Committees and Mandates

1. 1st General Assembly – Disarmament and International Security

Committee (DISEC)
Mandate: deals with disarmament, global Challenges, and threats to
peace that affect the international community and seeks solutions to the
International security regime.
It considers all disarmament and international security matters within the
scope of the Charter or relating to the powers and functions of any other
organ of the United Nations; the general principles of cooperation in the
maintenance of international peace and security, as well as principles
governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments; promotion of
cooperative arrangements and measures aimed at strengthening stability
through lower levels of armaments.
2. 2nd General Assembly – Economic and Financial Committee
(ECOFIN)
Mandate: it will deal with issues relating to economic growth and
development such as macroeconomic policy questions (including
international trade, international financial system, and external debt
sustainability), financing for development, sustainable development,
human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization, and
interdependence, operational activities for development, and information
and communication technologies for development.
The Second Committee will also consider issues relating to Groups of
Countries in special situations - such as the Least Developed Countries
(LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). It will also consider
the item on permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab
population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.
3. 3rd General Assembly – Social, Humanitarian and Cultural
Committee (SOCHUM)
The General Assembly allocates to the Third Committee, agenda items
relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs, and human rights issues
that affect people worldwide.
As in previous sessions, an important part of the Committee's work will
focus on examining human rights questions, including reports on the
special procedures of the Human Rights Council which was established in
2006. In October 2014, the Committee will hear and interact with 52 such
special rapporteurs, independent experts, and chairs of working groups as
mandated by the Human Rights Council.
The Committee also discusses questions relating to the advancement of
women, the protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of
refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination
of racism and racial discrimination, and the right to self-determination. The
Committee also addresses important social development questions such as
issues related to youth, family, aging, and persons with disabilities, crime
prevention, criminal justice, and international drug control.
4. Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
Mandate: the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of
the world's leading motoring organizations. Founded in 1904, with
headquarters in Paris, it is a non-profit association that brings together 232
national motoring and sporting organizations from 134 countries on five
continents. Its member clubs represent millions of motorists and their
families. The federation is dedicated to representing the rights of motoring
organizations and motor car users throughout the world.
5. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Mandate: seeks to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic
energy to peace, health, and prosperity throughout the world. It shall
ensure, so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its request
or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further
any military purpose; as well as encourage and assist research on, and
development and practical application of, atomic energy for peaceful uses
throughout the world.
6. Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPOUS)
Mandate: to consider: the activities and resources of the United Nations,
the specialized agencies, and other international bodies relating to the
peaceful uses of outer space; international cooperation and programs in
the field that could appropriately be undertaken under United Nations
auspices; organizational arrangements to facilitate international
cooperation in the field within the framework of the United Nations; and
legal problems which might arise in programs to explore outer space.
7. United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
Mandate: Strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights
around the globe for addressing situations of human rights violations and
making recommendations on them. It can discuss all thematic human
rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.
It meets at the UN Office in Geneva.
8. United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
Mandate: the UNEP is an international institution that coordinates the
United Nations Environmental activities, assisting developing countries in
implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It convenes
facilities and provides scientific assessments on the protection of the
global environment. It also initiates projects to stimulate international
policy responses. It partners with and leads major programs such as
REDDT and the GEF.
It was founded as a result of the UN Conference on Human Environment in
June 1972 and has its headquarters in the Gigiri neighborhood of Nairobi,
Kenya.
9. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Mandate: the international governing body of association football, beach
soccer, and futsal. FIFA outlines several objectives in the organizational
Statutes, including growing association football internationally, providing
efforts to ensure it is accessible to everyone, and advocating for integrity
and fair play. It is responsible for the organization and promotion of
association football's major international tournaments, notably the World
Cup which commenced in 1930, and the Women's World Cup which
commenced in 1991.

10. Security Council (SC)

Mandate: The Security Council takes the lead in determining the
existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the
parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends
methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security
Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorizing the use of
force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the
appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new Members
to the United Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects
the judges of the International Court of Justice.
11. Crisis Committee (CC)
Same as the SC, but deals with emergency topics and crises.
12. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Mandate: the ICJ or the Court was established under Chapter III and
outlined in Chapter XIV of the UN charter.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN and all members of the UN
are ipso facto parties of the Statute of the ICJ. The primary purpose of the
ICJ is to render opinions on international legal disputes between states.
Only states that have accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ may submit
cases. Another purpose of the ICJ is to clarify significant international legal
questions brought to it by the UN General Assembly and the Security
Council. When a body brings an issue before the court, it is requesting an
advisory opinion.
Pre-conference Preparations
Research
The level of your performance throughout any conference will entirely
depend on the quality of the points you bring up along the way. This is the
reason why many successful MUNers might tell you that Research is the
Key to a good debate.
1. Know about your country.
Research the basic background of your country.
E.g. - Geography, location, economic status, population statistics, local
religion, culture and traditions, allied nations, and enemies, whether it’s a
nuclear weapon state or not, a permanent mission to the UN, political
system, leader of your nation, foreign affairs and attitudes, etc.….
2. Gain an overall understanding of the topic.
When you research, the most important job for you is to understand the
topic perfectly.
It may help you to first break the main topic into smaller fragments and
identify keywords, so that it may help you what your chairs expect you to
talk about during debate, BUT make sure you understand the topic as a
whole and not a fragment of it- which is a common mistake made by many
new delegates.
3. Learn the history.
Learn about past events that raised the importance of the topic and search
for situations in your country or other important areas to your country, also
see what your government’s reaction to this was.
Look up what countries are most important and/or controversial regarding
this topic, and try to look up dirt on these governments so that later you
can attack them in debate, but be sure of your argument at this point.
Find out what your committee and other committees have done regarding
the situation previously. Look up past resolutions; what solutions have
been made already, why some of them failed, and what can be done to
overcome them. It’s beneficial to check on what other organizations
outside the UN and individual governments (preferably yours) have done
so far to combat the issue.
4. Your country’s stance on the topic.
This is the most vital part of your research and it is highly advised that you
know by memory this part. At any part of the debate, you must not be
caught violating this policy. A key fact to be known is your foreign policy
regarding this matter, as well as any other related policies (i.e. economic
policies).
Look up work done by your government to solve this issue and beware of
any negative points you may come across about your country. Be sure to
build up arguments and know about justifications made by our government
in these situations.
If you came across any plausible solutions to the issue that the UN has still
not implemented note them down as they will come in handy during
debate.
5. Determine future outlook.
Look for predictions and trends indicating where your topic is going. Are
things going better or worse? Are the actions taken in the past effective?
Know about any Government plans for the future, if there aren’t any, from
your point of view, what do you think they may do? It might be helpful to
be creative at this point.
6. Your sources of information.
Always make sure that your facts are up to date and are not redundant.
Also, make sure that they are accountable and trustable sources.
Wikipedia is not encouraged at this point as it may be amended by anyone
and therefore is not a very solid source.
Government sites, news channels & sites, NGO sites, The UN site are all
very well known to be useful and trustable. For example:

[Link] OR [Link] OR
[Link]
You may even contact the Embassy of your delegation in order to obtain
information. Although it may be very time consuming, you will find all the
data you require and will be very relevant and extremely helpful.

Position Paper (Foreign Policy Statement) writing

Sometimes it is required that each delegation submit a position paper—an
essay detailing your country's policies on the topics being discussed in
your committee. Writing a position paper will help you organize your ideas
so that you can share your country's position with the rest of the
committee. If you conduct extensive research, a position paper should be
easy to write.
Most conferences that require position papers ask for them about one
month before the conference so that staff members can read them and get
a feel for the direction debate will take. If the conference you are attending
does not require a position paper, you should still consider writing one to
help you organize your research and prepare your speeches. Many
delegates use their position papers as their opening remarks.
Writing a position paper might appear to be a daunting task, especially for
new delegates. But with enough research, you will find that writing a
position paper will be easy and useful.
Position papers are usually one to one-and-a-half pages in length. Your
position paper should include a brief introduction followed by a
comprehensive breakdown of your country's position on the topics that are
being discussed by the committee. A good position paper will not only
provide facts but also make proposals for resolutions.
Many conferences will ask for specific details in a position paper, so be
sure to include all the required information. Most conferences will provide
delegates a background guide to the issue. Usually, the background guide
will contain questions to consider. Make sure that your position paper
answers these questions.
A good position paper will include:
 A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic
and committee;
 How the issue affects your country;
 Your country's policies with respect to the issue and your country's
justification for these policies;
 Quotes from your country's leaders about the issue;
 Statistics to back up your country's position on the issue;
 Actions taken by your government with regard to the issue;
 Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified;
 UN actions that your country supported or opposed;
 What your country believes should be done to address the issue;
 What your country would like to accomplish in the committee's
resolution; and
 How the positions of other countries affect your country's position.
Position Paper Tips
1. Keep it simple. To communicate strongly and effectively, avoid flowery
wording and stick to uncomplicated language and sentence structure.
2. Make it official. Try to use the seal of your country or create an "official"
letterhead for your position paper. The more realistic it looks, the more
others will want to read it.
3. Get organized. Give each separate idea or proposal its own paragraph.
Make sure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
4. Cite your sources. Use footnotes or endnotes to show where you found
your facts and statistics. If you are unfamiliar with bibliographic form, look
Template for a position paper
up the Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines at your school's
library.
5. Read and reread. Leave time to edit your position paper. Ask yourself if
the organization of the paper makes sense and double-check your spelling
and grammar.
6. Speech! Speech! Do you plan to make an opening statement at your
conference? A good position paper makes a great introductory speech.
During debate, a good position paper will also help you to stick to your
country's policies.
7. Let the bullets fly. Try not to let your proposals become lost in a sea of
information. For speechmaking, create a bulleted list of your proposals
along with your most important facts and statistics so that you will not lose
time looking for them during debate.
See more at: [Link]
participate/model-un-preparation/position-papers#[Link]
Conference breakdown
Procedure overview
The flowchart above outlines to you (with the change of speakers’ list
being swapped out for working paper discussion) the basic steps on how
committee sessions will operate throughout a conference during formal
session, but there will be intervals to this process where formal procedure
is disturbed.
This is often when you move into informal session to chill out and have a
break or even lunch. There are times when the head table may be too
busy to simultaneously direct the house in debate; here the house will
move into formal recess until the head table is finished with the abrupt and
essential work. During long debates, where the topic will be discussed for
more than one day, debate will be suspended and session will be
adjourned for the day: and the following day, session will be resumed and
debate will pick up from where it ended the previous day.
However, formal procedure is more directed than this and may be difficult
for new delegates to comprehend without much experience. But
nevertheless, it will be explained in detail in the next few parts of this
guide.
Points and Motions
 Point of Information: this is used to raise a question to a delegate who
made a speech in all parts of debate other than moderate caucus
discussion.
 Right to Reply: This is used in three occasions;
 In case of Foreign Policy violation: when a delegate violates a term in his
country’s government foreign policy.
 In case of Factual Error: When a delegate makes a statement with a
factual error, inconsistency or redundancy.
 In case of Violation of state Sovereignty: when a delegate offend another
delegate, his country, government system or views.
 The following can be entertained during any part of debate.
o Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: this is used to request to know about
certain steps of procedure which a delegate is not sure about, from the
head table.
o Point of Order: This is used to point out an error the head table made in
procedure.
o Point of Personal Privilege: this is used when:
• A delegate who is speaking is not audible enough. (Note: this is the only
instance when a speaker may be interrupted.)
• When a delegate feels uncomfortable (i.e. need to use the bathroom, feel
too cold, etc.)
• At certain instances this can be used to grant a delegate a chance to
make a short statement during heated debate and the delegate is
extremely involved.
 Motion to move to roll call: when session just started for the day or
resumed from a longer break, this is used to move to roll call. Only a
simple majority is required to pass this.
 Motion to adapt the agenda: When session starts, or finished discussing
another topic, this is used to set the new topic. This motion can be
debated with 2 speakers for and 2 against. A two-third majority is required
to pass this motion.
 Motion to move into working paper discussion: to direct the house
towards discussion of working papers, this is used and can pass with
simple majority.
 Motion to move into Moderated Caucus: after enough working papers
have been discussed, and if you feel, to move into Moderated caucus, this
can be brought up.
 Motion to Move to Unmoderated Caucus: Can be used to break to
unmoderated caucus or resolution writing.
 Motion to suspend debate: Is used to pause debate temporarily and can
pass with simple majority.
 Motion to Table Debate: Is used end debate on a resolution and can be
debated over with 2 speakers for and 2 against. It requires a two-thirds
majority to pass.
 Motion to adjourn meeting: is used to end session for the day and
requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
In order to bring up a point, a delegate must first raise their placard to get
recognized and must state the point to which the delegate raised to. If the
head table grants it, then the delegate may do so, if denied the
opportunity, then the delegate may return to his/her seat.
In order to pass a motion, first the head table must be open for motions.
Usually the head table will state so. Once a motion is passed, the head
table is automatically closed for any more proposals. The procedure will be
explained in detail in the following parts.
Conference procedure; explained.
Roll call
This is where the attendance of the members present in the committee is
taken according to their country. The countries are read in alphabetical
order,
after doing so, the respective delegate of the mentioned country should
rise and state that he/she is present and whether or not the delegate will
vote or not. Except the delegate of Palestine, all other delegate has the
ability to vote, so it is preferred that all delegates state, “present and
voting” once their countries name is called upon.
Setting the agenda
Thus is where the members of the house decide which conference topic
should be discussed first in the committee. In conference, the chair would
open the head table for any motions and here, members of the house are
expected to propose and pass a motion to set the agenda. In order for
such a motion to pass, the motion must get a second. In the case an
objection is seen, it could be debate with 2 speakers for and 2 against,
after which the house will vote on to pass or fail the motion.
Working paper Discussion
This is where the delegates get to discuss their prior written working
papers about their stance on the topic that is being discussed. In large
committees such as the GAs, the working papers are chosen from random
out of all those who wish to obtain a chance once the floor has been
opened for working paper discussion. In smaller committees, such as the
Security Council, all delegates are recognized by default. It is very
important as the chairs consider do not consider anyone who did not wish
to enter speakers list eligible for any award.
Once a speaker finishes discussing their working paper, or their allocated
time has elapsed, the chair asks the delegate, “Is the delegate open for
any points of information?” to which a delegate can refuse, accept or
specify a number of points of information the delegate wishes to answer.
Also the delegates of the audience may raise any Right to reply to the
delegate on the floor, regarding his/her speech or any statement made.
Moderated caucus
During working paper discussion, the chair might say, “The head table is
open for mod-caucus topics”, which basically means that delegates now
can Write mod-caucus topics on Chits and send it to the head table.
A Mod Caucus topic is a breakdown of the main topic or a plausible
solution to the problem being discussed (which has not been adapted by
the UN). Here the topic is broadly discussed and the house gets a clear
idea on what sort of resolution they are to make and what sort solutions
the other delegates have in mind.
Once a mod caucus topic is chosen by the head table out of the many they
receive, the house would vote for or against on whether it should be
discussed or not and it requires a 2/3 majority in order for the topic to be
discussed. However if many delegates of the house finds it difficult to
comprehend the topic, the sponsoring delegate may be given a short topic
in order to explain the topic.
Once a topic is passed, the delegate who proposed the topic is set a time
limit for the discussion of the topic and the number of speakers speaking
on the topic (the delegate may even specify the number of speeches for
and against) , or may choose to leave it for the head table to decide.
Once the sponsoring delegate is done with their speech, any other
delegate of the house may obtain the floor to speak for or against the
topic, with regards to their country’s views. There will be no points of
information during this stage but right to replies are always possible.
Unmoderated Caucus / Resolution Writing
In this stage, debate is halted and the committee gets into an informal
session where the output document(s) of the conference is prepared by
(groups of) delegates. After the committee breaks for Un-Mod, delegates
form groups lead by prominent delegates who wishes to sponsor their own
resolution, conveying other delegates to join them as signatories.
The standard number of sponsors per resolution is three but many vary
according to the conference regulations. Also the head table may set the
limit for the no. of resolutions the committee may produce.
Any single clause in a resolution must NOT violate the Foreign Policy of any
sponsor nation, but in case of signatories, it does not have to be so strict
but it is preferred that the signatories chose the resolution that if most
friendly towards their nations policies.
Resolution breakdown
• There must the no. of sponsors specified by the head table.
• There needs to be at least t three signatories.
• The resolution consists of pre ambulatory clauses and Operative clauses
based on the debate that went on during the Mod caucus stage.
• Pre-ambulatory clauses are the identified problems and issues that fall
under the topic.
• Operatives are the proposed solutions to the topic in general as well as
each of the pre- ambulatory clauses mentioned in the resolution.
When writing pre-ambulatory and operative clauses there is a specific type
of words that have to be used at the beginning of each clause. Some of the
most commonly used examples are listed below.
Starting words for pre-ambulatory clauses
Acknowledging
Deeply regretting
Noting further
Affirming
Desiring
Noting with approval
Alarmed by
Further recalling
Observing
Approving of
Guided by
Reaffirming
Aware of
Having adopted
Realizing
Bearing in mind
Having considered
Recalling
Believing
Having considered further
Recognizing
Concerned
Having devoted attention
Referring
Confident
Having examined
Regretting
Contemplating
Having heard
Seeking
Congratulates
Having received
Stressing
Convinced
Having reviewed
Taking into account
Declaring
Having studied
Taking into consideration
Deeply concerned
Keeping in mind
Taking note
Deeply conscious
Noting with regret
Viewing with appreciation
Deeply convinced
Noting with deep concern
welcoming
Deeply disturbed
Noting with satisfaction
Starting words for operatives
Accepts
Authorizes
Regrets
Adopts
Calls upon
Reminds
Appeals
Commends
Renews
Affirms
Concurs
Confirms
Approves
Condemns
Congratulates
Demands
Further proclaims
Considers
Deplores
Further reminds
Decides
Designates
Further recommends
Declares accordingly
Directs
Further requests
Requests
Draws the attention
Further resolves
Resolves
Emphasizes
Has resolved
Solemnly affirms
Encourages
Invites
Strongly condemns
Endorses
Notes
Support
Expects
Offers
Takes notes of
Expresses its appreciation
Proclaims
Transmits
Expresses its hope
Reaffirms
Trusts
Further invites
Recommends
Urges
Resolution discussion
In this stage, the sponsor nations of each resolution, in order of handing
over their resolution to the head table, will take the floor and explain their
resolution after reading the operative clauses they have compiled. After
the speeches of all the sponsor nations, the delegates may choose to
answer points of information from the delegates. Right of replies are also
possible at this stage.
Afterwards, the sponsor delegates may yield the floor back to another
delegate or the head table. That delegate then may speak on his/her
stance over the resolution being discussed. Then the floor will be opened
for other delegates to speak for or against that resolution. These speeches
can also be entertained points of information by the wish of that delegate.
Amendments
These are changes that can be proposed to any draft resolution by any
delegate of the house in order to improve the draft resolution. In order for
such an amendment to take action; it must first be voted and obtain a
majority of the votes of the committee.
There are two types of amendments: amendments Friendly (those
proposed by the sponsors of that resolution) and Unfriendly amendments
(those proposed by other delegates of the house). Friendly amendments
are not usually debated upon unlike Unfriendly amendments, which will be
discussed and debated for and against before being subject to votes of the
house.
Open debate
After a resolution is discussed, a motion is brought up to move to open
debate. Here delegates will obtain the floor, and make speeches to
promote the views of that delegate on the resolution to the rest of the
house. Both points of information and right of replies may be entertained
at this stage to the delegate on the floor.
At the end of the open debate on that draft resolution, a motion is passed
to table debate on that resolution.
Voting
After all the draft resolutions have been discussed and been subject to
open debate, and been tabled, the house will move to voting. All delegates
except that of Palestine and those who did not request for voting rights
during role call may vote For, against or abstain from voting on a
resolution.
Usually only the first resolution is subject to vote in cases of only two draft
resolutions being produced. In those situations, if the first resolution
passes then the second fails, if not the second passes. However in some
situations under the discretion of the head table, both resolutions will be
subject to voting.
Adjourning session
Once voting is done and resolutions for all topics have been passed, it will
come to the end of conference. After the successful passing of a motion to
adjourn session, session will be adjourned and the conference will come to
an end.
Crisis situation
This is a sudden and unexpected situation, where the head table crates a
scene of unexpected chaos that may ring about a large global devastation
such as a third world war. The house will then pause debate on the usual
topic and by default.
All willing delegates, especially those who are involved in the crisis may
make statements regarding their stance and then the house will discuss
directives, which is a process much similar to Moderated caucus
discussion, and will be based on the actions nations must take to combat
this crisis.
A resolution is formed after the directives are discussed and the similar
procedure will carry on but within an extremely limited period of time.
However, the special exception is the crisis committee, which is a single
committee devoted to discussing these scenes. This committee does not
have a set topic until the day of conference and on that day, the
committee will adapt a crisis as their agenda and debate on it throughout
the conference.
Crisis situations are usually very heated in debate and those delegates
who speak are usually granted more points than usual debate.