Information for New Delegates
- Each resolution is a single sentence with the perambulatory clauses being separated by commas and the operative clauses by semi-colon
- The perambulatory clauses present the argument and justification for action.
- The operative clauses state the policy. Each operative clause deals with one idea only. The operative clauses should follow a logical sequence.
- This is a group of teachers who will check spelling, punctuation and layout.
- If it is approved then your resolution will be discussed in committee.
- If it is not approved then make the necessary corrections and resubmit it.
How the St Andrew’s MUN works
When you attend SAIMUN you will be part of a delegation of 4 to 6 delegates representing one of the 192 countries presently in the UN. It will be your job to represent your country as effectively as you can. To do this you will need to have as much information about your country as possible.
The leader of your delegation is known as the Ambassador.
Each delegate should choose one area of specialisation and should argue the country’s case in one of a number of Committees or Councils. These will consist of groups of delegates [one from each country] who all specialise in the same area.
SAIMUN has the following committees:
Political 1
Political II
Human Rights
Health and Youth
Disarmament
Ecology and Environment
Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC)
Security Council (only for those countries who are members)
(Each of these committees will discuss two or three different issues which you will need to research in advance)
Once a Committee has discussed an issue and passed a resolution the next stage is to try to have the resolution passed in the General Assembly.
A delegation which authentically represents its country’s views and which has delegates who show in-depth knowledge of their chosen area of specialisation is set to do well at SAIMUN.
Preparing to be a delegate
a. Researching your country
Once you have been allocated a country your first task will be to find out as much information about this country as you can. You will need to know the following:
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Politics of the Country: |
Are you a democracy or a dictatorship? Who is your leader? Are you an ex-colony? Which world powers are you friendly with?
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Natural Resources: |
Do you have any? Are you in a trade agreement with other countries?
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Culture: |
What ethnic groups live in your country? What religions are practised?
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Economy: |
Are you wealthy or poor? Are you in debt? What are the reasons for this? Are you in a group with other countries in your part of the world?
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World Politics: |
Are you noted for your views on any world issue?
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The UN: |
What is your record in the UN?
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You should be able to look up information about your country in any good encyclopaedia, reference book, and, increasingly, the Internet. Go to the school library or sit at your computer and dig for information. Consult with experienced MUN people from your school who have attended other conferences or indeed SAIMUN! Another place to ask for information is the country’s embassy or consulate. Visit or write to them. Discuss your country with others. Do your parents have information that might be useful? The more sources you consult [formal and informal] the better informed you will be.
b. Writing a Resolution
When your delegation has some information about the country you represent the next task will be to research your specialised area. Each delegate chooses one and should be an expert in their field. For example, if your country is Cape Verde you may decide to be Cape Verde’s delegate in the Human Rights Committee. If so then you should be an expert on Human Rights. Look up the issues your committee will be discussing.
**Find out as much information about these issues as possible.**
To do this you will need to: watch the news, read the world news section of the papers, ask experts who may have information on these issues (e.g. Amnesty International, Greenpeace, political parties, teachers etc.) and discuss these issues with friends and parents.
Now that you have your information you can write your resolution!
A resolution is a statement of your ideas for the solution to a problem or how an issue should be tackled by the United Nations. But remember, you are a representative of your country and you must put forward the appropriate views.
A resolution must also be typed in the correct format. For example, here is a resolution which the Human Rights delegate for Cape Verde brought to a recent MUN.
A delegation which authentically represents its country’s views and which has delegates who show in-depth knowledge of their chosen area of specialisation is set to do well at SAIMUN.
If a resolution is passed it becomes the official policy of the committee. Now that you know your country well, are an expert in your field, and have written your resolution, you are set to attend the conference!!
At the Conferenece
a. Lobbying at the Conference
Day one of SAIMUN is a day for meeting delegates representing other countries and talking informally to them. Your aim must be to gather support for your resolution. You may decide to add or drop a clause to make it better or to obtain the support of a country. You may decide to merge your resolution. If you do either of these then you will become a co-submitter of the new resolution.
There are no committee meetings during day one. The talking and negotiating is done in the lobby, hence the term “Lobbying”. Lobbying is a vital part of any MUN and you will find that the rest of the week will hinge upon it.
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REMEMBER! |
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Once you have attained support for your resolution and adjusted it as necessary you must hand four copies into the Approval Panel.
b. Opening Speeches
On day two of SAIMUN the General Assembly (GA) opens. Every country has an opening speech. This is made by the ambassador who has one minute to address the G.A. He/She should state the issues which are of major concern to his/her country. The ambassador should not try to speak on every issue, but should highlight the one or two most important issues of concern to their country. You only have one minute.
This was the opening speech for Cape Verde in The Hague MUN in January 1994:
“Cape Verde is an island country off the coast of Africa . It is a nation of few people which has not been pulled apart by poverty. It is a small player in the world of international politics, and yet it is like many who find themselves on the Security Council; a beacon of hope against an increasingly unworkable block of countries who must be held accountable for the perceived malaise which has become the UN, – witness Bosnia 1994.
If it is true that the longest journey begins with the first step then today the UN should begin reassessing its role and methods of resolving international crises such as wars of nationalism, gross violations of Human Rights or discrimination against indigenous peoples. The UN should start a process in which those on the perimeter of power are consulted and listened to.
The UN will have to change. Cape Verde wants to begin this long journey and we call on other smaller nations to take the first step with us. We want our voices to be heard and to contribute to the badly needed improvement in UN effectiveness.”
A simple well prepared and well delivered speech will mark you out as a delegation of importance.
c. Your Council or Committee
Formal debate begins when your committee opens on day two, usually after lunch. The meeting will be in the charge of the chairperson or deputy chair.
Your goals in committee are simple. You must represent your country by speaking, asking questions and voting as you see fit.
Permission to speak can be obtained by raising your placard when the chair “opens the floor.” It will be your task to raise your placard! In general, you are permitted to speak when you “have the floor” (i.e. the chair gives you permission to come to the front of the committee room), or when you are “rising to a point of information” (i.e. you want to ask the speaker a question).
A delegate who shows that he/she understands the arguments well and is able to put his/her country’s views effectively, will do well!
The best way to learn how to use your committee time effectively is to watch how other good delegates operate. There is no substitute for this. To help you in your first conference the following explanations may be of help.
The chair: The student officer in charge. His/her word is final.
Time for/against: Time allocated for/against a resolution.
To have the floor: To be given the right to stand up and address the meeting.
Yielding the floor: A speaker may give the remainder of his/her speaking time to another delegate or to the chair.