Pre-ambulatory and Operative phrases

Here are some of the Pre-ambulatory, and Operative Phrases: (For an example on how to use these see example resolution below.)

Pre-ambulatory Phrases :

Accepting that
Expecting
Keeping in mind
Affirming
Expressing its appreciation
Noting with satisfaction
Alarmed by
Expressing its satisfaction
Noting with deep concern
Approving
Fulfilling
Noting further
Aware of
Fully aware
Noting with approval
Alarmed Observing
Fully believing
Noting
Believing Fully
Further deploring
Recognizing
Citing Further
Further recalling
Reaffirming
Concerned that
Gravely concerned
Recalling
But realizing
Having adopted
Realizing
Bearing in mind
Having considered
Referring by Seeking
Contemplating that
Having considered further
Taking into account
Convinced Guided
Having examined
Taking into consideration
Declaring
Having studied
Taking note
Deeply concerned
Having heard
Viewing with appreciation
Deeply conscious
Having received
Welcoming
Deeply disturbed
Whereas
Deeply regretting
Yet maintaining
Designating
Emphasizing

OPERATIVE PHRASES :

Accepts
Designates
Proclaims
Affirms

Emphasizes 
Reaffirms
Draws the attention.

Approves 
Encourages 
Recommends

Authorizes 
Endorses 
Reminds  

Be it resolved 
Regrets 
Calls

Expresses 
Requests
Calls upon  

Further invites
Resolves  
Condemns

Further proclaims
Solemnly affirms  

Congratulates
Further reminds
Strongly condemns

Confirms 
Further recommends
Supports Considers  

Further resolves
Trusts 
Further requests  

Have resolved
Takes note of 
Transmits

Notes
Urges 
Declares accordingly

Expresses its appreciation

What is a resolution paper

RESOLUTIONS

A resolution presents a problem in the world to solve and proposes a solution(s) to the problem. A nation or a group of nations in a committee submits resolutions where delegates debate for or against them. After debate is closed, they are voted on and either passed as is, passed with amendments, or rejected. Delegates often base their vote on their country's stance and policy, as well as the specifics of the resolution.

(This is where your research and focus on the resolution becomes important!)

A resolution is always in the form of one long sentence divided into two basic parts: The pre-ambulatory and operative sections. The pre-ambulatory section explains the problems using current events and past UN actions. The operative section states a proposed solution, often in many parts, to the problem. Each clause is preceded by a phrase. Scroll down for a sample resolution that is included to help give you a basic idea when writing resolutions for your committee.

GMUN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RULES

X. PLENARY MEETINGS       GMUN rules

                 

Conduct of business for THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ONLY

                  

Reference to committees

Rule 30

        The GMUN General Assembly shall not, unless it decides otherwise, make a final decision upon any item on the agenda until it has received the report of a committee on that item.

Discussion of reports of Main Committees

Rule 31

        Discussion of a report of a Main Committee in a plenary meeting of the GMUN General Assembly shall take place if at least one third of the members present and voting at the plenary meeting consider such a discussion to be necessary. Any proposal to this effect shall not be debated but shall be immediately put to the vote.

Quorum

Rule 32

        The President may declare a meeting open and permit the debate to proceed when at least one third of the members of the GMUN General Assembly are present. The presence of a majority of the members shall be required for any decision to be taken. The members of the GMUN General Assembly are defined in terms of the number of delegations that are participating in the Global Model UN conference which may at times be less than the full membership of the United Nations. In those instances the required number for a quorum and a majority will be determined by the number of participating delegations.

                    Speeches

Rule 33

        No representative may address the GMUN General Assembly without having previously obtained the permission of the President. The President shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their desire to speak. The President may call a speaker to order if his remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion.

                        Precedence

Rule 34

        The Chairperson and the Rapporteur of a GMUN Main committee may be accorded precedence for the purpose of explaining the conclusions arrived at by their committee.

Statements by the Secretariat

Rule 35

        The GMUN Secretary-General, or a member of the Secretariat designated by him as his representative, may at any time make either oral or written statements to the GMUN General Assembly concerning any question under consideration by it.

Points of order

Rule 36

        During the discussion of any matter, a representative may rise to a point of order, and the point of order shall be immediately decided by the President in accordance with the rules of procedure. A representative may appeal against the ruling of the President. The appeal shall be immediately put to the vote, and the President’s ruling shall stand unless overruled by a majority of the members present and voting. A representative rising to a point of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion.

Time limit on speeches

Rule 37

        The GMUN General Assembly may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker and the number of times each representative may speak on any question. Before a decision is taken, two representatives may speak in favour of, and two against, a proposal to set such limits. When the debate is limited and a representative exceeds his allotted time, the President shall call him to order without delay.

Closing of list of speakers, right of reply

Rule 38

        During the course of a debate, the President may announce the list of speakers and, with the consent of the GMUN General Assembly, declare the list closed. He may, however, accord the right of reply to any member if a speech delivered after he has declared the list closed makes this desirable.

Adjournment of debate

Rule 39

        During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion. In addition to the proposer of the motion, two representatives may speak in favour of, and two against, the motion, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. The President may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule.

Closure of debate

Rule 40

        A representative may at any time move the closure of the debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other representative has signified his wish to speak. Permission to speak on the closure of the debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to the vote. If the GMUN General Assembly is in favour of the closure, the President shall declare the closure of the debate. The President may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule.

Suspension or adjournment of the meeting

Rule 41

        During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the suspension or the adjournment of the meeting. Such motions shall not be debated but shall be immediately put to the vote. The President may limit the time to be allowed to the speaker moving the suspension or adjournment of the meeting.

Order of procedural motions

Rule 42

        Subject to rule 38, the motions indicated below shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions before the meeting:

        (a)   To suspend the meeting;

        (b)   To adjourn the meeting;

        (c)   To adjourn the debate on the item under discussion;

        (d)   To close the debate on the item under discussion.

Proposals and amendments

Rule 43

        Proposals and amendments shall normally be submitted in writing to the GMUN Secretary-General, who shall circulate copies to the delegations. As a general rule, no proposal shall be discussed or put to the vote at any meeting of the GMUN General Assembly unless copies of it have been circulated to all delegations not later than 12 hours before. The President may, however, permit the discussion and consideration of amendments, or of motions as to procedure, even though such amendments and motions have not been circulated or have only been circulated the same day.

Withdrawal of motions

Rule 44

        A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has commenced, provided that the motion has not been amended. A motion thus withdrawn may be reintroduced by any member.

Voting

Voting rights

Rule 45

        Each member of the GMUN General Assembly shall have one vote.

  Two-thirds majority

Rule 46

        Decisions of the GMUN General Assembly on important questions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. These questions shall include: recommendations with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security, the suspension of the rights and privileges of membership, the expulsion of Members, and budgetary questions.

Rule 47

        Decisions of the GMUN General Assembly on amendments to proposals relating to important questions, and on parts of such proposals put to the vote separately, shall be made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.

Simple majority

Rule 48

        Decisions of the GMUN General Assembly on questions other than those provided for in rule 46, including the determination of additional categories of questions to be decided by a two-thirds majority, shall be made by a majority of the members present and voting.

Meaning of the phrase “members present and voting”

Rule 49

        For the purposes of these rules, the phrase “members present and voting” means members casting an affirmative or negative vote. Members which abstain from voting are considered as not voting.

Method of voting

Rule 50

        (a)   The GMUN General Assembly shall normally vote by show of hands or by standing, but any representative may request a roll-call. The roll-call shall be taken in the English alphabetical order of the names of the members, beginning with the member whose name is drawn by lot by the President. The name of each member shall be called and one of its representatives shall reply “yes”, “no” or “abstention”. The result of the voting shall be inserted in the record in the English alphabetical order of the names of the members.

        (b)   When the GMUN General Assembly votes by mechanical means, a non-recorded vote shall replace a vote by show of hands or by standing and a recorded vote shall replace a roll-call vote. Any representative may request a recorded vote. In the case of a recorded vote, the GMUN General Assembly shall, unless a representative requests otherwise, dispense with the procedure of calling out the names of the members; nevertheless, the result of the voting shall be inserted in the record in the same manner as that of a roll-call vote.

Conduct during voting

Rule 51

        After the President has announced the beginning of voting, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. The President may permit members to explain their votes, either before or after the voting, except when the vote is taken by secret ballot. The President may limit the time to be allowed for such explanations. The President shall not permit the proposer of a proposal or of an amendment to explain his vote on his own proposal or amendment.

Division of proposals and amendments

Rule 52

        A representative may move that parts of a proposal or of an amendment should be voted on separately. If objection is made to the request for division, the motion for division shall be voted upon. Permission to speak on the motion for division shall be given only to two speakers in favour and two speakers against. If the motion for division is carried, those parts of the proposal or of the amendment which are approved shall then be put to the vote as a whole. If all operative parts of the proposal or of the amendment have been rejected, the proposal or the amendment shall be considered to have been rejected as a whole.

Voting on amendments

Rule 53

        When an amendment is moved to a proposal, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments are moved to a proposal, the GMUN General Assembly shall first vote on the amendment furthest removed in substance from the original proposal and then on the amendment next furthest removed therefrom, and so on until all the amendments have been put to the vote. Where, however, the adoption of one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment, the latter amendment shall not be put to the vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from or revises part of the proposal. All amendments shall be submitted to the Chairperson in writing before being announced on the floor.

Voting on proposals

Rule 54

        If two or more proposals relate to the same question, the GMUN General Assembly shall, unless it decides otherwise, vote on the proposals in the order in which they have been submitted. The GMUN General Assembly may, after each vote on a proposal, decide whether to vote on the next proposal. All proposals shall be submitted to the Chairperson in writing before being announced on the floor.

Elections

Rule 55

        All elections for the GMUN General Committee and Main Committees shall be held by secret ballot.

Rule 56

        When two or more elective places in the GMUN General Committee are to be filled at one time under the same conditions, those candidates obtaining in the first ballot the majority required shall be elected. If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is less than the number of persons or Members to be elected, there shall be additional ballots to fill the remaining places, the voting being restricted to the two candidates per elective place and the candidate obtaining the majority on the second shall be elected.

Equally divided votes

Rule 57

        If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, the President shall decide if a second vote shall be taken and at what time. If a second vote is not taken or a second vote is taken and this vote also results in equality, the proposal shall be regarded as rejected.

MUN SPEAKING TIPS

How to make an opening speech

1. First, you should thank the presiding official by saying "Thank you Mr./ Madame/ Honorable Chair/ President…"

1. Then begin by providing a brief history on the issue as it relates to your country.
2. Speak about how the issue is currently affecting your country.

1. Provide your country's position on the issue. Include an explanation for your country’s stance, such as economic or security concerns or political or religious ideology.

1. You may choose to give an explanation of how your country's position relates to the positions of other member states such as the major powers or countries in your regional bloc.

1. You should discuss some of the past actions taken by the UN, member states and NGOs to address the issue.
2. Present ideas for a resolution, stressing your country’s objectives for the resolution.

1. Talk about the role that NGOs or regional organizations have to play in addressing the issue.
2. Indicate to the committee members whether your country is willing to negotiate.

How to make speech during debate

1. Again, you should thank the presiding official by saying "Thank you Mr./ Madame/ Honorable Chair/ President…"

1. Encourage collaboration among member states by proposing ways that your country would be willing to work with other member states.

1. By referencing what other delegates have said, you can show support for your allies or indicate which proposals your country does not favor.

1. Present ideas for draft resolutions.
2. Explain why your country does or does not support other draft resolutions.

Public Speaking Tips

1. Prepare: Decide how you feel most comfortable delivering your speech. You may choose to use your position paper text as your opening speech or you may write out some key points. In time, you may feel comfortable speaking without any written notes at all. If you plan to use a word or phrase that is unfamiliar to you, make sure you learn its meaning and how to pronounce it properly.
2. Practice: Rehearsing your speech is the best way to perfect your public speaking skills. Try practicing in front of a teacher, a parent, or fellow Model UNers from your class or club. When you listen to a speech, provide 

RULES OF PROCEDURES

Basic Rules and Procedures (Short Version)

NO.	RULE	SPEAKERS (for/against)	VOTE	APPEAL	COMMENTS
Points
14	Point of Personal Privilege	n/a	n/a	n/a	In order at any time used; used when a delegate is unable to participate in committee business.
15	Point of Order	n/a	n/a	n/a	In order at any time, but able to interrupt a speaker only when the speech itself is not in order.
16	Point of Information	n/a	n/a	no	Speaker must yield to question. Only speakers answers will count against remaining time. Number of questions allowed up to Chair.
17	Point of Parliamentary Inquiry	n/a	n/a	n/a	In order only when floor is open. Questions about Parliamentary Procedure should be addressed to the Moderator.
Motions relating to speeches (in order during substantive debate)
18	Right of Reply	n/a	n/a	no	If granted, member receiving right to reply may speak immediately.
19	Comments	n/a	n/a	no	Not in order during debate on procedural motions and only in order for substantive speech if no yields are made.
20	Closure/Reopening of Speakers Lists	2/2	1/2	yes	Only applies to speakers lists on substantive matters.
Motions relating to the meeting (in order when the floor is open)
21/22	Caucus/ Moderated Caucus	none	1/2	no	Motion requires purpose and time limit; time may not exceed 30 minutes for caucus and 15 minutes for moderated caucus.
23	Suspension/ Adjournment of Meeting	none	1/2	no	May be ruled out of order by Chair and not subject to appeal.
Motions relating to substantive issues (in order during substantive debate)
31/32	Introduction of Proposal/ Withdrawal of Proposal	sponsors	n/a	n/a	Procedural speeches-no comments permitted. Signatories not required for withdrawal.
33	Reconsideration of Proposal	2/2	2/3	yes	Motion must be made by delegate who voted with the majority.
24	Postponement/ Resumption of Debate	2/2	2/3	yes	If debate is postponed, then topic is tabled without further action until later motions. To resume debate on a topic, a motion to Set the Agenda must be made during Adoption of the Agenda.
25	Closure of Debate	0/2	2/3	yes	Closes debate on substantive matter. If passed, speakers list is closed and committee moves into voting.
Motions relating to the agenda (in order during setting the agenda)
10	Competence	2/2	1/2	no	Not applicable to provisional agenda items.
9	Adoption of Agenda	2/2	1/2	n/a	Procedural debate - no comments or yields.
Motions relating to voting (in order during voting procedure)
35	Order of Voting	2/2	1/2	yes	Two-tiered vote: on whether to order, and then on suggested order. Any suggested order requires 50%+1 to pass.
37	Division of the Question	0/0	1/2	yes	Accept proposed divisions. Vote on suggested division, and then on whether to include.
38	Important Question	none	1/2	no	Chair must decide if resolution falls into 1 of 5 important question categories. If so, then voted upon by committee. Resolutions re: important questions later require 2/3 majority to pass.
41	Roll Call Votes	n/a	n/a	yes	Delegates can vote Yes, Yes w/Rights, No, No w/Rights, Abstain, or Pass. Chair can decide whether granting Right is in order.
Motions with special precedence
26	Suspension of Rules	none	2/3	no	Delegate must specify which specific rules will be modified/discarded, the purpose, and the period. Chair must approve before vote.
27	Appeal Decision of the Chair	Chair	2/3	no	Chair defends ruling. Yes means upholding decision, No means overturned.

Sample Working Papers

Sample Working Paper

  

  

Committee: The General Assembly,

Topic: World Food Summit: five years later

  

Working Paper 2B- World Food Summit

  

Recalling its resolution 51/171 of 16 December 1996, in which it welcomed the outcome of the World Food Summit, held in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996,1

  

Recalling also its resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, by which it adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration,

  

Recalling further its resolutions 55/162 of 14 December 2000 and 56/95 of 14 December 2001 on the follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit,

  

1. Welcomes the holding of the World Food Summit: five years later, which was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome from 10 to 13 June 2002;

  

2. Urges Member States to implement in a coordinated manner and in close cooperation with relevant bodies of the United Nations system, as well as international and regional financial institutions, the Declaration of the World Food Summit: five years later  International Alliance against Hunger;2

  

3. Requests all relevant organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme and the International Fund For Agricultural Development, as well as the international and regional financial institutions, to pursue, at the global, regional and country levels, the implementation of the outcome of the World Food Summit: five years later in the context of the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, in particular the goals of halving the levels of hunger and absolute

poverty by 2015, and in the context of relevant follow-up to the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, the International Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Definition of Debate Language

Definitions

Speakers List (speeches during formal debate)

The speakers list is the list of countries on the board that wish to make a speech.  You can put your country’s name on the list two ways.  First, you can raise your placard when the president asks.  Second, after you give your speech, you can pass a note to the secretary asking them to put your country back on the list.  You can also take your country off the list by passing a note to the secretary.   During this time, speeches should be about the agenda topic being discussed.  If a resolution has been introduced, you should also mention something about the resolution in your speech.

Informal Debate

This is the time you can ask questions to other countries while sitting in your chair.   If a resolution has been introduced, this is the time to get more information about the resolution.  You can also give your opinion during this time or ask other countries about their opinion.   You can go into informal debate many times during the meeting.  This is when the debate on the resolution takes place.  There is always a time limit for informal debate.

Caucusing

This is the time you can get up and walk around the room to talk with other delegates or teachers.  You may speak in English or Japanese.  This is a good time to discuss the debate, the resolution, and strategy.   There is always a time limit for caucusing.

Resolutions

A resolution is a plan of action about the agenda topic that one or many countries have decided to introduce to the United Nations.  It is usually about one problem related to the agenda and offers solutions to this problem.  When a resolution is introduced, the debate is now about that resolution.  Informal debate and caucus time are good times to ask questions and get more information about the resolution.  During this time, you can ask the country that introduced the resolution to explain in more details, or you can ask another country their opinion on the resolution.

Amendments

An amendment is a change (addition, change, deletion) to a part of the resolution.  Different countries write the amendments and then introduce them to the meeting.  There are two kinds of amendments:

• friendly - the country who wrote the resolution agrees with the amendment.  A vote is not required on friendly amendments.

• unfriendly - the country who wrote the resolution disagrees with the amendment.  A vote is required on unfriendly amendments.

Closing the Debate 

After a resolution and amendments have been introduced and you have debated them completely, it is now time to vote on the amendments and resolutions.  Before you vote, you must close the speakers list, finish the speakers list,  and close debate.  Look at your flow chart to see when to do these things.  

Voting

Once the debate has been closed it is now time to vote.  First, you will vote on the amendments.  Second, you will vote on the resolution (with the new changes made by the amendments).  There are 4 ways to vote:  Yes, No, Abstention, Pass ( if you PASS, the President will ask you again for your vote later on).  Voting on resolutions and amendments is always done by a roll call vote.