Model United Nations Model UN The Basics What

Model United Nations

Model UN: The Basics

What is the United Nations? n n The United Nations is an international organization who aids in cooperation between countries. They handle international law, international security, economic development, social progress, and human rights issues

n n It is made up of multiple committees, including the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Security Council Founded in 1945, after World War II, the United Nations has a total of 192 member countries.

What is Model United Nations? n n Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations Students play the roles of delegates and represent a specific country The goal of a Model UN committee is to pass resolutions that will resolve the issues being debated The goal of each delegate is to have his/her country’s interests and objectives reflected in the resolutions

What DO YOU have to do? n n The goal of a Model UN committee is to pass resolutions that will resolve the issues being debated The goal of each delegate is to have his/her country’s interests and objectives reflected in the resolutions

n n A resolution is a promise to a plan that will solve a specific GLOBAL issue. They are passed or rejected by VOTING, so not only do you have to RESEARCH and DEBATE, you also have to be aware of SOCIAL POLITICS.

Why Did You Join?

Why is it useful? n n Looks great on your resume ; ) Develops skills in – Critical thinking Communication and Debating Negotiation and Team Building See the world from multiple perspectives Writing and public speaking

n n And let’s not forget, it’s a great way to make friends and share an invaluable experience! Plus you get to dress smart and wear nice suits

Flow of debate Set the agenda Speaker’s List Moderated Caucus Unmoderated Caucus Return to Speaker’s List Voting Procedures

Speaker’s List A delegate speaks for a predetermined amount of time n After the speech you can yield time to the chair (no questions) or to the floor (questions) n n Useful for laying out your country’s position on an issue or describing a course of action

Moderated Caucus n n n Delegates speak in turn for short periods of time You must be recognized by the chair to speak Quicker than the speaker’s list, but more structured than an unmoderated caucus

Unmoderated Caucus n n Delegates talk amongst one another freely for a specified amount of time Usually 5 -10 minutes The chair is not involved in the discussion at all Useful for writing draft resolutions or negotiating intensely with other delegates

QUICK RECAP

Voting procedures n n n Voting procedures are entered when a committee is ready to vote on draft resolutions A draft resolution must be “introduced” through a motion before it can be voted upon in voting procedures After voting procedures, the committee moves on to the next topic

Points and Motions n Motions are used to direct debate. They ask permission. Motion to open the speaker’s list n Motion for a moderated caucus n Motion for an unmoderated caucus n Motion to introduce a draft resolution n Motion to enter voting procedures n n Motions must be voted on by the committee and typically require a majority vote http: //www. unausa. org/munpreparation/rulesofprocedure/chart

Points and Motions n Points are used to ask questions Point of inquiry—ask a question about parliamentary procedure n Point of personal privilege—ask to go to the bathroom n Point of information—ask the speaker a question n n Points aren’t voted on, but a speaker can choose not to respond to a point of information

Resolutions n n n Resolutions are made up of preambulatory and operative clauses Preambulatory clauses describe the situation (it defines the problem) Operative clauses describes the course of action taken by the committee (tells us how to fix the problem)

Preambulatory Phrases

Sample Resolution International Atomic Energy Agency Sponsors: Sweden, UK Signatories: Iran, Spain, Canada, Pakistan, Syria, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Israel Topic: Iran's Nuclear Energy Program The International Atomic Energy Agency, Affirming the right of all nations to peaceful nuclear energy technology, as stated in Article IV, Clause I of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Recognizing the suspicion surrounding Iran's nuclear program and its intended uses, 1. Demands a ban on heavy water use in Iranian nuclear facilities; 2. Demands full Iranian compliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement; 3. Calls for the creation of a commission of willing nations with nuclear expertise to assist Iran in implementing civilian nuclear technology; 4. Establishes a deadline of 12 months for implementation of clauses 1 and 2; 5. Urges further IAEA action if clauses 1, 2 and 3 are not implemented in full over the next 12 months.

LASTLY - Things to keep in mind while debating n Always refer to your country in the third person n Don’t say “I believe that ___. ” Instead, say “The nation of China believes that ___, ” Express the views of your country, not your own views Be formal and polite

Next – Tips and tricks n n n Public Speaking How to perceive a situation in MUN Debating

General Advice n Start speeches formally n n n Get straight to the point Speak clearly n n n “Good morning fellow delegates and honorable chair” Complicated jargon not always the way to go, but don’t be casual either Speak in the conference’s language ALWAYS SPEAK IN 3 rd PERSON

Opening Speeches n n First formal presentation to the forum Things to include Generally how issue is affecting world n Your nation’s stance n Relevant statistic to prove point n How currently helping or plans to help solve issue n End telling delegates you are looking forward to a productive conference n

Resolution Speeches n n 2 -3 Minutes State your country’s stance on resolution (for or against) n n Clearly state your country’s stance Give clear and solid evidence as support and REFERENCE this material n QUALITY over QUANTITY

How to make good speeches

Elements of a speech Including: ETHOS, LOGOS and PATHOS in your line of argument. n General Vs. Specific information/viewpoints - Targeting your diverse audience and convincing them - Considering the balance of your argument n

Definition Relationship

When speaking remember: BTF n BODY LANGUAGE n TEMPO n FEELING

Body Language n POSTURE it gives a sense of confidence It helps your voice carry Projection n Eye contact its important to engage with your audience n Speak CLEARLY and not so fast get message across. ENUNCIATE n Avoid using slang AND fillers: “anyways” or “um” keep your speech formal

TEMPO n VARIANCY of Tempo will produce or more natural rhythm to your speech. It also can express the emotional content of the sentence and can be used VERY effectively in producing dramatic effect.

FEELING n n Monotonic speeches are a NO. No one wants to listen to a robot – it makes the speech stale and boring, making you lose power and the ability to acquire SOCIAL CAPITAL – and this is MUN. You NEED social capital. Think carefully of the emotional content of EACH SENTENCE and mark it in a code, so that you will remember the required feeling.

n n n Know your information thoroughly You need to map out your speech. Doing so requires not only mastery over content, but also strategic markers to give the speech the most effective emotional tone and gravity Practice A LOT. You may carry small note cards, but keep in mind – eye contact solidifies the relationship with your audience and the lack of it will signify unpreparedness.

Example of an OPENING SPEECH Honorable chairs and esteemed delegates, while Canada is a diverse, welcoming nation to people of all races and religion, it is not ignorant to the fact that there is religious intolerance and bigotry, within our society. When living in a globalized world which relies on international trade and a global economy, we have to start seeing that our world is dependent on our connections.

That mutual respect is essential considering we are all reliant upon one another. We should strive to respect our differences instead of being abhorred by them; accepting of others instead of judging and denouncing them. This delegate, a representative of a multicultural country seeks to pursue a rational debate in which to find solutions in bringing the world closer to a harmonious synergy.

SAMPLE SPEECH n Honorable chairs and esteemed delegates, while Canada is a diverse, welcoming nation - to people of all races and religion, it is not ignorant - to the fact that there is religious intolerance and bigotry, within our society. When living in a globalized world, which relies on international trade and a global economy, - we have to start seeing that our world is dependent on our connections.

n That mutual respect is essential, considering we are all reliant upon one another. We should strive to respect our differences - instead of being abhorred by them; - accepting of others instead of judging and denouncing them. This delegate, a representative of a multicultural country - seeks to pursue a rational debate - in which to find solutions in bringing the world closer - to a harmonious synergy.

HOW TO PERCEIVE A SITUATION IN THE MUN Walking around in Someone else’s shoes.

DEBATING TIPS n n n Bamboo Technique Exploitation of weakness, unpreparedness Humility PATHOS, LOGOS, ETHOS - Options one can consider on how to approach an argument.

Topic – Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Program n Let’s brainstorm positions and arguments…