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Announcement
KULMUN 2024
Delegate preparation guide
This page will help you prepare for our upcoming conference, from what you need to prepare before arriving to the basics of the rules of procedure and an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section regarding the conference. This page is also very useful for absolute beginners.
Contact us if you have any questions:
Topic Preparation:
How to prepare for your topic
Preparing for the topics can be a daunting task especially for those new to MUNing. To ensure you are prepared for the debates we strongly recommend you do the following:
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Read the study guide: The chairs of your committee will send you a study guide which will contain everything you should know for the topic. It will also include key points which the chair believes should be debated to help structure the discussion. This is the most important component to being fully prepared for the debates.
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Research your countries stance: After reading your study guide you should research your countries stance on the issue to accurately represent their views. Having difficulty finding your countries stance? Read the following section for help!
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Write your position paper: The position paper is a document that is written before the conference and must be sent to your chairs (deadlines and specifications will be communicated via email). This document will contain your countries stance and some potential ideas you have to resolve the issue. Remember if you don't submit your position paper on time you are not eligible to win an award.
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Prepare an opening statement: Opening statements are short speeches of 1.5 minutes max giving an overview of your countries position on the topic. You should prepare one for each topic, its not necessary that you use the total time.
Suggestions for preparation
The following are suggestions to help you with preparing for your topics.
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How to find your countries position: Especially when representing smaller countries information on a country's stance can be lacking.
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Check your countries foreign affairs website: Very often full research reports and public statements from a country's foreign affairs office can be found on a range of topics.
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Explore issues which have set a precedence: If a country has no public statement on an issue exploring its past actions can be a good way to deduce their likely views on the topic.
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Contact your chairs: You will always have the opportunity to ask your chairs questions via email about your topic.
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Read beyond the study guide: Often times the study guides will refer to other documents such as resolutions or treaties and other historical events. We suggest you don't limit your reading to the study guides and you explore these other topics.
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Contact your chairs if you have questions: If you have questions regarding the topic don't hesitate to contact your chairs via email.
Rules of Procedure:
Introduction
For complete beginners we have included an overview of the most important components to the Rules of Procedure and for the advanced to intermediate MUNer you may download the full rules of procedure document. Note that it is not necessary to remember all of the rules of procedures, our chairs will be teaching and answering questions regarding the rules of procedure on the first day of debates and through out committee session. These rules do not apply for the historical crisis committee. Delegates participating in this committee will be emailed the full RoP.
Beginners guide to the Rules of Procedure
The following is a timeline of a typical MUN debate.The most important components of each stage will be explained. Memorizing these rules is not necessary as the chairs will fully explain the Rules of Procedure to delegates at the beginning of the debate and when they become relevant. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have throughout the discussion.
Important rules for throughout the debate
The key rules that are relevant throughout the debate.
Objective of debate: The final objective you will be working towards is creating a resolution. A resolution is a formal document outlining a solution to the issue being discussed. The committee should work towards writing and finally voting on a resolution.
Third person speech: You are representing the views of a country and not yourself. This means that during formal debate you must refrain from first person pronouns and must use phrases such as "we", the "delegation of [insert country]" etc.
No cross talking: During formal debate you may not speak while other delegates are making speeches. To communicate with other delegates you may pass notes or communicate electronically.
Raising points and motions: Points and motions are used to ask questions and to enact various actions such as voting on topics or changing the topic being discussed. You won't need to memorize the wording for all the motions, you will be taught them by the chairs and you will have a booklet with all points and motions available.
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What is a point?: During debates if you need to ask a question of a practical nature (asking about the rules of procedure or needing to use the bathroom) you must raise a point.
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What is a motion?: A motion is an action regarding the content of the debate like starting voting procedures on an issue.
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How do I raise them?: To raise either a point or a motion first wait for the chair to state "are there any points or motions on the floor". You may then raise your placard, and once the chair has recognized you, you may stand and state your point or motion.
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What kind of points and motions are there?: A list of important points and motions can be found at the bottom of this guide as well as when they can be raised.
Starting the debate
At the beginning of the debate you will first start with a roll call where you will indicate that your are present. Then the committee will decide on the order of the topics that will be debated, followed by opening speeches.
Opening the debate and setting the agenda: The first major step is to formally open the debate by deciding on what order to debate the committees two topics.
Roll call: Once the agenda is set the roll call will be made. The chairs will ask whether each member of the committee is "present" or "present and voting. Whats the difference?:
Opening statements: After the roll call has been established each country will make their opening statements on the topic being discussed. Typically the opening statement is 1.5 minutes long.
The main debate
After opening statements the main debate will begin. MUNs differ from regular debates in that the content and the order of topics being discussed is determined by you. Here are the important components to the main debate.
General speakers list: Right after the opening statements have finished the chairs will ask who would like to be added to the general speakers list and you may raise your placard to be added. When the speakers list is open each country on the list will make speeches talking about the topic in general for a set amount of time.
Motions for Moderated Caucus': The moderated caucus is a motion that essentially moves the debate to a specific sub topic. For example if the debate topic is "The issue of plastic waste" a possible topic for a moderated caucus is "Policies to increase plastic recycling". Once the motion is raised it is voted on. If it passes then the discussion must be focused on this topic for a set amount of time.
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Importance: While the general speakers list is good to discuss the overview of a topic the moderated caucus' structure the debate. They help focus the discussion on one key topic at a time.
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How to motion for it: After the chair asks for points or motions you may raise your placard and state you wish to motion for a moderated caucus, state your topic, the total time you want to discuss it and how much time each person may speak. An example:
"We would like to raise a motion for a moderated caucus on the topic of policies to reduce plastic waste, for a total time of 15 minutes and an individuals speakers time of 1 minute".
Motion for an un-moderated Caucus: An un-moderated caucus is essentially the opposite of a moderated caucus. If motioned and voted for, instead of entering a formal debate on a sub-topic, the committee may enter informal debate for a set amount of time. This means that delegates may stand, walk to other delegates and converse directly and may talk in first person.
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Importance: This motion is useful when the committee wants to begin writing a resolution. When in an un-moderated caucus its a good time to organize a google doc, add delegate emails and potentially create blocs.
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How to motion for it: Simply state your motion and the total time, for example:
"The delegate of the United States would like to motion for an un-moderated caucus of 15 minutes."
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Why not conduct the entire debate in an un-moderated caucus: Although in theory it sounds quicker to debate topics without the extensive rules of procedure, in practice in a committee of more than 10 people discussions become extremely chaotic and bog down. As well as this it is often the case that not everyone is able to contribute their ideas due to the chaos.
Writing the draft resolution
Typically in the later half of the debate, delegates will start writing their draft resolutions. Delegates will work together to write the draft resolution during the debates.
When to start?: Usually once the committee has conducted a few moderated caucus topics and has agreed upon a few possible actions that can be taken to solve the issue the committee will go into an un-moderated caucus and begin writing down their ideas. Typically a google doc is created and delegates work together on a single document.
The three steps to a resolution: There are three steps to reaching a final resolution. The first is writing a working document, then a draft resolution then finally voting upon the resolution.
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Working paper: A working paper is simply a document with the broad ideas of the committee. There is no formal structure needed. To be able to discuss this document you must make a motion to introduce your working paper after sending it and getting approval from your chair.
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Draft resolution: The draft resolution is the final step before voting. This document must follow a strict format, your chair will explain what these requirements are. You must first send the draft resolution to your chairs to be checked and then once you get approval you may motion to introduce it.
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Final resolution: You cannot consider your document a resolution until it has been passed by the committee. Once the debate is closed and the resolution is voted on and hopefully passed it officially becomes a resolution.
Amendments: An amendment is a suggested change to a part of an already introduced resolution. The chair will typically announce when they are accepting amendments. You must first send your amendment to the chair and then motion to introduce it. It is then debated and voted on. The exact process is better explained by the chairs during the debates.
Voting and ending the debate
In the final stage of the debate delegates will begin finalizing the debate by voting on the resolution that has been written.
How to initiate voting procedures: To begin voting procedures a delegate must
raise a motion to close the debate and begin voting procedures.
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Objections: If there are objections there will be 2 speakers for and 2 against closing the debate, then a procedural vote is conducted, if the vote passes the committee commences voting procedures. If there are no objections no vote is required.
The different types of voting: After you have motioned to begin voting procedures you will have the option to motion for two voting methods:
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Vote by placard: This method is the simplest voting procedure. Here the delegates will all raise their placards whether they are for or against at the same time.
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Vote by roll call: Here, each countries name will be called in alphabetical order and the delegate will stand and state whether they are voting for or against.
Voting: At long last, once voting begins all electronic devices will be turned off and all logistics staff and journalists will leave the room and voting will begin.
Veto powers and consensus: The UNSC and NATO have special voting conditions.
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UNSC: In the UNSC the five permanent members (United Kingdom, The United States of America, The People's Republic of China, The Russian Federation and France) have veto powers. This means that if any one of these countries votes against the resolution automatically fails no matter how many votes in favor there are.
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NATO: Voting works using the consensus model. This means that for any document to pass everyone must vote in favor.
Frequently asked questions
Answering common concerns
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How much time should I spend preparing?: There is no specified amount of time to prepare. The most essential tasks would be to read the study guide, research your country stance and write your position paper. In total this could take approximately 5 hours, though we do recommend spending some more time researching and preparing for your topics.
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What if I forget the rules during the debate?: Memorizing the rules of procedures is not necessary as the chairs will explain the rules during the debate and will be able to answer any questions you have throughout the debate. Also making mistakes regarding rules of procedure is not at all an issue as the chairs will help you with any mistakes.
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Is joining a committee above my recommended level an issue? No, this is not a problem. Beginners may join intermediate or advanced committees, the rules of procedure will still be explained by the chairs. However we recommend you spend extra time preparing as the topics will be more complex and you are likely to debate topics with more experienced MUNers.
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Can I bring a pre-written draft resolution and present it in the committee?: No, this is very frowned upon. Coming prepared with potential solutions is no issue however pre-writing a full draft resolution is not recommended as an important component to the debate is to work together and discuss the specific wording of the draft resolution.