Complicated jargon you can’t understand? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Below is a list of definitions you can keep handy.
Amendment – a change that can occur in the context of either asking a delegate to slightly modify their motion at the other’s request, and changes to a working paper that are presented to the sponsors or signatories.
Chair – also known as a moderator, this is a member of the dais that moderates debate, keeps time, rules on points and motions, and enforces the rules of procedure.
Delegate – a participant acting as a representative of a member state or observer in a United Nations committee. When we compete in a Model UN conference, we are referred to as delegates
Delegation – the entire group of people representing a member state or observer in all committees at a particular Model UN conference. Here, delegation may be used to refer to one person’s represented country OR it can refer to an entire school competing together.
Directive: A working paper in the context of crisis committees. Its structure requirements are less strict than that of a resolution. Once passed by the committee, this working paper is called a directive.
Flow of debate – the order in which events proceed during a Model UN conference.
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. At the end, they can yield the floor to questions, the Chair, or another delegate.
Page – a staff member in a Model UN committee that screens and passes notes from one delegate to another, or from a delegate to the Chair.
Placard – a card with a country’s name on it that a delegate raises in the air to signal to the Chair that they wish to speak.
Point – a request raised by a delegate for information or for an action relating to that delegate.
Procedural vote – a vote that all delegates must partake in (i.e. motion to close debate), characterized as matters pertaining to furthering the matters of the committee.
Resolution – a document that has been passed by a UN body aiming 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 that their personal or national integrity has been addressed directly by another’s speech. It is easily the most over-attempted and misused motion in Model UN debating – delegates often fail to understand that asking for a ‘Right of Reply’ is making a very serious accusation and must not be abused. The Director decides whether to grant the Right of Reply and their decision is not open to appeal. If granted the Chair will normally ask the offending party if they wish to apologize.
Roll call – the first order of business in a Model UN committee, during which the Chair reads aloud the names of each member state in the committee. When a delegate’s country’s name is called, they may respond with “present” or “present and voting.” A delegate responding “present and voting” may not abstain from a substantive vote.
- Present – a state that’s present is a state that’s given the Chair’s indication of its presence, but has the ability to abstain from voting procedure.
- Present and Voting – a state that’s present and voting has given its obligation to vote on the matter at hand. States that are present and voting may not abstain during substantive votes. Some Chairs require all delegates who are present and voting be in the room for voting procedure to begin.
Secretariat – the staff that work directly with the Secretary-General in the context of Model United Nations. These roles vary to suit various clubs’/conferences’ needs.
Secretary-General – the leader of the United Nations organization with the highest form of authority akin to a presidential position.
Simple majority – 50% plus one delegate 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 the debate, a delegate may indicate that they be added to the speakers’ list via note. Your country’s name cannot be on the speakers’ list more than once at a time.
Sponsors – someone who authors a working paper.
Signatory – someone who agrees to see a working paper presented during presentations. These delegates do not co-author the paper. A person cannot be both a sponsor and signatory.
Substantive vote – one that does not require the participation of all delegates. Those who announce themselves as “present” may abstain during a substantive vote (i.e. voting on a draft resolution).
Working paper: A document that has sponsors, signatories, a section identifying past problems, and the final section indicating solutions. The format of these depend on the type of committee a delegate is in.
Vote – a time at which delegates indicate whether they do or do not support a proposed action for the committee. There are two types of votes: procedural and substantive.