WHAT IS MUN DAKSH SAKSENA, USG – RESEARCH AND TRAINING

THE UNITED NATIONS It is an intergovernmental organization that promotes international co-operation. It was a replacement for the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations The HQ is in New York City, but other main offices are in Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna It initially had 51 member states in 1945, but now it has 193 Main P5 Members: USA, Russia, France, UK, PRC

MAIN BODIES

THEY ARE The General Assembly The Security Council UN Trusteeship Council (Inactive since 1994) ECOSOC ICJ The Secretariat

BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE COMMITTEE Delegates Executive Board podium

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Chair: The chair is responsible for the procedural functions of the committee. He or she assures that the committee operates in a smooth and efficient manner. This position requires a very thorough working knowledge of the rules of procedure and a professional presence on the dais Vice Chair:The Vice-Chairs of committees may serve as replacements for the Chair, presiding over meetings when the Chair is unable to attend. All of the Chair's powers can be delegated to the Vice-Chair, but the Vice-Chair cannot preside over a committee meeting while the office of Chair is vacant. Normally, Vice-Chairs also serve as members of the subcommittee on agenda and procedure. Rapporteur: The rapporteur is responsible for maintaining the speakers list, the order of the resolutions on the floor, amendments, verifying vote counts, and similar administrative matters. The rapporteur is also called upon to assist in the preparation of final committee reports.

GLOSSARY FOR THE MUN Delegate: Representative of a nation. The Floor: The floor is the podium, where delegates make speeches and answer questions. Placard: A piece of plastic or cardboard that has the name of the country written on it in bold and large letters. Every delegate has a placard. These are used extensively during debate, to request to make speeches and during voting. The House: The committee is called the house. “No commotion on the floor” / “Will the house please come to order”: The chair is telling the delegates to sit down and stop talking! To Second: To agree with something.

GLOSSARY (CONTINUED) Speaker’s List: List of nations that signalled to the chair that they want to make a speech. This will be written on the board for all delegates to see. Voting by roll call: In typical voting, delegates raise their placards when asked whether they are “in favour” or “against” the specific thing that is being voted. The chair counts placards to determine outcome of vote. (“Abstain”ing may or may not be in order.) In roll call voting, the chair calls on each nation separately, one by one, and each nation will state whether they are “in favour”, or “against” (‘Abstain’ing may or may not be in order.) Agenda: The topic of discussion.

POINTS 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: A point of information is basically 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, ie. if you cannot hear the speaker. 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.

PROCEDURE OF THE COMMITTEE Roll Call Delegate raises a motion for opening the floor for debate Delegate raises a motion for introduction of GSL Then committee moves between formal/informal debates

ROLL CALL Two types of responses, ‘present’ and ‘present and voting’ When someone says present, that delegate can abstain from voting during the resolution making process When someone says present and voting, the delegate has to vote for or against the resolution Observer nations, like Holy See and Palestine, can only vote on procedural matters

TYPES OF DEBATE Formal Debate: Mostly includes the GSL. Default time for speaking is 90 seconds. Delegates have to raise placards when the chair prompts to ask for their country to be a part of the GSL. Can yield their time to the chair, or points of information Informal Debate: Moderated Caucus: Almost all parliamentary procedures still in place. Speaker’s List not in order: After each speech, when the delegate returns to his/her seat, the chair will ask: “Are there any delegates wishing to take the floor?”, and then will call on one delegate. This process will be repeated throughout the debate. Unmoderated Caucuses: Delegates are free to talk, roam around the room and discuss. No formal parliamentary procedure in place. (ie. Free discussion time.)

SOME COMMON COMMITTEES UNODC DISEC HRC SC WHO WTO ECOSOC IAEA

EXERCISE – WHICH COMMITTEE WOULD HANDLE THIS AGENDA Related Greece Economic Crisis Related to the Civil War in Syria Smuggling of Marijuana Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Middle East Biological Warfare Trade tariffs in India-Pakistan Border Ebola epidemic in Africa Women’s education rights Rights of POWs Overpopulation resulting in scarcity of goods Syrian Refugees in states like Jordan Overdosage deaths due to Methamphetamine in Central America Childrens’ right to education Improper disposal of Nuclear Wastage