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On the second day of the conference the resolution, which was submitted the day before, will be discussed. The debates in each committee will be structured similarly.
To begin with, the Chair will officially open this year's Session of MunoM. Then one of the resolutions submitted will be discussed. The resolution will be discussed as follows:
- The Main Submitter will read out the operative clauses of his resolution.
- The Chair will then set debating time and will decide whether it is going to be an open or a closed debate.
- Now Main Submitter has the floor. The submitting delegation will have a speech explaining why he/she submitted this resolution. They should go through some operative clauses and most importantly explain the ideas which the resolution contains.
- When the speaker is finished the Chair will ask the delegate whether he is open to points of information. There are three ways to reply to such a question:
- The delegate can open himself to an unlimited amount of points of information. However after a few points of information, the Chair will ask the delegate to yield the floor back to the chair, normally due to a lack of time.
- The delegate can open himself to a limited amount of points of information. He can, for example, say that he is open to 3 points of information.
- The delegate may say he is not open to any points of information. This tends not to convince the forum, since they get the impression that the delegate has not prepared thoroughly.
- Thereafter the delegate yields the floor back to the Chair or to another delegation. The speaker may yield the floor to another delegation to speak about the resolution (normally a Co-Submitter), however usually it is yielded back to the Chair. The Chair will then yield the floor to delegation requesting it. The appointed delegate now has the floor.
- After his/her speech is completed, the process mentioned in 4. and 5. restarts.
- Delegates can make amendments. During an open debate, or in time against the resolution, it is possible for delegates to propose amendments. To propose an amendment the delegate will have to write a note to the Chair, stating which clause he would like to change.
- When the Chair asks if there are any delegates who wish to take the floor and you have submitted an amendment, you raise your placard. The delegate will then come to the front and say; "The delegate of e.g. Spain has proposed an amendment." The Chair will then read out your amendment and yield the floor to you. You will then have the chance to explain why the amendment should be passed.
- The Chair will then set debating time to discuss the amendment. When this time elapses:
- Voting procedure will take place. After the debating time of an amendment the delegates will have to vote. You can either vote in favour or against the amendment. Delegates may not abstain (i.e. they have to take sides). After this the debate will continue.
- When debating time for the resolution elapses a vote on the entire resolution will take place. You can now vote in favour, against, or abstain.
Points and Motions
During debate, several points and motions can arise. In general, these can never interrupt a speaker. If a delegate wishes to make a point he is supposed to raise his placard and state his point. The delegate will then be recognised by the Chair, and the delegate will rise and state his point. If other delegates agree with your motion they will shout "Second!" A delegate that does not agree with your motion may shout "Objection!" The various motions are:
Point of order
If a mistake is made during a debate, by the Chair or by a delegate it is in order for a delegate to use this point.
Point of information to the Chair
This is a question from a delegate directed to the Chair, when something is unclear during debate, the delegate may use this point.
Point of information
A point of information is used as a question. It is directed to the speaker who at that moment has the floor.
Points of information are always questions concerning the contents of the debate.
Point of personal privilege
This point is the only point that may interrupt a delegate or the Chair while they are speaking. You would make use it if there is an audibility problem.
Point of parliamentary inquiry
If some kind of confusion occurs and the delegate is not sure what to do next during the debate he may use this point. The delegate could, for example, ask whether it is in order to abstain on an amendment.
Calls for the orders of the day
During a debate delegates sometimes tend to speak about things that are irrelevant to the actual topic. The delegate can then use this point to ask the Chair to return to the actual agenda.
Motion to move into voting procedures
Sometimes delegates feel that there is nothing to say about a resolution anymore, however debating time has not elapsed yet. Now the delegate may use this motion. If there are no objections the house will directly move into voting procedures.
Motion to extend debating time
This motion is used when a delegate feels that there is not been enough time to discuss a resolution. When debating time has elapsed delegates may use this motion. The Chair will then decide if this is in order or not.
Motion to call for a division of the house
Sometimes the difference in number of votes in favour and against a resolution or an amendment is very small. A delegate may use this motion then. There will be a recount. Should the difference still be marginal, every country will be called up and the delegates will have to state their vote again.
Motion to table the resolution
If a delegate feels that a resolution is so bad, that it is not worth discussing it, he may raise this motion.
There then will be a vote and if the majority of the forum agrees to table the resolution, it will be put aside and may be discussed later on. But it basically means the "death" of the resolution. Tabling a resolution is not pleasant for anybody in the house and should be avoided.
Modes of Addresses
The debates at a Model Unites Nations are a very formal means of discussion. Delegates and Chairs have to operate according to a few rules and formal phrases.
- When a delegate is having a speech he is supposed to first address the Presidents or the Chairs in the house, then the delegates.
- "Distinguished Chairs, honourable delegates,..."
- The speaker should always speak in 3rd person since he is representing a whole country or organisation, and not just himself personally.
- "The UK is in favour of this resolution, because it feels that ..."
- After a delegate has finished his speech and has answered all the points of information, he has to yield back the floor to the Chair. If you haven't done this, officially, the Chair can't speak. This is the only time when you can use "I" in 1st person.
- "I yield the floor back to the Chair."
- You can never address a delegate in 1st person. When you start a point of information, or answer one, you say:
- "Isn't the honourable delegate aware of the fact that..."
Notepaper
During a debate it is in order for delegates to pass around Notes. Each delegation is supposed to bring its own Notepaper. The delegates can write their messages on this paper and then hold it up in the air. Also write on it to whom it is addressed. The Administrative Staff will then come and pick it up. The message will then be screened, and if it is in order what you wrote they will bring it to the person you addressed it to.
Messages that do not relate to the meeting will not be passed on. The same applies for a message not written in English, since English is the official language of this Conference.
To prevent the fraud of notepaper every delegation brings its own official notepaper. It should have an official letterhead and logo that identifies the delegation's country or organisation.
Last updated by Administrator (admin) on 29th September, 2010 at 19:13
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