Model UN rules and procedure

Model UN rules of procedure are a simplified version of the rules that the actual General Assembly and Security Council use. Although they may seem awkward at times, they are designed to facilitate orderly debate and are quite easy to use.

Most Model UN conferences have their own rules of procedure which differ, depending on the goals and specific needs of the conference. A very detailed ‘script’ for a sample MUN conference can be found at the National Model United Nations website, near the end of the delegate preparation guide.

The basic principle of parliamentary procedure is that only one person speaks at a time. It is why a delegation can speak only after being recognised by the presiding officer and why it is important for delegates to yield at the end of their speeches.

There are three major components in parliamentary procedure:

Points allow delegates to suggest that rules have been misused, to ask questions about the rules or the work that the committee is doing, and to ask questions of other delegates who are giving formal speeches (and who have indicated that they will answer questions).

Motions guide the work of the committee. They allow the group to make substantive (subject-matter) decisions on which agenda item to discuss, to introduce draft resolutions and amendments and to decide when to hold a final vote, among others. Motions also structure the procedural work of the committee, setting speaking times, opening speaker’s lists and moving into moderated and unmoderated caucuses, for example.

Yields relate directly to who speaks. It allows delegates to indicate who gets to speak next at the end of their speeches.

Your rules of procedure can be as simple or as complicated as you would like. Here are some of the basic points and motions that most conferences use. They are listed in the order of precedence, or the order in which the motions or points must be heard and acted upon

When motions are debatable, it means that a certain number of delegations will speak for and against the motion. This is done after the motion is made and seconded, but before the vote. The presiding officer chooses the speakers.

Draft Resolutions require the permission of the presiding officer for distribution and sponsors that number at least 20% of the committee members. More than one draft resolution can be on the floor at any one time.

Only one amendment may be on the floor at any one time. There are two types:

Friendly amendments become part of the resolution without debate or voting - once approved and announced to the committee by the chair - as long as all of the sponsors of the draft resolution being amended are also sponsors of the amendment. Additional sponsors are welcomed.

Unfriendly amendments require the permission of the presiding officer, and sponsors that number at least 12.5% of the committee members. Once distributed, debate can begin following a successful motion for introduction. Only one amendment can be on the floor at any one time and will remain on the floor until it has been tabled or voted on by the committee. A motion for closure of debate is in order after there have been at least two speakers for and two speakers against the amendment and happens automatically when there are no more states on the speaker’s list.

On closure of debate - Once debate has been closed on a draft resolution, only four points or motions are appropriate:

• Point of Order
• Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
• Motion for a Division of the Question
• Request for a Roll Call Vote

The committee may also decide that it would be more efficient if it suspended the formal rules for period. This may take the form of unmoderated caucusing (where there are no rules and everyone is free to get up and move around - a ‘time out’ from normal procedures) or moderated caucusing (where the presiding officer calls on delegations to speak when they raise their placards).