Mini-Mun Guide / Topic Synopsis
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Mini-Mun Guide /
Topic Synopsis
2 I, Michael Thompson, am going to be your chair for Mini-Mun. I’m sure many of you have had questions about committee structure, and this guide should help answer those. Also included is valuable background information about the topic to help you research and prepare. On the next page is a table of contents to help you navigate to those topics you may have a particular interest in. This guide should be a starting point, and I encourage you to go beyond it to ensure your success in committee. Don’t stress or worry about this too much. We realize most of you are new and have a lot to learn. This will be your first time going through the entire conference experience and things will not be perfectly smooth, and that’s o.k. I only expect you to try your best. Please feel free to message me with any questions. Good Luck. -- Michael 2
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS FLOW OF COMMITTEE/COMMITTEE TERMS PG. 4-8 TOPIC SYNOPSIS PG. 9-12 RESEARCHING PG. 13-14 3
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FLOW OF COMMITTEE/
COMMITTEE TERMS
CHAIR
As I stated earlier I will be chair for this committee. Here is the function the chair serves in in all
MUN conferences: the Chair opens and closes committee sessions, enforces rules, recognizes
speakers, and announces decisions. The Chair has the right to act at their discretion to ensure
smooth operation of the committee and has the ultimate authority over committee proceedings
and maintenance of order within the committee. The Chair has the authority to entertain, deny, or
question the propriety of any motion and also sets the time for speeches regarding procedural
motions.
DIAS
The Chair is aided by the dais, which includes a vice-chair (sometimes called Director), and
sometimes a page (sometimes called rapporteur)(essentially a note passer). For Mini-Mun, the
other members of the Secretariat will serve as the other members of the dais.
FLOW OF COMMITTEE
This is the typically flow of committee and the motions that accompany it. Keep in mind, every
time you motion for something there must be some purpose for it. For example, if you motion to
change the speaking time, be sure to give a reason why, i.e. to hear more countries position on
the issue.
1. Roll Call: The first thing that happens after the call to order in committee is roll call, where
attendance of present countries is taken and you receive your placards. The chair calls the
names of countries going down the country list, and countries in attendance respond with
“present” or “present and voting”. If a country is present and voting, it means that that
country will vote “for” or “against” every resolution on the floor during voting bloc. If a
country is just present, they can “abstain” from voting on one or more resolutions.
2. Motion To Open Debate: A motion starting debate, in this case for out only topic. There
will be times when there is more than one topic, and the chair will either request a topic
to be debated first, or one will be decided by majority vote.
3. Motion To Open The Speaker’s List: This motion is accompanied with a request for a set
speaking time, which is typically under 1:30, and the number of and time for comments,
which are typically under 0:30. Keep in mind as many countries who want to can motion
different speaking times/comment numbers and the committee will vote on all the
motions after all of them have been given.
a. SPEAKER’S LIST: The speakers list is the list the chair goes off when calling
countries up to speak in front of the entire committee about the issue. The person
giving the initial motion is given the option of being first on the list by the chair,
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and after that countries raise their placards to be added. You want to be as high up
on the speakers list as possible, as speaking times shorten as committee goes on.
After you have spoken, you can be re-added to the speaker’s list. Motions can also
be given to close or re-open the speaker’s list.
b. SPEECHES: Look at Zhao’s Powerpoint on the website and facebook group for
good tips on speech structure. After your speech, if all your time hasn’t elapsed,
you have the option to yield the rest of your time to the chair, which essentially
discards it, yield your time to questions from other delegates, or yield your time to
another delegate for that delegate to speak.
4. Motion For An Un-moderated Caucus: This is a motion to move from going down the
speaking list and start an un-moderated caucus. This motion must be accompanied with a
time, usually 10 or 15 minutes.
a. UNMODERATED CAUCUS: In an un-moderated caucus countries move about
the room and begin to align themselves with countries that have the same similar
viewpoints and solutions for the issue being debated. Eventually, you will get into
a group and write a resolution paper.
b. RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions are the written down solutions that the countries
that you align yourselves with during committee propose. Resolutions, when
passed, are UN law. Resolutions are then presented by 1/3 of the “Sponsor”
Countries. Sponsor countries are the writers of a resolution (note: you can only
sponsor one resolution per topic). Signatories are simply countries that are
interested in hearing the resolution be debated and voted on. You do not have to
actually support a resolution to be a signatory for it. Most times chairs will set a
minimum number of Sponsors and Signatories a resolution must have for it to be
voted on. Resolutions do have a particular format. The preamble, which states the
importance of the issue and why the resolution is being created( Think of the
preamble to the Constitution), is begun with perambulatory phrases (a list is
below along with a sample resolution), and there are operative clauses, which are
what you will do about the issue, and those begin with operative phrases (also
below).
PREAMBULATORY PHRASES:
Affirming Expecting Having studied
Alarmed by Expressing its appreciation Keeping in mind
Approving Expressing its satisfaction Noting with regret
Aware of Fulfilling Noting with deep concern
Bearing in mind Fully alarmed Noting with satisfaction
Believing Fully aware Noting further
Confident Fully believing Noting with approval
Contemplating Further deploring Observing
Convinced Further recalling Reaffirming
Declaring Guided by Realizing
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Deeply Having adopted Recalling
concerned Having considered Recognizing
Deeply conscious Having considered further Referring
Deeply Having devoted attention Seeking
convinced Having examined Taking into account
Deeply disturbed Having heard Taking into consideration
Deeply regretting Having received Taking note
Desiring Viewing with appreciation
Emphasizing Welcoming
OPERATIVE PHRASES:
Accepts Encourages Further
Affirms Endorses recommends
Approves Expresses its appreciation Further requests
Authorizes Expresses its hope Further resolves
Calls Further invites Has resolved
Calls upon Deplores Notes
Condemns Designates Proclaims
Confirms Draws the attention Reaffirms
Congratulates Emphasizes Recommends
Considers Encourages Regrets
Declares Endorses Reminds
accordingly Expresses its appreciation Requests
Deplores Expresses its hope Solemnly affirms
Designates Further invites Strongly condemns
Draws the attention Further proclaims Supports
Emphasizes Further reminds Takes note of
Transmits
Trusts
SAMPLE RESOLUTION PAPER:
General Assembly Third Committee Sponsors: United States, Austria and
Italy Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands and
Gabon Topic: “Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex
emergencies”
The General Assembly,
Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and
inalienable rights of all global citizens,
Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to
work with UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of
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humanitarian assistance,
Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and
nongovernmental organizations,
Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in
need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm,
1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely
with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts;
2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of
Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;
3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the
coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;
4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary
donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of
rapid deployment forces;
5. Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political,
economic and social situations and events of all countries;
6. Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for
humanitarian assistance; and
7. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict
assistance through reconstruction and development.
MODERATED CAUCUS: A moderated caucus is where the speaking time is much
shorter, maybe 30 seconds, and the country is called upon by the chair, who gives their position
on the issue from their seat. A moderated caucus can be motioned for at any time.
5. FORMAL CAUCUS: During Formal Caucus, resolutions are presented by 1/3 of the
signatories, with usually 5 minutes each. After outlining the resolution, those presenting
take questions from countries in committee. The working groups themselves choose the
1/3 countries who will present, usually the people everyone feels has worked hardest or
contributed most. Presenting gives you extra points in committee, so you definitely want
to try to present your resolution.
6. VOTING BLOCK: After Formal Caucus and all resolutions have been presented, with a
motion, the committee moves into voting block. Voting block is where all countries vote
on each resolution. During voting block there is no talking or moving about or in and out
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the room. Countries that were present and voting must vote either “for” or “against”
every resolution on the floor. Countries that were present may “abstain”, which is neither
a vote for, or against.
OTHER MOTIONS:
Point of Order: Whenever you think the dais has made a mistake, use this motion and then ask
your question.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: A question about parliamentary procedure. While I’m sure there
are going to be plenty of these during Mini-mun, I’m going to ask that we use them sparingly, as
J-Steven and Elizabeth will be able to assist with any questions without stopping the flow of
debate.
Point of Personal Privilege: Many people think you are supposed to use this to go to the
bathroom. haha don’t. Use this instead if you can’t hear someone during a speech or something
similar.
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TOPIC SYNOPSIS
Background
With the drop of the first bombs on Hiroshima, the world was drastically changed
forever. Tens of thousands of civilians were instantly killed, and hundreds of thousands were
severely injured in the bombs’ aftermath. Man had created for himself the power to destroy the
world and possibly even civilization itself. In the years after the war, many nations developed
their own nuclear weapons including: Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India,
Pakistan, and North Korea. Israel is also presumed to poses nuclear weapons. Since the first
bomb, the threat of nuclear war was and still is the largest threat to the global community.
An even greater risk was posed to international security when countries in the Middle
East, a region plagued by centuries of conflict and mistrust, became interested in pursuing
nuclear weapons. Israel, whose creation as a country brought disarray to the region only three
years after World War II, built a nuclear reactor with the aid of France and Great Britain in 1961.
Israel is believed to be the sixth country to develop nuclear weapons and the first to not
acknowledge their existence. India began the testing of its first nuclear weapon in 1974, which
caused Pakistan, an adversary of India, to begin pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran, an adversary of
Israel, while denying it, is also widely believed to be considering developing nuclear weapons
under the pretext of a peaceful nuclear program. Iran’s nuclear program has been a subject of
great debate recently, as several western nations imposed sanctions on Iran after the International
Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) said it believed Iran was attempting to develop a nuclear
weapon in it’s 2011 report. The possibility of Israel responding with military action, as they have
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done in the past in Iraq in 1981 and with Syria in 2007, is increasingly becoming more feasible.
While neither nation responded to Israel’s attack with military action, Iran presents an entirely
different situation and has been aggressive in recent weeks with actions such as military drills
and threats to close the Straight of Hormuz.
Currently, several nations in the Non-Aligned Movement, an organization of 120
countries (a majority of the United Nations) who have not aligned themselves with any major
powers, are meeting in Iran to discuss the nuclear issue. (NOTE: Many of your countries are in
this organization). The organization has in the past voiced support for Iran’s civil nuclear
program, called on Israel to join the NPT, and has called for a nuclear free middle east.
International Involvement
The IAEA was created after United States President Eisenhower proposed the creation of
such an organization in 1953. The IAEA statue was completed in 1957. The three main goals of
the organization are: safety and security, science and technology, and safeguards and
verification. While the organization is not formally controlled by the UN, IAEA does report to
the General Assembly and the Security Council. The organization plays a large role in holding
nations accountable for their non-peaceful nuclear activities and publishes an annual report about
major nuclear issues.
Due to the severity of the issue, the UN has taken several measures to thwart the threat of
nuclear war. The General Assembly opened the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for
signature in 1968, which was put into effect in 1970. As of now, 190 nations have signed the
treaty. Three countries who are believed to have nuclear weapons didn’t sign the treaty: India,
Pakistan, and Israel. North Korea ratified the treaty in 1985, but withdrew from it in 2003. The
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treaty has three main points, or “pillars, which are non-proliferation, disarmament, and the
peaceful use of nuclear energy. In the treaty nuclear weapons states (NWS) agree to not “in any
way to assist, encourage, or induce” non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS) to acquire a nuclear
weapon. In the treaty, NNWS likewise agree not to seek nuclear weapons or assistance in
building them and agree to IAEA safeguards to ensure nation’s nuclear energy programs are
peaceful. The NPT is very vague on the issue of disarmament and only calls on NWS to “pursue
negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at
an early date and to nuclear disarmament.”
The Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the General
Assembly in 1996, which would completely ban nuclear explosions for any and all purposes. The
treaty has not been put into effect since all “44 Annex 2 states”, nations that participated in the
negotiation of the treaty and had nuclear reactors or research reactors at the time, have not
ratified it.
Possible Solutions
This is the part that matters most.
Many in the Untied States automatically think of Israel as a good country, and Iran as a bad
country with nuclear weapons. A 2010 CNN poll which found that 71% of Americans believe
Iran has a nuclear arsenal, can attest to this. Our goal in Model United Nations and the field of
international relations in general, is to move beyond our preconceived notions we naturally grow
up with living in the countries we live in, and look at these issues objectively. When solving
issues you not only have to put yourselves in the shoes of the country you’re representing, but
also the country or countries you need to work with to solve the issue. Keep in mind you can’t
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12 impede on national sovereignty, a very important term in model united nations. National sovereignty means that other nations cannot force any other nation to do anything it doesn’t agree to. Does that mean that countries won’t do anything unless it’s completely their way, no. MUN is about compromise, and through speeches and during committee you will find that you, and other countries will have many things in common and will have many of the same goals, like security and stability. Issues and Questions that should be considered: -Keep in mind that the topic is concerning the entire middle east, not just Iran. What should be done about other countries with nuclear weapons like Israel and Pakistan? -Does your country possess nuclear weapons? Does your country have nuclear power, or is currently pursuing such technology? - What does your country have at stake in the issue? What could you loose? Or gain? -What has the UN and other international organizations (i.e. European Union, Arab League) done about the issue? Is your country apart of these organizations? What has your county done or what does your country believe individually? -How can you achieve that goal without impeding on national sovereignty? 12
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REASEARCHING
The most important factor in your success is you researching more than just what I have written
in this guide. Here are great sources you should utilize. They are arranged in order to the ones
you should start with, to the ones you should finish with. Starting from the end, however, are the
better sources.
1. Wikipedia – All your teachers swear on their lives that Wikipedia is the worse source. It’s
really not, and is actually the best place to start. Look up your country and look at it’s
foreign relations page (there’s usually a main article about.) See what your country thinks
about the issue, and has done either alone or as a part of other international organizations.
2. News Organizations – Credible news organizations like BBC, The New York Times, are
great ways to look at past articles about the issue. Most of these websites have “topics
pages” which provide more in-depth information than Wikipedia and can be found by
googling, or finding the topics page like this:
http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/all/index.html
3. Think Tanks – Think tanks are organizations whose sole purpose is to research issues like
this and provide information and advice to various government agencies. On their
websites are articles written by think tank members which will help you a great deal
during research. Great ones are: Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign
Affairs, and Foreign Policy Association.
4. Primary Sources – These are the hardest to find, but are the best to use, and will
undoubtedly set you apart in committee. These are documents, speeches, statements,
treaties, etc. by your country or an organization your country is involved in. I’ll use the
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country Algeria as an example, the country I had when I had this topic. Some documents
were easier to find like the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, but some, like this working
paper submitted by Algeria on Nuclear Proliferation:
http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/2010_wp24.pdf?_=1316795471
was extremely difficult to find. While it was hard to find, it turned out to be invaluable.
This working paper basically outlines Algeria’s policy on nuclear proliferation in bullet
points, and was actually written by the government itself. I found this under official
documents, on Algeria’s country profile on nti.org. There are many more documents like
this for every country and finding them will have innumerous benefits in committee.
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