PROCEDURAL GUIDE DDKF MODEL UNITED NATIONS 30th JUNE- 1st JULY 2018 ST. JOSEPHS SCHOOL, WADALA, MUMBAI SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 1
WELCOME LETTER Dear participants, It is the greatest joy of the Secretariat-General to welcome you to the first ever Model United Nations being organised in the history of the Kutchi Visha Oswal (KVO) Community, by the Sheth Dhanji Devshi KVO Kelavani Fund, which will be held on Saturday 30th June 2018 and Sunday 1st July 2018 at St. Joseph s High School, Wadala, Mumbai. The DDKF MUN aims to provide a platform for young students to gain awareness on international affairs and to debate on issues of global importance. We have no doubt that participants will cooperate and devise intelligent resolutions, working towards international diplomacy. The MUN Theme is The Road to Peace, involving deliberations simulations of: i. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) - Countering the issue of global gender-based violence. ii. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) - Eliminating the threat from chemical weapons with special reference to Syria. iii. The World Trade Organization (WTO) - Surveillance on anti-dumping duties imposed by member countries with special reference to the US-China Trade War. The Secretariat-General strongly believes that only through mutual understanding, unity and collaboration can we lay the foundations of a more peaceful and equitable world. Lastly, we would like to state that if you have prior experience with MUNs, kindly share your experiences with first time participants. If you are participating in an MUN for the first time, do not worry. It is going to be rewarding two days and we hope to ensure that everyone leaves the MUN with rich knowledge and improved communication skills, as well as lifetime memories and new friendships. Secretariat General DDKF Model United Nations 2018 Prasham Shah - Secretary General Dhawal Pasad - Director General Kshiti Gala - Under Secretary General, Research and Public Affairs Kerul Shah - Under Secretary General, Marketing Khushboo Dedhia - Under Secretary General, Delegate Affairs Aman Framewala - Under Secretary General, Creatives Hriday Haria - Under Secretary General, Logistics and Technology SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 2
CONTENTS 1. What is DDKF? 2. What is a MUN? 3. Conference Information and Agenda 4. What is UNA-USA procedure? 5. How do you prepare for the conference? 6. What are points and motions? 7. How to write a resolution? 8. Amendments SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 3
WHAT IS DDKF? The Sheth Dhanji Devshi KVO Kelavani Fund (DDKF) envisions a world where every Kutchi Visha Oswal (KVO) community youth is empowered to live a successful life through access to higher education. DDKF accomplishes this by providing academic and financial support through educational loans, career guidance, merit awards, leadership training programs etc. To know more about DDKF and its activities do visit http://www.ddkf.org/. WHAT IS A MUN? Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular activity in which students typically roleplay delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. This activity takes place at MUN conferences and at the end of most conferences, outstanding delegates in each committee are recognized and given an award certificate. Participating in a Model United Nations involves substantial research, public speaking, debating, writing, as well as critical thinking, teamwork and leadership abilities. Every participant is given a topic and she/he gave speeches detailing their country s position on the topic and offers possible solutions. For first time participants, we have organised two sessions: session 1 conducted on Sunday 1st June 2018 and mandatory session 2 on Sunday 24th June 2018. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 4
CONFERENCE INFORMATION AND AGENDA DRESS CODE AND CODE OF CONDUCT At the DDKF MUN, we strive for professionalism in all aspects of the conference. Delegates are expected to follow a dress code (western formals or your country s national attire) during all committee sessions and conference events. It is mandatory for delegates to be on time and be present for all sessions during both days. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION We at DDKF MUN are primarily concerned with providing each delegate an enjoyable and educational experience. We deeply firmly that this conference is an opportunity for all students to learn about international relations, public speaking and the challenges of high-stakes diplomacy through first-hand experience. We also value the recognition of students and delegations who would contribute to the conference in exemplary ways. At the Closing Ceremony, the Chief Guest will distribute individual and delegation awards. Each committee Chairperson, in consultation with his/her Vice- Chairperson shall determine individual awards based on the following criteria: Ability to work with and persuade other delegates through in-depth explanations and convincing arguments; Quality of position papers and attendance at all committee sessions; Exhibition of a desire to collaborate and negotiate, while adhering to the policies and interests of the assigned individual or country; Ability to develop and convey pragmatic and actionable solutions, both verbally and in written form; Responsiveness to crisis elements and ability to problem solve; Exhibition of an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the topic area(s); and, Skill and effectiveness in caucusing, resolution-writing, and debate. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 5
AGENDA Please note that the agenda may be subject to change. A more detailed agenda will be given to all delegates at the start of the conference. Delegates are requested to be present at the venue 8.30 am sharp on both days. DAY 1 - Saturday 30th June 2018 DAY 2 - Sunday 1st July 2018 8.30 am - Registration 9.15 am - Inauguration Ceremony and Address by Chief Guest Dr. Smita Shukla (Director of Institute of Financial and Management Studies, University of Mumbai) 10 am - Session I 1 pm - Lunch Break 1.45 pm - Session II 4 pm - Tea/Coffee Break 4.15 pm - Session III 6.30 pm - End of Session III and Day 1 8.30 am - Reporting 9 am - Session IV 12 noon - Lunch Break 1 pm - Session V 3.45 pm - Tea 4 pm - Session VI 5.30 pm - Closing Ceremony and Address by Chief Guest Mr. Paul Carter (British Deputy High Commissioner) 7.30 pm - End of Day 2 and MUN Venue: St. Joseph's High School, Wadala, Mumbai SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 6
4. WHAT IS UNA-USA PROCEDURE? We at DDKF MUN will be following the UNA-USA PROCEDURE to ease the course of the committees. It is as follows: I. Each committee is led by a Chairperson who facilitates the discussion for the committee. The committee will start with the Chairperson taking roll call. Afterward, the committee will vote on which of the assigned topics to discuss first. After the topic is selected, the committee is ready to begin debate on the selected topic. II. There are three debate formats. The default debate format is called the Speakers List. This where delegates take turns making speeches in front of the room by the order that they are listed on the Speakers List as selected by the Chair. Speeches are typically around 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds, but the speaking time can be changed by a majority vote from the delegates. After a certain number of speeches, the delegates may vote to change up the debate format to either Moderated Caucus or Unmoderated Caucus. Moderated Caucus is when the committee decides to focus on a sub-issue and get a backand-forth debate going. Delegates will raise their placards to be called on to speak, and the Chairperson will call on speakers one-by-one until the Moderated Caucus time has expired. Unmoderated Caucus is when delegates are free to get up out of their seats and roam around the room to work with other countries with similar policies. The first one or two unmoderated caucuses will be spent finding allies, but afterward most of the unmoderated caucuses are spent writing draft resolutions with your caucus bloc (your group of allies). All delegates are encouraged to be a sponsor i.e. an author of a draft resolution. Committee will switch between Speakers List, Moderated Caucus and Unmoderated Caucus until draft resolutions are complete, merged and ready to be presented. III. IV. Resolutions will be presented either as they are ready or all at once towards the end of the conference (sometimes this is called Formal Caucus). Some conferences allow a question-and-answer period after the presentations and some conferences will also allow time to make mergers or amendments to the resolution. Finally, all the countries in the committee will vote on whether they want a resolution to be passed. Afterward, committee will repeat the same process again for the second topic, or if you do not have a second topic then you are done. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 7
5. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE CONFERENCE? Once you have signed up, you will receive your country assignment, your committee, and its topics. At least 2-3 days before the MUN, you will be provided with a Background Study Guide that introduces the topics and the best way to start preparing is to read the Study Guide first. There are typically some items to prepare for before you walk into the first day of the conference: research on your country, your topic, your country s stance on the particular topic and related agenda. Prepare your Opening Speech and a Research Binder. A. Opening Speech: The OPENING SPEECH typically lasts about 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds and is the first speech you give to the committee. It is the best opportunity for you to explain your country s policy and the key sub-issues you would like the committee to focus on. Opening Speeches are the main way for countries to determine who they want to work with, so it s important to prepare a speech that conveys this. There are many tips and strategies on how to deliver an Opening Speech but use the Study Guide when you are starting out. The most important action is to just be brave, clear in your communication skills and make your first speech impactful. B. Research Binder: Research Binders are optional but highly recommended, especially since many conferences do not allow the use of technology in committee. An organized and printed out Research Binder will be your go-to resource during the conference as new terms and acronyms, previous resolutions and treaties, and possible solutions are mentioned. Here is a suggested list of 15 THINGS EVERY DELEGATE SHOULD HAVE FOR THEIR RESEARCH BINDER. C. Resolution: Delegates will be writing a document called a Resolution in their respective committees along with other countries that they will be working with. It s important to know the resolution format and phrases, but most conferences do not allow pre-written resolutions since they want countries to collaborate together during the committee. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 8
WHAT ARE POINTS AND MOTIONS? There are some points and motions that govern the course of the committee. A delegate can raise a point or a motion at a time. I. POINT OF INQUIRY (OR POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE): When the floor is open (i.e., no other delegate is speaking), a delegate may rise to a point of inquiry to ask the chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure. II. III. IV. POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: Points of personal privilege are used to inform the chairperson of a physical discomfort a delegate is experiencing, such as the inability to hear another delegate s speech. The delegate must never interrupt a speaker with this point unless you truly cannot hear what the other delegate is speaking. POINT OF INFORMATION: After a delegate has given a speech in formal debate, he or she may yield time to points of information, or questions from other delegates concerning the speech. POINT OF ORDER: Points of order are used when delegates believe the chair has made an error in the running of the committee. Delegates rising to points of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. They should only specify the errors they believe were made in the formal committee procedure. V. SUSPEND MEETING: Suspending the meeting means calling for a moderated or unmoderated caucus. When moving to suspend the meeting, delegates should specify the purpose for and length of the suspension. This motion requires an immediate vote. VI. VII. ADJOURN MEETING: Adjourning the meeting ends the committee session until the next session, which may be held after a break or the following year. The motion is most commonly made to end a committee session for the purpose of lunch or dinner. It requires an immediate vote. TABLE DEBATE: This motion must not be confused with the motion to adjourn the meeting. Tabling the debate ends debate on the topic. Delegates can table the debate, move on to another topic and return to the first topic at a later time. Before going into a vote, two delegates must speak in favour of tabling the debate and two speak against it. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 9
VIII. IX. CLOSE DEBATE: Closing the debate allows the committee to move into voting procedure. Once a delegate feels that his or her country s position has been made clear, that there are enough draft resolutions on the floor and that all other delegates are ready, he or she can move for closure of the debate. Two delegates usually speak against the closure of debate. None speak for it. DELIVERY: The key to a successful speech is strong and effective presentation of your ideas. Be confident in your public speaking. Avoid showing any signs of fear, stress, doubt, anxiety, or nervousness. In terms of style, it is especially important that in your first few speeches you give the impression of confidence. Confidence in your preparation, confidence in your ideas, and confidence in your ability to communicate. Remember that the point is to get your ideas across; you know what you want to say, so relax and concentrate on making your views clear. X. YIELDS: There are three different types of yields you can make. Please remember, though, that yields only apply to substantive speeches, there is only one yield per speech, and yielding precludes any comments. TO QUESTIONS: With this yield, the Moderator selects delegates who wish to ask you questions. Each delegate is allowed one question and only your answer time is subtracted from your remaining time. Often the best kind of yield that you can make, yielding to questions lets you clear any misconceptions that delegates may have. TO A DELEGATE: When you yield to another delegate, he or she is given your remaining time to speak. You usually opt for this yield when an ally knows a particular idea well and would be better able to express it. TO THE CHAIR: After you make this yield, the Chair proceeds to the next speaker, unless there are any motions. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 10
HOW TO WRITE A RESOLUTION? Here is an example of what a resolution looks like: A resolution is simple to write. It has three main parts: (A) THE HEADING, (B) THE PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES AND (C) THE OPERATIVE CLAUSES. A. Heading: The heading contains four pieces of information: the committee name, the sponsors, the signatories, and the topic (not necessarily in that order, depending on committee rules). SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 11
The committee name and topic should be self-explanatory. The sponsors are the authors of the resolution. The signatories are other delegates in the committee who do not necessarily agree with the resolution but would like to see it debated. Most conferences require a minimum number or percentage of sponsors and signatories (or a combination of both) before a resolution can be presented; this encourages consensusbuilding. You will also notice some numbering (on the top right corner in the example). This is usually provided by the committee chair and is just a way to number the different resolutions; usually by the order they are received or approved, so that delegates can easily differentiate or reference them. B. Preambulatory Clauses: The perambulatory clauses state all the sub-issues that the committee wants to resolve on the topic. It may state reasons why the committee is working on this issue and highlight previous international actions on the issue. Pre-ambulatory clauses can include: Past UN resolutions, treaties or conventions related to the topic. Past regional, non-governmental or national efforts in resolving the topic. References to the UN Charter or other international frameworks and laws. Statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body or agency. General background information or facts about the topic, its significance and its impact. It is simple to write a preambulatory clause. First, take a statement that you want to write about (perhaps an issue you want to solve or a fact from one of the five bullet points above). You then take that statement, combine it with an underlined preambulatory phrase, and end it with a comma. Here are some example preambulatory phrases that you can choose from: SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 12
For example, my country wants to address the issue of how HIV/AIDS has spread rapidly in sub-saharan Africa. I pick a preambulatory phrase from above I ll use Alarmed by and then I combine it to say: Alarmed by the 17% increase in HIV/AIDS contraction among sub-saharan African countries in the past five years, Strategy Tip: In general, it is good to have fewer preambulatory clauses than operative clauses. More operative clauses convey that you have more solutions than you have problems. C. Operative Clauses: Operative clauses state the solutions that sponsors of the resolution propose to resolve issues. Operative clauses should address only the issues specifically mentioned in the preambulatory clauses above it. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 13
It is simple to write an operative clause. First, take a solution that you want to include in the draft resolution. Then, you take that solution, combine it with an underlined operative phrase and end it with a semicolon (the last operative clause ends with a period). Operative clauses are also numbered. This differentiates them from preambulatory clauses, helps show logical progression in the resolution and makes the operative clauses easy to refer to in speeches and comments. Here are some example operative phrases from UNA-USA S WEBSITE that you can choose from: For example, my first solution is to distribute low-cost medicines for HIV/AIDS to sub- Saharan African countries. I pick an operative phrase from above. I ll use Calls upon and then I combine it and number it to say: 1. Calls upon the developed countries and major pharmaceutical countries to provide low-cost, generic medicines for HIV/AIDS to sub-saharan African countries.. Strategy Tip: Usually, more details in an operative clause will make it stronger or at least make the idea more clear to other delegates. A simple way to strengthen each operative clause is to answer the 5 important questions (5Qs) who, what, when, where, why, and how of each resolution. These details can be broken down into sub-operative clauses underneath the main operative clause. SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 14
AMENDMENTS Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a written statement that ADDS, DELETES OR CHANGES an operative clause in a draft resolution. The amendment process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change the operative clauses (the pre-ambulatory clauses cannot be modified). There are two types of amendments: I. A friendly amendment is a change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree with. After the amendment is signed by all sponsors of the draft resolution and approved by the committee chair, it will be automatically incorporated into the resolution. II. An unfriendly amendment is a change that some or all of the sponsors of the draft resolution do not support and must be voted upon by the committee. This also refers to delegates who did not write this resolution at all but see potential in it as long as several changes are made to it. The sponsors of the amendment will need to obtain a required number of signatories in order to introduce it. Prior to voting on the draft resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly amendments. Writing an amendment is simple. All you have to do is make an operative clause that adds, deletes, or changes an operative clause in a draft resolution. Examples include: Adds an operative clause that reads 14. Encourages all Latin American countries to Deletes operative clause 9. Changes operative clause 1 to read 1. Calls upon the Red Cross to provide lowcost medicines ************************* SHETH DHANJI DEVSHI KVO KELAVANI FUND 15