Model United Nations Handbook

CONTENTS 1. What is the UN?

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2. Before the conference

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3. Speech Writing

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4. Dress Code & Packing List

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5. The Debate

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6. Resolutions

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7. Amendments

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8. The Art of Communication

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9. Web Links

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10. Vaguely useful

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Model United Nations Handbook

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George Chen

INTRODUCTION Dear Students, This guide was compiled as a reference tool for you throughout your studies in Model UN. That being said, it is very technical and formal. Use the chapters as needed and you will find this a handy resource to have. While all the rules and procedures outlined in this book may seem daunting, in reality it isn’t all that bad. In fact, much of it is pretty much common sense, just under new names and formalities. Don’t let this freak you out, it’s very easy to get a hang of. Model UN is an amazing experience that will open your mind up to the world. You will learn about world issues and develop a sense of maturity that most students your age would never dream of attaining. Along the way, you will also develop excellent public speaking skills, as well as general communication tools. Such skills are handy in any environment, and your ability to speak impromptu in front of an audience will be a skill much sought after in your later years in college, business, and beyond. I hope that when you compete in Model UN, it is not only for the joy of winning, but the pleasure of working as a team with the rest of the students from your school, as well as the joy of knowledge and discovering solutions to global issues. Whether you win or lose in a conference is dependant upon both your performance and the chair’s discretion. That said, do not become discouraged if you didn’t win or if your chair hated you or was generally a bad person. Everyone will have several bad chairs in their Model UN careers. What’s important is that you know that you went into the conference giving it your Model United Nations Handbook

all and that you came out an improved delegate. My high school Model UN teacher once said that to be successful in MUN you must “adapt, improvise, and overcome.” Indeed, this is the hallmark of Model UN; to adapt to changes within committee, improvise new solutions and gather new allies, and finally overcoming the challenge faced, whether as a committee or by another delegate. Quick thinking and analysis skills are deeply valued in Model UN, use them to your advantage. But mostly, have fun. Model UN, although a lot of work, is one of the most rewarding experiences. I wish you all the best in all your competitions, now and to the future. Sincerely, George Chen

DEDICATION The editor would like to thank the following for their contributions to his Model UN experience: Robert Timberlake Wayne Knutsen The class of Mira Costa Model UN The students of Preuss Model UN And finally, his parents, for paying for all his Model UN excursions and supporting him all the way.

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1 What is the UN?

ORIGINS OF THE UNITED NATIONS The United Nations came into existence on 24 October 1945. On that day, the United Nations Charter became operative, having been signed by the fifty-one original members. The concept of all nations uniting together in one organization designed to settle disputes peacefully was born of the desire of civilized nations to avoid the horrors produced by the First and Second World Wars. The United Nations developed as a successor to the League of Nations, which represented the first attempt by nations to achieve this unity. The League failed in large part because the United States never joined as a member. In 1942, President Roosevelt first coined the term “United Nations,” when the Declaration of the United Nations was signed by forty-seven nations in support of the Atlantic Charter. In 1944, the United States, United Kingdom, USSR and China met in Washington, DC at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference, where the first blueprint of the United Nations was prepared. In 1945, the final details for the United Nations were worked out at the Yalta Conference. Fifty-one nations gathered from 24 April through 26 June in San Francisco to draft the Charter of the United Nations, which was signed on 26 June 1945.

PURPOSE OF THE UN Model United Nations Handbook

The primary purposes for which the United Nations was founded are detailed in Chapter I, Article 1 of the Charter. These are: 1. To maintain international peace and security; 2. To develop friendly relations among Nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace; 3. To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinctions as to race, sex, language and religion; 4. To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

HOW DOES THE UN SEEK TO ACHIEVE IT’S PURPOSE? Since 1945, the United Nations has established itself as a forum for the discussion of international disputes. Also, Member States recognize that the United Nations has an established machinery which can be utilized as the means of solving international problems. The United Nations seeks, both through its principal organs and various subsidiary bodies, to settle disputes through peaceful means, without resort to the threat or use of force. It should be recognized that the United Nations is not a world government, nor does it “legislate.” Rather, the actions of the United Nations, as evidenced by resolutions passed by its bodies, have a strong moral persuasive effect. The Member States frequently find it within their own best interests to follow UN recommendations. 3

STRUCTURE OF THE UN The United Nations has six primary bodies:

oversees five regional economic commissions and nine “subject-matter” commissions, along with a sizeable system of committees and expert bodies. ECOSOC is composed of fifty-four Member States, elected by the GA for three-year terms. Trusteeship Council (TC): In 1945 there were eleven Trust Territories, which were regions without their own governments. These eleven regions were placed under the TC, which helped them prepare for and achieve independence. With the admittance of Palau as a UN Member State in 1994, the TC has now completed its original mandate. The TC today is inactive, but is formally composed of the permanent Security Council members.

The General Assembly (GA): The GA is the central organ of the United Nations. The GA has been described as the nearest thing to a “parliament of mankind,” as all Member States are members of the GA, and each member has one vote. The GA makes recommendations on international issues, oversees all other UN bodies which must report to the GA annually, approves the UN budget and apportions UN expenses. On the recommendation of the Security Council, the GA elects the Secretary-General and holds the authority to admit and expel Member States. Voting in the GA is ordinarily by simple majority, although on “important questions” a The International Court of Justice (ICJ): The two-thirds majority is required. International Court of Justice, or World Court, is the primary judicial organ of the UN, and deThe Security Council (SC): The Security Coun- cides international legal disputes. All UN memcil is charged with the primary responsibility for bers are automatically able to bring matters bemaintaining international peace and security. It fore the ICJ; however, States must agree to accept has the power to employ United Nations forces the jurisdiction of the ICJ before it can decide a and direct action against threats to the peace. dispute involving that state. Fifteen judges servFifteen members sit on the Security Council, ing nine-year terms sit on the Court. including the five Permanent Members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United King- Secretariat: The Secretariat is composed of the dom and the United States) along with ten “at- Secretary-General and the United Nations Staff. large” members who are elected by the General Approximately 16,000 people are employed as Assembly for two-year terms. A majority in the the staff of the UN, one-third of whom work at Security Council consists of nine members vot- the UN headquarters in New York City. The othing “yes.” However, a “no” vote by any of the er two-thirds work for various subsidiary bodies Permanent Members has the effect of vetoing or of the United Nations. The Secretary-General blocking motions. serves a five-year renewable term. In addition to the six main bodies, the United Nations includes Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): a large “family” of specialized agencies and proECOSOC is the primary body dealing with the grams which the UN administers. Examples ineconomic, social, humanitarian and cultural clude the Food and Agricultural Organization work of the United Nations system. ECOSOC (FAO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Model United Nations Handbook

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the World Health Organization (WHO), and “Voting Blocs,” but this is a definite misnomer. the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). They can be more realistically seen as “Caucusing Blocs:” groups which discuss issues together BLOC POLITICS based on areas of mutual interest, but that ofThe system of “bloc politics” in the UN is one in ten do not reach full agreement on all issues. A which nations have organized themselves into key consideration is that every country in a bloc groups based on areas of mutual interest. These will have different priorities based on its own blocs tend to be made up of nations with simi- national interests. Countries will often discount lar political, historical or cultural backgrounds. bloc considerations and vote in their own best They are often formed on a geographic basis, interest in these priority areas. Blocs usually atbut this is not exclusively the case. By organiz- tempt to form a consensus among their meming themselves with other nations that hold bers which will allow them to act as a cohesive similar interests, bloc members hope to increase group. The effectiveness of any given bloc in extheir influence above the level that they would erting its positions in the General Assembly will have as a single nation in the General Assem- often depend upon its ability to form a consenbly. Bloc politics in the UN today is a misunder- sus among its own members. These acts of comstood and rapidly changing phenomenon. The promise form the basis of UN politics, and often necessity of blocs in the UN was formally estab- must occur within the various caucusing groups lished in 1957, when four regional groups were before they can begin to apply to the UN as a endorsed by the General Assembly: the Latin whole. Bloc politics have changed considerably American, the Asian and African, the Eastern in the last few years. Their viability as a political European and the Western European and Oth- tool is diminishing; blocs are falling out of use. ers. Since that time, the bloc system has grown The most historically cohesive bloc, the Warto encompass many of the political, economic saw Pact, has ceased to exist as a military and and military organizations of the world. Exam- political unit. Several other blocs, including the ples of the major blocs include the Non-Aligned Western, are undergoing structural changes that Movement, the Group of 77, the Association of will have a profound effect on the future of UN South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Afri- politics. The more organized blocs at present are can Union (AU), the Organization of American the African Union (formerly the Organization States (OAS), the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- of African Unity), the Organization of Amerization (NATO), the Organization of Petroleum can States, and the European Union. Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the European One often misinterpreted area of bloc poliUnion (EU). Major changes in the utilization tics is that of the “Third World,” or developing of blocs at the UN have occurred within the bloc. A “Third World Bloc” has never existed. past five years, as explained below. Please note, In actuality, several blocs of developing counhowever, that these groups do not have “offi- tries have existed. The Group of 77 (now concial” standing as caucus groups at the UN, but sisting of 125+ nations) is the largest and is still are rather groups that meet, depending on the sometimes thought of as the Third World Bloc. circumstances, to attempt to reach a consensus There are, however, developing nations which on various issues. Blocs are often thought of as are not members of this organization, and many Model United Nations Handbook

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members also belong to several other organizations, particularly the Non-Aligned Movement. Representatives should be aware that the Member State they represent may no longer actively participate in bloc politics, or may vote outside of its traditional bloc based on circumstances. For example, at the June 1992 Environmental Summit in Rio de Janeiro, several Group of 77 countries including India, a previous leader of the bloc, ignored bloc positions on environmental issues and followed their own national interests when participating at the Summit. The most accurate thing which can be said about bloc politics today is that they are in a state of flux. Many states are increasingly neutral on issues on which they once held strong views and that were shared with other members of their respective bloc. Other states are becoming increasingly independent on issues, or are concerned only with regional issues. One example of a new bloc which has formed in recent years is the “Alliance Against Biopiracy,” formally known as the “Group of Allied Mega-Biodiverse Nations,” which was formed to work together on sustainable development and similar issues. This group is comprised of 12 of the most biodiverse countries on the planet (China, Brazil and India, among others), with a combined total of over 70% of the world’s biodiversity within their collective borders. (Sources: Issues at AMUN #5, HMUN Guide 2006)

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2 Before the Conference

consider whether or not the plan is feasible and past UN actions. A good thing you can do is organize your research in a binder. Sample sections could be: General info on the topic, Country position and actions, and Past UN actions.

POSITION PAPER: Most conferences will require a position paper. The first thing you should do when you receive The following is a generic outline to a position paper, however, specific conferences or commityour topic, country, and committee. tees may have different requirements, so be sure 1.Topic Synopsis: This was prepared for you by to check the conference’s website for details. the chair to give an overview of the topic(s). The chair may even choose to include controversial General Format: 12 pt font, double spaced, issues about the topics and what bloc positions typed, stapled (no covers), correct spelling and grammar. are.

RESEARCH:

2. The Committee: Especially in specialized committees, learn how the committee is supposed to be run. The best way to do this is to visit the committee’s website or by asking a fellow delegate who has been in the committee before. 3. Your country. Learn a bit about your country, specifically, the type of government and it’s policy on your debate topic. A good resource for this is the CIA World Factbook. 4. The topics. The most important part of your research. Study the topic’s history and current issues. Read articles from newspapers and magazines. When researching on the internet, be sure it is from a reputable source, usually groups with .org or .edu in their URLs.

Sample: Country: _______ Committee: ______ Topic: _________ I. Description of the Topic II. Past UN Actions III. Country policy and solutions

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

A. Background of the Topic • In your country’s opinion, what are the main elements of the problem? • What are the roots of those elements? B. Position taken by your delegation 5. Policy and Solutions. Develop the policy you • What are your national interests in the situawant to argue and possible solutions. Be sure to tion? Model United Nations Handbook

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• What are your nation’s policies on the topic? • What steps would you like to see taken to deal with the problem? C. Justification • What are your main reasons for supporting these positions? • What do you predict will be the main opposition to your proposals?

BROWNIE POINTS: CITE END!

YOUR SOURCES AT THE

(Sources: George Chen, HMUN)

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Model United Nations Handbook

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CITING SOURCES

owl.english.purdue.edu>.

BOOKS

An article on a web site Author(s).”Article Title.” Name of web site. Date of posting/revision. Name of institution/organization affiliated with site. Date of access .

Author(s). Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Book with one author Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House. Denver: MacMurray, 1999.

Poland, Dave. “The Hot Button.” Roughcut. 26 Oct. 1998. Turner Network Television. 28 Oct. 1998 .

Two books by the same author Palmer, William J. Dickens and New HistoriAn article or publication retrieved from an cism. New York: St. Martin’s, 1997. electronic database Author. “Title of Article.” Publication Name VolBook with more than one author Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and ume Number (if necessary) Publication Date: Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring. Boston: Allyn, page number-page number. Database name. Service name. Library Name, City, State. Date of 2000. access . Book or article with no author named Encyclopedia of Indiana. New York: Somerset, Smith, Martin. “World Domination for Dummies.” Journal of Despotry Feb. 2000: 66-72. Ex1993. panded Academic ASAP. Gale Group Databases. Purdue University Libraries, West Lafayette, IN. Magazine or newspaper article Poniewozik, James. “TV Makes a Too-Close 19 February 2003 . Call.” Time 20 Nov. 2000: 70-71. Article in a reference database on CD-ROM

ELECTRONIC SOURCES

“World War II.” Encarta. CD-ROM. Seattle: Microsoft, 1999. A web site Author(s). Name of Page. Date of Posting/Revi- Article from a periodically published database sion. Name of institution/organization affiliated on CD-ROM with the site. Date of Access . Industry.” Tennessee Tribune 25 Dec. 1996: 28. Felluga, Dino. Undergraduate Guide to Literary Ethnic NewsWatch. CD-ROM. Data TechnoloTheory. 17 Dec. 1999. Purdue University. 15 Nov. gies. Feb. 1997. 2000 . Purdue Online Writing Lab. 2003. Purdue University. 10 Feb. 2003