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United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand

Thursday, 9 September 2010

Contents

Model UN Glossary

Can’t tell the difference between a procedural vote and a substantive one? Want to know what procedural and operative clauses are? Got no idea what a binding resolution is? We know it’s hard to understand Model UN language especially when it hasn’t been explained to you. Here’s a list of commonly used words at Model UN. If there’s a word you don’t understand and would like added to the list, email vp.modelun@unyanz.co.nz.

Note: Terminology may vary at different Model UN events. Some events you go to may have slightly different definitions given to these words. If in doubt, you can ask for clarification from the Chair.

Abstention (to abstain) – During a vote on a substantive matter (see “substantive”), delegates may abstain rather than vote for or against. An abstention generally means that the state does not support the resolution being voted on but does not oppose it enough to vote no.

Abuse – The speaking delegate may make comments that are so offensive as to amount to abuse to another member state. In this situation, the delegate who feels offended should raise his or her placard. Don’t interrupt the speaking delegate; the Chair will recognise the offended delegate at the conclusion of the speech. The Chair will ask the delegate to explain why he or she feels offended and the Chair will decide whether to accept this claim. If the Chair accepts this claim, he or she may ask the speaking delegate to moderate his or her comments or even to retract his or her comments.

Adjournment (to adjourn) – Suspension of debate.

Agenda – The order in which the resolutions or issues before a committee will be discussed. Usually this will be one of the first things the committee does.

Amendment – A change to the resolution being discussed. Amendments can alter a resolution by striking out a clause, adding a clause or re-wording an existing clause. Amendments cannot substantially change the “spirit” of the resolution.

Background Guide – Only at university events. This document gives general background to the issue to be debated by the committee and is usually prepared by the conference staff prior to the event.

Binding – Having legal force in UN member states. Security Council resolutions are binding but resolutions of the General Assembly and the Specialised Agencies generally are not.

Bloc – A group of countries in a similar geographical location or with a similar opinion on a particular issue.

Caucus – A break in formal debate in which delegates can informally discuss a topic. Caucuses are moderated or unmoderated.

Moderated caucus - Moderated caucus is not always available at High School Model UN events. The key difference between moderated caucus and formal debate is that it is much faster. Moderated caucus focuses on a very specific issue and there is a specified time limit. Delegates do not need to approach the floor to speak but instead are recognised by the Chair by raising their placard and they speak, standing, from their seat. Speeches are usually limited to about 30 seconds. The advantage of moderated caucus is that it speeds up the debate and can focus on a narrow issue.

Unmoderated caucus – Same as lobbying time. During this time delegates are free to discuss any aspect of the resolution inside and outside the debating chamber. There is usually a time limit on the duration of unmoderated caucus

Chairperson – The person who sits at the front of the room, guiding the debate according to the Rules of Procedure. (Also see “Director”). Also referred to as “Chair”.

Cross-floor debate – Used to refer to a situation where a delegate in the committee tries to respond to an answer given to a Point of Information (see “Point of Information”). “Cross-floor” comes from the idea of a conversation between the delegate speaking from the floor and a delegate in the committee. This is not allowed because cross-floor debate is not permitted after a Point of Information has been answered. Best to leave conversation during lobbying time!

Delegate – A person acting as the representative of a member state or observer in a Model UN committee. When referring to other Delegates, it is usually polite to address them as “Honourable Delegates” for a particular country.

Delegation – The entire group of people representing a member state or observer in a Model UN committee. Delegations are required to vote collectively, with one vote only.

Director – The person who sits at the front of the room, guiding the debate according to the Rules of Procedure. Usually “Director” is used at university level events. (Also see “Chairperson”.)

Division of the Question – Only at university events. During voting time, delegates may motion to vote on certain clauses of a resolution separately, so that only the clauses that are passed become part of the resolution.

Draft resolution – This term is usually used at university events. It is a document that seeks to provide a solution to the problem addressed by the Model UN committee. If passed by the committee, it becomes a resolution.

E-L

Floor – The front of the room from which delegates speak to the committee. Usually there will be a podium of some sort.

Formal debate – The “standard” type of debate, in which delegates speak for a certain time, according to the Speakers’ List (see “Speakers’ List”). Formal rules apply so delegates must use formal language.

Lobbying (time) – this is when delegates are free to negotiate with other delegates outside of the formal debate structure. (See “unmoderated caucus”.)

M-N

Member state – A country that has ratified the UN Charter and whose application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly and Security Council. Currently there are 192 member states. The only internationally recognised state that is not a member state is the Holy See.

Motion – A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole do something. Some motions may adjourn debate, close debate, introduce a draft resolution or move to a vote. Motions are more commonly used at university events.

Observer (state) – A state, international organisation, regional organisation or non-governmental organisation that is not a UN member state but participates in debate. Observers cannot vote.

On the floor – Only at university events. When a working paper or draft resolution is first written, it may not be discussed in debate. After it is approved by the Director and introduced by the committee, it is put “on the floor” and may be discussed.

Operative clause – The part of the resolution that describes how the UN will address a problem. It begins with an action verb such as “urges” or “encourages”. (Find more information about Resolutions here.)

P5 – The permanent five members of the UN Security Council who have the right to veto a draft resolution. They are USA, UK, China, Russia and France.

Placard – A piece of cardstock that has the member states’ country names on it, which delegates raise to signal to the Chair that they wish to speak and which may be used for voting purposes.

Point of Information – Questions that delegates in the committee may pose to the speaking delegate at the conclusion of that delegate’s speech. (Also see “Cross floor debate”).

Point of Order – A request raised by a delegate. There are three categories of Points of Order – Personal Privilege, Relevance and Procedure.

Point of Order (Personal Privilege) - Used when the speaking delegate is speaking too softly or too loudly, or if the room conditions are not satisfactory, or some other personal discomfort.

Point of Order (Relevance) – Used when the speaking delegate is not speaking on the topic but has diverted significantly from the main subject.

Point of Order (Procedure) – Used when the Rules of Procedure have not been accurately applied.

Position Paper – Only at university events. Details the position of a country on the issues debated by the committee and is usually written before a Model UN conference.

Preambulatory clause – The part of the resolution that describes previous actions taken on the topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It begins with a verb, often a present participle, such as “regretting” or “recalling”.

Procedural – Having to do with the way the committee is run, as opposed to the topic being discussed. All delegates must vote on procedural matters and cannot abstain. (See “substantive”).

Proposer – The delegate who has written the draft resolution or the delegate who is chosen by the Chair to deliver the first speech in support of the resolution. The proposer has to read out the operative clauses of the resolution before proceeding to make his or her speech. The proposer also has the Right of Reply before voting on the resolution as a whole. The right to make this speech may be waived and another delegate may be selected to make the speech.

Quorum – The minimum number of delegates needed to be present for a committee to meet and to pass a resolution. Quorum requirements will vary in different Model UN committees.

(Special) Rapporteur – The committee expert who answers delegates’ questions relating to the resolution topic.

Resolution – Resolutions are the formal recommendations of UN bodies and can take a variety of forms including a statement of policy, directive statements to specific organisations, a condemnation of actions of states or a call for collective actions. They are documents that are produced through a comprehensive process of debate and discussions among member states at the UN. (See “operative clause” and “preambulatory clause”.) Find more information on resolutions here.

Right of Reply – The final speech before the committee votes on the resolution as a whole. Usually this speech is delivered by the proposer of the resolution. The proposer may waive the right to speak and another delegate may be chosen instead. (See “Proposer”).

Roll call – This is when the Chair reads out all the names of the member states in the committee. Delegates should respond with “present”.

Rules of Procedure – the formal rules that guide the debate. There are different Rules of Procedure for different Model UN committees. (Find the Rules of Procedure here.)

Speakers’ List – The list that determines the order in which the delegates will speak. During debate, delegates may be added to the Speakers’ List by sending a note to the Chair.

General Speakers’ List – The list that determines the order in which the delegates will speak on the resolution as a whole. Delegates speak “for” or “against” the resolution.

Amendment Speakers’ List – The list that determines the order in which the delegates will speak on each amendment.

Second (to second) – Only at university events. To second a motion is to support it. Most motions will require a seconder before it can be passed.

Seconder – The second speech made in support of a resolution. The seconder speaks after the proposer but does not have a right of reply.

Signatory – A country that wishes a draft resolution or amendment to be put on the floor and signs the draft resolution or amendment to accomplish this. A signatory does not have to support the resolution or amendment; it may only want it to be discussed although generally, a signatory should want the resolution or amendment to pass.

Simple majority – 50% plus one of the number of delegates in a committee is usually the amount needed to pass most votes.

Substantive – Having to do with the topic being discussed. For example, voting on the resolution as a whole is a substantive vote. (See “procedural”).

T-W

Voting (to vote) – Method by which the committee makes a decision. Each member state has one vote in the United Nations.

Procedural vote – Vote on a matter that is not related to the resolution topic. E.g. Voting on whether an amendment should be debated is a procedural vote. Abstentions are not allowed. (See “abstention”.)

Substantive vote – Vote on a matter that is related to the resolution topic. E.g. Voting on whether the pass the resolution as a whole. Delegates may vote for, against or abstain.

Veto - The ability held by the P5 (see “P5") member states to prevent any draft resolution in the Security Council from passing by voting no.

Working Paper – Only at university events. This is a document that contains some of the ideas that delegates have on how to resolve the issue being debated. This is usually a precursor to a draft resolution. (See “draft resolution”.)

X, Y and Z

Yielding (to yield) – Yielding allows a speaker to decide who the next speaker should be. Generally, at the conclusion of a speech, the Chair will ask the delegate how he or she wishes to yield. Tips on yielding strategies can be found here.