UNISMUN Delegate Manual - June 2020

United Nations International School Model United Nations Delegate Manual
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
UNISMUN VI, March 2014
Adapted from the THIMUN student officer’s manual (THIMUN

Foundation, 2009, 2010), and BEIMUN 17TH officer’s manual.
UNISMUN Delegate Manual www.mun.unishanoi.org 1

Table of Contents
What Is MUN? ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
The Origins of MUN ..................................................................................................................................... 4
The Aims of Model United Nations Conferences............................................................................. 4
The Aims of UNIS MUN .............................................................................................................................. 4
Leadership Opportunities through UNIS MUN ................................................................................ 5
The Students’ Roles at UNISMUN ............................................................................................................... 6
Country Delegation Ambassadors ........................................................................................................ 6
Student as a Delegate ................................................................................................................................. 6
UNIS MUN Chairs and Presidents ......................................................................................................... 7
Chairs and Presidents Qualifications and Expectations .............................................................. 7
Student as Administrative Staff (Admin) ........................................................................................... 8
The Forums of UNISMUN .............................................................................................................................. 9
The International Criminal Court.......................................................................................................... 9
The General Assembly ............................................................................................................................... 9
The Security Council ................................................................................................................................ 10
The Reform Security Council ............................................................................................................... 11
The Historical Security Council ........................................................................................................... 11
The UN Membership Council ............................................................................................................... 12
The Responsibility to Protect Council ............................................................................................. 12
The Population Movement Council ................................................................................................... 12
The Sustainable Development Goals Committees ....................................................................... 12
The Economic and Social Council....................................................................................................... 13
The Human Rights Council.................................................................................................................... 13
The Environment Assembly and Governing Council ................................................................. 13
The Special Committee on Information Technology and Electronic Media ..................... 13
The Special Thematic Council .............................................................................................................. 13
How to be a Good Delegate ........................................................................................................................ 14
General Behaviour of a Delegate ........................................................................................................ 14
Dress Code ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Researching Your Country and Issues .................................................................................................. 15
How to Research a Country .................................................................................................................. 15
How to Research an Issue ..................................................................................................................... 15
UNISMUN Delegate Manual 2

Useful Websites ......................................................................................................................................... 16

Country Research Profile (adapted from TASMUN) .................................................................. 18
Writing a Policy Statement ........................................................................................................................ 20
What is a Policy Statement? ................................................................................................................. 20
What Does a Policy Statement Consist of?...................................................................................... 20
Things to Remember About a Policy Statement .......................................................................... 20
Sample Policy Statement ....................................................................................................................... 22
Writing a Resolution..................................................................................................................................... 23
What is a Resolution? .............................................................................................................................. 23
How to Write a Resolution .................................................................................................................... 23
How to Present a Resolution ................................................................................................................ 26
A Sample Resolution ................................................................................................................................ 27
Procedure of Amendments ........................................................................................................................ 28
How to Write an Opening Speech ........................................................................................................... 29
What is it?..................................................................................................................................................... 29
What Are the Different Parts of an Opening Speech? ................................................................ 29
How to Deliver an Opening Speech? ................................................................................................. 29
A Sample Opening Speech ..................................................................................................................... 30
What Is Lobbying ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Rules of Procedure ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Definition of keywords ........................................................................................................................... 32
Procedure ..................................................................................................................................................... 34
Security Council/Reform Security Council/Historical Security Council Procedure ..... 35
Last Day of UNIS MUN ................................................................................................................................. 35
Helpful Phrases and Modes of Address for Delegates, Chairs and Presidents ..................... 37

What Is MUN?
The Origins of MUN
MUN (Model United Nations) is an extracurricular activity in many schools and
universities where students assume the roles of countries and organizations
represented in the United Nations in specific committees and debate about issues
concerning the world. The United Nations was formed at the end of the Second
World War. It was preceded by a similar organization; known as the “League of
Nations”.
During the 1920s at the University of Harvard, students and teachers of
International Relations and Politics courses created a simulation known as Model
League of Nations, where students would represent the League of Nations and
debate subjects like colonization, war and empire debates. After World War Two,
once the United Nations was established, Harvard replaced the Model League of
Nations with Model United Nations.
Soon after, schools in New York began to follow that trend, and by the mid-1950s,
all the Ivy League Universities in the United States held their own MUN
Conference. Soon MUN Conference spread to High Schools and many different
countries around the world.
The Aims of UNIS MUN
The United Nations International School Model United Nations Club (UNIS MUN)
is founded upon the following “Five (5) Pillars”:
1. Sustainability and Intergenerational Justice;
2. Diversity of Thought and Inclusive Participation;
3. Collaborative and Distributive Leadership;
4. Change, Growth and Development;
5. Quality Participation that is both Intentional and Meaningful.
The specific aim of our MUN conference is to encourage debate and sharing of
views between students from different schools, different ethnicities, different
perspectives and different points of view.
The larger aims of UNIS MUN are as follows:
1. To remind participants of the finite, scarce and fragile nature of our planet’s
natural and human resources and our interconnectedness of our global
community and common humanity;
2. To motivate members towards greater global engagement, international-
mindedness and life-long learning;
3. To provide members with opportunities for leadership, collaboration and
participation;

4. To raise the profile of the role of the United Nations and relevant legal and
institutional frameworks;
5. To provide members with an authentic MUN experience towards the
development of their leadership, research, investigation, discussion, debate,
collaboration, inter-personal and empathy skills;
6. To encourage Members to take appropriate risks within the UNIS MUN
framework; to try out new ideas and approaches.
In other words, the ultimate goal of an MUN Conference is to promote awareness
of international relations and issues in young people, and to inspire global
mindedness and an understanding to the problems of the world and how to
combat them, whilst providing an atmosphere where students can progress in
their communication skills and open mindedness.
This would, we hope, allow students an insight to further their understanding and
learning of politics in a global and international manner.
Leadership Opportunities through UNIS MUN
An integral part of the UNIS MUN experience is leadership. Leadership in the UNIS
MUN context is not only about chairing, being a member of the executive board or
being recognized by your chair to speak.
Leadership at UNIS MUN is about being prepared before you even arrive.
One significant leadership opportunity is the role of Delegation Ambassador.
Delegation Ambassadors are responsible for ensuring the spirit, enthusiasm,
content knowledge, procedural knowledge and overall quality of their country
delegation before, during and after UNIS MUN.
If you are a Chair or President, your Committee Reports are thorough and go
beyond the expectations in terms of details, works consulted and the inclusion of
relevant international and regional standards and practices; you’ve spent the time
to ensure that both your co-chairs and members of your committee are well
informed of both the content of the topics as well as proper procedure.
As a Chair or President, you set the tone and you help provide opportunities for
more shy delegates to take the floor; you always encourage success.
If you are a delegate, you’ve put the extra effort to craft draft resolutions that
consider the latest developments regarding your topic as well as sufficient
background to enhance your own understanding; you’ve thoroughly researched
the actual positions of your country and you play this role faithfully.
Leadership continues when you arrive as you strive to build extensive coalitions
of like-minded and opposing opinions as you lobby and merge; you present,
defend, raise and respond to points of information respectfully and accurately.

The Students’ Roles at UNIS MUN

Delegation Ambassadors
In a sense, all MUN delegates assume the role of an ambassador in the committees
they have been assigned to. However, each country delegation is also headed by
its Delegation Ambassador of that particular country.
Ideally, the Delegation Ambassador as head delegate of the team is the most
reliable and experienced delegate. The ambassador is given several
responsibilities prior to and during the MUN conference.
First of all, you guard the team spirit of your delegates; you also make sure that all
members of your team are preparing themselves properly for the conference.
Before the conference, the Delegation Ambassador will lead the preparation of all
the relevant research and documents required including Country Profiles, Issues
Reports, Policy Statements, Opening Speeches and Draft Resolutions.
You take special care with new members of the team. At all times you show you
earn respect. Now your MUN Director will also stress the importance of the
following points, but in your team you must take care of the following: appropriate
delegate notepaper and proper attire of the whole team.
Student as a Delegate
The student represents the delegate of a country he/she has been assigned to.
Before the Conference, working with their Delegation Ambassador, the UNIS
MUN’s Delegate tasks are:
1. To undertake extensive research on his/her country or organization;
2. To embody and faithfully represent the position of his/her country or
organization;
3. To undertake research on the issues of the forum he/she belongs to;
4. To create a Country Profile and Policy Report that reflects the specific
positions of his/her country on the relevant topics;
5. To write a brief Policy Statement which summarises the key issues and makes
clear the position of his/her country;
6. To write a Draft Resolution from the perspective of his/her country.
During the Conference, The Delegate’s Tasks Are:
1. To lobby other delegates and build coalitions towards the merging and passing
of resolutions;
2. To use UNIS MUN procedures correctly while engaging in debate;
3. To debate respectfully, accurately, honestly and fairly on the resolutions of
his/her specific forum representing the position of his/her country;
4. To vote on resolutions in accordance with the positions of his/her country;
5. To respect the decision of their respective Council President/Committee Chair.

UNIS MUN Chairs and Presidents

UNISMUN has its Student Officer Manual. Any student who would like to be a
Student Officer should refer to it.
Each UNIS MUN General Assembly is led by a leadership team consisting of a Head
Chair, Deputy Chair and Procedural Chair.
Each UNIS MUN Council including Reform Security Councils and Historical
Security Councils is led by a leadership team consisting of a President, Deputy
President and Procedural President.
The Chairs or Presidents of a forum are in charge of monitoring the debate; they
have to ensure that procedures are followed to ensure a smooth and productive
debate.
Chairs and Presidents need fairly extensive MUN experience so as to conduct the
debates appropriately. Dedicated and knowledgeable Chairs and Presidents are
vital to a successful conference as they are like role models to the delegates.
Their roles includes more than simply ensuring that procedure regulations are
abided by; they stimulate steady progress throughout the debate, encourage the
involvement of all delegates without scarifying the substance of debate, prevent
the rules from becoming obstacles and exercise strict self-discipline to remain
impartial at all times.
Chairs and Presidents MUST have extensive knowledge of the issues debated AND
country positions so that they can provide delegates with guidance, direction and
fresh ideas. They should constantly remind the delegates of the importance of
cooperation and compromise in order for resolutions to benefit the international
community as a whole.
Procedural Chairs and Presidents will be responsible for engaging with delegates
during lobbying and merging, fact checking the content of draft resolutions, the
substance of debates and positions taken by delegates to ensure that these align
with the actual positions of the country being represented.
The leadership team of each Committee and Council will be responsible for
identifying those standout delegates at various stages of UNIS MUN (lobbying,
merging, debate…) as well as any superlatives and recognitions.
Chair and President Qualifications and Expectations
1. Experience: At least one year experience as a delegate; ideally UNIS MUN
and/or international conferences as a delegate or chair.
2. Demonstrated competence: Familiarity with rules and procedures with
evidence to support having read the UNIS MUN handbooks.

3. Professional presentation and committee management: Able to give clear

verbal and non-verbal direction; knowing when to be strict and when to be
supportive; ability to work with nuance, situational change and ambiguity.
4. Research and report writing: Ability to write a detailed issue report which
includes all required content and organizational elements.
5. Responsibility and accountability: Ability to meet deadlines set by others;
ability to set and meet own deadlines; willingness to ask questions.
6. Organizational skills: Taking regular attendance and informing delegates of
housekeeping, rules and procedures.
7. Ability to work within a team: Ability to take on leadership roles without
being asked as well as actively supporting other members of the team without
being asked; bring issues out into the open; assume best intention on the part of
others; direct communication; know when to listen and when to engage;
willingness to learn; act within the best interest of the organization.
8. Diversity: While competence is our primary goal, diversity of chairs is
important and will always inform our decisions as a leadership team.
Student as Administrative Staff (Admin)

Without the Administrative Staff there would be no conference. Admin makes sure
the conference runs smoothly by:
1. Preparing all the materials for the conference in advance;
2. Providing proper and accurate signage for all UNIS MUN venues;
3. Welcoming all the participating schools (= Information Desk);
4. Setting up and maintaining the various forums each day;
5. Working in the Secretariat (checking, sorting, photocopying and distributing
resolutions);
6. Passing notes between delegates in the different forums (= Messengers);
7. Monitoring the appropriate use of electronic devices;
8. Managing the public relations and media of the conference;
9. Maintaining the order and cleanliness of all UNIS MUN venues;
10. Preparing and checking all documentation including certificates of
participation;
11. Taking care of the general security;
12. Setting up the plenary session and passing notes between delegations;
13. Taking care of the cleanup of all UNIS MUN venues.
Thanks to Admin, the delegates can concentrate on lobbying and debating while
they take care of the conference as a whole.

The Forums of UNISMUN

The International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established by the “Rome Statute”
in 1998 and came into being in 2002. The Court is the only permanent
international judicial body to try individuals for genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes.
Our UNIS MUN ICC simulation expands slightly the remit of the ICC to provide
judges, defense and prosecution teams with the possibility to investigate cases
and hear “eyewitness” testimony from situations occurring prior to 2002.
The General Assembly
The General Assembly (GA) is the largest UN forum. It occupies a central position
as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United
Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique
forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues
covered by the Charter. It is divided in six committees, four of which are presented
at UNISMUN.
First Committee on Disarmament and International Security (GA1)
Deals with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace in the
international community, and seeks solutions to challenges in the international
security regime;
Considers all disarmament/international security matters under the scope of the
Charter of the United Nations or matters relating to the powers and functions of
any other UN organ, and the principles governing disarmament and the regulation
of armaments;
Fosters cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security and
cooperative arrangements and measures aimed at strengthening stability through
lower levels of armaments.
Second Committee on Economic and Financial Issues (GA2):
Deals with issues relating to economic growth and development such as
macroeconomic policy questions (including international trade, international
financial system, debt and commodities), financing for development, sustainable
development, human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization and
interdependence, operational activities for development, and information and
communication technologies for development;
Also considers issues relating to groups of countries in special situations such as
the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
and Small Island Developing States (SIDSs).

Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues (GA3):

Has an agenda items relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human
rights issues that affect peoples all over the world;
Discusses the advancement of women, the protection of children, indigenous
issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through
the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the promotion of the right
to self- determination;
Also addresses important social development questions such as issues related to
youth, family, ageing, and people with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal
justice, and drug control.
Sixth Committee on Legal Issues (GA6):
Primarily focused on dealing with legal matters such as the consideration of
international law or legal matters within the United Nations;
Common agenda items discussed within the committee are the promotion of
justice and international law, accountability and internal United Nations justice
matters, drug control, crime prevention and combating international terrorism.
The Security Council
The Security Council consists of 15 members. There are five permanent members:
People’s Republic of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United
States. There are 10 nonpermanent members elected by the UN General Assembly.
The nonpermanent members are generally chosen to achieve equitable
representation among geographic regions, with five members coming from Africa
or Asia, one from eastern Europe, two from Latin America, and two from western
Europe or other areas. Five of the 10 nonpermanent members are elected each
year by the General Assembly for two-year terms, and five retire each year. The
presidency is held by each member in rotation for a period of one month.
According to the United Nations, the Security Council has the following
responsibilities:
1. Maintenance of international peace and security;
2. Recommends to the parties, when a complaint concerning a threat to peace
occurs, to try to reach agreement by peaceful means;
3. Tries to bring to an end a dispute leading to fighting as soon as possible;
4. May issue cease-fire directives to prevent wider hostilities;
5. Also sends United Nations peace-keeping forces to help reduce tensions in
troubled areas, keep opposing forces apart and create conditions of calm in
which peaceful settlements may be sought;
6. May decide on enforcement measures, economic sanctions (such as trade
embargoes) or collective military action.

The Reform Security Council

Beginning as early as 1963, the United Nations recognized that the structure of its
Security Council was in need of reform given that the original number of UN
Member States rose from 51 in 1945 to 113 by 1963 (now 193).
Since 1963, through a series of Open Ended Working Groups (OEWG),
Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) and General Assembly Resolutions (GARs),
a number of reform models have been discussed and proposed which are designed
to make UN Security Council membership and voting more representative and
fair.
While these OEWG and IGN models and proposals have not yet been approved by
the Security Council and adopted by the General Assembly, they do represent the
state-of-the-art of UN Security Council reform and are therefore worthy of
exploration within the context of UNIS MUN.
Each year, UNIS MUN will also run a Reform Security Council in addition to its
Security Council. The topics and issues will be the same but the structure, size and
nature of voting will be different so we will use our Security Council models to see
if these reforms indeed have an impact on the outcome.
One such model, the G4 Model, adds Brazil, Germany, India and Japan as
permanent voting members, expanding the P5 to the P9 with a “veto override”.
Another model, the Uniting for Consensus Model, keeps the P5 as it is but
increases the number of Security Council seats to 25 (six (6) African seats, five (5)
Asia-Pacific, four (4) Latin American-Caribbean, three (3) Western Europe and
two (2) Eastern Europe).
Another model, the L69 Model, replaces the French and British seats with the
European Union and adds permanent seats for the European Union, African Union,
Organization of American States, Association of South East Asian Nations and Arab
League creating a P7.
Another Model, the Ezulwini Consensus Model, adds Brazil, Germany, India,
Japan and the African Union as permanent members (P10) with a possible “veto-
overturn” of 2/3rds of the permanent members.
Each year, following our UNIS MUN international conference, the UNIS MUN
leadership team will choose one or more reform Security Council models to run in
the next year.
The Historical Security Council
The Historical Security Council is a simulation council that explores issues that
were previously relevant to the Security Council in the past. Some issues may even
pre-date the founding of the United Nations.
The Historical Security Council is the same in procedure as the normal Security
Council, however the countries in rotations and the issues themselves are
separate and come from poignant historical events throughout history.

The issues themselves come within the time frame of after the creation of the
United Nations. The topics which will be debated will be debated as if there has
been no foresight within the conflict and that the issue has not been resolved or
further escalated.
The United Nations Membership Council
The United Nations Membership Council (UNMC) has the authority to hear
applications for aspiring new member states to the United Nations.
Applications to the UNMC may be proposed or submitted by current UN Member
States or by representatives of stateless nations or peoples, occupied territories,
autonomous or semi-autonomous regions or recognized non-governmental
organisations directly to the UNMC.
15 Member States make up the UNMC with no P5 representation.
Approved applications are forwarded to the Security Council or General Assembly
for approval.
The Responsibility to Protect Council
The Responsibility to Protect Council (R2PC) takes decisions on the application of
one or more pillars of the United Nations 2005 Responsibility to Protect Doctrine
in the case of conditions of state fragility, failed states, genocide, war crimes, ethnic
cleansing and/or crimes against humanity.
UN Member States submit resolutions to the R2PC.
15 Member States make up the R2PC with no P5 representation.
Approved applications are forwarded to the Security Council or General Assembly
for approval.
R2PC is presided over by the Office of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General
on the Prevention of Genocide, the Administrator of the United Nations
Development Programme and Under Secretary General for Peace Operations.
The Population Movement Council
The Population Movement Council (PMC) is the central authority for discussing
challenges and opportunities raised by the causes and impacts of small, medium
and large scale population movements due to human and/or natural causes.
Issues handled by PMC include economic & climate-related migration, asylum,
refugees, border management and human trafficking,
PMC is presided over the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, the Director
General of the International Organisation for Migration and the Executive Director
of the UN’s Population Fund.
Sustainable Development Goal Committees
The Secretary General may convene thematic Sustainable Development Goal
Committees (SDGCs) as necessary chaired by relevant Special Representatives.

The Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), under the overall authority of the
General Assembly, coordinates the economic and social work of the United
Nations and the UN family of organizations.
While the Security Council’s primary responsibility is maintaining peace, ECOSOC
focuses on promoting social progress and better standards of living.
As the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and
for formulating policy recommendations, the Council plays a key role in fostering
international cooperation for development. It also consults with non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), thereby maintaining a vital link between the
United Nations and civil society, discussing major economic, social and
humanitarian issues.
The Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council is composed of 47 countries. The Council is responsible
for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
It has defined the Human Rights as rights inherent to all human beings, whatever
the nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion,
language, or any other status.
The Environment Assembly and Governing Council
The Environment Assembly and Governing Council, through addressing the
critical environmental challenges facing the world today, is the world’s highest-
level decision-making body on the environment. The work done by the members
of the Environmental Assembly and Governing Council is crucial to the progress
towards the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030.
The Special Committee on Information Technology
The Special Committee on Information Technology and Electronic Media (SCIT)
addresses issues related to the promotion and regulation of transnational
technology and media, economic rights including equal access, human rights
protections including privacy, fairness and codes of conduct.
The Special Thematic Council
At UNISMUN, the Special Thematic Council is the forum most connected to the
theme of the entire UNISMUN conference that year and will often times contain
some of the most contemporary issues facing humanity.
The source of inspiration for the theme of the conference usually comes from the
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, established and adopted by all
United Nations member states in 2015.
The theme of the UNIS MUN International Conference and the Special Council are
chosen by the UNIS MUN Leadership Team in cooperation with participants in the
UNIS MUN International Conference through the Planning Mechanism.

How to be a Good Delegate

General Behaviour of a Delegate
UNISMUN is a simulation of the United Nations Organization, therefore you are, as
a student, considered to behave like a diplomat of the country you represent. In
addition, you are a representative of your own school. This double representation
implies that you must behave at any times as properly as possible inside the
Conference Centre during the conference itself and, outside (public
transportation, streets, shops, cafés and other public places).
Dress Code
All Participants at the MUN Conference at UNIS are expected to dress
appropriately. The dress code can
be phrased as “Business”,
“Formal” or “Smart” attire.
Male participants will wear long
sleeve dress shirts, tie, trousers,
jackets and dress shoes, black or
brown preferred. [No running
shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc.] All
male participants will be required
to wear their jackets when Proper male dress attire and shoes
speaking.
Female participants will wear a

dress, or skirt / trousers with a
dress shirt and dress shoes /
sandals.
Female participants are not

required to wear a jack while
speaking.
Modest and diplomatically

appropriate is the key. Nothing one
Proper female dress attire and shoes can see up, through or down while
standing or sitting.

Researching Your Country and Issues

There are two fields of research that you have to focus on when preparing for any
MUN conference. First you need to learn about the country you represent and
then there are the issues on the agenda.
You can find extensive resources for both on the UNIS MUN LibGuide. Please
access and use this resource regularly.
As new resources emerge and older ones are no longer available, please inform
your Country Delegation Ambassador
How to Research a Country

When researching your country you have several options. One of them is trying to
contact its Embassy in your country. You will find that some Embassies are
cooperative and others will be less so. You will just have to try.
Another option is to use the Internet. A widely used website for this is the CIA
World Factbook (www.cia.gov). Choose the country you represent and you will
find the information you need.
If you need a guideline on what you need to know about your country you can
refer to the Council on Foreign Relations (https://www.cfr.org/). This is a very
useful site, by the way, in preparing for many aspects of a conference. Alternatively
you might try individual countries’ websites.
How to Research an Issue

The issues on the agenda of a UNISMUN conference are taken from the UN
website. Hence going to this website and typing in the issue on the agenda into its
search engine will be a good way to start your research on these issues.
Member states have websites for their Permanent Missions at the UN that can
also be useful if you want to learn about the views of your country on a given issue.
You can also try its Embassy in your country, but cooperation may again vary.
In addition, the UNISMUN website contains a lot of useful links with regards to
research. It has discussion forums where you can do a pre-conference exchange of
views with your fellow delegates and maybe also do some online lobbying.

Useful Websites
Name Link
United Nations https://www.un.org/en
Permanent Missions to the UN https://www.un.int/
UNHCR’s RefWorld https://www.refworld.org/
Country Profiles at IMUNA https://imuna.org/
The Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/
The European Council on Foreign https://www.ecfr.eu/

Relations
CIA World Fact Book https://www.cia.gov
The Diplomat (magazine) https://thediplomat.com/
Embassies Worldwide http://www.embassyworld.com
The Economist http://www.economist.com
Vice News https://www.vice.com/en_us/section/news

International Debate Education http://www.idebate.org/index.php

Association
Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/
CNN http://www.cnn.com
BBC World http://www.bbcworld.com
International Crisis Group http://www.crisisgroup.org
MUN Resolution Writing Tips https://outreach.un.org/mun/content/drafting-

resolutions
https://bestdelegate.com/mun-research-made-
Best Delegate Tips easy-15-things-every-delegate-should-have-in-
their-research-binder/

Country Research Profile (adapted from TASMUN)
Country
overview, the
basics
People:
a. Population
b. Languages
c. Religion
d. Political system
e. Education
f. Status of women
g. Significant
demographics (literacy
rate, unemployment,
life expectancy, birth
rate/infant mortality
Geography and
Location:
a. Weather
b. Access to waterways
c. Bordering countries
(look at map)
d. Main
power/influence in the
region
e. Resources
Economics:
a. What's the economy
like?
b. Main export
c. Income per capita
d. Problems, growth
e. Inequality
f. GDP per capita/PPP
g. HDI ranking
h. Currency(ies) used
Politics (domestic):
a. Name of Head of
State (President,
monarch…)
b. Name of Head of
Government (Prime
Minister
c. What does the flag
look like and what do

the symbols and colors

represent?
d. How big is the
parliament and what is
it called?
e. Influences on
government
f. Leader of the country
g. political system
inspired in….
h. Internal Conflicts
Politics (international):
a. Your country is a
member of....
b. BLOC?
c. Sympathies,
frenemies and foes
d. Clear allies
e. Clear enemies
f. Conflicts with other
countries
g. Fragile State ranking
Organizations:
Your country holds
seats in which UN
forums/organizations?
Which Regional
organizations?
History and relevant

events in the history of
the country
Interests of your
country in relation with
the issues in the
conference
Roles in the UN,

present and past

Writing a Policy Statement

What is a Policy Statement?
In preparation of an MUN conference, you should write a policy statement. This is
a document that briefly and clearly explains the policies of your
country/organization with respect to the issues dealt with at the conference.
There are two important reasons for drawing up this document:
On the one hand, it forces you to focus on the exact points of view of your
country/organization;
On the other hand, it serves as a reference document to your delegation members

and committee members during the conference.
Note that you will not be asked to read your policy statements aloud, they serve
as reminders of your country’s stance on the issues for you, a basis for writing
your opening speech (which you will be reading aloud), and a tool for aiding you
in the lobbying process.
What Does a Policy Statement Consist of?

In order to produce a useful policy statement, you ought to carry out thorough
research. You should also bear in mind that a policy statement consists of five
parts in which you:
1. Explain and define the issue and its most important terms;
2. Provide a short summary of recent international action related to the issue;
3. Refer to key documents that relate to the issue;
4. State the country’s general position on the issue;
5. Make suggestions of your own that are in line with your country’s policies to
provide a solution to the issue.
Make sure your policy statement does not exceed 300 words.
To sum up, the policy statement sets out to answer three basic questions:
1. What is the background to your country’s point of view on the issue?
2. What is your country’s current position on the issue?

3. What does it hope to achieve in relation to the issue?
Additionally, you might add strength to your position by answering the following
question:
4. What have other member states that share my country’s view done in this area?
You can carry out most of your research online, but it might also be an excellent
idea to contact the embassy of the country you are representing in order to ask
politely if they are willing to comment on the accuracy of your policy statement.
Things to Remember About a Policy Statement

In a sense, the brevity and clarity of your policy statement shows how well you
have prepared for the conference. Make sure that you read out your policy
statement to your fellow-delegates at several stages of your research.
You will be surprised to find how many things that are clear to you as an expert
on an issue are hard to understand for those who have not carried out your
research.
Your fellow-delegates’ questions and comments will lead to a clearer document

that will be an excellent starting-point for your lobbying, resolutions and opening
speech.

Sample Policy Statement
DELEGATION: Brazil
DISARMAMENT COMMISSION
QUESTION OF: Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass

destruction Brazil fervently supports measures to support the Weapons of Mass
Destruction Branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs in its attempts to prevent
terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD), as Brazil firmly
believes such efforts are necessary to combat the global threat of terrorism.
Brazil endorses the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit, adopted 13
September 2005, which condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and
strives to set up an international system that strictly monitors the transfer of materials
that may be used to produce WMD.
Brazil, one of the driving forces behind the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco, which turned
Latin America into the world’s first nuclear-free zone, applauds the recent efforts made
by the Members of the UN to free the world of any type of WMD. We feel especially
responsible as our nation commands huge uranium resources.
We view with satisfaction the recent efforts of Member States to prevent the use of
WMD by terrorists. However, Brazil expresses its deepest regret that, in spite of recent
efforts to combat the acquisition of WMD by terrorist groups, some countries have
refused to abide by the will of the international community.
It is our deepest interest to ensure a world untroubled by the transfer of WMD and
materials that can be used in the production of any such weapons. Brazil is therefore
eager to work with any and all partners to help develop an international convention
designed to achieve this goal.

Writing a Resolution
What is a Resolution?
Before an MUN Conference, you write one or two draft resolutions. The issues of
the resolutions can be found in the agenda of the conference. With a draft
resolution in your hand, you will participate actively during the debates.
A resolution is initially a formal statement of a proposal to a UN Council,

Committee or Commission. It consists of one long, but coherent, sentence
divided into clauses and sub-clauses. A resolution should not represent the
position of one country but rather of a majority of the UN member states.
A resolution is divided into the pre-ambulatory clauses and the operative clauses.
Generally, for a well-organized and coherent draft resolution, one (1) pre-
ambulatory clause should be relevant to two (2) operative clauses.
How to Write a Resolution

The language of a UN resolution is very formal, diplomatic and somewhat
legalistic. You must understand the parts of a resolution described below in order
to draft a good resolution.
What is the preamble?
The preamble is the introduction of the resolution. It contains the background and
the argumentation to the issue you have chosen.
How to write the pre-ambulatory clauses
You will write your references to former UN resolutions, ratified conventions,

and/or declarations.
You will provide official figures, the most recent ones possible, to illustrate the
issue.
You will congratulate countries and/or organizations (i.e. UN organizations,

NGOs) which have worked on the issue.
You will emphasize the difficulties that have been encountered in the past.
You will need to begin the pre-ambulatory clauses with a present or a past
participle or an adjective. See the following list:

PREAMBULATORY PHRASES
Acknowledging Expecting Noting with

Affirming Expressing its appreciation
Alarmed by appreciation Noting with approval
Approving Expressing its Noting with deep
Aware of satisfaction concern
Believing Fulfilling Noting with regret
Bearing in mind Fully alarmed Noting with satisfaction
Confident Fully aware Observing
Congratulating Fully believing Pointing out
Convinced Further deploring Reaffirming
Declaring Further recalling Realizing
Deeply concerned Guided by Recalling
Deeply conscious Having adopted Recognizing
Deeply disturbed Having considered Referring
Deeply regretting Having devoted Reminding
attention Seeking
Deploring
Having examined Taking into account
Desiring
Having received Taking into
Emphasizing
Having studied consideration
Keeping in mind Viewing with
Noting further appreciation
Welcoming
Pre-ambulatory phrases cannot be repeated.
E.g. Instead of using “Acknowledging” twice, using “Acknowledging” and “Further

Acknowledging”.
The operative clauses contain the policy statements of the body making the
resolution. The clauses should be clear and unambiguous. They present by order
of importance what the UN should do or what attitude it should adopt.

How to write the operative clauses
This question is the most difficult one. You must ensure that your proposals are
actually workable and that they fully reflect the existing policies of the country or
agency that you represent. You encourage, and/or invite countries to sign/ratify a
convention/declaration.
You may propose, welcome or deplore all new situations.
You may support, congratulate or refuse new proposals.
You may confirm, regret what it is already existing.
You have to begin the operative clauses with verbs in the third person singular of
the Present Tense. See the following list.
OPERATIVE PHRASES
Accepts Designates Regrets
Affirms Encourages Requests
Approves Endorses Resolves
Asks Expresses its Seeks
Authorizes satisfaction Strongly affirms
Calls for Expresses its hope Strongly urges
Calls upon Further recommends Suggests
Congratulates Hopes Supports
Confirms Invites Trusts
Declares accordingly Proclaims Transmits
Deplores Proposes
Recommends
Operative phrases cannot be repeated.
E.g. Instead of using “Accepts” twice, using “Accepts” and “Further Accepts”.
Rather than just borrowing/copying clauses from UN resolutions or resolutions

from previous conferences, you will be in a much better position to defend and
debate during the conference if you write your own resolution from scratch.

How to Present a Resolution

The heading, which appears on each page, must state specific information:
FORUM: you write down the forum you belong to.
QUESTION OF: you copy the issue of the resolution.
SUBMITTED BY: you write down the name of your delegation country
The opening verb of each clause is underlined.
There is a line-space between each clause.
The lines of the resolution are NOT numbered.
Each operative clause IS numbered.
The sub-clauses begin with a), b), c), etc.; sub-sub-clauses begin with i), ii), iii), etc.
Acronyms and abbreviation are written out in full the first time they are used.
Each pre-ambulatory clause is followed by a comma.
Each operative clause is followed by a semicolon.
There is only one full stop, that is, at the END of the resolution.
Do make sure that you not only take a number of hard copies of your draft
resolution but also an electronic version (e.g. USB, flash disk, iPad, etc.)
You should have enough copies to distribute to other members of your forum
during the lobbying process.

A Sample Resolution
FORUM: GENERAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION OF: Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula
SUBMITTED BY: ____________________________________________________
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 55/11 of 31 October 2000, in which it welcomed and

supported the inter-Korean summit and the joint declaration adopted on 15 June
2000 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the
Republic of Korea,
Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations
regarding the maintenance of international peace and security,
Convinced that inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation are essential for

consolidating peace and security on the Korean peninsula and also contribute to
peace and stability in the region and beyond, inconformity with the purposes and
principles of the Charter,
Recognizing that the summit held in Pyongyang from 2 to 4 October 2007 between
the two leaders and their Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean
Relations, Peace and Prosperity represent a major milestone in improving inter-
Korean relations,
Further Recalling the statements welcoming the inter-Korean summit made on 1

October 2007 by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly,
and recalling also the statement welcoming the adoption of the Declaration made
on 4 October 2007 by the Secretary-General,
1. Welcomes and supports the inter-Korean summit held from 2 to 4 October 2007
and the Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean Relations, Peace
and Prosperity adopted on 4 October 2007 by the two leaders of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea;
2. Encourages the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of

Korea to implement the Declaration fully and in good faith, thereby consolidating
peace on the Korean peninsula and laying a solid foundation for peaceful
reunification;
3. Invites Member States to continue to support and assist, as appropriate, the

process of inter-Korean dialogue, reconciliation and reunification so that it may
contribute to peace and security not only on the Korean peninsula but also in
north-east Asia and the world as a whole.

Procedure of Amendments
Amendments: When wanting to make an amendment to a resolution please
request for an amendment paper from the Admin staff and filling in the required
information. Once that is done please submit your amendment to the chair via the
Admin staff and wait for it to be approved. Once it is approved, you will receive
your note back and only then can you request your amendment to be debated.
Please note that UNISMUN DOES NOT entertain amendments to the third degree.
Amendment Procedure Overview:
1. Delegate asks the admin for an amendment paper and writes down the
amendment.
2. The amendment proposed by the delegate is then sent to the chair.
3. If the chair approves, the chair will send back the amendment paper with a
sign of approval. If chair does not approve (due to time constraints, repeated
amendment, not enough details, lacking benefits), the chair will send the
delegate a note saying the amendment is denied.
4. If approved, the submitter of amendment raises the placard when floor is once
again open.
5. Chair recognizes the submitter and the delegate obtains the floor.
6. The chair reads out the amendment, so the entire house understands the
proposed amendment.
7. Submitter of amendment delivers a speech on his amendment.
8. Points of information if the delegate is open to them and if there are any in the
house.
9. Chair sets debate time for, against, and as a whole (closed debate).
10. New speaker that goes for the amendment delivers speech and receives points
of information.
11. When time for the amendment elapses, time against the amendment begins.
12. New speaker that goes against the amendment has the floor, delivers speech
and receives points of information.
13. Amendment to the second degree is allowed. One of the delegates may submit
an amendment to the second degree. If chair approves, the submitter obtains
the floor and delivers speech.
14. Time for or against the amendment opens. Delegates debate.
15. Voting procedures on amendment to second degree.
16. Returns to original amendment. When the amendment to the second degree
passes, chairs make the necessary change.
17. When time against has elapsed, time as a whole begins unless the chair decides
otherwise.
18. Both delegates in favor of the amendment and delegates against the
amendment may approach the podium and deliver speeches.
19. When time as a whole elapses, the house will move into voting procedures.
20. The house votes on the amendment and resumes open debate on the
resolution. When the amendment passes, the house and the chairs will make
necessary changes on the resolution.

How to Write an Opening Speech

What is it?
Before lobbying in UNISMUN, every delegate will be required to do an opening
speech. The speeches will go in alphabetical order of countries name.
An opening speech, should last 1 minute. In this minute, you should address very
clearly to the audience the position of the country you represent on the primary
concerns about the state of the world.
The Opening Speech is not the same as your Policy Statements, you are required
to summarize your four Policy Statements into a concise Opening Speech.
What Are the Different Parts of an Opening Speech?

There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for an opening speech:
1. First of all, there is the beginning of the speech. It is customary to address the
chairs of the GA and the delegates present by starting your speech, saying
something like: ‘Honourable Chairs, Distinguished Delegates’
2. And then go on to the main body of your speech.
3. The main body of your speech should address the issue on the agenda your
Delegation feels most strongly about. Some delegates think that this part of the
speech should be funny and entertaining. This is not what the speech is about at
all. Keep it diplomatic and concentrate on getting one single message across.
It is standard practice to end the speech with a flourish such as: ‘Thank you, Chairs’.
How to Deliver an Opening Speech?

When speaking to the GA at UNISMUN, you can be easily in awe of the number of
people you are facing. You will be nervous. The best way to overcome this is by
practicing the delivery of your speech in your school and having your MUN
Director present and also maybe your fellow delegates. Ask them what they think
about your speech and adjust it if you think it needs that.
You should open your speech with a strong sentence to gain audience attention.
Also, when delivering your speech, you must remember to speak slowly and
clearly. As a rule of thumb, you are speaking slowly enough when you think to
yourself: ‘I am speaking too slowly now.’ Have the speech timed and see that it does

not exceed the time allotted to you. If necessary, the President will remind you
that your time is almost up by saying: ‘Will the Delegate please come to His closing
remarks’. If you hear this said to you, please act accordingly.
With regards to vocabulary and use of English, if you are a native speaker, bear in
mind that there will be non-native speakers in your audience. If you are a non-
native speaker, do not worry about making mistakes. You will not be the only one
to make them.
Summing up, an opening speech consists of an opening flourish, a main body that
drives home one point only and a closing flourish.
A Sample Opening Speech
DELEGATION: France
Honorable Chairs, Distinguished Delegates,
France recognizes the need for multilateral efforts to achieve a greater balance in terms
of development between the nations in the world. However, France also believes that
any hope of achieving an acceptable economic balance in terms of global standards of
living must take into consideration the environmental impact of such efforts.
France applauds the recent changes in tone apparent in the North-South dialogue and
calls for greater attention to be paid to the interrelatedness of development planning
and environmental security. Environmental threats from industrialization must be
eliminated from development planning. This is why France stands firmly behind the
idea that aid and investment should occur at the local level, where traditional
knowledge about the environment can play an important role in the development.
Thank you, Chairs.

What Is Lobbying
This is probably the most important yet baffling part of the conference. The key to
successful lobbying is to be pro-active, which means taking active steps to present
and discuss your proposals. Keep an eye on the fact that the aim is to negotiate in
order to reach consensus.
Before the start of the formal conference you informally try to gain the interest
and support of other delegates for their draft resolution. As a basis for a draft
resolution, a well-researched and well-written policy statement can be used.
You may find other delegates with a similar resolution and decide to merge the
two, making the resolution stronger and more likely to succeed in debate. This is
the time for delegates to air their views. Allies need to be found to support the
draft resolution. Sometimes a delegate might abandon his/her own resolution in
favor of another, better one.
Your draft resolution should not be longer than two A4 pages, and be clearly
expressed in the official format. It forms the basis for discussion and you should
expect your resolutions to be merged with others as long as national interests and
security are not undermined. You should create resolutions that are
representative of the policies of specific interest groups and that make realistic
recommendations for actions to be taken in dealing with the issues.
The Chairs should coordinate the work of the delegates in the lobbying process to
prevent unrealistic or illogical resolutions being produced. This is the time when
you will try to obtain sufficient co-submitters to register your resolution.
Generally, time spent on lobbying usually results in a stronger resolution.

Rules of Procedure
Definition of keywords
The chair: The chairman or chairperson is the one conducting the debate and
maintaining order while remaining totally impartial.
The House: All the members of the forum except the chairman.
The submitter: The person who is proposing the motion in the form of a draft
resolution for debate.
The motion: The proposal for debate, which will eventually be voted upon.
To have the floor: To have been given the right to speak in debate before the
House.
To yield the floor: To give up one’s right to the floor either finally or temporally
for a point of information to be asked.
Motion to Divide the House: If you would like your vote to be reconducted
without abstentions you will be allowed to raise a motion to divide the house after
votes have been counted. Please be aware that ONLY the main submitter is
allowed to raise this motion. This will only be entertained when there is no
decisive vote.
Motion to Move to Previous Question: If you feel the

clause/resolution/amendment has been debated enough and wish to move to
voting procedure you can raise this motion when asked. In closed debate and
amendments, this motion will allow to switch to time against if the house is
currently debating for the amendment. This will require seconds before being
approved by the chairs.
Motion to Extend Debate Time: If you wish for more time to debate on this topic
please raise this motion at the point where the chair announces time has elapsed.
This will require seconds and is at the discretion of the chairs.
Motion to Withdraw Resolution: If the main submitters and all co submitters

agree to withdraw the resolution, it will not be debated and will be fixed before
being debated again.
Points you can raise:

When you raise a point, you can call out the point you wish to raise and wait for
the chair to call upon you before rising and stating your point. Please note that
points CAN NOT interrupt a speaker with the exception of Point of Personal
Privilege - Audibility.

Point of Parliamentary Enquiry: Raise this point when you want to ask a
question to the chair regarding procedure.
Point of Personal Privilege: Raise this point when you wish to adjust the
temperature of the room or want to the speaker to speak more loudly, otherwise
points related to your personal comfort. Audibility is the only point that can be
raised which can interrupt the speaker.
Point of Information to the Speaker: You can only raise this point when the
speaker has opened him/herself to a point of information. Points of Information
must be in question form and will not be entertained if formatted otherwise.
Follow-ups: If you wish to ask a follow up question, you will request a

follow up from the chair. If the request is granted, you may ask your follow-
up question. Depending on circumstances such as time or if the chair feels
there is no need for a follow up, the chair may deny your request. UNISMUN
DOES NOT entertain follow ups to the second degree.
Point of Order: When you feel there has been an error in the way the way
procedure has been carried out by the chair please use this point. However, this is
highly discouraged and delegates are encouraged to use Point of Information to
the chair for the same purpose.
Point of Information to the Chair: Raise this point when you want the chair to
clarify an issue or make a statement with questions not regarding Points of
Personal Privilege or Points of Parliamentary Enquiry.
Any other motions or points not explicitly stated above will not be entertained by
the chairs.

Procedure
UNISMUN follows the THIMUN model for MUN with some slight differences.
Please note them below.
General Flow of Debate:
1. Chairs call the house to order
2. Roll Call
3. Opening speeches will be delivered by all delegates in the house
4. Lobbying and Merging Resolutions
5. Main submitters process resolutions in approval panel and get draft
resolutions approved
6. The chairs choose one of the approved resolutions to be debated, and the
resolution is introduced
7. Main Submitter reads out the resolution excluding sub clauses and
preambulatory clauses
8. Main Submitter is asked to make a speech on the document
9. Open debate on the resolution
10. Amendments can be introduced
a. Debate on amendments are closed and time will be allocated for
arguments for and against the amendment
11. Resolution is voted on.
Voting: Once time for debate has elapsed or if a motion to move to the previous
question passes, voting procedure will begin. Delegates are allowed one vote each
either voting for, against or abstaining with the exception of motion to divide the
house, in which case the option for abstention is removed. If there are any
discrepancies in the counting of the vote such as insufficient votes, then the chair
will conduct a revote. Please note during this time, note passing will be suspended
and doors will be locked.
Note-Passing: At your seat you will have note-cards available for you to use.
Please make clear the recipient and the sender in the relevant fields. Once you are
ready, raise your note high to be picked up by Admin staff who will deliver the
note to the recipient. Please keep in mind that note-passing is the ONLY method
of communication during debate time. Admin staff are allowed to read your notes
and will discard them if they contain messages irrelevant to the debate.
Yielding: Once your speech has concluded and you will be asked to “yield the floor
back to the chair or to another delegate”. If you choose to yield the floor back to
the chair, you will return to your seat and open or closed debate will continue. If
you wish to yield to another delegate, you will state the name of the delegation
you are yielding to. The delegate you yield to will only speak if he accepts the yield,
otherwise you will be asked to yield the floor back to the chair. UNISMUN DOES
NOT entertain yielding to the second degree.

Security Council/Reform/Historical Security Council Procedure

Please note the following guidelines are specific to the Security Council, Reform
Security Council and Historical Security Council only.
Voting Requirements
Security Council resolutions are legally binding and therefore require a
supermajority of votes to pass. For clauses and resolutions, a minimum of 9 votes
for is required under any circumstance. If a resolution or clause fails to reach 9
votes for, the resolution or clause will fail. If there are delegates missing, a 2/3rd
majority is required to pass.
Amendments
For Security Council, delegations are allowed to abstain during voting for
amendments. Please note that Amendments only require a SIMPLE MAJORITY to
pass, including amendments to introduce a new clause. If a P5 member votes
against the amendment, it is considered a VETO.
VETO Powers
The Council will only entertain the use of one VETO per resolution by any country.
If one country uses their VETO powers in a resolution, no other countries will be
allowed to use it for the remainder of the time discussing the resolution. Prior to
using a VETO, a P5 nation must submit a VETO threat to a chair through note or
verbally with justification. Once the VETO threat has been received, the chair will
entertain a moderated P5 caucus to discuss the VETO. If the chairs are not given
forewarning, the VETO will not be recognized. Please be aware that only the
Permanent 5 members have VETO powers.
Flow of Debate
Instead of discussing the solution as a whole, the council will debate clause by
clause. At the end, the preambulatory clauses will be voted upon clause by clause
without debate before the entire resolution is voted upon as a whole.
Motion for Moderated/Unmoderated Caucus
Raise this motion for when you wish to speak about issues in your seats with
supervision (Moderated) or freely move around without supervision
(Unmoderated) but does not need to follow standard procedure.
Motion for P5 Caucus
Only members of the P5 Members can raise this motion where the P5 members
will leave the room with a chair and discuss matters in private.
Reform Security Councils
Modified versions of the above mentioned procedures will be in place for the
Reform Security Council depending on the model(s) being used.

Last Day of UNIS MUN

The final day of UNIS MUN is a busy one. The GA will meet in a General Plenary
Session whereas the other Councils will continue debate. We will all meet together
in the Closing Session.
General Assembly Plenary Session
GA1, GA2, GA3 and GA6 will meet in the closing General Assembly Plenary Session
which takes place on the last day of the conference.
One or two significant resolutions from each GA are selected by the chairs in the
corresponding committee and are debated in the plenary session.
Main submitters need to approach the podium and make speeches when their
resolutions are being debated.
Different delegates that represent the same country are considered as one
delegation.
When voting, individual delegates’ votes are not taken into account. Instead, their
representing country’s vote is taken into account.
Other Councils
ECOSOC, HRC, Special Thematic Council, Environment Assembly and Governing
Council, Security Council, Reform Security Council and Historical Security Council
will all continue to debate resolutions and amendments up to the UNIS MUN
Closing Session.
ICC
ICC will continue until deliberations up to the UNIS MUN Closing Session.
Presiding judges will announce the decision of the ICC at the Closing Session.
Closing Session
The closing session brings together all Delegates, Chairs, Presidents, Admin and
MUN Directors.
Chairs and Presidents are expected to present a two minute overview of the
experiences, highlights and successes of their committee or council.
Chairs and Presidents should identify outstanding delegates in the following
areas:
Most Adept Researcher for the delegate who arrives at UNIS MUN already with a
comprehensive, accurate, well-researched and professional draft Resolution;
Most Inclusive Lobbyist for the delegate who reached out to create a broad
coalition of co-sponsors including those opposed to a resolution;
Most Committed Drafter and Merger for the delegate who invested the time in
making sure that even the minutest of details are accurate and included;

Most Informed Debater for the delegate whose command of the content of the
topic clearly demonstrated additional research;
Most Diplomatic Delegate for the delegate who maintained a proper diplomatic
stance throughout the conference both in and outside of committee;
Most Consistent Delegate for the delegate whose lobbying, merging, debate,
points of information and amendments was authentic and consistently reflected
the actual position of their country;
Keeping It Real for the delegate whose points of information appropriately,
diplomatically and effectively challenged a speaker on specific inaccuracies,
inconsistencies and/or falsehoods;
Most Significant Amender for the delegate whose amendments really enhanced
the resolution being debated;
Growth and Development for the delegate who was perhaps shy and reticent at
the start but who grew into their role.
Any other superlatives may be considered.
The Head of UNS MUN Admin is expected to address the closing session with a
series of superlatives and commendations for members of their staff.
It is expected that the UNIS MUN Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and
other UNIS MUN Officers address the closing session with any recognitions.
Please respect the procedure and enjoy your time at UNISMUN. Be confident
and show your council what you can do. For general code of conduct and
student behavior, refer to this handbook.

Helpful Phrases and Modes of Address for Delegates, Chairs and Presidents
1. Speakers need to address each other in the Third Person at all times. Always
“honorable speaker” or “fellow delegates”, never “You” or “I”.
2. Delegates should stand when speaking and should not sit down until after the
speaker has finished answering the delegate’s question.
3. Delegates must avoid the use of insulting or abusive language.
4. Delegates should address the chair and the House before presenting their
speech. Example: “Honorable Chair, fellow delegates…”
Phrases to be used by Delegates
- “Mr./Madam Chairman…”.
- “The delegate of … requests the floor” or “wishes the floor”.
- “The delegate of … would like to rise a point of information/ point of order”.
- “The delegate of … wishes to speak in favour of/against this

motion/resolution/amendment because…”.
- “Is the chair /the speaker (not) aware that…”.
- “Does the speaker (not) agree with me that…”.
- “The speaker stated in his/her speech… Doe he/she (not) realize that…”
- “The delegate of … moves to amend the resolution by striking/inserting/adding the

words…”.
- “The delegate of … urges the House to give its support by voting for/against this
motion/resolution/amendment”.
Phrases to be used by Chairs and Presidents
- “The House will come to order” or “Will the house please come to order”.
- “The chair calls upon the delegate of … (the submitter) to read the resolution to the
House”.
- “The House has heard the resolution. Is there a second?”.
- “The chair fixes a debate time of 10 minutes for and 10 minutes against the motion”.
- “The delegate of … has the floor”.
- “All points are out of order until the speaker has concluded his/her speech”.

- “The chair recognizes the delegate of…”.
- “To what point does the delegate of … rise?”.
- “Please rise and state you point of information/point of order”.
- “Will you please state your point in a form of a question”.
- “The speaker appears not to have heard/understood your question”.
- “Will you please repeat/rephrase your question”.
- “Are there any further points on the floor?”.
- “Are there any further points of information to this speaker?”.
- “There is a point of order on the floor. Please rise and state your point”.
- “Your point is (not) well taken”.
- “Will the speaker please make his/her concluding remarks”.
- “Debate time for/against the resolution/the amendment has been exhausted/has

expired. Will the speaker please yield the floor”.
- “The chair proposes an extension of debate time by 5 minutes for and 5 minutes
against the motion”.
- “The debate is now closed. We will moved into voting procedures”.
- “All points are out of order”.
- “The motion will now be put to the vote”.
- “Will all those in favour of the resolution/the amendment, please raise their
placards”.
- “Will all those opposed to against/against the resolution, please raise their
placards”.
- “Will all those abstaining, please raise their placards”.
- “The motion/the resolution/the amendment has passed by…”.
- “The motion/the resolution/the amendment has failed by…”.
- “With x votes in favor, y votes against and z votes abstaining, the motion/the
resolution/the amendment has passed/failed”.
- “Clapping is (not) in order”.

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United Nations International School Model United Nations Delegate Manual

UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL

UNISMUN VI, March 2014

Adapted from the THIMUN student officer’s manual (THIMUN

UNISMUN Delegate Manual www.mun.unishanoi.org 1

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 2

Useful Websites ......................................................................................................................................... 16

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 3

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 4

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 5

The Students’ Roles at UNIS MUN

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 6

UNIS MUN Chairs and Presidents

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 7

3. Professional presentation and committee management: Able to give clear

Student as Administrative Staff (Admin)

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 8

The Forums of UNISMUN

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 9

Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues (GA3):

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 10

The Reform Security Council

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 11

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 12

The Economic and Social Council

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 13

How to be a Good Delegate

Female participants will wear a

Female participants are not

Modest and diplomatically

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 14

Researching Your Country and Issues

How to Research a Country

How to Research an Issue

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 15

United Nations https://www.un.org/en

Permanent Missions to the UN https://www.un.int/

UNHCR’s RefWorld https://www.refworld.org/

Country Profiles at IMUNA https://imuna.org/

The Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/

The European Council on Foreign https://www.ecfr.eu/

CIA World Fact Book https://www.cia.gov

The Diplomat (magazine) https://thediplomat.com/

Embassies Worldwide http://www.embassyworld.com

The Economist http://www.economist.com

Vice News https://www.vice.com/en_us/section/news

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 16

International Debate Education http://www.idebate.org/index.php

BBC World http://www.bbcworld.com

International Crisis Group http://www.crisisgroup.org

MUN Resolution Writing Tips https://outreach.un.org/mun/content/drafting-

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 17

Country Research Profile (adapted from TASMUN)

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 18

the symbols and colors

History and relevant

Roles in the UN,

UNISMUN Delegate Manual 19

Writing a Policy Statement