Model United Nations. Parliamentary Rules and Procedures

Transcription

1 Model United Nations Parliamentary Rules and Procedures

2 Context of Model United Nations Debates MUN debates are very formal. There are many rules and procedures that all delegates must be aware of in order to succeed. The general rule in Model United Nations debates: Be as polite and respectful as possible to all participants in the MUN conference.

3 Review of Model United Nations Participants The Secretariat: This is divided into two groups; The Chairs and The Pages The Chairs control the flow of debate and ensure that all delegates behave during the conference. Be especially respectful to the chairs. The Pages ensure that delegates receive copies of the resolution and pass notes between delegates. The conference could not exist without these people, be very kind to them.

4 Rules There are a few general rules for delegates in all conferences: 1. Do not speak unless you have been recognized by the Chair or are a speaker holding the floor. 2. Raise your placard if you wish to speak if and only if the chair has opened up the floor. 3. Stand when you are speaking. 4. Be polite and use proper parliamentary language while speaking.

5 Procedure 1. Opening Speeches: Delegates are given 30 seconds to speak. 2. Lobbying: Delegates are adjourned and given time to merge resolutions. 3. Debate on a Resolution

6 Procedure: Debate on a Resolution 1. The Main Submitter of the resolution reads out the operative clauses of the resolution. 2. The Chair opens the floor to points of clarification. Points of clarification are questions the speaker must answer, concerning the meanings of words used in the resolution. It must not pertain to why or how certain clauses in the resolution will be carried out. 3. The Main Submitter of the resolution gives a speech outlining its intent and its proposals.

7 Procedure: Debate on a Resolution 4. The Chair opens the floor to points of information. Points of information are questions the speaker must answer, concerning the intent, purpose, validity or effectiveness of the clauses and the resolution as a whole. 5. The Main Submitter yields the floor to the chair. 6. The Chair opens the floor to speakers for the resolution. 7. Speakers for the resolution give speeches supporting the resolution. 8. The Chair opens the floor to points of information pertaining to the speech or resolution.

8 Procedure: Debate on a Resolution 9. The Chair opens the floor to speakers against the resolution. 10. Speakers against the resolution give speeches pointing out the weaknesses of the resolution. 11. The Chair opens the floor to points of information pertaining to the speech. 12. Steps 6 to 11 are repeated. Speeches for and against are given equal periods of time, and these are set by the Chair. 13. Delegates propose amendments, which call for changes in clauses in the resolution. These are debated in the same fashion as a resolution.

9 Procedure: Debate on a Resolution 14. When time has nearly elapsed, the Chair will open up the floor to any speech, for or against. Points of information may be asked. 15. The Committee votes on the resolution. The Chair tallies all votes for, against and abstaining from voting on the resolution. 16. After a resolution is passed, the delegates often applaud the submitters of the resolution.

10 Procedure: Amendments Amendments are essential during debate: they allow delegates to change clauses in the resolution. Amendments are put forward by the delegates through amendment sheets, given to the delegate by the chair upon request. The Chair will bring up the amendment for debate upon his/her discretion. There are two forms: Friendly and Unfriendly. Friendly amendments are those made by the delegates who are sponsors or co-sponsors. Unfriendly amendments are those made by any other delegate. Unfriendly amendments must be debated on in the same fashion as the resolution. However, delegates can vote only for or against.

11 Procedure: Motions Motions have the purpose of modifying debate time to help you get your point across: You may only propose motions when the chair has recognized you after you have raised your placard Motion to suspend debate: Requires a simple majority vote. This allows the delegates to caucus and spend a few minutes discussing how they should continue debate. Motion to table a resolution: Requires a 2/3rds majority. This is done when it seems that the debate on a resolution is not progressing and must be put aside for future debate. Motion to move directly to voting procedures: Requires a second by another delegate and no objections. This is done when delegates are confident that the voting will be in favor of your argument, and that continuing debate on this resolution would be pointless.

12 Procedure: Points Points have the purpose of gathering information or making a statement. You may make a point only when the chair has recognized you- with one exception: a point of personal privilege. Point of personal privilege: You may interrupt a speaker if this pertains to audibility only. Other points of personal privilege asking to change the temperature in the room may only be made when the chair has recognized you. Point of order: A polite statement to inform the chair that he/she has made an error in procedure. Point of parliamentary inquiry: A question to ask when a certain event will happen during debate- or how debate should flow.

13 Procedure: Grievances and Warnings If, for example, Iran were to call for the annihilation of Israel, Israel would stand up and wait to be recognized by the chair to have his grievances noted. Iran will be warned not to speak offensive words against other nations. Depending on the severity of a delegate s actions, the chair will issue a warning. Depending on the conference, the number of warnings could mean that the delegate loses some privileges or is sent out of the committee.