Selection of the 2010 Global Model United Nations Secretariat and General Assembly Officials

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1 Selection of the 2010 Global Model United Nations Secretariat and General Assembly Officials One of the objectives of the Global Model United Nations Conference is to replicate the functioning of the United Nations deliberative bodies as closely as possible. To assist with the planning and organization of the simulation, one group of university students will function as Secretariat officials, similar to those in the United Nations Secretariat. A second group of university students will be selected as General Assembly officials. Both groups are critical to the management of the General Assembly and will, therefore, be important to the success of the simulation. The aim is to have a geographically diverse Global Model UN Secretariat and General Assembly officials who will take on leadership roles in the planning process, with the guidance of UN staff and the UN Department of Public Information. Two workshops will be organized the first will be convened at UN Headquarters in New York in mid-may 2010 and the second will take place the week before the conference in Kuala Lumpur -- in order to prepare GMUN officials for the roles they will be assuming at the GMUN conference. A description of each leadership position within the 2010 GMUN Secretariat and General Assembly is provided in the last section of this document. The Global Model United Nations Secretariat A number of senior UN Secretariat positions have been designated as leadership roles for the planning and management of the Global Model UN Conference. Secretary-General 1

2 Three Under-Secretaries-General Under-Secretary-General of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Management Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy to the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Management Secretaries to the Main Committees of the General Assembly and other UN bodies as well as for special Conferences and Summits Selection of the Secretariat Officials The following are eligible to apply for the positions in the Global Model UN Secretariat: - Students who participated in university-level Model UN conferences and who, preferably, have experience as secretariat officials for their Model UN conferences - Students who have excellent organizational skills and research and drafting skills - Students who are at least 18 but not older than 24 years of age at the time of the Conference and - will have been enrolled in a university during the academic year in which the conference takes place. - Students must be fluent in English and/or French (the working languages of the United Nations and of the Global Model UN Conference) - Students must have a good academic record at their university Applicants must also have the following skills and experience: - The ability to communicate clearly and express thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner - A working knowledge of the theme of the conference - A working knowledge of the work of the UN Secretariat - A fair understanding of UN documentation, General Assembly rules of procedure and the process of drafting UN resolutions - Experience in working effectively in a team environment - The ability to plan and implement Model UN conference activities efficiently - The ability to prioritize responsibilities and to meet deadlines in a timely manner Timeline for the Selection of Secretariat Officials January An announcement and application will be ed to all Model UN conferences invited to the Global Model United Nations Conference and posted on the conference website with a clear description of responsibilities and proposed dates for the training sessions. 22 March 2010 Deadline for receiving applications. Please send applications to education-outreach@un.org 5 April 2010 Notification of selected candidates mid-may 2010 First (3-day) Workshop for the Global Model UN Conference Secretariat and General Assembly officials to be held at UN Headquarters in New York. Dates to be determined by the availability of the students who are selected for the positions, and travel arrangements. Application 2

3 An electronic application form will be posted on the Global Model United Nations website The deadline for submission of applications is 22 March The team will be selected by the United Nations Department of Public Information based on their applications. Applicants will have a fair chance of being chosen if they meet the criteria set out above. The names and profiles will be posted on the website for the Global Model United Nations Conference Training Two workshops will be offered to the team of Secretariat officials who will be selected to lead the Global Model UN conference-- one at UN Headquarters in NY and another just prior to the conference (tbd). Expenses for travel and accommodations during the first three-day workshop in New York will be paid by the United Nations. The workshop will focus on issues such as the rules of procedure, the conference theme, how GMUN Secretariat and General Assembly officials will work together, and will introduce all officials to online resources that they and the delegates can use to prepare for the conference. In addition, they will be briefed on their individual roles before, and during, the conference, how they will work together with GMUN Officials to run the conference and will be updated on the progress of the DPI Planning Committees concerning their work on the programme, communications strategy and logistics for the conference. Speakers at the workshop will be senior UN officials from the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and UN officials who service the General Assembly and its Main Committees. Senior Officials will also address the group on the theme of the Conference. General Assembly Officials for the Global Model United Nations Conference A number of officials of the General Assembly will be identified to take on leadership roles to manage the simulation of the General Assembly. Please note that candidates for these positions will be chosen from different regions to ensure that the leadership of the General Assembly is geographically diverse. The President of the General Assembly (to be selected from the region where the conference is held) Five (5 ) Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly Members of the Bureau of four GA Committees Chairpersons (4) Vice-Chairpersons (4) Rapporteurs (4) Selection of the General Assembly Officials 3

4 There will be a call for candidates by regions for the GA Official positions. Candidates may also be chosen for the post from the pool of delegates approved to attend the conference. The following are eligible to be chosen for one of the GA official positions in the Global Model UN Secretariat: - Students who participated in university-level Model UN conferences and who, preferably, have experience as secretariat officials, leading Model UN Committees or other leadership roles in simulations of the General Assembly, its Main Committees or other UN agencies - Students who are at least 18 but not older than 24 years of age at the time of the conference and will have been enrolled in a university during the academic year in which the conference takes place. - Students must be fluent in English and/or French (the working languages of the United Nations and of the Global Model UN Conference) - Students must have a good academic record at their university Applicants must also have the following skills and experience: - The ability to communicate clearly and express thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner - Students who have excellent organizational skills and research and drafting skills - A working knowledge of the theme of the conference - A working knowledge of the work of the UN Secretariat - A fair understanding of UN documentation, General Assembly rules of procedure and the process of drafting UN resolutions - Experience in working effectively in a team environment - The ability to plan and implement Model UN conference activities efficiently - The ability to prioritize responsibilities and to meet deadlines in a timely manner Timeline for the Selection of the General Assembly Officials February 2010 Announcement for the applications for the positions of General Assembly Officials: President and Vice Presidents of the General Assembly, Chairpersons, Vice/Chairs and Rapporteurs of the Main Committees to be distributed to registered delegates and posted on-line. The procedure for the election of the officials will also be provided. 22 March 2010 Deadline for receiving applications. Please send applications to education-outreach@un.org. A short list of candidate profiles for GA President, Vice-Presidents, Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Rapporteurs of GA Committees will be posted on the conference website for online elections. All delegates that have been approved to attend the Global Model UN conference will be eligible to vote. 5 April 2010 Notification of selected candidates. mid-may 2010 First (3-day) Workshop for the Global Model UN Conference Secretariat and General Assembly officials to be held at UN Headquarters in New York. Dates to be determined by the availability of the students who are selected for the positions, and travel arrangements. Training 4

5 Two workshops will be offered to the team of General Assembly officials who will elected by delegates to lead the Global Model UN conference-- one at UN Headquarters in NY and another just prior to the conference (tbd). Expenses for travel and accommodations during the first three-day workshop in New York will be paid by the United Nations. The workshop will focus on issues such as the rules of procedure, the conference theme, how GMUN Secretariat and General Officials will work together, and will introduce all officials to online resources that they and the delegates can use to prepare for the conference. In addition, they will be briefed on their individual roles before, and during, the conference, how they will work together with GMUN Officials to run the conference and will be updated on the progress of the DPI Planning Committees concerning their work on the programme, communications strategy and logistics for the conference. Speakers at the workshop will be senior UN officials from the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and UN officials who service the General Assembly and its Main Committees. Senior Officials will also address the group on the theme of the Conference. Once elected, a selected group of General Assembly officials will be required to attend a workshop to be organized by the UN DPI in mid-may at UN Headquarters in New York. The group identified for initial training in May will include: the President of the General Assembly, the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons. Since the General Assembly officials will manage the meetings to be held during the conference -- the plenary of the General Assembly, the meetings of the Committees and oversee the drafting and adoption of resolutions they will be: trained in the rules of procedure and the overall management of the plenary and the committees including how to work with GMUN Secretariat Officials; given briefings on the theme for the conference; and, receive training on the process of the drafting of resolutions and the online resources available through the United Nations. The training will take place in New York in mid-may Final Workshop for all Global Model UN Conference Secretariat and General Assembly Officials The second and final workshop will take place at the conference venue, one week before the conference, so that the entire team will be able to work together to undertake the final planning and logistics for the conference. The United Nations will seek sponsors to cover their accommodation, meals and transportation during the week of the final workshop. However, the Global Model UN officials will be responsible for their travel to Kuala Lumpur. (During the week of the conference, all GMUN officials will be responsible for the cost of accommodation and meals while in Kuala Lumpur, as will all delegates). 5

6 DESCRIPTION OF SECRETARIAT POSITIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL The post of the United Nations Secretary-General is equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The Charter describes the Secretary-General as "chief administrative officer" of the Organization, who shall act in that capacity and perform "such other functions as are entrusted" to him/her by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs. The Secretary-General must take careful account of the concerns of Member States and he/she must also uphold the values and moral authority of the United Nations, and speak and act for peace, even at the risk, from time to time, of challenging or disagreeing with those same Member States. The UN Secretary-General s day-to-day work includes attendance at sessions of United Nations bodies; consultations with world leaders, government officials, and others; and worldwide travel intended to keep him/her in touch with the peoples of the Organization. Each year, the Secretary-General issues a report on the work of the United Nations that appraises its activities and outlines future priorities. During the General Assembly, the Secretary-General may attend all meetings of the General Assembly, its committees and its subcommittees. He/She may designate a member of the Secretariat to act in his/her place at these meetings. He/She also shall provide and direct the staff required by the General Assembly and any committees or subsidiary organs which it may establish. One of the most vital roles played by the Secretary-General is the use of his/her "good offices" - steps taken publicly and in private, drawing upon his/her independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading. Prior to, and during the Global Model UN Conference, the Global Model UN Conference s Secretary-General will be responsible for: Leading effectively the team of Global Model UN Secretariat members and overseeing the planning of all aspects of the conference in collaboration with UN DPI Planning Committees; Managing Global Model UN Secretariat members by assigning tasks to ensure an efficient and successful conference; Providing substantive guidance on the issues to be discussed at the Global Model UN conference and convening meetings with his/her staff to plan and implement decisions; Seeking assistance from the Global Model UN Under-Secretaries-General in drafting the Secretary- General s report to be presented to the General Assembly plenary on the theme of the conference Preside over the plenary alongside the Global Model UN President of the General Assembly; Presenting reports to the Global Model UN General Assembly Committees; Communicating regularly with his/her senior Global Model UN staff to ensure that the Assembly s affairs are well managed; Updating the DPI Executive Committee on all and any developments; and Drafting a final report to be handed in to DPI on the outcomes of the Global Model UN conference 6

7 UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT The United Nations Under-Secretary-General heads all the activities of General Assembly and Conference Management including the establishment of conference management policies, practices, standards and procedures and the allocation of resources. For the Global Model United Nations, the Under-Secretary-General will be responsible for: Managing the details of the logistics of the Global Model UN Committees; Ensuring the efficient management of all meetings, including all conference services the content and issuance of the daily journal, the timely availability and distribution of documents, translations and interpretation, speakers lists and the staffing support for each meeting; Creating and overseeing the process of drafting and finalizing resolutions to ensure the timely availability of the final resolution/s for adoption at the end of the conference; Providing support for the work of the Committee Secretaries; Supervising volunteer staff that will serve as part of the conference logistics team; Monitoring the room set-ups for Opening/Closing ceremonies, as well as for the committees; Welcoming delegates to the Global Model UN Conference by distributing registration packets; and Communicating regularly with the DPI Global Model UN Logistics Committee, the Global Model UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on all and any conference developments. ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT The Assistant Secretary-General is accountable to the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management. The Assistant Secretary-General s primary duties involve assisting the Under-Secretary-General as Deputy in the performance of his or her functions. Overseeing the strategic planning sessions and reviewing the preparation of material for the Committee on Conferences (CoC), the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and Fifth Committee sessions. UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs heads the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). The Department plays a special role in the efforts at peacemaking and preventive diplomacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the globe. It monitors and assesses global political developments; advises the UN Secretary-General on actions that could advance the use of peace; provides support and guidance to UN peace envoys and political missions in the field; serves Member States directly through electoral assistance and through the support of DPA staff to the work of the Security Council and other UN bodies. 7

8 During the Global Model UN Conference, the Global Model UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs will: Advise the Global Model UN Secretary-General on any political issues that may arise during the conference; Be required to be very knowledgeable about major political issues on the UN s agenda, including the work of the Security Council; Must be able to act on a timely manner as needed, to advise the Global Model UN Secretary-General and coordinate activities relevant to the portfolio, and to organize meetings for him/her on an urgent basis, if required by Global Model UN delegates; and Communicate regularly with DPI Global Model UN Executive Committee, the Global Model UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on all and any conference developments. UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information is in charge of the Organization's communications strategy to inform people around the world about United Nations activities to serve their collective interests and advance the universal ideals of the United Nations itself. In addition, the USG for Communications and Public Information oversees relations with the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are affiliated with the Department of Public Information and provides a wide range of services to them including weekly NGO briefings. During the Global Model UN Conference, the Global Model UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information will: Develop communications strategies for GMUN 2010; Supervise volunteer staff who will provide media coverage of GMUN 2010; Review content written by volunteer staff to be posted in the Newsroom of the GMUN website and distributed via a daily newsletter to inform delegates of the progress being made during the conference; Arrange radio and television coverage of GMUN 2010, schedule interviews with delegates, guest speakers, senior UN officials and diplomats; Supervise distribution of media coverage to UN Radio and UNTV; Liaise with photographers to provide documentation of the conference, compile photos for the GMUN website and newsletter, prepare slideshow to be displayed during the final plenary meeting; Oversee relations with NGOs attending the conference and provide briefings to them on the progress being made. SECRETARIES TO THE MAIN GA COMMITTEES OR WORKING COMMITTEES FOR SPECIAL CONFERENCES THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Coordinates and directs the provision of secretariat services for the Main Committees of the General Assembly, other UN bodies and their subsidiary bodies as well as for special conferences and summits. For the Global Model United Nations Conference, the Committee Secretaries will: 8

9 . Provide continuous guidance and advice to the Chairperson concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the Global Model UN rules of procedure; Prepare the talking points for the Committee Chairperson for each Committee meeting in consultation with the Chairperson; Be expected to respond to informal questions on the Committee s agenda and follow-up with delegates on issues related to the Committee s agenda; Provide procedural guidance to the Chairperson while seated at the podium alongside the Chairperson and Rapporteur; Be well versed in the Global Model UN rules of procedure, its Committees and UN resolution processes; Be expected to be knowledgeable about the substantive work of his/her Committee, particularly as it relates to the theme of the conference and general Member State positions on the issues; and Communicate regularly with the GMUN Secretary-General and USG for Political Affairs on all and any conference developments. (1) SECRETARY TO THE DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE (FIRST COMMITTEE) The Secretary to the First Committee is expected to have a good knowledge of the issues of the Disarmament and International Security Committee which deals with disarmament and related international security questions. He/she must also be very knowledgeable of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. (2) SECRETARY TO THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE (SECOND COMMITTEE) The Secretary to the Second Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. In general, the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) sessions deal with issues relating to economic growth and development such as macroeconomic policy questions (including international trade, international financial system and debt), financing for development, sustainable development, human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization and interdependence, operational activities for development, and information and communication technologies for development. The Second Committee also considers issues relating to Groups of Countries in special situations - such as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). (3) SECRETARY TO THE SOCIAL, HUMANITARIAN AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE (THIRD COMMITTEE) The Secretary to the Third Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the Global Model UN rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee, commonly referred to as the Third Committee oversees the agenda items relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect peoples all over the world. An important part of the Committee s work focuses on the examination of human rights questions. The Committee also 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. The Committee also 9

10 addresses important social development questions such as issues related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal justice, and drug control. (4) SECRETARY TO THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE (FOURTH COMMITTEE) The Secretary to the Fourth Committee should have a good knowledge of the issues of that Committee and of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee deals with a variety of political matters not dealt with by the First Committee. Its agenda includes issues such as decolonization, peacekeeping operations, questions relating to information, Non-Self Governing Territories, and organization administrative matters including the revitalization of the work of the Organization and programme planning. *** DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY POSITIONS PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY The President of the General Assembly plays a crucial role in making sure that the General Debate that takes place during GA Plenary sessions or any meeting of the General Assembly runs smoothly. He or she has complete control over rulings on matters of procedure, time limitations for speakers, and making decisions on extending, curtailing or adjourning debates. In addition, the President is expected to be neutral and promote consensus among Member States. VICE PRESIDENTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY The Vice-President may be called upon to replace the presiding officer. Acting as the presiding officer he or she has the same powers and duties as the President. A Vice-President may be called upon by the President to deliver the President s statements, chair meetings, or act as a facilitator on any matter before the General Assembly, such as deliberations (formal or informal) on the draft resolutions submitted under a particular agenda item or negotiations on a text or statement to be adopted. As a member of the General Committee, the Vice-President shall also assist the President in drawing up the agenda for each plenary meeting and in determining the priority of its items. CHAIRPERSON The Chairperson is the presiding officer of one of the General Assembly Main Committees. The Chairperson shall have complete control of the proceedings at any meeting. These duties shall include declaring the opening and closing of each meeting of the committee, directing its discussions, ensuring observance of the Rules of Procedure by ruling on all Points of Order, granting the right to speak, and announcing decisions. The Chairperson may, in the course of the discussion of an item, propose to the committee the limitation of the time to be allowed to speakers, the limitation of the number of times each representative may speak, the closure of the list of speakers or the closure of the debate. He of she may also propose the suspension or the adjournment of the meeting or the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion. VICE-CHAIRPERSON The Vice-Chairperson may be called upon to replace the presiding officer of the Main Committee. Acting as the presiding officer he or she has the same powers and duties as the Chairperson. RAPPORTEURS 10

11 The rapporteur (the term is equivalent to record-taker ) is to follow the proceedings of the Main Committee in order to ensure that they are properly recorded in a report of the session. The rapporteur approves the draft report prior to submission to the full General Assembly and is assisted by the Secretariat staff members in the preparation of the final report. As a member of the Bureau, the rapporteur also has a behind the scenes role to play in the organization and management of the Main Committee session. 11