General Assembly

What is Model UN?

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations. A student, typically known as a delegate, is assigned to a country to represent. Regardless of a student's personal beliefs or values, they are expected to adhere to their country's stance as a delegate of that country.

A Model UN conference is an event in which students act as delegates, taking on the roles of their assigned countries. A conference is the culmination of the entire event, often hosted by high schools or universities. Some examples of Model UN conferences are Harvard Model UN, Chicago International Model UN, and Saint Ignatius Model UN.

Within a conference, committees are held. A committee is a group of delegates who come together to discuss and solve a particular topic or type of issue. This guide covers General Assembly committees, which serve as the standard committee type for Model UN. Beginners are recommended to start with the General Assembly. Some common examples of General Assembly committees are the World Health Organization (discusses global health issues) and the United Nations Children's Fund (focuses on children's rights and welfare).

As a delegate in a committee, a student will discuss their country's stance on a topic, debate with other delegates, form alliances with delegates that have a similar stance, and form resolutions to the problem discussed.

General Assembly committees can be split into four different categories, each of which will be covered in detail below:

  1. Preparation

  2. The Moderated Caucus

  3. The Unmoderated Caucus

  4. Resolutions

Preparation

It is vital to come prepared to Model UN conferences. The first step to preparation for a Model UN conference consists of research. Delegates typically research their country's history, government, policies, and values. Additionally, delegates are encouraged to study the topics that are assigned to their committee. Typically, a committee will have 2 topics, but the number of topics can vary by conference.

A good starting point for research is the background guide, which is provided by the website of a conference. One example of a standard General Assembly background guide is the Legal Committee Background Guide from MUNUC 37 (Model UN at the University of Chicago 37). Some other valuable research sources are below.

General Research Tools: 

Country-Specific Information:

News and Current Events:

Policy and Academic Research:

Many conferences require delegates to submit their research/preparation in the form of a position paper (also known as a white paper), a short essay that clarifies a delegate's position (as a representative of their country), demonstrates research and understanding of the issue, proposes possible solutions that align with the stance of the delegate, and helps guide discussion during the conference. The position paper is a great way to ensure that a delegate is prepared for committee and has adequate background knowledge. One position paper should be written for each topic.

A delegate should bring all of their materials digitally on a personal device (such as a tablet or computer), a printed-out position paper, research notes, pens, papers, sticky notes, and water. Delegates are recommended not to use school-issued devices because it can lead to problems with sharing online documents with other delegates during committee. The standard dress code for a Model UN Conference is Western Business Attire.

The Moderated Caucus

A conference begins with the roll call, which establishes the attendance of delegates and determines whether quorum is met. The quorum is the typical number of delegates required to hold a committee session. When their country's name is called, delegates may respond with "present" or "present and voting". If a delegate chooses to respond with "present", they may abstain from voting later in committee, allowing greater flexibility. If a delegate chooses to respond with "present and voting", they may not abstain from voting later in committee, showing a firmer commitment to taking a clear stance on each issue discussed. New delegates are encouraged to respond with "present" due to the flexibility given by the response.

A moderated caucus is a structured form of debate used to focus the discussion on one specific sub-topic within a broader agenda. During this caucus, delegates give speeches about the sub-topic, allowing the entire committee to form an understanding of each delegate's unique position and find possible allies. The first subtopic of a committee is typically formal debate, in which each delegate discusses the main topics, national policy, and their position. Some key features of a moderated caucus are:

  1. Topic-focused: allows delegates to dive deep into a single issue

  2. Moderated by the dais (the person or group of people who run the committee) to ensure order and formality. Some other responsibilities of the dais include managing quorum, moderating discussion, recognizing speakers, making the final call on procedures, timing speeches, guiding the flow of debate, overseeing voting, and deciding awards.

  3. Proposed by delegates: Any delegate can motion (to request a committee to perform a certain action) for a moderated caucus by specifying the topic, the total time, and the speaking time. For example, if a delegate says, "Motion for a 9-minute moderated caucus with a 45-second speaking time on possible funding for climate adaptation," they have just motioned for a caucus with a topic of possible funding for climate adaptation. Their suggested caucus will last for 9 minutes and each delegate will get to speak for 45 seconds. It is important to note that motions are only requested once the previous caucus has elapsed (unless the motion is to adjourn the current caucus). All possible motions are listed under the "Miscellaneous" heading of this guide.

Once a few motions have been suggested, the committee will vote on which motion it wants to see passed. The first motion to receive a simple majority of votes (more than one-half of the votes) will be passed and the moderated caucus that was motioned for will begin. If no motion receives a simple majority, delegates make new motions and the voting process repeats until one receives a simple majority.

At the beginning of a moderated caucus, the dais will choose a speaker's list, which is the list of delegates that will speak during the moderated caucus. The delegate who motioned for the current moderated caucus is able to choose if they want to speak first or last during that caucus.

A delegate may yield their speaking time during a moderated caucus either to: the dais (remaining time relinquished), another delegate (allows another delegate to speak without being on the speaker's list), or questions (gives time for other delegates to ask questions).

Delegates can also send a note (a piece of paper) to other delegates during a moderated caucus by passing it to the recipient. These notes are a method of reaching out to people a delegate may want to work with later in committee. Delegates are discouraged from sending notes during another delegate's speech, as it is considered disrespectful.

The Unmoderated Caucus

An unmoderated caucus is a less structured form of discussion in which delegates leave their seats and form groups with other delegates who hold a similar position or stance to them. A group is known as a bloc, formed through the recognition of similar speeches during a moderated caucus or through communication during caucuses using notes. Sometimes, blocs will form as a result of lobbying, which is the informal process of building alliances with other delegates outside of or before the committee begins. For these reasons, an unmoderated caucus almost always occurs after several moderated caucuses have elapsed. Any delegate can motion for an unmoderated caucus by specifying the total time.

Once blocs are formed, delegates will begin writing a working paper, which serves as a draft for the culmination of the solutions that they want to see in effect in an effort to solve the topic being discussed. Many delegates contribute their solutions and ideas to a working paper, ensuring that all voices and perspectives are heard. However, solutions written in a working paper are expected to work well together, even if they are different. If the various solutions don't work well together, the bloc should be separated into multiple smaller blocs with a more specialized and individual focus. 

After multiple unmoderated caucuses, the working paper will become the resolution paper, which is the final draft. The format of a resolution paper is the same as a white paper (see How to Write a White Paper). The first part of a resolution paper is where delegates write a preambulatory clause. These clauses state the purpose of the resolution paper. The rest of the paper is dedicated to writing solutions, which should be as specific as possible. Resolution papers typically have sponsors and signatories. A sponsor is a delegate who contributed greatly to a resolution paper and came up with many of the main ideas (typically 2-5 delegates). A signatory is a delegate who helped write a resolution paper or a delegate from another bloc who wants to see the paper presented and voted on. Typically, there is no limit on signatories.

Presentation and Voting

As long as a resolution paper has enough sponsors and signatories (the minimum varies by conference), the sponsors will be able to present the resolution paper to the rest of the committee. Some sponsors will read the resolution paper (give the presentation) and others will participate in a Q&A session with the rest of the room.

Once all presentations are finished, all delegates in the committee will vote on each resolution paper presented (either with a "yes", "no", "abstain" [unless a delegate responded to roll call with "present and voting"], "yes with rights" [explains vote after], "no with rights" [explains vote after], or "pass" [temporarily delays vote]). If a paper receives a simple majority of votes, it will be passed. 

Sometimes, an amendment may be proposed for a resolution paper, which can serve as a compromise between two groups of delegates. A friendly amendment (agreed upon by all sponsors) can be passed with no voting. An unfriendly amendment (not agreed upon by all sponsors) requires a committee vote and a simple majority to pass. Once all papers are voted on, the entire General Assembly committee process repeats for each committee topic until all topics have been addressed. At this point, the committee ends.

Miscellaneous

The motion order precedence determines which motions are most important and which motions are voted on first when multiple motions are suggested at the same time. The motion order precedence is as follows: Point of Order (corrects procedural errors), Point of Personal Privilege (addresses a delegate's personal discomfort or need at the time), Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (asks a clarifying question about a rule or procedure), Motion to Adjourn the Meeting (ends the committee session for the day or permanently [if it's the final committee session]), Motion to Suspend the Meeting (pauses the committee for lunch or breaks), Motion to Adjourn Debate (ends debate on a topic without voting on it), Motion to Close Debate (ends the speaker's list and moves to voting procedure), Motion to Set the Agenda (chooses which topic to discuss first [typically motioned for at the beginning of committee]), Motion for a Moderated Caucus, Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus, and Motion to Change Speaking Time (adjusts how long a speaker can speak during debate). It is important to note that a point, a request raised by a delegate for information or for an action relating to the delegate, can be made without the delegate being called on.

A supermajority is a majority in which more than two-thirds of the votes are needed. Supermajorities are required for a special resolution (anything deemed critical or sensitive by the dais), amendments to resolution papers, suggested changes to procedure, suspension of debate about a topic in order to move immediately to voting, the revival of a topic that was set aside earlier, or Division of the Question (voting for parts of a resolution paper separately).

A dilatory motion is a motion that is considered disruptive and made with the sole purpose of obstructing the flow of debate and committee. They are strongly discouraged in order to maintain efficiency and decorum. Some examples of dilatory motions are re-submitting a failed motion without any substantial change or introducing motions simply to waste time. The dais has the power to rule a motion as dilatory based on its intent and timing. If ruled dilatory, the motion is ignored and discarded.

The typical voting referenced in this guide is substantive voting, which allows for "yes", "no", and "abstain" (unless a delegate responded to roll call with "present and voting"), "yes with rights" (explains vote after), "no with rights" (explains vote after), or "pass" (temporarily delays vote). Procedural voting is a type of voting from which no one can abstain. Some examples are setting the agenda, moving into a moderated or unmoderated caucus, setting or modifying speaking time, and the closure of debate. Roll call voting is a type of voting in which the dais calls out each country's name in alphabetical order and delegates respond with their substantive vote.

Respect and Behavior

It is important to be respectful to other delegates, the dais, and the conference as a whole. Significant effort is put into the creation and running of every Model UN conference, so delegates should put their best effort into their work and contribute to the committee as much as they can.

Glossary

  • Amendment: A revision to part of a resolution paper that can serve as a compromise between two groups of delegates.

  • Background Guide: A research guide provided by the conference website; a good starting point for preparing for committee.

  • Bloc: A group of delegates who share a similar position or stance on an issue.

  • Committee: A group of delegates who come together to discuss and solve a specific topic or type of issue.

  • Dais: The person or group of people who run the committee.

  • Delegate: A student assigned to represent a country.

  • Dilatory Motion: A motion considered disruptive, proposed solely to obstruct the flow of debate or committee proceedings.

  • Division of the Question: Voting on parts of a resolution paper separately.

  • Formal Debate: A structured debate (similar to a moderated caucus) where each delegate discusses main topics, national policy, and their country’s position.

  • Lobbying: The informal process of building alliances with other delegates before or outside of formal committee sessions.

  • Model UN: A simulation of the United Nations.

  • Model UN Conference: An event where students act as delegates, representing assigned countries.

  • Moderated Caucus: A structured form of debate focused on one specific sub-topic within a broader agenda.

  • Motion: A formal request for the committee to perform a specific action.

  • Motion Order Precedence: The order of importance for motions, used to determine which is voted on first when multiple motions are proposed.

  • Motion for a Moderated Caucus: A motion requesting a moderated caucus.

  • Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus: A motion requesting an unmoderated caucus.

  • Motion to Adjourn Debate: Ends discussion on a topic without moving to a vote.

  • Motion to Adjourn the Meeting: Ends the committee session for the day or permanently (if it’s the final session).

  • Motion to Change Speaking Time: Adjusts how long each speaker may speak during debate.

  • Motion to Close Debate: Ends the speaker’s list and moves the committee into voting procedure.

  • Motion to Set the Agenda: Chooses which topic to discuss first (usually motioned at the beginning of committee).

  • Motion to Suspend the Meeting: Pauses the committee session for breaks or lunch.

  • Note: A small piece of paper passed between delegates during a moderated caucus to explore potential alliances.

  • Point: A request raised by a delegate for information or action related to the delegate; can be made without being recognized.

  • Point of Order: Used to correct a procedural error.

  • Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: Used to ask a clarifying question about rules or procedure.

  • Point of Personal Privilege: Used to address a delegate’s personal discomfort or need.

  • Position Paper: A short essay that clarifies a delegate’s stance, demonstrates research, proposes aligned solutions, and guides committee discussion.

  • Procedural Voting: A type of vote from which no delegate may abstain.

  • Quorum: The minimum number of delegates required for the committee to proceed.

  • Resolution Paper: The final draft of proposed solutions that delegates want implemented to address the issue.

  • Roll Call: The attendance check at the beginning of a session to determine quorum.

  • Roll Call Voting: A vote where the dais calls each country in alphabetical order and delegates respond with their substantive vote.

  • Signatory: A delegate who helped write a resolution paper or supports it being presented and voted on.

  • Simple Majority: More than half of the votes.

  • Speaker’s List: The list of delegates scheduled to speak during a moderated caucus.

  • Special Resolution: A resolution deemed critical or sensitive by the dais.

  • Sponsor: A delegate who contributed significantly to a resolution paper and authored many of its ideas.

  • Substantive Voting: Voting that allows responses such as yes, no, abstain (unless marked "present and voting"), yes with rights, no with rights, or pass.

  • Supermajority: A majority requiring more than two-thirds of the votes.

  • Unmoderated Caucus: A less structured debate format where delegates move freely to form groups and collaborate on solutions.

  • White Paper: Another name for a position paper.

  • Working Paper: A draft of proposed solutions that will eventually become a resolution paper.

  • Yield: The act of giving up the remainder of one’s speaking time to the dais, another delegate, or for questions.