HofstraUniversityModelUnitedNations Conference
WelcometoHofstraUniversity’sModelUnitedNationsConference,2026!
TheHofstraModelUnitedNationsClubisexcitedtobeputtingthisconferenceon forlocalhigh schoolsandlooksforwardtothreefunandinformativedaysof debate Thisguideisdesignedto helpyoupreparefortheconferenceandbecome familiarwiththeproceduresthatwillbeutilized throughouttheweekend.In additiontothisguide,besuretoreadthebackgroundguideforyour committee, whichwillbeavailableonourwebsitebyearlyJanuary. Pleasecontactmembers ofourSecretariatathofstramodelun@gmail.comifyouhaveanyquestionsor concerns.
RavenBateman Secretary-General
JacobIacobovici Undersecretary-General
JacobBassandDayanna Rubio-Chacon SPECPOL Chairs
SydraDaniyalandJoseph FalcoJr.
ECOSOC Chairs
AadiGadekar WHO Chair
AmberBianchi Press Corp Chair
NishArumugam Historical Crisis Chair
TeuscherGanir Historical Crisis Director
PatrickBruso Contemporary Crisis Chair
CraigMannino Contemporary Crisis Director
WhatisMUN?
TounderstandModelUnitedNations(MUN),youhavetoknowalittleaboutthe history oftheUnitedNations(UN).AttheconclusionofWorldWarI,theTreaty ofVersailles,whichofficiallyendedthewar,establishedaneworganizationcalled theLeagueofNations.The UnitedNationsoriginatedfromtheAlliesofWorld WarII,whodeterminedthatafterthe LeagueofNationswasunabletopreventthe outbreakofthatwar,thatanewmoreempowered organizationwasneeded.After WorldWarII,theLeaguewasdissolvedandaneworganization, theUN,withits headquartersinNewYork,wascreatedinitsplace.Inthe1920s,beforethe SecondWorldWar,HarvardUniversityStudentscreatedasimulationcalledModel Leagueof Nations.AftertheLeaguedissolved,thesimulationwasreplacedby MUN.Soonafter,MUNbecamepopulararoundtheUnitedStates,andthen eventuallytheworld.Today,bigconferences includeTheHagueInternational ModelUN(THIMUN),SoutheastAsiaStudentActivities Conference(SEASAC) ModelUN,andWorldMUN.1 Theaimofsuchconferencesissimple;to garnera greaterappreciationfordiplomacyandtheroleitplaysinsolvingmanyofthe world’s mostpressingissues.
MUNisimportantbecauseitgivesstudentsanunderstandingofthecurrentglobal and politicalissuesthatallresponsiblecitizensshouldbeawareof.Inaddition, researchingthe historybehindsomeofthemostcontestedissuesofthedayhelps givestudentssomegraspof howtheinternationalcommunityendedupfacing suchseeminglyintractableproblems. Finally,participatinginMUNcanhelp studentsdevelopmanyusefulskillssuchasteamwork, debating,building consensus,andtheartofcompromise,allofwhicharevitallifeskillsthat most peopledonotgetachancetopracticeveryoften.MUNisnotforeveryone,and manystudentsaredrivenawaybythefactthatitincludespublicspeaking. However,it’sadvisableforallstudentstotryitatleastonceintheirstudentcareer, evenifitisjusttojointhe clubandgotothemeetings,assmaller“conferences” areoftenheldeachterm.
ConferencePreparation
InorderfordelegatestogetthemostoutoftheirMUNexperience,preparationfor conferencesisessential.Ouramazingchairshaveprovidedaguideforeachtopic withanoverviewofkeyfacts,casestudies,generalbackground,subtopicstofocus on,andblocpositions. Thesedocumentsshouldbethefirstsourcedelegatesturn toforresearch. However,itisimportanttonotethattheguidesarejustan overview.Itwouldbeimpossibletofitevenaquarteroftheinformationonthe complexissuesfacingtheinternationalcommunitythatyouwillbedebatingina 10pagepaper.
Whenconductingresearch,delegatesshouldremembertousereliablesourcesand maintainalistofcitationspairedwiththeinformationtheydiscover.Websiteslike wikipediacanbeagreatplacetofindgeneralinformationornewsources,butall factsshouldbecorroboratedwithanofficialsource.Asmostdelegateswillbe representingnationsintheUnitedNations,theUN’sownwebsiteisagreatsource forinformation.Delegatescanfindvotingrecords,pastactions,background statistics,andmoreonthissite.Asmostissuesarecontemporary,reliablenews outletsincludingtheAssociatedPress(AP)mayhavepublishedinformation pertinenttothetopicsdelegateswillbediscussing.Governmentpublicationsand pressreleasesmaybeespeciallyusefulindetermininganation’spolicy.
Delegatesarenotexpectedtoarriveasexpertsonthetopicstheywillbedebating, butthey are expectedtodotheirownresearchbeyondthebackgroundguide. This willhelpdelegatesdevelopamorenuancedunderstandingofthetopicsathand andtheirnation’sstance. Outsideinformationandstatisticswillhelpyourposition paper(confusedonwhatthoseare? We’lltouchuponthoselaterinthisguide!) shine,andcanalsohelpyoudevelopplansforunique,importantsubtopics.
Committees
HUMUNC’scommitteesarebasedonactualUnitedNationscommittees.Hereisa quicksummationofhowtheUnitedNationsfunctions,includingadescriptionof bothcommitteesthatare,andarenot,beingsimulatedinHUMUNC2026.
Security Council
TheSecurityCouncilisoneoftheUN’smostpowerfulbodiesandisoneofthe fewcommitteesthatproducebindingresolutions,whichmeansthatresolutions passedbyitmustbefollowed,andthereforeallstatesareresponsiblefor upholdingthem.2 TheSecurityCouncilhasfifteenmemberswithfive permanentmembers(P5),andtenmembersthatservefortwoyearsatatime.3 Allpermanentmembershavevetopower,whichmeansthatiftheyvetoa resolutionora clause,itisstruckoutimmediately.Topassaresolutioninthe SecurityCouncil,theremustbenineaffirmative votes,ofallthosewhovote fororagainst,anddonotabstain.AlltheP5mustalsovote foryourresolution orabstain.Whenthecouncildebatesissuesthataffectdelegatesthatarenot representedintheSecurityCouncil,theambassadorofthenationissometimes calledinasaguest,whichmeansthattheycandebate,andvoteonprocedural matters, butnotsubstantivematters.4
UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme)
Establishedin1972,thiscouncilfocusesonenvironmentalissues. Debatein thecommitteeseekstomonitorpollution,designscience-basedpolicy recommendations,andcoordinateresponsestotheworld’senvironmental challenges. Pasttopicsofdebaterangefromclimatechangetopesticideuse.5
ECOSOC (The Economic and Social Council)
In1945,theUNcreatedECOSOC,whichconsistsof54memberstateseach servingfor3years. Thecommitteedebatesissuesthathaveintertwinedsocial andeconomicaspects.Healthproblemsandrelatedcosts,nutrition, education, aswellastheprotectionofrightsregardlessofgender,ethnicity,religion,age, andculturearealldiscussedinthecouncil.WhileECOSOCsharesdebate procedureswiththeGeneralAssemblies,they havethepowertocreatenew councilsunliketheGeneralAssemblies.6
General Assembly
TheGeneralAssembly(GA)includesthelargestcommitteesintheUNincluding all MemberStates.Itconsistsofsixdifferentbodies,eachdealingwith specializedissues. ThestrengthoftheGAisthatallcountriesarerepresented, eachhasonevote,andallnationshavethesamepowersofdecision-making.7
However,itcanbedifficultforalltobedebated thoroughlyinonelargeGA plenary,thereforeMUNtraditionallyusesthesemorespecializedcommittees withintheGA.
1. DisarmamentandInternationalSecurity(DISEC)
ThedebateinDISECisfocusedprimarilyonpreventingconflict,stopping weaponstradingandinparticular,regulatingweaponsofmassdestruction. Thiscommitteeworkstoprotecttheinternationalcommunityagainstthreats topeace.8
2. EconomicandFinancial(ECOFIN)
Thiscouncilworkstoadvancetheglobaleconomyandfacilitate modernization. Theissuesdiscussedaretypicallybroaderthantheeconomic discussionswithinECOSOC,andtheyfocusonsustainabledevelopment, economicdevelopment,andtheeradicationofpoverty.9
3. Social,Cultural,andHumanitarian(SOCHUM)
ThiscommitteeisthemostrelatedtoECOSOCandtheHumanRights Council.Itdealswithimprovingsocialorder,eliminatinghumanitarian abuses,andnavigatingculturalchallenges.However,ratherthanimproving conditionsfromaneconomicperspective,thiscommitteetypicallyfocuseson humanitarianaidwithasocialfocus.10
4. SpecialPoliticalandDecolonization(SPECPOL)
SPECPOLdealswithissuesrelatingtopoliticalstability,occupiedterritories, anddecolonization.Whiledebateinthiscommitteeispartoftheprocessof decidingifadependencyshouldbeallowedtobecomeasovereignstate, SPECPOLdoesnothavethepowertotakeawaythesovereigntyofany nation.11
5. AdministrativeandBudgetary
Thiscommittee’sprimaryjobistoissuebudgetsforthevariousundertakings oftheUnitedNations.ItalsofacilitatestheadministrativebackboneofUN organs,andmaybecalledupontofundSecurityCouncilapproved peacekeepingendeavors.12
6 Legal
TheLegalCommitteepromotesthedevelopmentofinternationallaw,and assiststhedevelopmentoftheUN’slegalframework.Itdealswiththe creationofstrongerlegalsystemsandcreatesdraftlawsfortheUN.13
DelegateEtiquette
1. Maintainprofessionaldemeanoratalltimes.Treatotherdelegates,members oftheSecretariatandUNstaffwiththehighestlevelofcourtesyandrespect. PleasenotifyanymemberoftheSecretariatifadisputearisesatanytime duringtheConference.
2. WesternBusinessAttireisrecommendedthroughouttheconference,aswe expectthesamedegreeofprofessionality.
3. ObservetheguidelinesoutlinedbyParliamentaryProcedure.Contactthe ConferenceSecretariatshouldanyquestionsabouttheRulesofProcedure arise.
4. Arriveatmeetingsontimeasscheduled.Thepresenceofalldelegatesatall committeemeetingsisessentialforensuringproductivedebateduringthe Conferenceandasuccessfuloutcome
5. Remainincharacterandrepresenttheinterestsandpoliciesofthecountries towhichyouareassigned.
6. Refrainfromeating,smoking,ordrinkinganythingbutwaterinformal meetings.
7. Giveyourfullattentiontotheproceedingsinallmeetings.Engageother delegationsindiscussionsduringbreaks,informalconsultationsorafter sessionshaveconcludedfortheday.
8 Workingpapersanddraftresolutionsmaybewritteninasharedgoogle documentwithchairs.
9. Refrainfromusingcellphonesduringcommitteesessionsunlesstheyarefor formalcommunicationwithstaff,delegates,oradvisors. Committeeswill movetopaperwritinginsteadoftypingifthereismisuseoftechnologyin anyway,shape,orform
10.Havefun!
PositionPapers
Apositionpaperisanessaydetailingyourcountry’spoliciesonthetopicsbeing discussedin yourcommittee.Hofstra’sModelUNconferencedoesnotrequire thateachdelegationwrites andsubmitsapositionpaper,butitis highly recommended.Writingapositionpaperwillhelpyouorganizeyourideassothat youcanshareyourcountry’spositionwiththerestofthecommittee.Ifyou conductextensiveresearch,apositionpapershouldbeeasytowrite.
How to Write a Position Paper
Writingapositionpapermightappeartobeadauntingtask,especiallyfor newdelegates. Butwithenoughresearch,youwillfindthatwritinga positionpaperwillbeeasyanduseful.
Positionpapersshouldbebrief.Yourpositionpapershouldincludean introductionfollowed byacomprehensivebreakdownofyourcountry's positiononthetopicsthatarebeing discussedbythecommittee.Agood positionpaperwillnotonlyprovidefactsbutalsomake proposalsfor resolutionsbasedonyourcountry’spolicypreferences.
Requirements for Position Papers
➢ Twopages(12font,1.5spacing)pertopic
➢ Fullreferencesmustbeprovided(maygoontothirdpage)
➢ Mustoutlinetheissuesrelatedtotheassignedtopic
➢ Mustbewrittenfromtheperspectiveoftheassignedposition(nofirst personpronounswiththeexceptionofcharacterpositionsincrisis committee)
Content of Position Papers
➢ Backgroundandstatisticsbeyondthoseinthebackgroundguide
➢ UNactionsrelevanttothetopic
➢ Briefintroductiontoyourcountryanditshistoryconcerningthetopic
➢ Actionstakenbyyourgovernmentwithregardtotheissue
➢ Whatyourcountrybelievesshouldbedonetoaddresstheissue
➢ Whatyourcountryintendstodotohelpresolvetheissueoraddressthe topic
Position Paper Tips
➢ Keepitsimpleandmakeyourpointclear
➢ Citeyoursourcesproperly-lookuptheModernLanguageAssociation (MLA)guidelinesatyourschool’slibrary,oruseanonlinecitation generator
➢ Useyourpositionpaperasaself-introductionandaguidetoyour country’spoliciesduringdebate
Emailyourchairsorthesecretariatwithanyquestions.Positionpaperscanbe submittedviaemail. Welookforwardtoreadingyourwork!
FlowofDebate
BelowisageneraldescriptionofhowdebatewillflowattheHofstraModelUnited Nations Conference. Beadvised,however,thatthereareother,morespecificrules andmotionsthatdeterminetheflowofdebate duringcommittee.
Roll Call
TheChairannounceseachdelegation,anddelegatesshouldanswerwith “present”or“presentandvoting”.Presentindicatesthatthedelegateis presentincommittee.Presentandvotingdoesthesame,butprevents delegatesfromabstainingwhenvotingonresolutions.
Setting the Agenda
Inacommitteewithmultipletopics,delegateswillbeabletosetanagenda withamotiontosetthetopic.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbysaying“the delegationofCanadamotionstosetthetopictoregulationofWMDs.”Once set,thetopicwillcontinueuntilresolutionsforthattopichavebeenpassed. Settingtheagendarequiresasimplemajorityvote
Speakers List
Duringformaldebate,thestaffmaintainsaSpeaker’sListwhichdelegates mayjoinatanytime.ThedelegatewhomotionstoopentheSpeaker’sList hastherighttodeterminespeakingtime(usuallyaround45secondstoone minute30seconds).Anexamplemotionis:“thedelegateofArgentina motionstoopentheSpeaker’sListwithaspeakingtimeofoneminute.”
Thesespeechesofferdelegatestheopportunitytosharetheirviewsonbroad, overarchingtopicswiththeentirecommittee.Thispartofformaldebateis alwaysheldopen,andthecommitteerevertsbacktotheSpeaker’sList wheneveramotioncannotbepassed.
Moderated Caucus
Amoderatedcaucusisastructuredformofdebatewheredelegateshavea fixedspeakingtimeonaspecifictopic.Moderatedcaucusesareproposedin amotionwithatotalduration,speakingtime,andsubtopic.Forexample,
“thedelegationofGermanymotionsforasixminutemoderatedcaucuson thetopicofnuclearenergywitha45secondspeakingtime”Thedelegate whoproposedtheselectedmotionhastheoptiontospeakfirstorlast.
Unmoderated Caucus
Anunmoderatedcaucusisaninformalformofdebatewheredelegatescan interactwithoneanothertodiscusspolicy,draftresolutions,amendments, andothers.Thegroups,or“blocs,”formedduringthesecaucuseswillbethe foundationofyourworkingpaperwriting.
RulesofParliamentaryProcedure
General Layout of Committee
1. RollCall
2. Setthetopic
3 Speaker’sList(note-canfallbacktothisatanypoint)
4. Moderated/UnmoderatedCaucuses
5. IntroduceResolutions
6. FormalCaucus
a. TwoforTwoagainstspeeches
b. Moderatedcaucusesondraftresolutions
7. IntroduceFriendly/UnfriendlyAmendments
8. Voting
9 ResettheTopic
10.RepeatProcedurefromFirstTopic
11.EndDebate
Precedence of Motions (Most Destructive to Least Destructive)
1. PointofPersonalPrivilege
2. PointofOrder
3. PointofParliamentaryInquiry
4. UnmoderatedCaucus
5. ModeratedCaucus
6 MotiontoChangeSpeakingTime
7. IntroductionofaDraftResolution
8. IntroductionofanAmendment
9. SuspensionDebate
10.ResumptionofDebate
11.ClosureofDebate Parliamentary Rules of Debate (Required Vote)
➢ MotiontoOpentheSpeakersList(SimpleMajority)
➢ MotiontoSettheTopicto(A/B)(SimpleMajority) MayhavetwospeakersforandtwoagainstsettingtotopicA/Bbefore votingtosetthe topic,iftherearenospeakersagainst,motion automaticallypasses.
➢ MotionforaModeratedCaucus(SimpleMajority)
Format:“Motionfora5minutemoderatedcaucuswitha30second speakingtimeonICBMs”
AlternateFormat:“Motionfora5/30onICBMs”
Longerlengthproposalswillbevotedonbeforeshorterlengthproposals
➢ MotionforanUnmoderatedCaucus(SimpleMajority)
Format:“Motionfora10minuteunmoderatedcaucus”
Donotexceed15minutes.Extensionsmaynotexceedhalftheoriginal length.
Longerlengthproposalswillbevotedonbeforeshorterlengthproposals
➢ MotiontoBegin/Resume/Table/EndDebate(SimpleMajority)
➢ MotiontoSuspendtheRulesofDebate(2/3Majority)
Allowsdelegatestomakeamodificationtostandardsofparliamentary procedure
➢ MotiontoChangeSpeakingTime(SimpleMajority)
➢ MotiontoIntroduceaDraftResolution(SimpleMajority)
Divisionofthequestiontakesprecedenceovertheintroductionofan amendment,requiringasimplemajoritytopass.
➢ MotiontoIntroduceanAmendment(SimpleMajority)
Friendlyamendmentsshallbeintroducedfirst.Confirmationmustbe providedfromallsponsorsthattheamendmentisinfactfriendlybefore itwillbeaddedtoresolution.Unfriendlyamendmentswillbeintroduced second.Eachunfriendlyamendmentrequiresa3/4majoritytopasstobe addedtoaresolution.
Voting
Procedure
➢ MotiontoenterintoVotingProcedure(SimpleMajority)
➢ Therewillgenerallybetwospeakersforandagainstbeforethevoteistaken
➢ Afterenteringintovotingprocedureeachresolutionandanyunfriendly amendmentsarevotedonintheorderthattheywerepresented,asimple majorityisneededforeachresolutiontopass.
➢ MotiontoTableResolution(2/3Majority)
➢ MotiontoDividetheQuestion(2/3Majority)
○ Mustindicatewheretodividethequestion.
○ Example:“MotiontovoteonResolution1.2,operativeclauses1-6 and7-12separately.”
➢ Note:Allmotionsaresubjecttothechair’sdiscretion,meaningthatthechair mayruleamotiondilatoryinwhichcaseitwillnotbevotedonby committee.Chairsmayalsolookfavorablyuponcertainmotionsthatthey feelwouldbebeneficialtothewholecommittee.
CrisisCommittees
CrisisstylecommitteesareauniqueandinvigoratingspinontraditionalGeneral AssemblyMUNcommittees Duetothefastpaceofthesecommittees,chairsand delegateshavesignificantlymorediscretionovertheflowofcommittee. ParliamentaryProcedurewillbeused,butinan amendedandabridgedfashion. Thestandardrulesformotionssuchastablingdebate, closureofdebate,and signalingformoderatedcaucuseswillstillapply.Typically,thechairwillgo throughtherulesandproceduresaswellasthelayoutofthecommitteepriorto beginningdebateandansweranyquestionsregardingtheformat.Delegatesinthis typeofcommitteearerecommendedtoreadthefollowingcrisisoverview.
Crisis Terminology
➢ CrisisDirector
EachcrisiscommitteehasoneCrisisDirector(CD)whoisonanequal leveltothecommitteechair. TheCDdesigns crisis updates (seebelow) andcontrolsthedirectionthecommitteetakesthroughtheseactions.
➢ CrisisStaff
EachCDworkswithateamofcrisisstaffmemberstonavigatethehigh pacenatureofcrisiscommittees. Thisteamhelpsrespondto crisis notes (seebelow),andworkswiththeCDtowritecrisisupdates. Theymay evenhelpactoutmajor crisis updates.
➢ CrisisUpdate
CrisisupdatesaretoolsusedbytheCDandstafftocontroltheflowof committee.Theseupdatesdetailneweventsandallowthecommittee situationtoevolve. Theymayberevealedasintelligencebriefings,news reports,orevenactedoutlivefordelegates. Dependingonthenatureof theupdate,delegatesmaybeabletoaskquestionstocrisisstaffregarding theinformation.
➢ FrontRoom
Thistermisusedtorefertothemain,publiccommittee. Everythingthat happenspublicly-includingspeechesand public directives (seebelow)aresaidtooccurinthefrontroom
➢ Backroom
Thistermisusedtorefertotheprivate,crisisorientedpartsofthe committee. TheCDandstaffaresaidtobelongtothebackroom. Furthermore,backroomactionsrefertotheprivatemoves(see crisis notes below)delegatestakebehindtheeyesofthecommitteeatlarge.
➢ PortfolioPowers
Actionsthatarewithinthejurisdictionofadelegate’scharacterbasedon theirpositionarereferredtoasportfoliopowers. Thesepowerscanbe usedforprivateactionsbydelegatesthrough crisis notes atanytime,and theycanalsobecontributedto public directives.Anexampleportfolio poweriscontrolovermilitarymovementsfortheChairmanoftheJoint ChiefsofStaff.
➢ CrisisNote/PrivateDirective
Crisisnotes(alsoreferredtoasprivatedirectives)arethecornerstoneofa crisiscommittee.Thesenotesarewrittenbydelegatestotakedirect, unilateralactionoutsidethejurisdictionoftheircommitteeasawhole. Notesmaybewritteninresolutionformatorstyledasalettertoa secretary/aide.Thecrisisteamreviewsnotesandrespondswithadegree ofsuccessorfailurebaseduponportfoliopowers,powersgainedthrough priornotes,levelofdetail,andotherfactors Crisisnotesmayleadto dramaticchangesinthetrajectoryofthecommitteeandbeincorporated incrisisupdates,dependingontheiroutcome.
➢ JointPrivateDirective
Delegateswishingtocollaboratewithoneortwopartners,ratherthanthe committeeatlarge,maysubmitajointprivatedirective(JPD).Thisis essentiallythesameasacrisisnote,butithasmultipleparticipants involved.AllpartiesmustagreeonalltheclausesbeforeaJPDis submitted.
➢ PublicDirectives
Crisiscommitteespasspublicdirectivesinsteadofresolutionpapersto enactaction Thesearetypicallymuchshorterandpassedmuchmore oftentosupportthehighpace,evolvingnatureofcrisiscommittees. Publicdirectivesarewritteninthesamestyleasresolutionpapers,but theycanuseactionoperatives(likesends,delivers,etc.).
➢ PressRelease
Delegatesmaywriteanddeliverpressreleasestothecrisisstafftosway publicopinionorrevealnewinformationtothecommittee Public opinionmaybeincrediblyimportantdependingonthecommittee,so pressreleasescanbeavaluabletool.Thesedocumentscanbesubmitted bythecommitteeasawholeorindividualdelegates.
➢ Communique
Crisiscommitteeshaveasmallsizetofosterrapiddebateandprogress, butthisalsomeansmanypositionsmaynotberepresentedoncommittee. Communiquesprovidedelegatesanopportunitytoreachouttofigures notpresentinthecommitteetomakedeals.Potentialrecipientsinclude familymembers,governmentofficials,andcorporaterepresentatives.
➢ CrisisArc
Justascharactersinastoryevolveandchangeinanarc,sotooshould thecharactersinacrisiscommittee Thecrisisarcdelegatesfollow describestheoverarchingplantheyhavefortheircharactertoaccomplish personalgoalsoverthecourseofthecommittee.Goalsshouldbebased ontheactualcharacter'smotivations,anddelegatesshouldtryto incorporatebothpublicandprivateactionstoachieveit.
Differences in Debate Flow
Crisiscommitteesonlyhaveonetopic,sothereisnoneedtomotiontoset thetopic. Instead,delegatesimmediatelybegindiscussingthesingletopicat handoncedebateopens.WhiletheSpeakers'Listplaysanimportantrolein GAcommittees,itwillrarely(ifever)beutilizedincrisiscommittees Delegateswillspendmuchoftheirtimeinmoderatedcaucusesdiscussing plansforactionandinunmoderatedcaucuseswritingpublicdirectives. Anotherkeydifferenceliesinthecontinuityofdebate.GeneralAssembly committeesarealwaysinsomeformofactivedebate(moderatedor unmoderatedcaucuses,Speakers'List,orvoting)fromthestarttoendof eachsession. However,debateincrisiscommitteeswillbeperiodically interruptedbythecrisisstaffforupdates.Thiscreatesaconstantlyevolving committeeenvironment,sodelegatesincrisiscommitteesarerecommended
OverviewofResolutions
Resolutionpapers,ormoreaccuratelydraftresolutions/workingpaperspriorto approvalbythecommittee,aretheculminationofdelegates’worktodevelop solutionstothetopicsathand.Delegatesdraftthesedocumentsduring unmoderatedcaucusesastheydiscusspolicyandnegotiateterms.Importantly, onlytheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncilmaytakelegallybindingactionthatall nationsmustcomplywith.Thismeansthatallothercommitteesmayonlymake recommendations.Fundingandnationalsovereigntywillbekeypointstokeepin mindasdelegatesattempttonavigatethecomplexissuesoftheircommittee.Ifa delegateisunsureofthepowersandjurisdictionoftheircommittee,itissuggested thattheyasktheirchairtoensurethattheresolutiondoesnotoversteptheauthority oftheircommittee.
Draft Resolutions/Working Papers
Draftresolutionsareallresolutionsthathavenotyetbeenvotedon Adraft resolutionstartsoutasaworkingpaper,whichisthenpresentedtothedais inordertobeturnedintoadraftresolutionanddisseminatedtothewhole committee.Therearethreemainpartstoadraftresolution:theheading,the preambleandtheoperativesection.Theheadingshowsthecommitteeand topicalongwiththeresolutionnumber.Thechairdeterminestheresolution numberbyorderofsubmission.Theheadingalsoliststhedraftresolution’s sponsorsandsignatories(seetheexampledraftresolutionbelow).Each draftresolutioniswrittenasonelongsentencewithpreamblesseparatedby commas,and operativeclausesseparatedbysemicolons.Thesubjectofthe sentenceisthebody makingthestatement(e.g.,theGeneralAssembly, EconomicandSocialCouncil,or SecurityCouncil).Thepreambleand operativesectionsthendescribethecurrentsituationandactionsthatthe committeewilltake.
Bringing a Resolution to the Floor for Debate
Adraftresolutionmustalwaysgainthesupportofacertainnumberof memberstatesinthecommitteebeforethesponsors(thedelegateswho createdtheresolution)maysubmitittothecommitteestaff Astaffmember willreadthedraftresolutiontoensurethatitisrelevantandinproper format.Onlywhenastaffmemberformallyacceptsthedocument and assignsitanumbercanitbereferredtoinformaldebate.Chairswillprovide
amaximumnumberofsponsorsandminimumnumberofsignatoriesbased oncommitteesize
Sections of a Resolution & Amendments
➢ PreambulatoryClauses
Addressesthetopicandhighlightspastinternationalactionontheissue. Includes:
● ReferencestotheUNCharter
● CitationsofpastUNresolutionsortreatiesonthetopicunder discussion
● MentionsofstatementsmadebytheSecretary-Generalorarelevant UNbodyor agency
● Recognitionoftheeffortsofregionalornongovernmental organizationsindealingwiththeissue
● Generalstatementsonthetopic,itssignificanceanditsimpact.
➢ OperativeClauses
Identifiesandintroducesactionsmadeinaresolution.Eachisnumbered andorganizesthepaperinalogicalsequencetosolvethetopic.
Format:“ImplementstheInternationalOlympicCommitteeHealthand WellnessSubcommittee”
➢ Sponsors
Sponsorsareprincipalauthorsofadraftresolutionandagreewiththe focusofthepaper.
➢ Signatories
Signatoriesaredelegatesthatwishtoseethedraftresolutiondebated, regardlessofwhethertheyagreeordisagreewiththecontent.
➢ FriendlyandUnfriendlyAmendments
DraftResolutionsareamendedwhendelegateswritedownachangeinan operativeclauseandpresentittothecommitteeduringthe“amendment period”
● FriendlyAmendments:
Ifallsponsorsagree,theamendmentisfriendlyandisincorporated automaticallytotheresolution
● UnfriendlyAmendments:
Ifnotallthesponsorsagree,theamendmentisunfriendlyandis votedonbythecommittee
WorkingPaperandResolutionRequirements
CommitteeName
ResolutionName
Topic: Sponsors:
Signatories: The(CommitteeName), PreambulatoryPhrase(clause), PreambulatoryPhrase(clause),
1. OperativePhrase(operativeclause);
2. OperativePhrase(operativeclause):
a. (Sub-clause),
b. (Sub-clause),
c. (Sub-clause):
i. (Sub-sub-clause),
ii. (Sub-sub-clause),
iii. (Sub-sub-clause);
3.OperativePhrase(operativeclause).
SamplePhrases
Preambulatoryclausesareessentialsfororganizingthemainfocusofadraft resolution.Looktothelistbelowandthelinkprovidedforfuturereference.
Example Preambulatory List:
➢ Affirming
➢ Alarmedby
➢ Approving
➢ Awareof
➢ Bearinginmind
➢ Believing
➢ Convinced
➢ Declaring
➢ Deeplyconcerned
➢ Desiring
➢ Determined
➢ Emphasizing
➢ Fullyalarmed
➢ Havingconsidered
➢ Keepinginmind
➢ Mindful
➢ Noting
➢ Notingwithzest
➢ Observing
➢ Reaffirming
➢ Recognizing
➢ Reiterating
➢ Takinginto consideration
Operativeclausesarenecessaryfortransitioningandemphasizingeachpartofthe draftresolution.Looktolistbelowandlinksprovidedforfuturereference.
Example Operative List:
➢ Acknowledges
➢ Affirms
➢ Authorizes
➢ Callsfor
➢ Considers
➢ Decides
➢ Declares
Useful Resources:
➢ Demands
➢ Emphasizes
➢ Encourages
➢ Introduces
➢ Invites
➢ Notes
➢ Reaffirms
➢ Recalls
➢ Recommends
➢ Stresses
➢ Stronglyadvises
➢ Suggests
➢ Urges
➢ Welcomes
➢ https://www.wisemee.com/preambulatory-and-operative-clauses/
➢ https://www.allamericanmun.com/how-to-write-clauses-for-a-draft-resolutio n-in-model-un/
➢ https://bestdelegate.com/model-un-made-easy-how-to-write-a-resolution/
SampleResolution
GeneralAssemblyThirdCommittee
Resolution1.2
Topic:“StrengtheningUNcoordinationofhumanitarianassistanceincomplexemergencies”
Sponsors:UnitedStates,Austria,andItaly
Signatories:Greece,Tajikistan,Japan,Canada,Mali,theNetherlands,andGuatemala
TheGeneralAssembly,
Reminding allnationsofthecelebrationofthe50thanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationof HumanRights,whichrecognizestheinherentdignity,equalityandinalienablerightsofall globalcitizens,[usecommastoseparatepreambulatoryclauses]
Reaffirming itsResolution33/1996of25July1996,whichencouragesGovernmentstowork withUNbodiesaimedatimprovingthecoordinationandeffectivenessofhumanitarian assistance,
Noting withsatisfactionthepasteffortsofvariousrelevantUNbodiesandnongovernmental organizations,
Stressing thefactthattheUnitedNationsfacessignificantfinancialobstaclesandisinneedof reform,particularlyinthehumanitarianrealm,
1. EncouragesallrelevantagenciesoftheUnitedNationstocollaboratemoreclosely with countriesatthegrassrootsleveltoenhancethecarryingoutofreliefefforts;[use semicolonstoseparateoperativeclauses]
2. UrgesmemberstatestocomplywiththegoalsoftheUNDepartmentofHumanitarian Affairstostreamlineeffortsofhumanitarianaid;
3. Requeststhatallnationsdeveloprapiddeploymentforcestobetterenhancethe coordinationofreliefeffortsofhumanitarianassistanceincomplexemergencies;
4. CallsforthedevelopmentofaUnitedNationsTrustFundthatencouragesvoluntary donationsfromtheprivatetransnationalsectortoaidinfundingtheimplementationof rapiddeploymentforces;
5. Stressesthecontinuingneedforimpartialandobjectiveinformationonthepolitical, economicandsocialsituationsandeventsofallcountries;
6. Requeststheexpansionofpreventiveactionsandassuranceofpost-conflictassistance throughreconstructionanddevelopment.[endresolutionswithaperiod]
1. https://www.oxfordglobal.org/blog/2020/10/6/a-brief-history-of-model-united-nations
2.
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/what-security-council 3
https://wwwunorg/securitycouncil/content/current-members 4
https://wwwunorg/securitycouncil/content/voting-system
5 https://wwwuneporg/environmental-moments-unep50-timeline
6
https://wwwunorg/ecosoc/en/content/about-us 7 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/ 8 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/first/indexshtml
9 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/second/indexshtml
10 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/third/indexshtml
11 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/fourth/indexshtml
12 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/fifth/indexshtml
13 https://wwwunorg/en/ga/sixth/indexshtml