.3 Draft resolution
A resolution is a formally written document assigned to a particular issue. Discussing,
creating, and voting upon these resolutions are primarily the main activity of MUN
conferences.
A resolution is usually short and straight to the point, one sentence should be enough.
The resolution is divided into clauses and sub clauses. It is divided into three parts :
heading, preambulatory clauses, operative clauses.
4) Rules and Procedures
Delegate’s Guide 5
1. Roll Call
2. Motion to set the agenda
3. Opening speech of delegates (talk about your position paper)
- As the speaker submits his/her speech, he/she must refer self as a third
person such as ‘This delegate believes that this issue can be solved by x’
An assigned speaker must be concise while delivering his/her speech and
it must last for a maximum of 90 seconds. If a speaker has much time left
after the speech, he/she must say ‘I yield my time to the chair’.
4. Chair sets debating time
5. General Speakers (optional)
- Additional speech to decide how the debate will go
- If you have more information left to say in your resolution paper
6. Delegates may decide to entertain a moderated caucus
- Resolution papers and plans
7. Lobbying (unmoderated caucus)
- Form groups or do it alone to make a resolution paper
- Time allotted will be up to the delegates
- A delegate can request for breakout rooms with other countries that may
have similar resolutions or opinions.
8. Delegates may speak of a resolution they are in favor of (Time in favor of)
9. Delegates may speak of a resolution they are against of (Time against)
10. Voting procedure
- Use the participant’s panel
- Yes = you are in favor of the ‘resolution’
- No = you are against the ‘resolution’
- Raise hand = abstain (you do not want to vote whether you are in favor or
not)
4.1 Points
Point of information: If a speaker has finished the speech and opens himself up to
points of information, delegates may rise to ask the speaker a question. Only one (1)
Point of information is to be asked per delegate and only one (1) answer is to be
provided by the delegate.
Point of parliamentary inquiry: Delegates may rise and ask a question to the chairs
about rules of procedure.
Point of personal privilege: Delegates may use this point to express personal discomfort
which affects their participation (such as, but not limited to, the need to use the
restroom).
Delegate’s Guide 6
Point of order : This point can be raised to state any procedural inaccuracy. It can be
used by a Delegate to remark a formal error by the chair or another delegate. This point
must be stated in a courteous and respectful manner rather than in a taunting way.
Request for a right to reply : If a delegate is mentioned or offended in a speech of
another delegate, the former delegate may use this point to defend himself. They may
also request an official apology.
4.2 Motions
Motion to set the agenda: Proposing the order in which issues before a committee will
be discussed. Everyone in the committee must vote either for or against the motion.
This is very important because when there are two topics, the agenda is set
automatically after the vote.
Motion to extend debate time: Allocates more time for debate in the current time
period.
Motion to make an amendment: : An amendment is used to either change, add or
strike a clause in the resolution. Delegates must vote upon the amendment.
Motion to make an amendment to the second degree: An amendment to the second
degree is used to change an amendment and is voted upon. If the amendment to the
second degree passes with a simple majority, the entire amendment passes.
Motion to make a friendly amendment: A friendly amendment fixes an error in
grammar, spelling or similar in the resolution. If the main submitter agrees to the
change, there will be no voting on a friendly amendment.
Motion to declare this an important question: This motion increases the majority that
a resolution needs to pass to 75%. Only issues involving international peace and
security can be made an important question.
Motion to entertain a moderated caucus: A form of continuous debate in which
speakers give their positions on the topics at hand. Usually, you must give a purpose,
speaking time, and total time when making this motion.
Motion to entertain an unmoderated caucus: An informal form of debate
where delegates are free to leave their seats and discuss with other
delegates. This motion is normally made to get time to merge or write draft
resolutions.
Delegate’s Guide 7
Motion to move into time against: This motion is made when those planning
on speaking against a resolution, wish to speak.
Motion to move into time in favor of: This motion is made when those
planning on speaking in favor of a resolution, wish to speak.
Motion to move into voting procedure: When a delegate feels the topic has already
been thoroughly discussed, they motion to move into voting procedure so that whatever
was being discussed is put to a vote.
Motion to table a resolution: This motion is to put aside the resolution at hand to
discuss it at a later time. This is normally done if the resolution isn’t producing debate or
if the committee is running out of time and you want your resolution to be discussed.
Motion to divide the house / motion to vote by roll call: This motion is granted by the
Chairs if voting by placards seems inaccurate or if the vote was very close. Delegates
vote one-by-one and abstentions are not in order.
Motion to table the amendment: This motion is granted if the debate can’t move
forward and delegates feel like another amendment should be discussed. If the motion
is used, the amendment will be set aside for later debating and the committee will
debate on the resolution as a whole.
4.4 Lobbying
During Lobbying, delegates have the opportunity to take their resolutions to other
delegates and try to gain support for their ideas. Delegates have the option to modify
their resolution at the suggestion of others, or merge resolutions if they find another
delegate with similar proposals. Lobbying takes place in the individual committee
rooms.
4.5 Resolution
Resolutions are meant to make suggestions for improvement or solutions for the issue
at hand.
*Before the conference, each delegate should at least prepare a few operative clauses,
at best a draft resolution.*
4.6 Amendments
Delegate’s Guide 8
An amendment is a change to a resolution. If you think much of the resolution is good,
but there are some parts that need adjustments, then an amendment will help you make
the necessary changes.
4.7 Voting Procedures
Voting on amendments: If a delegate submits an amendment, they will hold a brief
speech about said amendment. The debate will then first move into time in favor, in
which delegates who plan to vote in favor of the amendment will try to convince other
delegates of their opinion.
If either a delegate makes the motion to move into voting procedure or the set debate
time runs out, the debate will move into voting procedure. During voting procedure, all
note passing will be suspended. All delegates will have to vote either in favor or against
the amendment. Abstaining is not in order. The amendment can pass with a simple
majority.
Voting on resolutions: After the set debate time on the resolution has run out, the
committee will vote on the resolution as a whole. During the voting procedure, all talking
and note passing will be suspended. Delegates may vote in favor, against or they may
abstain.
If a simple majority (50% + 1) votes in favor of the resolution it passes, unless there has
been a motion to declare the resolution an important question (in that case 75% of the
committee will have to vote in favor of the resolution to make it pass).
5) List of Important Clauses
5.1 Pre-ambulatory Clauses
Affirming Fully aware
Alarmed by Further developing
Approving Further recalling
Aware of Guided by
Bearing in mind Having adopted
Believing Keeping in mind
Delegate’s Guide 9
Confident Noting with regret
Contemplating Noting with concern
Convinced Noting with satisfaction
Declaring Noting further
Deeply concerned Observing
Deeply convinced Reaffirming
Emphasizing Recalling
Expecting Taking notes
Fully alarmed Viewing with appreciation
5.2 Operative Clauses
Accepts Further requests
Affirms Further resolves
Approves Further recommends
Authorizes Has resolved
Calls Proclaims
Class upon Reaffirms
Condemns Recommends
Confirms Regrets
Congratulates Reminds
Considers Requests
Declares accordingly Strongly affirms
Designates Strongly condemns
Draws the attention Supports
Emphasizes Takes note of
Encourages Transmits
Delegate’s Guide 10
Endorses Trusts
Expresses its appreciation Underlines
Expresses its hope Underscores
Further invites Urges
Further proclaims Welcomes
Further reminds
Further recommends
Delegate’s Guide 11
