Model UN: The Basics

What is the United Nations?

 The United Nations is an international organization whose aims are to facilitate cooperation between countries in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, and human rights issues  It is made up of multiple committees and legislative bodies, including the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Security Council  Founded in 1945, after World War II, the United Nations has a total of 192 member countries.

What is Model United Nations?

• • Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations • Students play the roles of delegates representing a specific country in a UN committee • The goal of a Model UN committee is to pass resolutions that will resolve the issues being debated The goal of each delegate is to have his/her country’s interests and objectives reflected in the resolutions

Writing a Model United Nations Resolution

Format of a Resolution

• Three Parts • Heading • Preambulatory Clauses • Operative Clauses

Heading

• • • • Committee: place where topic is introduced Subject: topic of resolution Sponsored by: list of sponsoring nations Example • Committee: Environment Subject: Disposal of Nuclear Wastes Sponsored by: Argentina

Preambulatory Clauses

• • • Purpose • Outline history of problem • Show topic falls in jurisdiction of committee • Show need for UN to find solution Begin with passive verb Followed by a comma

Sample Preambulatory Clauses

• • • Fully aware of the effects of the waste of nuclear reactors, Realizing that the half-life of such waste is 10,000 years, Having examined reprocessing techniques and found them to be ineffective,

Some Preambulatory Phrases

Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Bearing in mind Believing Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Desiring Emphasizing Expecting Expressing its appreciation Expressing its satisfaction Fulfilling Fully alarmed Fully aware Fully believing Further deploring Further recalling Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having considered further Having devoted attention Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied Keeping in mind Noting with regret Noting with deep concern Noting with satisfaction Noting further Noting with approval Observing Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Seeking Taking into account Taking into consideration Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

Operative Clauses

• • • • • Active parts of the resolution Section that makes recommendations, condemns situations, and encourages action Each clause calls for a specific action Begin with active, present tense verb Each followed by semicolon, except for last clause which ends in a period

Sample Operative Clauses

• • 1. Recommends an underground repository to be formed in an able and willing nation, and this nation allow other nations to store nuclear waste; 2. Expresses its hope that nations will work together peacefully and cooperate fully with one another.

Some Operative Phrases

Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls Calls upon Condemns Confirms Congratulates Considers Declares accordingly Deplores Designates Draws the attention Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further reminds Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Has resolved Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns Supports Takes note of Transmits Trusts

Amendments to a Resolution

• • Definition: clarification in a resolution that incorporates additional interest after a resolution has been formally introduced Before a resolution is formally introduced, changes can be made at will and document is called a working paper

Sample Resolution

International Atomic Energy Agency

Sponsors: Sweden, UK Signatories: Iran, Spain, Canada, Pakistan, Syria, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Israel Topic: Iran's Nuclear Energy Program The International Atomic Energy Agency, Affirming the right of all nations to peaceful nuclear energy technology, as stated in Article IV, Clause I of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Recognizing the suspicion surrounding Iran's nuclear program and its intended uses, 1. Demands a ban on heavy water use in Iranian nuclear facilities; 2. Demands full Iranian compliance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement; 3. Calls for the creation of a commission of willing nations with nuclear expertise to assist Iran in implementing civilian nuclear technology; 4. Establishes a deadline of 12 months for implementation of clauses 1 and 2; 5. Urges further IAEA action if clauses 1, 2 and 3 are not implemented in full over the next 12 months.

Things to keep in mind while debating

• • • Always refer to your country in the third person • Don’t say “I believe that ___.” Instead, say “The nation of China believes that ___,” Express the views of your country, not your own views Be formal and polite