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Model UN rules and procedure for schools
Introduction
- MUNs are an ‘impersonation’ of the real UN and are therefore formal & orderly.
- Model UN rules of procedure are a simplified version of the rules that the UN General Assembly or the UN Security Council use.
- The basic principle of parliamentary procedure is that only one person speaks at a time. This is why a delegation can only speak after being recognised by the presiding officer and why it is important for delegates to yield to others at the end of their speeches.
Parliamentary Procedure
There are three major components of parliamentary procedure: Points, Motions and Yields.
Points allow delegates to suggest that rules have been misused, to ask questions about the rules and of other delegates.
Motions guide the work of the committee. They allow the group to make decisions on which agenda item to discuss, to introduce draft resolutions and amendments and to decide when to hold a final vote.
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 order of importance, or the order in which the motions or points must be heard and acted upon.
|
Rule |
Debatable? |
Vote Required? |
Interrupt Speaker? |
Description |
|
POINTS |
||||
|
Point of Order |
No |
No |
Yes |
Used to point out a misuse of the rules. |
|
Point of Information |
No |
No |
No |
To ask a question of the speaker, at the end of their speech. |
|
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry |
No |
No |
No |
To ask for rules or non-rules related clarification from the presiding officer. |
|
MOTIONS |
||||
|
Suspension of the Meeting |
No |
Majority |
No |
Suspends the formal rules of procedure to allow either moderated or unmoderated caucusing. Also used to suspend debate for breaks in the schedule (i.e. for lunch). |
|
Adjournment of the Meeting |
No |
Majority |
No |
Ends the meeting. |
|
Postpone Debate |
1 For 1 Against |
2/3 Majority |
No |
Removes an issue, amendment or draft resolution from consideration without voting on the content. Also known as ‘tabling’. |
|
Closure of Debate |
1 Against |
Majority |
No |
Finishes the debate and brings the resolution or amendment under consideration to an immediate vote. |
|
Reopen Debate |
1 Against |
Majority |
No |
Allows the committee to reconsider matters upon which debate was previously postponed. |
|
Division of the Question |
1 For 1 Against |
Majority |
No |
Divides a draft resolution in to two or more parts, to be voted upon separately, after closure of debate. Only one division is allowed per resolution. Useful for allowing states to object to and delete specific provisions, without failing resolutions as a whole. |
|
Introduce a Draft Resolution |
No |
Majority |
No |
Brings a draft resolution to the floor for discussion. |
|
Introduce an Amendment |
No |
Majority |
No |
Brings an unfriendly amendment to the floor for discussion. Opens a new speaker’s list of those wishing to speak for and against the amendment, alternating between the two. |
|
Set the Agenda |
1 For 1 Against |
Majority |
No |
Chooses which agenda item will be discussed first (only relevant when there is more than one item on the agenda) |
|
Request for a Roll Call Vote |
No |
No |
No |
Only available when voting on a resolution or amendments. If granted by the presiding officer, member states will be called on in alphabetical order to announce their vote. |
|
YIELDS |
||||
|
Yield to the Chair |
No |
No |
- |
The Chair retakes control of the committee. |
|
Yield to another Delegate |
No |
No |
- |
Another delegate is allowed to speak until the end of the speaking time (if there are time limits). |
|
Yield to Points of Information |
No |
No |
- |
Allows members of the committee to ask questions of the speaker, until speaking time has expired. |
So, the approximate structure of an MUN session would go something like this:
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 both the presiding officer’s permission, and sponsors that number at least 20 per cent of the committee members. More than one draft resolution can be on the floor at any one time.
However, only one amendment may be on the floor at any one time. There are two types of amendment:
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 presiding officer’s permission for distribution and sponsors that number at least 12.5 per cent 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.
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).
A resolution: the final outcome of a debate
Actions of the United Nations are expressed in resolutions submitted in draft form under the sponsorship of one or more delegations.
The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation are resolutions—written suggestions for addressing a specific problem or issue.
Resolutions may simply register an opinion, or may recommend action to be taken by a UN organ or related agency.
Chairing a committee – some tips
After a few experiences as a delegate, you may enjoy being on the other side – a chair.
Remember, a chair is always formal, proper & orderly. Also, chairs have the final decision making authority in their council, thus, they must be cautious in how to exercise it!
Most importantly, ensure your delegates –
a) Learn about the agenda topic
b) Participate and don’t feel left out
c) Enjoy themselves!
