MUN+Glossary

Model UN Glossary http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=900501 UNA-USA.ORG Website Information Model UN can be confusing to a beginner, not only because of the complexity of the issues and the pace of debate, but because of the strangeness of the language. At your first Model UN conference, you may not think that some of the delegates are speaking English, because of the weird terms they are using! To save you some confusion, UNA-USA has provided this cheat sheet of Model UN terminology. Look it over, and soon you'll be able to discuss quorums, perambulatory clauses, division of the question, and unmoderated caucuses with the best of them. Note that several of the terms below, including Secretariat and Secretary-General, have different meanings in Model UN than they do in the real UN; you should familiarize yourself with both meanings. International Court of Justice; resolutions of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council are not.
 * NOTE:** Rules of procedure vary greatly from Model UN conference to Model UN conference. Though these are the most common definitions of the terms below, do not be surprised if you see them used in a slightly different manner at some of the conferences you go to.
 * Abstain** - During a vote on a [|substantive] matter, delegates may abstain rather than vote yes or no. This generally signals that a state does not support the resolution being voted on, but does not oppose it enough to vote no.
 * Adjourn** - All UN or Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means that the debate is suspended until the next meeting. This can be a short time (e.g., overnight) or a long time (until next year's conference).
 * Agenda** - The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed. The first duty of a committee following the [|roll call] is usually to set the agenda.
 * Amendment** - A change to a [|draft resolution] [|on the floor]. Can be of two types: a "friendly amendment" is supported by the original draft resolution's [|sponsors], and is passed automatically, while an "unfriendly amendment" is not supported by the original sponsors and must be voted on by the committee as a whole.
 * Background guide** - A guide to a topic being discussed in a Model UN committee usually written by conference organizers and distributed to delegates before the conference. The starting point for any research before a Model UN conference.
 * Binding** - Having legal force in [|UN member states]. Security Council resolutions are binding, as are decisions of the
 * Bloc** - A group of countries in a similar geographical region or with a similar opinion on a particular topic.
 * Caucus** - A break in [|formal debate] in which countries can more easily and informally discuss a topic. There are two types: [|moderated caucus] and [|unmoderated caucus].
 * Chair** - A member of the [|dais] that moderates debate, keeps time, rules on points and motions, and enforces the rules of procedure. Also known as a [|Moderator].
 * Dais** - The group of people, usually high school or college students, in charge of a Model UN committee. It generally consists of a [|Chair], a [|Director], and a [|Rapporteur].
 * Decorum** - The order and respect for others that all delegates at a Model UN conference must exhibit. The [|Chair] will call for decorum when he or she feels that the committee is not being respectful of a speaker, of the dais, or of their roles as ambassadors.
 * Delegate** - A student acting as a representative of a [|member state] or [|observer] in a Model UN committee for a weekend.
 * Delegation** - The entire group of people representing a [|member state] or [|observer] in all committees at a particular Model UN conference.
 * Director** - A member of the [|dais] that oversees the creation of [|working papers] and [|draft resolutions], acts as an expert on the topic, makes sure delegates accurately reflect the policy of their countries, and ensures that decorum is maintained during caucuses.
 * Division of the Question** - During [|voting bloc], delegates may motion to vote on certain clauses of a resolution separately, so that only the clauses that are passed become part of the final resolution. This is known as division of the question.
 * Draft resolution** - A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution will become into a [|resolution].
 * Faculty Advisor** - The faculty member in charge of a Model UN team, class or club.
 * Flow of debate** - The order in which events proceed during a Model UN conference. See [|Flow of Debate] chart.
 * Gavel** - The tool, shaped like a small wooden hammer, that the [|Chair] uses to keep order within a Model UN committee. Many conferences give the gavel used in a committee to the delegate recognized by the [|dais] as the best in that committee; therefore, the term is frequently used to refer to the award given to the best delegate, even in cases where no actual gavel is given.
 * Formal debate** - The "standard" type of debate at a Model UN conference, in which delegates speak for a certain time in an order based on a [|speakers' list].
 * Head Delegate** - The student leader of a Model UN club or team.
 * Member State** - A country that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and whose application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly and Security Council. Currently, there are 191 member states. The only internationally recognized state that is not a member state is the Holy See.
 * Moderated Caucus** - A type of [|caucus] in which delegates remain seated and the [|Chair] calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time, enabling a freer exchange of opinions than would be possible in [|formal debate].
 * Moderator** - See [|Chair].
 * Motion** - A request made by a [|delegate] that the committee as a whole do something. Some motions might be to go into a [|caucus], to [|adjourn], to introduce a [|draft resolution], or to move into [|voting bloc]. See our [|Charts of Rules and Motions.]
 * Observer** - A state, national organization, regional organization, or non-governmental organization that is not a member of the UN but participates in its debates. Observers can vote on [|procedural] matters but not [|substantive] matters. An example is the Holy See.
 * On the floor** - At a Model UN conference, 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 a [|resolution] which describes how the UN will address a problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.).
 * Page** - A [|delegate] in a Model UN committee that has volunteered to pass notes from one delegate to another, or from a delegate to the [|dais], for a short period of time.
 * Placard** - A piece of cardstock with a country's name on it that a [|delegate] raises in the air to signal to the [|Chair] that he or she wishes to speak.
 * Point** - A request raised by a [|delegate] for information or for an action relating to that delegate. Examples include a point of order, a point of inquiry, and a point of personal privilege. See our [|Charts of Rules and Motions.]
 * Position paper** - A summary of a country's position on a topic, written by a [|delegate] before a Model UN conference.
 * Preambulatory Clause** - The part of a [|resolution] that describes previous actions taken on the topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It begins with a participle or adjective (noting, concerned, regretting, aware of, recalling, etc.).
 * Procedural** - Having to do with the way a committee is run, as opposed to the topic being discussed. All delegates present must vote on procedural matters and may not [|abstain].
 * Quorum** - The minimum number of [|delegates] needed to be present for a committee to meet. In the General Assembly, a quorum consists of one third of the members to begin debate, and a majority of members to pass a [|resolution]. In the Security Council, no quorum exists for the body to debate, but nine members must be present to pass a resolution.
 * Rapporteur** - A member of the [|dais] whose duties include keeping the [|speakers' list] and taking the [|roll call].
 * Resolution** - A document that has been passed by an organ of the UN that aims to address a particular problem or issue. The UN equivalent of a law.
 * Right of Reply** - A right to speak in reply to a previous speaker's comment, invoked when a [|delegate] feels personally insulted by another's speech. Generally requires a written note to the [|Chair] to be invoked.
 * Roll Call** - The first order of business in a Model UN committee, during which the [|Rapporteur] reads aloud the names of each member state in the committee. When a [|delegate's] country's name is called, he or she may respond "present" or "present and voting." A delegate responding "present and voting" may not [|abstain] on a [|substantive vote].
 * Rules of Procedure** - The rules by which a Model UN committee is run. See our [|Charts of Rules and Motions.]
 * Second** - To agree with a [|motion] being proposed. Many motions must be seconded before they can be brought to a vote.
 * Secretariat** - The most senior staff of a Model UN conference.
 * Secretary General** - The leader of a Model UN conference.
 * Signatory** - A country that wishes a [|draft resolution] to be put [|on the floor] and signs the draft resolution to accomplish this. A signatory need not support a resolution; it only wants it to be discussed. Usually, Model UN conferences require some minimum number of [|sponsors] and signatories for a draft resolution to be approved.
 * Simple majority** - 50% plus one of the number of [|delegates] in a committee. The amount needed to pass most votes.
 * Speakers' List** - A list that determines the order in which [|delegates] will speak. Whenever a new topic is opened for discussion, the [|Chair] will create a [|speakers' list] by asking all delegates wishing to speak to raise their [|placards] and calling on them one at a time. During debate, a delegate may indicate that he or she wishes to be added to the speakers' list by sending a note to the [|dais].
 * Sponsor** - One of the writers of a [|draft resolution]. A friendly [|amendment] can only be created if all sponsors agree.
 * Substantive** - Having to do with the topic being discussed. A substantive [|vote] is a vote on a [|draft resolution] or amendment already [|on the floor] during [|voting bloc]. Only [|member states] (not [|observer] states or non-governmental organizations) may vote on substantive issues.
 * Unmoderated Caucus** - A type of [|caucus] in which [|delegates] leave their seats to mingle and speak freely. Enables the free sharing of ideas to an extent not possible in [|formal debate] or even a [|moderated caucus]. Frequently used to sort countries into [|blocs] and to write [|working papers] and [|draft resolutions].
 * Working Paper** - A document in which the ideas of some [|delegates] on how to resolve an issue are proposed. Frequently the precursor to a [|draft resolution].
 * Veto** - The ability, held by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States to prevent any [|draft resolution] in the Security Council from passing by voting no.
 * Vote** - A time at which [|delegates] indicate whether they do or do not support a proposed action for the committee. There are two types: [|procedural] and [|substantive].


 * Voting bloc** - The period at the end of a committee session during which [|delegates] vote on proposed [|amendments] and [|draft resolutions]. Nobody may enter or leave the room during voting bloc.