Teacher Guide Updated 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLDGEMENTS... 2 WHAT IS MODEL UN PROGRAM?... 3 WHAT IS MODEL UNITED NATIONS?... 3 PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR A MODEL UN CONFERENCE... 3 RESEARCH: COUNTRY POSITIONS AND TOPICS... 4 EXPECTATIONS OF MODEL UN ADVISOR ROLE:... 9 DELEGATE CODE OF CONDUCT... 10
ACK ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We appreciate the financial support from our funders as well as the in-kind support from Hamline University, Macalester College, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, St. Paul Public Schools, and Minneapolis Public Schools. Additionally, most of our photographs are provided in-kind by portrait photographer, James Newton (newtonphoto.com). We know that even with many supporting individuals, foundations and organizations, this program would not be successful without the hard work and dedication of all of our teachers. Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 2
WHAT IS MODEL UN PROGRAM? Model UN Program is a program of the United Nations Foundation / United Nations Association of the USA, implemented locally by the United Nations Association of Minnesota, which engages students from grades 7-12 in the classroom and in conferences in authentic simulations of the United Nations, known as Model UN. WHAT IS MODEL UNITED NATIONS? Model United Nations (MUN) is an authentic simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and other multilateral bodies of the United Nations. Assembled in an auditorium and dressed in business attire, students assume the roles of diplomats of their representing countries and negotiate international issues. Students, known as delegates in MUN, prepare position papers prior to conferences to learn about each other s stance regarding the topic of discussion. This further assists the drafting of resolutions during conferences. MUN differs from a formal debate in the sense that international cooperation is strongly emphasized in the discussion. Through the MUN experience, students not only have an increased international awareness of foreign policies and aspirations of countries, but also benefit greatly through benevolent interactions with others. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR A MODEL UN CONFERENCE Preparing students for a Model UN Conference is a six-step process. On this guide we will expand on each of these steps, ensuring you have all the tools needed to start using Model UN as a pedagogical tool in your classroom SIX MODEL UN PREPARATION STEPS 1. COUNTRY ASSIGNMENTS - COUNTRY RESEARCH 2. TOPIC RESEARCH 3. SOLUTIONS 4. POSITION PAPER 5. RESOLUTIONS 6. RULES OF PROCEDURE Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 3
RESEARCH: COUNTRY POSITIONS AND TOPICS 1. COUNTRY ASSIGNMENT AND COUNTRY RESEARCH When you register for the Model UN Conference, you will be asked to indicate your preferences of countries to role-play in the conference. Often, schools would like to represent the 15 countries of the Security Council, especially the 5 permanent members with veto power. It is worth noting, however, that in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and most other UN governing bodies, the principle of sovereign equality governs the proceedings. That is to say that each member state has one vote and even the "smallest" member state not only has a role to play, but can sometime wield considerable influence. After your school registers with the program coordinator, you will receive your student s country assignments. Each country will be represented by two students and the distribution of delegates in each Committee is in line with the existing representation at the UN. First, students need to learn about their country so they may address the issues raised at the conference just as a real delegate from that country would at the UN. Some of the recommended resources in obtaining the country information are: The UN s National Government Information Page www.un.org/esa/national.htm UN CyberSchoolBus Country At A Glance (a fun UN webpage, specifically targeted for K-12 students) www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp BBC News Country Profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html US Department of State Country Background Notes www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn When using the Internet for research, students should make sure to carefully select the sources, keeping in mind that not all web sites are reliable sources of information. 2. TOPIC RESEARCH The next task will be to develop an understanding of the issues that will be debated at the conference. The topic of the Model UN conferences changes from year to year. For example, the students tackled the issues of Refugees in 2011, Food Security in 2010, and Children s Rights in 2009. Prior to each conference a topic guide for each Committee will be prepared and made available in the UNA Teacher Resource google docs folder. Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 4
The background guide will contain the basic information regarding the topic. Your students may want to look at the sources cited in these materials for more in-depth information. Other excellent sources of information are those of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Each school will receive a delegate guide prior to the conference which will include some tips on research and useful sources for the specific topic. Apart from the resources one can find online, encourage your students to read academic publications. Although they can sometimes be complex, they provide in-depth information on many issues. 3. SOLUTIONS Finding ideas for solving complex global problems is the end result of a Model UN Conference; they make up the substantive parts of resolutions. It is imperative that students understand the avenues available to them when attempting to solve these complex issues. Words and concepts such as World Bank, NGO, Sovereignty, Infrastructure, Oversight, and Sanctions are all necessary for finding viable solutions and, in turn, coming up with working resolutions. This fact makes this part of Model UN preparation critical to the students success at their conference. Solution ideas are complicated and require difficult critical thinking. There are always unintended consequences and issues related to the decisions we can make and it is important that students understand this. There are no direct answers; if these problems were simple they would have already be solved. It is important to brainstorm about these issues before attending the conference. 4. POSITION PAPERS In an effort to expand upon the high quality of debate at the Model UN Program Conference, delegates are highly encouraged to write and submit position papers prior to the conference. Position papers allow delegates to organize their ideas and help them to better represent a country s policy. The position papers will also aid delegates in creating their speeches. Each position paper should relate to the topic of the committee, and define the topic s relationship to the country s national interests. Position papers are a maximum of one page (single-spaced). 5. POSITION PAPER DEADLINE & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Position papers must be submitted one weeks before each conference to be considered for awards. The specific deadline for each conference is listed on the website: Position Paper Deadline Due to the growth of our program, Position Papers will no longer be accepted via email or individually. They now must be in PDF format and uploaded to our website (www.unamn.org). All submissions of Position Papers must be in PDF format and include in the Heading (see Position Papers tab for more information): Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 5
Delegates should also include recommendations for action to be taken by your committee. A delegate s role as a Member State, Observer State, or NGO should affect the way a position paper is written. To understand these differences, please refer to the Delegate Preparation Guide. It may also be helpful to view a Sample Position Paper. A position paper should be submitted for each assigned committee. All submissions of Position Papers must be in PDF format and include in the Heading (see Position Papers tab for more information): 1. Committee Name 2. Country Name 3. School Name 4. Delegate Names 5. Date The one page position paper Do not submit papers for committees not assigned to your country/ngo No more than two delegates can represent a single country/ngo in a committee (unless assigned three per delegation) If you assign two delegates to represent a country/ngo on a committee, then submit one position paper jointly, not separate position papers from each individual. Please pay careful attention to the following guidelines when drafting and submitting your position papers. Only those delegations that follow the guidelines and meet the submission deadline will be eligible for position paper awards. 1. All papers must be typed and formatted according to the standards below: 1. Length must not exceed one page 2. Margins must be set at 1 inch or 2.54 cm. for the whole paper 3. Font must be Times New Roman sized between 10 pt. and 12 pt. 4. The positions presented must reflect the actual positions of your country, even if this is outside of Delegates comfort zone. We support an open learning environment and this is essential to Model UN simulations. 5. Individual names of Delegates, Country/NGO name, school name, and committee name must be clearly labeled on the first page, upper left hand corner 6. National symbols (headers, flags, etc.) are deemed inappropriate for MUN position papers 7. Bibliography of sources must now be included in the second page 1. Acceptable format: APA Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 6
SAMPLE RESOLUTION AND RESOLUTION CLAUSES Operative Clauses Preambulatory Clauses Sponsors: Signatories: Topic: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Resolution ILO/1.2 Australia, Cuba, the Philippines, and the United States Belarus, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Japan, Peru, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom Globalization and Development Acknowledging that globalization affects all people, governments, and organizations around the world, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses] Believing that all workers should be valued and protected, Reaffirming that globalization should be utilized as a resource to reduce poverty and unemployment and to foster growth and sustainable development worldwide, - Authorizes the creation of an ILO sub-committee comprised of member states, world business leaders, and international labor organizations: a. For the purpose of evaluating each country s living wage and recommending it as a specific country s minimum wage b. To protect workers rights c. To monitor business practices and maintain integrity; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses] - Encourages the creation of and enforcement of labor laws and safety regulations; - Further requests international corporations and developed nations contribute aid and resources to developing nations for education and technology; and [add and to the second-to-last operative clause] - Encourages collaboration with UNICEF to suggest enforcement of strict child labor laws worldwide, such as: a. Two hours of schooling for every hour worked b. No formal work for children under the age of twelve. [end with a period] Preambulatory Clauses Acknowledging Affirming Alarmed by Anxious Approving Aware of Believing Concerned Confident Conscious Considering Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply disturbed Desiring Determined Emphasizing Encouraged Endorsing Expressing Expecting Fulfilling Operative Clauses Accepts Adopts Affirms Appeals Appreciates Approves Authorizes Calls upon Commends Concurs Condemns Confirms Congratulates Considers Decides Declares Deplores Designates Directs Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Fully aware Fully believing Grieved Guided by Having adopted Having approved Having considered Having received Having reviewed Keeping in mind Mindful Noting Observing Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Regretting Reiterating Reminding Seeking Stressing Welcoming Expresses Further proclaims Further reminds Instructs Invites Notes Reaffirms Recognizes Recommends Regrets Reiterates Renews its appeal Repeats Requests Suggests Strongly suggests Supports Takes note of Transmits Urges Welcomes Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 7
6. RULES OF PROCEDURE All procedural matters in committee are subject to the discretion of the Chairperson. The Chair may undertake any action that is not covered in the Rules of Procedure in order to facilitate the flow of debate at the conference. The following motions are in order of precedence: Motion or Point Second Required Debatable Interrupt Speaker Points Vote to Pass Notes Point of Personal Privilege Point of Order Point of Inquiry Point of Information Motions No No Yes None Addresses any personal discomfort (e.g. can t hear, too hot/cold, etc..) No No Yes None Addresses a procedural matter. Used when a delegate believes an error in procedure has been made. No No No None Addresses any clarification of procedure. No No No None Used when a delegate needs further information regarding something that has been stated. To Set Speaking Time Suspend the Meeting Closure of Debate Adjourn the Meeting Other Yes No No Simple majority Yes No No Simple majority Yes 2 Against No Two-thirds majority Yes No No Simple majority Sets or changes the speaking time. Calls for a moderated or unmoderated caucus and breaks. Specify the purpose for and length of the suspension. Ends debate and moves into voting procedures on current topic. Ends the meeting for the day. Yields No No No None Can be done after a delegate speaks. Can only yield to questions or to the Chair. Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 8
EXPECTATIONS OF MODEL UN ADVISOR ROLE: In the spirit of diplomacy, we expect all attendees to adhere to an exemplary standard of conduct throughout the conference, both in and out of committee session. In the following statements, we go through some commonly applicable policies, though these are non-exhaustive and you should email andreab@unamn.org if you have questions. We must give fair warning, however unpleasant, that violations of these policies can impact you and your delegation s ability to remain at UNA-MN MUN and attend future conferences. Depending on the severity of the offense, external authorities including law enforcement may be engaged as well. We sincerely hope that none of these escalations will be necessary. UNA-MN expects all delegates to adhere to the following policies throughout conference. Advisors and chaperones are responsible for ensuring full compliance with these policies by the students in their delegation. While participating in the UNA-MN Model UN conferences, delegates have a responsibility to always maintain the highest level of professionalism and diplomacy. Conference staff, faculty advisors, fellow delegates, speakers, as well as non-una-mn guests should be treated with the highest level of courtesy and respect. Professionalism in speech, actions, and appearance by delegates is a requirement of this conference, and necessary to its educational mission. It is expected that all delegates will respect the property of the conference locations, our hosts, and any other facilities used by our conferences. UNA- MN reserves the right to restrict future registration for any participant or school, whose delegates or faculty advisors are not able to uphold their responsibility to the conference s code of conduct. Delegates are expected to: Remain in character by consistently advocating the interests and representing the policies of the country assigned. To act in character also entails displaying respect for the opinions and ideas of fellow delegates, even if these opinions and ideas conflict with a given delegate s own country's priorities. Collaborate with fellow delegates when possible. Be courteous and professional at all times, including the passing of appropriate notes. Delegates who disrupt committee sessions or create problems in the committee or other facilities will be subject to the Two-Strike Policy and may be barred from further participation in UNA-MN MUN conferences. Delegates are not allowed to use their phones during committee sessions. Social media is also prohibited during committee sessions. Violations in the use of phones or social media are subject to the Two-Strike Policy. Delegates must remain in committee session from start to finish and are not allowed to leave the conference venue due to liability issues, the purpose of being here is participation in the Model UN conference and failure to attend committee sessions may result in your withdrawal from future conferences. Any delegates who do not participate in committee session either due to discipline issues or other reasons must be with their advisors at all times. Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Policy: It is the intention of UNA-MN that the environment of the Model United Nations conferences supports our educational goal. We will not tolerate any instances of sexual harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability. If any delegate, faculty advisor, team leader, guest, or volunteer believes they have encountered sexual harassment or discrimination, which results in a hostile working environment or Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 9
disparate treatment, they must bring it to the attention of the Chair of their committee. In the event that this is not possible, they must bring it to the attention of the their Model UN advisor or UNA-MN staff member. We will investigate the merits of the allegations, interviewing all parties involved. Each school/educational organization must designate at least one adult as an advisor, making them the main point of contact to UNA-MN. Delegations may need to bring additional adults in supervisory capacities, known as chaperones, depending on the number of students. All advisors and chaperones must be at least 21 and a recognized employee or volunteer of their respective school/educational organization. Prior to conference, advisors will provide UNA-MN with their contact information and that of an off-site contact. Advisors must remain reachable throughout conference. Chaperones and the off-site individual will be notified if the delegation s advisor cannot be reached in a timely manner. Among other responsibilities, advisors and chaperones are expected to: 1) coordinate to have at least one representative present at the advisor/chaperone meeting held during conference. 2) be aware of the whereabouts of their students at all times and inform UNA-MN staff if any delegates are not in committee sessions. Advisors, chaperones, and ultimately schools/educational organizations are responsible for the conduct of members of their delegation. 3) refrain from unsafe, careless, or negligent behavior. Advisors and chaperones will be notified in the event of a policy violation involving students in their delegation using our Two-Strike Policy. UNA-MN reserves the right to impose penalties on attendees who violate conference policy. Depending on the severity of the situation, the range of actions include without limitation the following: 1) Verbal warning 2) Notification of the delegation s advisor and chaperones 3) Notification of the attendee s school s principal 4) Expulsion of the attendee, and/or the delegation, from UNA-MN Model UN Conferences. Attendees may be held liable for any monetary damages and costs they may incur as a result of their behavior (e.g. expulsion from conference, vandalism). We want UNA-MN Model UN Conferences to be an enjoyable and positive experience for you and your students, and our policies are in place for the safety of all attendees. We are hopeful that these precautions will prove unnecessary. DELEGATE CODE OF CONDUCT While participating in the UNA-MN Model UN conferences, delegates have a responsibility to always maintain the highest level of professionalism and diplomacy. Conference staff, faculty advisors, fellow delegates, speakers, as well as non-una-mn guests should be treated with the highest level of courtesy and respect, including on social media and in electronic communications. Professionalism in speech, actions, and appearance by delegates is a requirement of this conference, and necessary to its educational mission. It is expected that all delegates will respect the property of the conference locations, our hosts, and any other facilities used by our conferences. UNA-MN reserves the right to restrict future registration for any participant or school, whose delegates or faculty advisors are not able to uphold their responsibility to the conference s code of conduct. Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 10
DELEGATES ARE EXPECTED TO: 1. Remain in character by consistently advocating the interests and representing the policies of the country assigned. To act in character also entails displaying respect for the opinions and ideas of fellow delegates, even if these opinions and ideas conflict with a given delegate s own country's priorities. 2. Collaborate with fellow delegates when possible. 3. Be courteous and professional at all times 4. Passing inappropriate notes is prohibited and subject to the Two-Strike Policy. 5. Delegates who disrupt committee sessions or create problems in the committee or other facilities may be barred from further participation in the conference and will be subject to the Two-Strike Policy. 6. Delegates must remain in committee session from start to finish and are not allowed to leave the conference venue, the purpose of being here is participation in the Model UN conference and failure to attend committee sessions may result in your withdrawal from future conferences. Name Badges Delegates must wear their name badges at all times; they are the only identification recognized by the Model UN Program UN Conference staff and other officials. Please do not bend name badges. Placards Delegates will receive one placard per delegation. Placards are used in several Model UN Program Conferences and as such, delegates are expected to use them respectfully at all times. Illegal Substances & Smoking Any delegate found in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs will be barred from the conference and sent home immediately; law enforcement will be immediately called. Smoking is prohibited in all conference buildings at all times. Dress Code All clothing must adhere to guidelines that portray professionalism and modesty. If a delegate s attire is deemed inappropriate by UNA-MN staff, the delegate will be asked to leave the session and return with appropriate attire. UNA-MN will not tolerate any delegate s attempt to portray a character using traditional cultural attire as a costume. Faculty advisors/team leaders, guests, and volunteer staff serve as role models for delegates. Thus, they are required to dress in western business attire while participating in scheduled conference sessions. Sexual Harassment & Discrimination Policy It is the intention of UNA-MN that the environment of the Model United Nations conferences supports our educational goal. We will not tolerate any instances of sexual harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, or disability. If any delegate, faculty advisor, team leader, guest, or volunteer believes they have encountered sexual harassment or discrimination, which results in a hostile working environment or disparate treatment, Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 11
they must bring it to the attention of the Chair of their committee. In the event that this is not possible, they must bring it to the attention of the their Model UN advisor or UNA-MN staff member. We will investigate the merits of the allegations, interviewing all parties involved. Based on the findings of the investigation, UNA-MN may: take no action issue a verbal reprimand separate the individual from the conference implement any other action deemed appropriate including suspension from the conference and future attendance of UNA-MN conferences Authority Delegates must obey instructions from any advisor or conference staff member, both inside and outside of committee sessions. Laptop/Cell Phone Policy Delegates are permitted to use laptops during the conference for the purpose of writing resolutions at high school conferences. Please note that no pre-written resolutions are allowed at Model UN Program Conferences. Cell phones must be turned off at all times. The United Nations Association of Minnesota is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Also, Social Media is not allowed during committee sessions. Trash Delegates are responsible for their own trash. After each committee session, each delegate is to clean his/her own area before leaving the room. Meeting Room Use Delegates must respect the meeting rooms, furniture and all campus facilities at all times. Copyright 2017 UNA-MN Page 12