THE MODEL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

1. Introduction

TOLMUN is a simulation of the United Nations system, in which students assume the roles of representatives of different members of the United Nations and debate the current issues on the UN’s agenda.

Through diplomacy and negotiation, TOLMUN students seek ways that the world community can deal with complex global concerns such as the environment, economic development, refugees, AIDS, conflict resolution, disarmament, and human rights. TOLMUN also has committees that simulate the work of organisms with similar purposes that that the UN—the OAS, the EU—and a national committee.

The goal for both the model and the UN is to reach a consensus in solving global problems. The successful TOLMUN experience is measured by how well you negotiate and build consensus. It should enable you to learn what people in different regions feel is important today -- their concerns and hopes for the future; major developments which are changing the world; how the nations of the UN can improve people's lives and create a fairer world system; and skills and behavior which contribute to international cooperation.

In the Model UN environment you will need the skills of the negotiator: to know how to listen, to persuade, and to sense when to step back and when to push for agreement.

Through researching and role-playing, participants learn the basics of an international education: the major world changes, the movement towards a just, harmonious and progressive world community and the United Nation’s central part in these developments.

By enacting a delegate's role, students come to appreciate the concerns of different countries, the strengths and limitations of diplomacy and the patience and skills needed to reach consensus. They will learn about the international process: defining objectives, agreeing on means to achieve them, and undertaking cooperative action. They will also learn the elements of good citizenship and what can be accomplished when community members work together.

From its beginning to its end, the experience of a United Nations model is a great opportunity to learn about the United Nations and the international relations.

2. Preparation and training of the participants

A solid preparation of the participants to the Model of the United Nations is fundamental to reach a successful simulation. Students must research in depth the history and economic, cultural, and social situation of the country they are representing, as well as its national interests, its international relations, and its position about every one of the topics to be discussed.

In every moment, the delegate must defend the position of the country s/he is representing and not her/his own points of view.

There are two basic components to the TOLMUN experience. First, delegates go through an intensive preparation process researching the countries to be represented, organizing positions, preparing policy papers, drafting resolutions, and practicing the rules of procedure and public speaking techniques. Second, s/he becomes a delegate when TOLMUN begins, synthesize and applying the information and skills developed during the preparation when the role-playing gets underway during the simulation.

There are four areas in which a delegate must be prepared:

About the work of the United Nations

About the country s/he is representing

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About the topics to be debated

About the procedures and protocol.

a) Research

The preparation of the delegates that are participating in a model of the United Nations requires the development of a deep and careful investigation by the student. The delegate must acquire, first of all, the knowledge about the history, objectives, working, and structure of the United Nations, including every one of its main organs and commissions. Also, s/he must know the antecedents and situation about everyone of the topics to be discussed, particularly those in which s/he is participating directly.

In every moment, the student must be identified as representative of a concrete country, for this reason, it is necessary that s/he becomes familiar with the nation s/he is representing, and that researches in detail the position of this country respecting the topics to be discussed. Even if is natural and worthy that the student makes an opinion, s/he mustn’t forget that, during the simulation, s/he is defending the interests and points of view of this country and no his/her ones. For this reason, even if the proposals presented during the conference can be innovative, they mustn’t be improvised and must be based on the actual positions of the represented countries. By the way, the delegate will speak in every moment for her/his country, avoiding the use of the first person.

Other important aspect about the preparation and participation of every delegate is that s/he must remain be informed about the world’s situation in all the spheres concerning to the United Nations. Particularly, they must be up to day about the development of the conflicts that threaten international peace and security . This preparation can be reached reading every day the news in the United Nations Internet sites and the main national and international newspapers, much of them having Web editions. Radio and TV are also important sources of updated information; however, they usually give less depth to the news.

Among the sources that a delegate can consult to be prepared for a model, there are the following:

Library of the United Nations Information Center,

Library and documentation centers of agencies and specialized programs of the United Nations,

Specialized libraries and libraries of universities,

Internet site of the Information Center of the United Nations,

Official homepage of the United Nations,

Governmental sites,

Communication media, and

Embassies.

b) Official paper.

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In this document, delegates must reflect the governmental point of view of the represented country about the specific topic. To research the official position of the countries can be an interesting challenge, as not always they are detailed in a concrete document. In highly relevant topics, countries use to express their positions through declarations or documents that can be obtained in governmental libraries and internet sites like the ones of foreign embassies. It is also possible to deduce the position of a country studying the speeches about the topic that its representatives have pronounce before the UN, checking the participation of countries in debates and following the press. In any case, the official paper must be elaborated based on a profound analysis and never must be “assumed” or “invented” by the delegate.

The official paper must consist in the following basic information:

A brief description about the represented country (economy, politics, demography, &c.) and its relation to the United Nations.

A brief description about current events related to the problematic to be discussed, highlighting the position that the country has adopted for each case.

The official position of the country respecting the topic to be discussed. It can include references to declarations in the press, speeches, previous actions referred to the topic.

If possible, proposals for solving or agreements that the country hopes to reach to solve the problematic in the agenda.

If several topics are to be discussed in the conference agenda, it is preferable to elaborate a separate document for each topic, with an extension of a page each one to allowed its reading and distribution.

During the research, participants must pay attention to:

Using precise vocabulary and understand all it. Visualizing the problematic using examples of the contemporary reality. Studying the necessary legal framework that supports the official paper that will be sustained—

documents, resolutions, agreements, treaties, rules). Studying the history, geography, politics, economy and society of the represented country. The speeches

that the representatives of the countries have pronounced in front of the UN as well as the ones of their allies and opponents, all what is useful to define the position of the country.

Conceiving coherent and viable proposals to solve the given problem.

When writing this kind of documents, all the members of the delegation must participate together. This helps to the integration of the members of the delegation for having a common vision about the country they are representing in the conference.

Writing the official paper allows the different members of the delegation agree on the criteria and organize the task of investigation. Delegates can use the official paper during the negotiations and debates to maintain a coherent position. However, it is important not to take these preliminary proposals as dogma, but as departing point for negotiations. It would be good if this proposal is included in a project of resolution, but it is also good to adopt and support the position of an ally and collaborate to defend it.

a) Official Paper Sample

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Official Position of the Kingdom of Sweden

World Summit on Environment

The Kingdom of Sweden has maintained the preservation of the environment as one of the central goals of our society and government. Historically, our country has supported the different international initiatives that have look for reducing and eliminating the negative effects of human activity on the environment.

As an example of this, the Government of Sweden has implemented as national practices ordered by law the recycling of waste produced in cities and the countryside, the investigation of new sources of non contaminant energy like solar and geotermical, the establishment of sustainable development practices in our industries and the reduction of contaminants and waste derived from industrial activities.

Additionally, Sweden has actively urged to several developed countries to adopt ecological codes as an essential part of its activity for the environment. Sweden has done this constantly through international forums about the topic.

Consequently, Sweden makes the following proposals in its participation in the World Summit on Environment:

1. It must be intensified the work of convincing governments to sign linking treaties in favor of the environment, principally the Kyoto Protocol

2. The international community must provide aid to the developing countries to assure the sustainability of their activity. This to avoid the sacrifice of the environment in favor of the economic benefit.

3. Finally, Sweden considers that a bigger number of governments must support logistically and economically the labor to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The government of the Kingdom of Sweden reaffirms its compromise with this urgent topic and hopes that the negotiations in this Summit are satisfactory.

Signed

Sweden delegate

3. Support from the faculty

It is highly important that a teacher supervises and supports the preparation of the students that will play the role of delegates in the model. The responsible teacher can ask the collaboration of scholars from the different disciplines to give advice to the students in the topics of their specialty—geography, economics, history, et cetera. Teachers can use time from their classes to talk in a general form the topics that will be discussed in the model and clarify doubts about the working of the United Nations.

The preparation of the delegates can also be achieved through a workshop or special course that can be used by the institution to develop in the students the abilities to participate in a model of the United Nations—capacity to

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research, team work, speaking, et cetera—and, dynamically and entertainingly, into areas of formal education of the students in depth—geography, history, law, international relations, et cetera.

Before the model, the teacher will collaborate in the organization and study of the topics, guiding the students to develop better strategies for researching the given topics.

The teacher will try that students:

Have knowledge deep enough to explain and clarify doubts.

Define and distinguish their personal position from the official position of the country that are representing.

Respect the idiosyncrasy and rules of foreign policy of the country that are representing leaving aside personal prejudices and opinion.

Teacher mustn’t:

Interfere in the research that students must accomplish.

Influence neither the decisions students have to take nor the positions they have to adopt respecting every topic. This will be evident during the development of the model.

During the model, the teacher is an observer that mustn’t intervene in any form in the activities of the students; s/he must wait until the end of the event to evaluate its development and the performance of the students. During the model, students must feel the pressure and responsibility to take decisions by themselves or look for the support of their pairs; elements that are fundamental for their development.

ROLE-PLAYING

The second step in the Model UN experience is applying the information and knowledge you have acquired during your preparation. Once you and the other delegates arrive either in the meeting room or at the conference facilities, you are not longer a student. You are the official representative of the country you have been assigned. You are a diplomat. Your purpose and that of your colleagues representing the other UN member states is to address the issues and problems on the agenda and to develop a workable resolution which the largest number of nations can support.

The Model UN meetings are structured by rules of procedure which provide the ways and means for countries to express their views, to consider proposals and resolutions, and to come to decisions on resolving the issues and concerns on the agenda. You will have two principal concerns:

to express the viewpoint of the country you represent for the purpose of sharing the ideas and experience of "your" government and procuring a resolution acceptable to "your" country, and

to contribute to developing an international response fair to all nations.

Role-playing involves working in a group and making speeches. As soon as you begin the meetings, you will want to meet informally with delegates of countries with backgrounds and concerns similar to yours in order to coordinate ideas and actions. In TOLMUN these groups are often called "caucus groups". These groups are unofficial and are not bodies that can blind "your" country to any position or viewpoint. The purpose of these groups is to facilitate the negotiating process.

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The negotiations are very intense. Most of the diplomatic work is accomplished during the informal caucuses producing draft resolutions, amendments, and the important compromises needed to research consensus.

Speech making during formal proceedings is another important part of role-playing. These public pronouncements permit delegates to "show their stuff" as an orator and thinker to the rest of the assembled group. Yet, not everyone is a polished speaker and in the Model UN debate substance is as important as style at the podium. A careful balance of listening and speaking must be struck in order to generate support and to find consensus on the problem.

The end result of the process is the adoption of a resolution or resolutions by a vote, reflecting the aggregation of interests of the member states at the meeting. Therefore, your purpose at TOLMUN is not to make the best presentation or to have "your" resolution win. Successful diplomacy is researching a consensus on a resolution or proposal.

4. RULES OF PROCEDURE

1) Scope: These rules are self-sufficient, except for modifications provided by the Secretariat, and shall be considered adopted in advance of every session. No other rules are applicable, and the Secretary General will take care of unspecified situations that may appear during the sessions.

2) Language: English shall be the official and working language of this committee.

3) Officers and staff: The Secretary-General, Director, Moderator and Assistant form the staff of the committee. The Secretary-General is the highest instance of decision in the Model. The staff will moderate the sessions, assure the accomplishment of the rules of procedure and maintain the order.

4) Statements by the secretariat: The Secretary-General or a member of the Secretariat designated by him/her, may at any moment, address to any committee, be orally or in writing.

5) Participation of nonmembers. Representative of accredited observers will have the same rights of full members, except that they may not sign or vote on resolutions or amendments.

6) General powers of the chair: The maximum authority in the committee is the Director and has the final decision over all committee disputes. S/he shall declare the opening and closing of each formal session, direct the discussions during the sessions, assure the accomplishment of the rules, coordinate the right of speaking, make questions and announce decisions. S/he shall integrate the board for approving the draft resolutions. S/he shall be responsible to maintain the order in the room in which the committee works. The moderator shall direct discussions and recognize the right to speak according to these rules making the debate fluent. S/he is part of the board to approve draft resolutions. The Assistant Secretary shall have a written record of the session’s development. The Advisors are experimented students that will make recommendations about rules and procedures to delegations that ask for it. The Director and the Moderator may temporarily transfer their duties to another member of the chair. The chare can also give advice about the possible course of the debate to the delegates.

7) Board of approving. The board to approve the draft resolutions will be integrated by the president and moderator, and, if the president determines, an advisor or other authority. Its attributions shall be to receive and revise draft resolutions to assure they accomplish the indispensable requirements in form and content. During the debate, it shall incorporate the amendments and corrections arisen from the debate until the definitive version shall be reached.

8) Quorum: The President shall declare a committee open and allow debate when at least one quarter of the members is present. A majority of the voting members shall be required for the vote on a verdict or amendment.

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9) Courtesy: Members of the Permanent Court of International Justice shall show courtesy and respect to the Chair and to other members of the Permanent Court of International Justice. The Vice-President shall immediately call to order or award a warning at her criteria if any member of the Permanent Court of International Justice fails to comply with this rule.

10) Warnings: The Moderator shall warn a member of the Security Council who shows disrespect at any session, and this decision may de appealed. The Director may also warn a member and her decision will be unappealable. In case a member of the Security Council gets two warnings in the same session, he/she must leave the session immediately and will not be allowed to enter the next session. If a member of the Security Council gets four warnings during the whole simulation, his/her participation in the model will be canceled.

11) Agenda: The first order of business for the committee will be the consideration of the Agenda by the following procedure:

a) A motion should be made to put a topic area first on the agenda. This motion requires to be seconded.

b) A speakers list will be established for and against the motion, this list will have no limit, but the same number of delegates are needed in each side in order to have a balanced list. Every speaker would be allotted with 30 seconds to speak, but he/she may not yield his/her remaining time. Comments at this moment are out of order.

c)A motion to close the debate on the Agenda will be in order only after the committee has heard two speakers for the motion and two against. The moderator will recognize two speakers against this motion to close the debate who may speak for 30 seconds and may not yield their remaining time; comments are out of order. The moderator may declare this motion out of order and this decision will be unappealable. A majority vote is needed for closure of debate on the Agenda.

d) When the debate is closed, the Committee will move to an immediate vote on the motion to open the selected topic. A majority of 2/3 of the members present and voting is required for passage. If the motion fails the other topic will automatically be placed first on the agenda.

12) Debate: After the Agenda has been determined a continuously open speakers’ list shall be established for the purpose of general debate. The speakers’ list shall be followed for all debates of the topic area, except when superseded by procedural motions, or the introduction of a verdict. The speakers may only talk about the topic area being considered, otherwise he/she will be out of order, and may address any verdict currently on the floor.

13) Forms of debate. The debate can take two modalities—formal and informal.

14) Formal debate. It is the one guided by the chair.

a) Formal debate shall follow a speaker’s list that will be done by the chare at the beginning of the debate. Delegates that want to be in the list will raise their hand when the list is elaborated. After it, a delegate will be integrated to the list at her/his request by sending a note to the chair. The speaker’s list must be followed during all the debate except when there were motions for procedures, amendments or introduction of a draft resolution / verdicts. In this case, separate speakers’ lists must be established as needed. Speakers must talk about the topic that is in debate or about the draft resolution or verdict. Once a draft resolution or verdict is introduced, it will remain in the forum and will be debated until it is approved or rejected.

b) The speaker’s list will follow a chronological order with a limited time to make use of the word. This time can be modified through a procedure’s motion.

c) The speaker’s list must be at the sight of every member of the committee. The speaker’s list for the second topic won’t be opened until the committee starts the work on this topic. The speaker’s list on the general debate cannot be closed.

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15) Speeches: No delegate may address the committee without having obtained the permission of the

Moderator. The moderator may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant for the topic under discussion, and is offensive to the committee member and/or the chair.

16) Time-limit on speeches: The Chair may limit the time allotted to each speaker. The minimum time limit shall be ten seconds, and the maximum shall be five minutes. When a delegate exceeds his allotted time, the moderator may call the speaker to order without delay.

17) Yields: A delegate granted the right to speak on a substantive issue may yield in one of the following ways:

a) Yield to another delegate: His/her remaining time shall be given to other delegate, who may not, however, then yield again.

b) Yield to questions: Questioners shall be selected by the moderator, and shall be limited to one question and a follow up, that must be related to the original question. Only the speaker’s answers shall be deducted from the remaining time.

c) Yield to the Chair: Such a yield should be made only if the speaker does not want his speech to be subject neither to comments nor to questions. The moderator shall then recognize the next speaker.

18) Extraordinary session of questions: A motion for an extraordinary session of questions to any delegate will be in order whenever the floor is open. The moderator may rule the motion out of order and his/her decision will be unappealable. The delegate to whom the session is directed must accept beforehand. At least one delegate must second this motion which will be then put to a vote, simple majority will be enough to pass it. The session shall consist in two questionings to the delegates. The delegates in use of the word can make a second question for monitoring if they are not convinced with the answer.

19) Comments: If substantial speech contains no yields, the moderator shall recognize two delegates to comment for thirty seconds on the specific comment of the speech just completed. These members cannot yield their time. No comments shall be in order during the debate in motions of procedure. If a delegate must finish her/his speech for having used all the time, commentaries shall be out of order.

20) Motions. Every delegate can use the motions to ask that a specific situation or proposal is taken into account. The delegate must specify the type of motion. There are four types of motion that are employed for a good development of the debate and for a better participation of the delegates:

a) Point of procedure. It is employed to propose an option to the normal course of the debate. It must be seconded by another delegate to be considered by the chair. This motion cannot interrupt a delegate that is speaking nor to the chair. The chair can deny, accept, or summit to voting the proposal. In this case, all delegates must vote without abstentions.

b) Point of order: During the discussion of any matter a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to complain of improper parliamentary procedure. The Chair shall immediately decide the Point of Order in accordance to these rules of procedure. The moderator may rule out of order such points that are dilatory or improper; such a decision is unappealable. A delegate may only interrupt a speaker when the speech itself is not following the proper parliamentary procedure. A point of order over a pre-established point of order won’t be valid

c) Points of personal privilege: Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort that impairs his/her ability to participate in the proceedings, he/she may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected. Although the Point of Personal Privilege may interrupt a speaker, delegates

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should use this with the most discretion. If the motion is incorrectly employed in several occasions, the delegate will received a warning by the chair.

d) Point of parliamentary inquiry: When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the moderator a question regarding the rules of procedure. This point may never interrupt a speaker. Substantive questions should be asked to the Chair during Caucus.

21) Right of reply: A delegate whose personal or national integrity has been impugned by another delegate may request a Right of Reply. The moderator's decision to grant the right of reply or not is unappealable. The Right of Reply constitutes recognition of the offense, not a license to respond. A Right of Reply to a Right of Reply is out of order. This should be submitted by writing.

22) Caucusing: This is an informal meeting of delegates in which they can debate and negotiate directly ones with others. A motion to caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes. The motion shall immediately be voted. A majority of the members present and voting is required for passage. The Moderator may consider the motion out of order and his decision is not subject to appeal.

23) Moderated caucus: The motion for a moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty five minutes. The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical situations in the discussion. Bearing that goal in mind, the Moderator will temporarily depart from the Speaker's, list and call on delegates to speak at his discretion. Once raised, the motion shall be voted on immediately, with a majority of members present and voting required for passage. The Director may rule the motion out of order and his decision is not subject to appeal.

24) Resolutions: A resolution can only be introduced after it has received the approval of the Director and has been signed by one third of the committee-voting members. Signing a resolution does not means the nation supports it, only that is its willing to discuss it. The committee can only pass one resolution for each topic, and may only discuss one resolution at the time. The resolutions must be written with the specified format; otherwise, the Director can consider them out of order.

25) Introducing resolutions: Any resolution written before the simulation should not be discussed. A resolution can only be introduced when the majority of the speakers have exposed their positions. Once a resolution has been signed by the Director and the appropriate number of delegates (1/3 of the committee), copied, and distributed to all the committee; a delegate may rise to introduce the resolution. This motion requires to be second, and a simple majority is needed for passage. After the delegate has read the resolution, questions about the text of the resolution would be in order, the number of questions allowed will be determined by the Moderator. Immediately after an unlimited speakers list for, against, and about the resolution may be established; the speakers time will be decided by the Chair and this decision will not be subject to appeal. Any delegate may yield his/her time and comments will be considered out of order. A resolution will remain on the floor until debate on that specific resolution is postponed or closed, or that resolution on the topic has been passed or rejected. An amendment may only be introduced when debate on a specific resolution is on the floor.

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26) Amendments: Whenever a resolution is in the floor, any delegate can amend the resolution. All amendments must be signed by one fifth of the committee’s voting members and approved by the director, who can rule it out of order if it is not related to the resolution. After the amendment has been introduced to the committee, the speakers' list on the resolution will be postponed and a new speakers' list of two delegates for, two against and two about the amendment will be established. These delegates will have 30 seconds to speak with the possibility of yielding their time; comments will be out of order. And immediate roll call vote will follow and a 2/3 majority is needed to pass the amendment. Afterwards the debate on he resolution will continue.

27) Competence: Whenever a delegate considers that a resolution or amendment does not belong to the jurisdiction of that committee may rise to a competence motion on that proposal. This kind of motion is in order only immediately after the resolution or amendment has been introduced. This motion requires a second and one speaker for and one against. These speakers may speak for 30 seconds without the possibility to yield their time. Afterwards a vote on the motion will proceed and a simple majority is needed to pass. If the committee votes in favor of the motion, the resolution or amendment may be ruled out of order and it shall be forbidden to refer o its name and content for the rest of the simulation.

28) Closure of debate: Closure of debate on a resolution can be proposed by a delegate when the floor is open, and only after two delegates for, against, and about the resolution have spoken referring to the speakers list concerning the debate on a resolution. The moderator may, subject to appeal, declare the motion out of order. A simple majority would be needed to pass this motion. Once the debate on a resolution has been closed the delegates can propose a motion to Divide the resolution or proceed to a Roll call voting.

29) Voting: Each member nation has only one vote. These nations may vote for, against, or abstain. Those who abstain shall not be considered for the total recount of votes. A simple majority is at least one more than half of the present and voting members. Voting shall be by raising the placards.

30) Roll call voting: This motion shall be in order before a vote when the floor is open, and shall be the only voting procedure for resolutions. In Roll Call Voting the moderator will call roll in alphabetical order, starting by a randomly selected nation. The procedure will be as follows.

a) In the first round the delegates might vote for, against, abstain or pass until the second round. Delegates may ask for a right or explanation.

b) In the second round the procedure will be the same, except that a pass shall be out of order.

c)After the second round has finished, the delegates who asked for a right of explanation shall have 30 seconds to give arguments to explain his or her vote. Shall a delegate argument be given previously by another one he/she shall say: "The point of view of my country has been previously exposed by the delegate of (nation)."

d) In the third round all delegates can change their vote. Rights of explanation and pass shall be out of order.

A resolution will need two-thirds majority to pass.

31) Close session: At any time, when the floor is open, a delegate may move to suspend the committee until the next session. The Moderator may rule the motion out of order and this shall not be subject to an appeal. An

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immediate vote shall follow and a majority is needed. An adjournment of the meeting would suspend all committee functions. This shall be out of order prior to the lapse of three-fourths of the last session.

32) Question the moderator's decision: Any delegate can question a decision made by the Chair (except those that these rules mark as unquestionable). The procedure is the following:

a) The delegate who questions a decision must do it in front of the quorum and may not interrupt a speaker.

b) The delegate, at the request of the Moderator, will briefly explain his appeal if the Director considers the motion in order.

c)The appeal will be taken into voting and the decision taken by the Chair will remain just in case the majority votes for the appeal. A vote in favor means support to the appeal. A vote against means support to the Chair's ruling.

33) Blocs: Except in the courts and the Security Council a motion to sit on blocs is in order at any moment. It needs to be seconded and approved by simple majority.

6. RESOLUTION

Basic decisions and declaration of the committee position are resolutions. These are the base for actions and future debates and new decisions.

Resolutions can be proposed by one or several countries. They are debated, sometimes amended, and finally voted for approval. The, they constitute the official policy of the UN.

Resolutions are the base for international treaties and conventions; they can be general or referred to specific countries and situations. Sometimes, they call for general actions, sometimes they condemn specific situations and actors, and sometimes they impose economic or military sanctions.

Before the final voting, resolutions can be amended, that is to say, modified, be in the text, be in the sense, be adding new details.

Resolutions, to be approved, must reflex the position of the majority, so, it is recommended that several countries participate in its draft. Besides, these countries must convince the others that this proposal is important, possible, and necessary.

Resolutions are written in two parts—an introductory one that justifies the actions to be taken and establish the goals to be reached; and an operative part that enlist the actions themselves. Every action is enlisted in individual sentences starting with a verb. Ideas must be in logic structure. The lines in the resolution are enumerated to make easy to localize specific information to be discussed and modified before being voted.

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Sample of Resolution

RESOLUTION A-1

Committee: Special, Political and Decolonization CommissionTopic: Situation in Haiti,Sponsors: Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, USA, United Kingdom.

(01) Having studied that the creation of a suitful Internal police Force is required to establish order and democracy,(02)(03) Having examined that Haiti does not have a well structured Internal Police Force,(04)(05) Alarmed by the anger of Haitian people against the members of the military Junta,(06)(07) Recognizing the necessity of economic help to improve the situation in the island,(08)(09) Having considered the opposition of some countries towards the multinational forces’ occupation in Haiti,(10)(11) We propose the following:(12)(13) 1. Recommends the Haitian government that a poll should be made to see if the people of the country agree (14) with the presence of the multinational forces.(15)(16) 2. Encourages the creation of the Haitian police force trained by a specialized international committee, (17) this committee is to stay for 13 months starting on January of 1995.(18)(19) 3. Considers that as soon as the Haitian police forces’ training is completed, the international troops must be(20) retired from the island, if the Haitian government fells that the training of this force has completed its objective(21) before the stipulated time, it should recommend the UN to withdraw the international forces,(22)(23) 4. Urges to call for elections when Jean Bertrand Aristide finishes his presidential term,(24)(25) 5. Exhorts the countries to gather voluntary advisors to be placed in Haiti’s disposition at all times,(26) whenever help is required,(27)(28) 6. Calls upon using the one billion dollars which have been provided to the Special Political and Decolonization (29) Committee to improve economy in Haiti, and use other funds supported by other organizations (30) (IBD, UNDP, EU) whoever wants to help.(31)(32) 7. Expresses its hope to use this money in the development of programs such as the local manufacturing (33) industries, agriculture and public services,(34)(35) 8. Further invites the international community to encourage its companies to invest and settle themselves (36) on the island, now, or when they consider that investing in Haiti would be trustful,(37)(38) 9. Exhorts the countries to send international observers to Haiti, in order to supervise all the programs (39) that are proposed in this resolution paying special attention on the human rights issue,(40)(41) 10. Recommends the Haitian government to inform that political asylum can be requested by those who(42) feel it necessary,(43)(44) 11. Further invites the Haitian government to encourage the members of the oligarchy to invest(45) their money voluntarily in Haiti, they have the option of either leaving or staying in the country.

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Introductory phrases Affirming Further recallingAlarmed by Guided byApproving Having adoptedAware of Having consideredBearing in mind Having devoted attentionBelieving Having examinedConscious about Having heardConfident Having receivedContemplating Having studiedConvinced Keeping in mindDeclaring Nothing FurtherDeeply concerned Nothing with approvalDesiring Nothing with deep concernEmphasizing Nothing with regretExpressing its appreciation Nothing with satisfactionExpressing its satisfaction ObservingFulfilling Reaffirming Fully alarmed RealizingFully aware RecallingFully believing RecognizingFurther deploring Taking note

Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

Operative Phrases

Accepts Further invitesAffirms Further proclaimsApproves Further recommendsAuthorizes Further remindsCalls Further requestsCalls upon Further resolvesCondemns NotesConfirms ProclaimsCongratulates ReaffirmsConsiders RecommendsDeclares accordingly RegretsDeplores RequestsDesignates ResolvesEmphasizes Solemnly affirmsEncourages Strongly condemnsEndorses SupportsExpresses its appreciation Trust UrgesExpresses its hope

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Bibiography

Carta de la Naciones Unidas y Estatuto de la Corte Internacional de Justicia.

Carta de la OEA.

CINU para México, Cuba y República Mexicana (2000). Reglamento General del Modelo Naciones Unidas. Revisión 24 de enero 2000.

Coalición de ONGs por la CPI http://www.iccnow.org/espanol/cpi2.htmInternational Criminal Court Oficial Web Site http://www.icc-cpi.int/statesparties.htmlUnited Nations (1995). Basic Facts about de United Nations. Nueva York.

United Nations / United Nations Association of the United States of America. (1993). Introduction to the Model United Nations.

United Nations Oficial Web Site http://www.un.org/law/icc/asp/aspfra.htm

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