This conference provides delegates with an opportunity to practice parliamentary procedure. It is not our intention, however, to be so strict about procedure that it gets in the way of a good educational simulation. Delegates will spend part of their time in formal session, making speeches on the topics and on the substance of their resolutions. They will also spend time in informal session, seeking like-minded delegates with whom to write resolutions. Our goal is to help delegates craft solutions to major global problems in the form of Resolutions. This means that delegates will be working cooperatively with other delegations. Hopefully, delegates will be able to develop a consensus within the committee because history has shown that consensus solutions are the most effective in obtaining cooperation between countries. If students get off topic or make motions that are disruptive to the proceedings, the Chair will rule them dilatory.
Session Overview:
1. Roll Call
2. Motion to move a topic to the floor (second required; debatable; simple majority)
3. Option to establish a Speakers' list OR to motion for suspension of the meeting
for a caucus
Raise hand/ name placard to be acknowledged
Move to open a Speakers' List (second required; debatable; simple majority)
Motion to limit speaker's time to ___ minutes (second required; debatable)
OR
Motion to caucus for [up to 15 minutes] (must be seconded; simple majority)
4. Delegates take turns making formal speeches according to the Speakers list
5. Students caucus in informal session to write resolutions (15 minute maximum request
at a time)
6. Approved draft resolutions circulated to all committee members (must have support
/ signatures of 25% of the delegations).
7. Delegates take turns making formal speeches on the content of the resolutions.
8. Students Caucus to combine resolutions / Chair approves select resolutions for
a vote.
9. Motion to Close Debate and move into voting procedure (Second required; debatable;
2/3's majority)
10. Vote taken on each resolution approved by the Chair (maximum of 4).
11. Motion to move to the next topic area. (Repeat steps 3-10)
Roll Call
The session begins with a roll call of all of the countries in the Plenary Session.
Delegates should respond that they are Present when they are called.
Call for Points or Motions
Following Roll Call, the Chair will call for any Points or Motions from the floor.
This is an invitation for delegates to raise their placards in order to make a motion.
Motions that would be appropriate at this time might include: moving a topic to the
floor for discussion, or establishing a speaker's list with a speaker's time. When
a motion requires a Second, the Chair will ask if there is a Second and delegates
can raise their placards in order to Second the motion. Multiple motions can be on
the floor at once. Once all of the motions have been moved, the Chair will call for
debate and a vote on each motion in the order that it was made. (ex: a motion for
a 1 minute speaking time and a motion for a 2 minute speaking time can both be made
and then voted on by the body.) If a motion is Debatable, the Chair will call for
one speaker to speak in favor of the motion, and one speaker to speak opposed to the
motion. These speakers will be called upon in turn to briefly state why the body should
or should not support the motion on the floor. Following debate, a vote will be taken
on the motion.
When voting on Procedural motions (such as establishing a speakers list, limiting speaker's time, suspending the meeting, or closing debate), delegates can only vote yes or no. When delegates vote on Substantive matters (such as accepting or rejecting resolutions before the body when in voting procedure), they may vote yes, no, or abstain.
If there are no motions on the floor, the Chair will ask for any Speakers. At this point, any delegate who is recognized by the Chair can make a speech to the committee. If a Speaker's List has been established, names will be placed on it and called upon in order to speak.
We hope that each delegate will take an active role in the committee deliberations while in formal session. We want to make sure that everyone desiring to do so has a chance to address the committee. If delegates choose not to establish a speaker's list (or to close it), we will give preference to those who have not yet had an opportunity to speak over those desiring to speak for a second time. Our goal is to assure that every delegate has an equal opportunity to address the committee. During the first part of the session, delegates will likely speak on the importance of addressing the topic and their proposed solutions to the problem.
Yielding to Questions
It can be helpful in facilitating dialogue among countries for delegates to choose
to 'yield to questions' after they have finished making a formal speech. At this time,
the Chair will ask if there are any questions for the delegate who has made the speech,
and will then recognize raised placards one at a time. At any point the delegate answering
questions may choose to stop and be seated by 'yielding their time to the Chair' (they
do not have to answer questions if they don't want to). Delegates cannot continue
a dialogue back and forth, questions must be raised by being recognized by the Chair.
The Chair has discretion to end questioning at any time if the committee has not set
a time limit for speaking.
Motion for Suspension of the Meeting
Once a topic area is open for discussion, it is appropriate to motion to suspend
the meeting for a caucus. During a caucus session, delegates should seek out other
countries with similar viewpoints on a specific issue. Delegates should work to draft
resolutions that will address the problem at hand and have sufficient support from
other delegations to pass. This may require working out compromises with those who
have different views. This can be very challenging and requires good listening skills
to understand the concerns of other delegates.
Drafting Resolutions
Delegates should craft resolutions in committee. Please do not bring pre-written
resolutions to the conference. Delegates are encouraged to incorporate as many of
their ideas as possible into a single resolution rather than pursuing multiple resolutions
that might contain conflicting provisions or may not gain majority support.
Draft resolutions need to have the signatures of 25% (or more) of the delegations in the session. Delegates becoming 'signatories' to the resolution indicate that they would like the resolution to come before the committee for debate (whether they support it or oppose it). Once a resolution has significant support, the Chair will review it and then circulate copies to all delegates. Any amendments that delegates would like to incorporate into a resolution should be made during caucus session before a vote is taken (i.e.,' friendly amendments').
Formal Session
Delegates take turns making formal speeches according to the Speakers list, or by
raising their placards to be recognized by the Chair. As resolutions are drafted,
speeches will speak more to the substance of the resolutions and seek to convince
delegates to support the different resolutions.
Closing Debate
If a delegate believes there has been enough debate on a topic and is ready to bring
the resolutions that are on the floor to a vote, s/he can move to Close Debate. This
motion requires 2/3's support from the body. If the motion passes, then the committee
moves directly into voting procedure. If it fails, delegates continue their work on
their resolutions.
Voting
Voting is done by Roll Call, with countries being called alphabetically by the English
spelling of country names. Delegates can vote in favor of a motion, against the motion
or abstain. A country voting to abstain is indicating that it neither favors nor opposes
the motion. Abstentions are not included in determining whether the proposal passes
or not (i.e., if a resolution gets 10 in favor, 8 opposed and 20 abstentions, it still
passes). A country may choose to Pass once. When the roll call is done, any delegations
that have passed will be called upon to cast their vote.
The only motion to be made in voting procedure is a Point of Information.
Courtesy
At all times delegates should remember that they are simulating a diplomatic process
and diplomats are always courteous to each other even when they disagree. Delegates
should address each other as "The honorable delegate from ....." When criticizing
another country, delegates should avoid directly mentioning that country's name. Committee
chairs have been instructed to enforce proper courtesy and a speaker's right to continue
speaking may be revoked at any point by the chair if considers the speaker's words
to be a breech of courtesy. Also, as in any public forum, courtesy also requires that
a speaker be heard. It is a breech of courtesy to talk or otherwise distract the audience
while a speaker is speaking and the chairs will move quickly to resolve any such problems.
If a delegate persists in disrupting his/her committee, the chairs may remove that
delegate from the committee