PCS Handbook

PCSConferenceHandbookThis handbook is primarily written for the purpose of guiding thedelegates to successfully take part in the 2009 Peace ConferenceSimulation held in Norway. It provides insight into the civil wargoverning Sri Lanka, and interpretations of the positions held by actorsinvolved in the peace process. The handbook may also be used to guideothers with an interest in Sri Lanka or ambitions to replicate a similarconference simulation either with the same conflict or another.

PeaceConferenceSimulation onSri Lanka

Index

Appendix

Our Partners:

We would like to extend a great thank

you to all our partners with their

various contributions to the Peace

Conference Simulation.

Buddhist Dharma School - Sri Lanka

Care International

Colombo University

Eastern University of Sri Lanka

FriFond.no

Jaffna University

Madrasa Colombo – Sri Lanka

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway

NORAD

Norwegian Peace Centre

Norwegian Peace Council

Oslo Red Cross Student Association

South Eastern University

Sri Lankan Association of Norway

St. Lucial Cathedral Sri Lanka

Stortinget

Studentparlamentet – UiO

Tamil Student Union

The Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Children and Youth Council

UN Association of Norway

University of Oslo

University of Ruhuna

University of Ås

Our Partners:

We would like to express our

gratitude towards all our partners

with their various contributions to the

Peace Conference Simulation.

Buddhist Dharma School - Sri Lanka

Care Norway

Colombo University

Eastern University of Sri Lanka

FriFond.no

Jaffna University

Madrasa Colombo – Sri Lanka

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway

Norwegian Peace Centre

Norwegian Peace Council

Oslo Red Cross Student Association

Rotary Club

South Eastern University

Sri Lankan Association of Norway

St. Lucial Cathedral Sri Lanka

Studentparlamentet – UiO

Tamil Student Union

The Nobel Peace Prize Institute

The Norwegian Children and Youth Council

UN Association of Norway

University of Oslo

University of Ruhuna

University of Ås

Foreword

Letter from the PCS President 2009….

Goals of the Conference…………………..

Map of Sri Lanka………………………………

1 - Peace Conference Simulation 2009 –

Conference Agenda………………………………………

2 - Skills needed to Succeed in PCS 2009……….

3 - Timeline of the Conflict Situation in Sri

Lanka…………………………………………………………..

4 – PCS Roles – Sri Lanka………………………………

5 - How do we negotiate? ……………………………

6 - Frequently asked questions......................

7- List of Resources………………………………………

i

ii

iii

1

2

3

4

7

12

14

A - Sample working paper

B - How to write a resolution

C - Sample resolution one

D - Sample resolution two

E - Edited list of Harvard rules of procedure

F - Glossary

G - Position Papers

H- More tips on public speaking

i Peace Conference Simulation Group – PCS Sri Lanka Handbook 2009

Dear Delegate,

On January 2 2008, the dysfunctional Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka

and the LTTE, in effect since 2002, seized to exist. The Ceasefire Agreement of 2002, on which

Norway and others had put so much hope, had failed to bring the peace and prosperity the

population of the island so desperately needs after more than a quarter century of conflict.

One year after the official burial of the agreement, twelve students from different cities in Sri Lanka

and ten students from Norway will meet in Oslo to simulate a peace conference on Sri Lanka. They

will bring to the table their different points of view; their perceptions of peace and conflict; their

experiences and, why not?, their lack of experience, to negotiate a lasting solution for peace. Their

task will be a daunting one, and whether they succeed or not will depend on the amount of work

they have put into preparing themselves in advance for this week of negotiations; their ability to

represent each other’s positions; their skills at negotiating… and a healthy dose of good fortune.

As a delegate at the conference, you are asked to step outside yourself and represent a group with

which you may have nothing in common. Perhaps you may even be completely against the

organization or government you are representing. Nevertheless the success of the simulation will

depend on how well you can step outside your shoes and into those of your new personality. This

will be impossible without proper preparation. The situation in Sri Lanka is characterized by its

complexity. If you do not know what you are doing you will not be able to represent your

constituency properly. In a peace conference this would result in a disgruntled part of the population

feeling unrepresented by the process, poisoning the ensuing peace. Thus to ensure that everyone

takes the most from this simulation, you owe it to all of the participants to prepare yourself in

advance.

Your goal at the Conference will be to come up with a peace treaty that everyone can agree to and

which will make it possible for everyone to live in peace. At the same time, your goal is to represent

your constituency and its interests. You will need to be flexible, but you will also need to know where

your limits are.

This handbook will help you prepare, but it will not tell you everything you need to know. It is a

starting point, an orientation. In it you will find information on how to carry out a simulation, the

rules of procedure we will be using, a glossary of terms and information on the different roles

provided by the participants themselves. We will also have a brief session on rules of procedure at

the beginning of the Conference and different seminars throughout the week. If you have any

questions at any point, I hope you will not hesitate to contact the arrangers as well.

Thomas Jefferson was a great believer in luck. “I find the harder I work,” he is reported to have said,

“the more luck I have”. As I said before, a healthy dose of good fortune will be necessary for all

participants. I do not doubt however that the delegates with the most fortune and best able to

influence the peace process will be those who have prepared themselves the hardest.

Best regards,

Pablo Valverde

Group Leader

Peace Conference Simulation

ii Peace Conference Simulation Group – PCS Sri Lanka Handbook 2009

Goals of the ConferenceYour goal is to find a solution to the conflict. Ideally this will mean to come up with a comprehensive

Peace Treaty which will treat the following issues:

Ceasefire agreement:

o How will it be maintained?

o How will it be guaranteed?

o Along which lines?

o Arbitration possibilities?

o How long will it stand?

Confidence building measures:

o Will these be carried out simultaneously? By one part

first and then the other? Perhaps following a timeline?

o What will these consist of?

o What role will international actors have?

Political compromise:

o One state?

o Two states?

o A federation?

o Autonomous regions?

Political representation

o How to ensure that minorities’ rights are defended?

o Ethnic representation?

o Religious representation?

o Cultural expression?

o Quotas?

Economic development:

o Whose responsibility?

o How to ensure it takes place?

o What comes first, political representation or economic

development? Is it possible to have one without the

other?

o What role for external actors?

o How do you decide how external aid is allocated?

Although these are only a few suggestions of things you should be considering, any one of them

poses the possibility of deadlock. Successful negotiators will know when to compromise and when to

stand firm, but also when to realize that a certain issue cannot be solved in the current context.

Therefore, aim for a Comprehensive Peace Treaty, but aim also for results. Remember that a

ceasefire today may save more lives than a peace treaty tomorrow.

iii Peace Conference Simulation Group – PCS Sri Lanka Handbook 2009

Map of Sri Lanka

1 | Peace Conference Simulation Group – PCS Sri Lanka Handbook 2009

Day Date Event # Event WhereSunday 25th Jan

20091 Welcome Dinner with Peace Conference

Simulation GroupHaraldsheim

Monday 26th Jan2009

234

5

Opening CeremonySeminar: Rules of Procedure with chairBB Lunch: Active listening techniques byThe Norwegian Peace AssociationPCS Simulation: Session

Nobel Peace InstituteUiO - BlindernUniversity of Oslo -Blindern

Tuesday 27th Jan2009

67

89

PCS Simulation: SessionBB Lunch: Experiences from previouspeace negotiations by Ministry of ForeignAffairsPCS Simulation: SessionDinner at Sri Lankan Embassy’s FirstSecretary house

UiO- BlindernMinistry of Foreign Affairs

UiO – BlindernOslo

Wednesday 28th Jan2009

1011

12

PCS Simulation: SessionBB Lunch: Norwegian Democracy by TheNorwegian ParliamentPCS Simulation: Session

UiO – BlindernOslo - Stortinget

UiO– Blindern

Thursday 29th Jan2009

1314

1516

PCS Simulation: SessionBB Lunch: UN intervention in civil wars(??) by the UN Association of NorwayExcursion to the Peace Price CentreCultural Evening with Bangra party

UiO – BlindernUiO– Blindern

Oslo – Aker BryggeUiO – Blindern

Friday 30th Jan2009

1718

192022

PCS Simulation: SessionBB Lunch: Norwegian Development Aid toSri LankaClosing CeremonyExcursion to the Opera HouseFred på Blå: Debate and Concert

UiO– BlindernUiO – Blindern

Oslo City CouncilOslo

Saturday 31st Jan2009

2324

Summing up Simulation ResultsExcursion to Frognerseteren

UiO – BlindernOslo – Frognerseteren

Peace Conference Simulation 2009 – Conference Agenda


There are five necessary steps that we invite you to complete in preparation to PCS 2009. Firstly, it is

important to do research. There are three areas that one should cover when undertaking research

for PCS 2009. They include:

Inform yourself about the delegation you represent and its positions on the issues

highlighted in the section goals of the conference.

Research previous topics that have been debated during

previous rounds of negotiations.

Acquire an overview of the political system of Sri Lanka.

These are all basic requirements to effectively engage in all

parts of the conference.

Secondly, tapping into your public speaking skills is critical in

promoting the ideas of your delegation at the negotiating table.

Many students are afraid to speak in public. Nevertheless, the key

to overcome these fears is good research in advance and practice

explaining the position of your delegation.

Thirdly, recognition and understanding of the rules of procedure is

important. You will be given a formal introduction to them during

the first day of the conference. However, it is important that you

read through the guidelines provided in the handbook. This will

ensure that the debate is conducted in a framework conducive for

negotiations between many actors with different views.

Fourthly, caucusing is the venue were delegates come together to

solve the hard topics in negotiation by collaborating and developing

draft resolutions. In other words, the most vital bricks for peace are

placed during this part of the conference. These types of sessions

are granted upon request from the delegations during the

simulation.

Lastly, writing a resolution is the final skill needed in preparation of

PCS 2009. A resolution is the final results of the negotiations. In other words, the resolution is a

suggestion on how to implement peace in Sri Lanka. The resolution must take into consideration the

actors involved in this round of negotiations and their ability to influence it. It is thus important to

note that wording can determinate whether resolution is passed or fails.

Skills needed to succeed in PCS

Key Skills to develop:

PCS Research: Areas to research are

information on the position of your

delegation, topics of previous rounds of

negotiations and political processes in Sri

Lanka

Public Speaking: Need to communicate

the position of your delegation, help build

consensus and formulate resolutions.

Practice this!

Rules of Procedure: Provide a

framework to maintain order and facilitate

negotiations between actors.

Caucusing: A session that can be

requested during the simulation where one

can have informal negotiations. This is when

most of the problem-solving, collaboration

and compromise take place.

Writing Resolutions: It is a written

suggestion on how the parties involved

would address the civil war in Sri Lanka.


Timeline of the conflict situation in Sri Lanka

(from the BBC)

1948 - Ceylon gains full

independence.

1949 - Indian Tamil plantation

workers disenfranchised.

1956 - Solomon Bandaranaike

elected, and Sinhala made sole

official language. In addition other

measures introduced to bolster

Sinhalese and Buddhist feeling. More

than 100 Tamils killed in widespread

violence after Tamil parliamentarians

protest at new laws.

1972 - Ceylon changes its name to

Sri Lanka and Buddhism given

primary place as country's religion,

antagonising the Tamil minority.

1976 - Liberation Tigers of Tamil

Eelam (LTTE) formed as tensions

increase in Tamil-dominated areas of

north and east.

1981 Sinhala policemen accused of

burning the Jaffna Public Library,

causing further resentment in Tamil

community.

1983 - 13 soldiers killed in LTTE

ambush, sparking anti-Tamil riots

leading to the deaths of an estimated

several hundred Tamils. Start of what

Tigers call "First Eelam War".

Civil war intensifies

1985 - First attempt at peace talks

between government and LTTE fails.

Thimpu principles are formalized in

India between the major tamil actors

in Sri Lanka.

1987 - Government signs accords

creating new councils for Tamil areas

in north and east and reaches

agreement with India on deployment

of Indian peace-keeping force.

2004 March - Renegade Tamil Tiger

commander, known as Karuna, leads

split in rebel movement and goes

underground with his supporters.

2004 December - Tsunami hits Sri

Lanka leaving more than 30,000

people are killed and devastates the

coastel communities of the south and

north of Sri Lanka.

2005 June - Row over deal reached

with Tamil Tiger rebels to share

nearly $3bn in tsunami aid among

Sinhalas, Tamils and Muslims. The

$3bn was later frozen due to the

parties not being able to negotiate

how the money should be controlled.

2005 August - State of emergency

after foreign minister is killed by a

suspected Tiger assassin.

2005 November - Mahinda

Rajapakse, prime minister at the

time, wins presidential elections.

Most Tamils in areas controlled by

the Tamil Tigers do not vote.

Mounting violence

2006 February - Government and

Tamil Tiger rebels declare their

respect for the 2002 ceasefire at

talks in Geneva.

Attacks are made by both sides, and

peace talks resume but fail.

2008 January - Government pulls

out of 2002 ceasefire agreement

after serious violations by both LTTE

and the Government.

2008 August - UN says more than70,000 people have been driven fromtheir homes in the past few months'fighting in the north.

2008 September - UN and other aidagencies withdraw from rebel-controlled areas in north amid heavyfighting.

1990 - Indian troops leave after

getting bogged down in fighting in

north. Violence between Sri Lankan

army and separatists escalates.

"Second Eelam War" begins.

Thousands of Muslims are expelled

from northern areas by the LTTE.

1991 - LTTE implicated in

assassination of Indian premier Rajiv

Gandhi in southern India.

War and diplomacy

1993 - President Premadasa killed in

LTTE bomb attack.

1994 - President Kumaratunga

comes to power pledging to end war.

Peace talks opened with LTTE.

1995 - "Third Eelam War" begins

when rebels sink naval craft.

1995-2001 - War rages across north

and east. Tigers bomb Sri Lanka's

holiest Buddhist site. President

Kumaratunga is wounded in a bomb

attack. Suicide attack on the

international airport destroys half the

Sri Lankan Airlines fleet.

Peace moves

2002 February - Government and

Tamil Tiger rebels sign a Norwegian-

mediated ceasefire.

De-commissioning of weapons

begins; the road linking the Jaffna

peninsula with the rest of Sri Lanka

reopens after 12 years; passenger

flights to Jaffna resume. Government

lifts ban on Tamil Tigers. Rebels drop

demand for separate state.

2003 Tigers pull out of talks.

Ceasefire holds.

2003 May - Country's worst-ever

floods leave more than 200 people

dead and drive some 4,000 people

from their homes.


The Peace Conference Simulation (PCS) Group aims to recreate a peace conference on Sri Lanka, withstudents from Norway and Sri Lanka playing the roles of delegates from the major actors in theconflict. At the core or the project lies the belief that understanding each other's positions is the firststep towards a lasting peace. By challenging ourselves to defend positions which may at times be indirect antagonism to our own, we force ourselves to think outside the box of absolute categories andenter the realm of empathy and compromise.

PCS brings students with a special interest in conflict negotiations together to act out the roles of theparties in the civil war in Sri Lanka. Below you will find the roles that will be at the centre stage at PCS2009 round of negotiations.

List of Roles to be simulated1) Norway2) Government of Sri Lanka3) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam4) Muslim Congress5) United National Party6) Jathika Hela Urumaya7) Tamil National Alliance

8) Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna9) Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal10) India11) UNHCR12) ICRC13) Sri Lanka Business Council

Positions in Brief

A position paper is a one page essay detailing a delegation’s policies towards a political solution tothe civil war in Sri Lanka. They are developed by the delegates, and serve as an indicator to thedirection of the negotiations. Moreover, they provide others with the opportunity to learn aboutfellow delegate positions during the simulation of negotiations. The entire position paper can befound in the appendix. However, below you will find a short excerpt of some of the position papers.Unfortunately some delegations have not yet turned in their position papers and these haveconsequently not been included here. Those delegations lacking position papers at present are theLTTE, The Muslim Congress, the UNP, the TMVP, the UNHCR, the ICRC and the Sri Lanka BusinessCouncil. These will be sent out to participants as they are received by the organizers.

NorwayNorway has throughout its involvement in the peace process been committed to assist Sri Lanka in

finding a political solution to the ethnic conflict, while respecting Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and

addressing the grievance of the Tamil speaking community.

Norway’s role concerning this issue has been many-faceted and complex, acting as facilitator,

mediator, as a monitor in SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission), and as a development donor.

Despite this complexity, Norway has through the peace process been recognized as a disinterested

and neutral actor on the scene. Other inherent qualities such as resources, consensus building and

flexibility make Norway a unique mediator in this process.

Government of Sri LankaThe GoSL believes in powersharing within a federal framework. Tamils and Sinhalese have lived side

by side for centuries and the GoSL needs to protect the unity, sovereignty and the territorial integrity

of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a diverse country with many religions and ethnic groups, Sinhalese being the

PCS Roles – Sri Lanka


majority population and Buddhism the majority religion. LTTE claims to be the sole representatives

for the Tamil community, but this has been proven wrong on several occasions, especially after the

split of LTTE in 2004. The ‘shadow war’ for supremacy amongst the two main LTTE’s factions put the

Ceasefire Agreement from 2002 under constant stress.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa put it like this : “I have been elected as the President of the entire

country; of all its people, irrespective of language or religion. I consider myself responsible for all

children of our country, whether they are in the South or in the North; Trincomalee, Jaffna,

Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Badulla, Colombo or anywhere else. I see them all as my own children. It is

because of this that we need to proceed with liberating the Tamil people of the North and their

children from the clutches of the LTTE.”

Jathika Hela UrumayaFrom the early days when Sri Lanka’s present conflict took the character of an armed conflict, there

have been attempts at resolving the conflict it through negotiations. But, all these efforts have failed

to resolve on-going conflict because of terrorist activities of the LTTE. Terrorism of the LTTE has

brought negative consequences to the Island of Sri Lanka. Especially, it caused increased cost of

living, destructive of moral values and humanity, and decline of the country’s economy. In this

condition, The JHU delegate wants to terminate the country’s problem to be solved in a peaceful

mean for the sake of advancing human security and promoting country’s economy. However we

don’t agree that country should be divided by the name of peace.

Tamil National AllianceThe Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is a political party representing the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The

TNA demands a political solution to the national conflict in Sri Lanka , which has since 1983 left 70

000 people dead . The TNA calls for recognition of the Tamils as a distinct nationality in Sri Lanka,

recognition of a Tamil Homeland in the North and East and guarantees for its territorial integrity,

recognition of self-determination of the Tamil nation and recognition of full citizenship democratic

rights to all Tamils of Sri Lanka .

The TNA does not believe in a military solution to the conflict , even though it sees that the LTTE has

been forced into a militant struggle in lack of other options left to them by the Sri Lankan

government. “The Tamil homeland concept goes hand-in-hand with self rule on the basis of a federal

structure where power is equally devolved to the regions. It has nothing to do with separatism. We

never wanted Tamil Eelam. It is the Sinhala politicians who forced the LTTE to fight for Tamil Eelam.

We will settle for something less if the Tamil people are assured of separate autonomy” (The Leader

of the TNA, R. Sampanthan, in Bulathsinghala, 2001) . The TNA wants to see peace negotiations been

taken up again , but would like them to start as a collective initiative from both the major Sinhalese

parties, SLFP and UNP, rather than promoted by for example Norway .

Janatha Vimukthi PeramunaThe Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) is perhaps the most resilient, dynamic and deeply rooted

political force in contemporary Sri Lanka. It occupies a unique position in Sri Lankan political

hagiography as an icon of ‘anti-systemic’ rage and youth radicalism.

The JVP gained enormous prominence in the 2001-2004 period as the principal political force

opposing the Norwegian-mediated peace process between the United National Front (UNF)

government of Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While


Kumaratunga’s own party lay dejected and exhausted after their resounding electoral defeat in

December 2001, it was the JVP that rose to quickly gather and lead the opposition to the February

2002 cease-fire agreement and the ensuing peace process.

IndiaIndian calls for patience subsequent to the recent agressions, and ruled out any Indian involvement

in solving the conflict, which India believe must be solved through dialogue."The problems, which are

continuing for more than several decades, are not expected to be solved within a few weeks," he

said. In talks with the Sri Lankan envoy, Mukherjee stressed the need for an immediate "real

devolution of power" for Tamils in areas cleared of the LTTE as a confidence-building measure.


The simulation will be carried out following modified Model United Nations rules of procedure. These

rules are somewhat rigid and take some getting used to, but they have the advantage of providing a

framework for useful debate.

Basic rules:

1. “Proper decorum will be observed at all times”:This means everyone has to be polite and address other delegates and the Chair politely.

Proper forms of address include “Honorable Chair” and “Honorable Delegates”. This also

means that although you are allowed to leave the room at any time except during

substantive voting, you should never do so while someone else is speaking and you should

try to do so in a way that does not disturb others. If you need to communicate with other

delegates you can do so outside or through notes. If you need to send a note to another

delegation or to the Chair, put who the name of the delegation on it and raise your hand.

Someone will help you distribute it.

2. “The sessions will be led by the Chair”:This means that the Chairperson determines who speaks when and for how long, but only in

the ways marked by the rules. In other words, the Chair has to acknowledge speakers, points

and motions (don’t worry, these are explained below!) and ensure that rules are followed.

The Chair can expel a delegate for half an hour after three warnings if proper decorum is not

observed

3. “A quorum is necessary for sessions to start and for substantive voting to take place”:This means that there must be at least one representative from each delegation present (not

counting observers) before sessions can start. It also means that when voting on things which

will be on the final documents, all delegations must be represented (again, observers can’t

vote so they don’t have to be there for voting to start). A rolecall will be carried out by the

chair every morning to ensure that a quorum is present. Absence due to disease and the like

will of course be taken into consideration.

4. “Substantive voting requires ¾ majority and quorum. Abstentions are permitted;procedural voting requires a simple majority and does not require a quorum. Abstentionsare not permitted”:This means that there are two kinds of voting procedures. If you are voting on how to

proceed, for example on whether you want to accept a motion to break for lunch, you only

need more positive votes than negative votes to pass the motion and you have to vote yes or

no. If you are voting on something of substance, for example whether you want to accept the

draft treaty in front of you as the final treaty, you need ¾ of the votes to be positive and

everyone must be present, but you can abstain (vote neither yes nor no). Observers can vote

in procedural voting, but not in substantive voting.

How do we negotiate?


5. “The first item on the Agenda is determining the scope and method of negotiations in theform of a Memorandum of Understanding”:This means that beyond the basic rules it is up to you to determine how you wish to carry out

the negotiations. For example, what is the scope of your negotiations (ie, how much do you

as a group wish to achieve)? Is it a complete peace treaty? Is it merely a cease-fire

agreement? And how are you planning to reach an agreement? Will everyone have a say in

the final document or only the major players? You have to reach some kind of consensus

before you start the negotiations proper. The first product that should come from the group

then should be a working paper which can be adopted by everyone (by procedural voting) as

the guiding principles for the negotiation. This is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

And remember: there is no use in reaching a treaty if one of the principle sides does not

agree with it and will therefore not implement it. So make sure the method you follow takes

this into account!

6. “Once having reached agreement on the scope and method of negotiations, theConference will address the issues agreed to in the manner agreed and the result will bethe result of the Conference”:This means that you have to hurry on agreeing on a Memorandum of Understanding so you

can move on to discuss the final product of the Conference. The end result will be adopted or

rejected through substantive voting before the final session, so make sure there is

agreement before putting it to a vote!

Now what?

After the Chair has done the roll call to make sure there is a quorum, each Delegation will give a two

minute speech explaining their views. This is an opportunity to explain to everyone what you see as

the main issues and how you think you can reach an agreement, but it is also very important that you

hear what others have to say. Who thinks like you do? Who may need more lobbying?

Following the opening speeches the Chair will start a “speakers list”. People wishing to address the

group should let the Chair know so they can be put on the list. Delegates will then address the

Conference for the amount of time determined by the Chair in the order in which their names are on

the list. Between each speaker the Chair will ask:

“Are there any points or motions on the floor?”

The diagram in the following pages explains what your options are then. If no points or motions are

brought to the attention of the Chair, the Chair will revert back to the speakers list in the order

previously determined. Remember that there must always be someone on the speakers list, so do

not hesitate to put your name on the list so you can let everyone know your opinions.

You should aim to vote on and adopt an agreement on the scope and method of negotiations by the

end of the second session. A template to help you with this is included at the end of this section.

Good luck! And remember, if ever you are in doubt about what you can or cannot do you can always

ask the Chair to explain it either by sending them a note or by making a point of parliamentary

enquiry (see the diagram below).


Chair: ”Are there any points

or motions on the floor?”No?

Chair: “Seeing none, we now move on to the next speaker on the

list. The chair recognizes the delegate of...”

Yes?

Do you wish to...

Complain that you can’t

hear or are otherwise

feeling discomfort?

Lift your placard and

when recognised

say:

“Point of Personal Privilege” and

explain what is wrong.

Ask about a rule or have a

question on procedure? Do you

think the Chair has done

something wrong?


when recognised

say:

“Point of Parliamentary Procedure”

and ask your question

Move away from the

rigidity of the Speakers List

and allow for a kind of

“hands up those who wish

to speak” form of debate?


when recognised

say:

“Move to go into Moderated

Caucus for X minutes with

speaking time of X minutes to

discuss the issue of X”

Chair: “A motion has been made to go into Moderated

Caucus for X minutes with speaking time of X minutes

to discuss the issue of X. All in favor raise your

placards. All opposed? This motion passes/fails

(procedural voting)

Debate outside, in the

corridors, in a completely

informal setting and

manner?


when recognised

say:

“Move to go into Un-

moderated Caucus for X

minutes to discuss the issue of

X”

Chair: “A motion has been made to go into un-

moderated Caucus for X minutes to discuss the issue of

X. All in favor raise your placards. All opposed? This

motion passes/fails (procedural voting)

[DIAGRAM]

What to do - when you

have a question during

a PCS session


Introduce a

working paper so

it can be debated?

Give it to the Chair for approval first

(to see if it is in the right format and

to get it copied up). Lift your placard

and when recognised say:

“The delegation of X

wishes to introduce

working paper X.X”

Introduce a draft

treaty so it can be

amended or voted

on?


wishes to introduce

draft treaty X.X”

Introduce an

amendment


wishes to introduce an

amendment to draft treaty

X.X”

If this is in order then the Chair distributes

the working paper to all delegations and

the delegation introducing it is given 2

minutes to explain what it is.

What is a draft treaty?

A draft treaty is what you are aspiring to reach and vote on in the end. It must have the support of at least four delegations and has two

parts, preambulatory clauses and operative clauses. Preambulatory clauses state the intent and frame of mind from which the actions (the

operative clauses) arise. Preambulatory clauses cannot be amended or discussed! But operative clauses can be amended (see below). There

can be more than one draft treaty at a time, but only one can pass. See voting procedure below!

If this is in order then the chair distributes the draft

treaty to all delegations. The chair then asks for

two speakers to talk in favor of the draft treaty and

two speakers to talk against it.


(to see if it is in the right format and to

get it copied up).

Lift your placard and when recognised

say:


(to see if it is in the right format and

to get it copied up). Lift your

placard and when recognised say:

If this is in order then the chair distributes the draft

treaty to all delegations. The chair then asks for

two speakers to talk in favor of the draft treaty and

two speakers to talk against it.

What is an amendment?

Amendments are words, sentences or paragraphs in a draft treaty which your delegation does not like and would like to change. Remember,

you can only amend operative (action) clauses! On the other hand, you can amend as much of a working paper as you wish. Amendments do

not enter into effect until adopted by procedural voting.

Break for lunch or for the

day?


when recognised

say:

“Motion to suspend the meeting

for lunch”

Chair: “A motion has been made to suspend the meeting

for X. All in favor raise your placards. All opposed? This

motion passes/fails (procedural voting)

What is a working paper?

Working papers can be anything from a sentence, to a paragraph, to a draft of a treaty, with the advantage that unlike a draft treaty everything in them can be

amended and changed by the introduction of a new working paper. Working papers are referred to by their number. With the only exception of the Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU), Working Papers cannot be voted on.


Voting on a document or matter of substance = SUBSTANTIVE VOTING

¾ of the quorum must vote yes

Observers cannot vote

Vote on a draft treaty

or on Memorandum of

Understanding.

“The delegation of X moves

to go into voting

procedure”

Lift your placard and when

recognized say:

If this is in order then the chair goes into voting

procedure for all the treaties or MoUs on the floor.

Voting takes place by lifting the placard. Only one vote

is allowed per delegation.

Voting on how to do something = PROCEDURAL VOTING

Does not require a quorum

More “Yes” than “No” votes

Observers can vote

Voting Procedure

Abstentions are not allowed

Abstentions are allowed

Vote on the resolution article

by article before voting on it

as a whole (can also be used

in the Memorandum of

Understanding).

“The delegation of X moves

to divide the question”.

If you believe there is a high chance that the treaty will be voted down because of one or two operative clauses, you can ask for each article to be voted on and

approved before voting on the resolution as a whole. Note: this is very risky as almost every delegation will have some problem with some article or another.

Once you open the door to removing articles, you may soon find yourselves voting on a final treaty with no real content. If, however, the motion passes and you

do divide the question, you will vote on whether to keep each operative clause, one at a time (substantive voting) before voting on whatever is left of the treaty

(substantive voting).

Chair: “A motion has been made to divide

the question. All those in favor? All those

opposed? This motion fails/passes”

(procedural voting). See the box below for

what happens next.

Once the draft treaty or the working

paper “method of negotiation” has

been introduced and debated, you

can lift your placard and when

recognized say:

Does not require a quorum

12 Peace Conference Simulation Group – PCS Sri Lanka Handbook 2009

What if I get my facts wrong?Don’t worry. None of us are experts. You will get your facts wrong and so will others, but that is

just part of the learning process.

If you see that someone is doing something which you know is not what their delegation would

do in reality, you can send them a note saying something like “the delegation of X is

happy/distressed to see that the delegation of Y has changed their habitual custom of

saying/doing XYZ. Does this mean that you are changing your established policy and will from

now on ABC?”

Always be polite and expect politeness, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. If you get

your facts wrong, this is an excellent opportunity for you to learn something new. Don’t hesitate

to ask each other during un-moderated caucus or during breaks. If a fact is seriously wrong and

you think it can have an important effect on the discussions, you may wish to “move to go into

un-moderated caucus for 10 minutes to clarify the issue of XYZ” and either discuss it in an

informal setting or check it out on the internet really quick.

Pragmatism and problem solving are more important in this case than getting caught up on

discussions of facts.

What if there is more than one treaty? Which one do we vote for?If more than one treaty have been introduced and you go into voting procedure, you will vote on

all of the treaties that have been introduced in the order in which they have been introduced.

The first one to be successfully voted in is the treaty adopted by the assembly.

What if we cannot agree on a Memorandum of Understanding?It is important that you agree on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as soon as possible to

be able to go on to the discussions themselves. If you are having problems coming up with an

MoU everyone can agree on, try to make it simpler or less inclusive. For example, if you cannot

agree on the scope then find a least common multiple (a ceasefire?) and add a clause saying

something like “anything not on this MoU may still be debated on and included in the final treaty

if there is time after the other articles have been agreed to and if introduced by five or more

delegations”.

The good thing about disagreeing on the MoU is that you can always come up with a new one

which everyone will agree on. This is not the case with Treaties.

Frequently Asked Questions


What if we cannot agree on a Treaty?Once you go into voting procedure (or dividing the question), all chances of modifying the Treaty

or coming up with something new if this one fails are finished. If the vote is positive, the treaty

passes and you have achieved what you set out to achieve. If the vote is negative, the treaty fails

and the next treaty that was introduced is voted on. This is continued until one treaty passes or

until there are no treaties left. If all treaties fail then the simulation is over and you have failed to

achieve what you set out to achieve. It is therefore very important that you are reasonably

certain the treaty will pass before going into voting procedure.

If you do not think you the treaty will pass you can try introducing a new one which is more likely

to meet everyone’s minimum requirements. That way if the present treaty fails, the next one may

still pass. Remember that you have a deadline though…

What if I don’t know what is going on or what I can do?You can always raise a point of Parliamentary Enquiry if you are uncertain of what just happened

or about the way something should or will be done. The Chair will then explain what is being

done and why. Alternatively you may pose your question to the Chair in a note and the Chair will

either read the answer out-loud or send you a note back.

What if I want to go to the bathroom or leave the room?You can leave the room at any point, but for the sake of not disturbing others try not to do so

while someone else is talking. As most of you are in delegations with two delegates, one may

wish to be in the room and another outside discussing with other delegates. This is allowed.

Can we keep discussing during the evenings and outside the

sessions?Please do!

What happens if something is not in the rules?All Model United Nations simulations operate under different rules of procedure. The ones here

have been simplified to make it easier for everyone to take part, regardless of their MUN

experience. If, however, something is missing from the rules, the Chair is entitled to make use of

the Modified Rules of Procedure attached.


Asian Development Bank - Sri Lanka http://www.adb.org/SriLanka/default.asp

BBC News - Sri Lanka http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/countr

y_profiles/1168427.stm

BBC News Sinhale http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/

CIA Factbook – Sri Lanka www.cia.gov/Sri-Lanka

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Norway http://www.srilanka.no/

Government official information Page http://www.priu.gov.lk/

Groundviews www.groundviews.org

Human Security Gateway – Sri Lanka http://www.humansecuritygateway.info/port

al.php?regionId=155

Internation Committee of the Red Cross - Sri Lanka http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/ht

mlall/sri_lanka?OpenDocument

LankaPage - Latest news from Sri Lanka http://lankapage.com/index_new.php

Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka http://www.norway.lk/peace/

Peace secretariat for Muslims www.peacemuslims.org

Peace secretariat of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam www.ltteps.org

South Asia Policy Group – Sri Lanka http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/searchb10.

asp?search=srilanka&searchtype=all

Sri Lankan Government's offical website www.peaceinsrilanka.org

The Academic www.theacademic.org

Tamil Guardian http://www.tamilguardian.com/

Tamilnet http://www.tamilnet.com/

Tamil Guardian http://www.tamilguardian.com/

Tamilnet http://www.tamilnet.com/

List of Resources


UN Security Council - Report of the Secretary-

General on children and armed

conflict in Sri Lanka

http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N

07/634/74/PDF/N0763474.pdf?OpenElement

World Bank - Sri Lanka http://www.worldbank.lk/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/

COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/SRILANKAEXTN/0

,,menuPK:232812~pagePK:141159~piPK:1411

10~theSitePK:233047,00.html

Appendix

A - Sample working paper

B - How to write a resolution

C - Sample resolution one

D - Sample resolution two

E - Edited list of Harvard rules of procedure

F -Glossery

G -Position Papers

H- More tips on public speaking

Appendix A: Sample Working Paper

The purpose of the Working Paper is to clearly communicate the interests of one or more

delegations. They are often used as a precursor to a resolution and contain suggestions as to how

the issue could best be addressed by the Committee. Please note that there is no set format for

working papers. The Memorandum of Understanding is the only Working Paper which will be

voted on.

Example:

Committee: UN Commission on Trade and Development

Topic: Generalized System of Preferences

Submitted by Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador

Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador believe that a GSP should be set up so that Lesser Developed Countires

(LDCs) recieve preferential treatment from Developed Countries (DCs). To that end we propose:

1. Each DC reduces their tariffs to the lowest possible level. This level will be determined bythe below created sub-committee.

2. Bilateral trade agreements should be pursued for further reductions in tariffs.3. Trade preferences should be granted in the following areas:

a. Agricultureb. Manufacturesc. Semi-Manufacturesd. Raw materials

4. Decisions on product coverage by preference giving nations should be made inconsultation with the affected LDC. Annual re-evaluation of coverage shall take placewith the LDC with disputes going to the below-created subcommittee.

5. A subcommittee of UNCTAD should be created with equal membership of developed anddeveloping countries. This subcommittee would have the following powers:

a. to mediate disputes between preference givers and receiversb. to make recommendations which all countries should followc. to serve as a forum for airing grievances relating to the GSPd. to report regularly to the Secretary-General

6. Membership should be as follows:a. Five permanent nations from the DCsb. Five permanent nations form the LDCs and LLDCsc. Ten members elected annually by UNCTAD

7. Voting rights will have to be worked out, but the UN format for subcommittees seemsbest. Of course, we are amenable to change.

Sample Working Paper

Appendix B: How to write a resolution

HEADING

The title should be centered, in capital letters, above the main body of the draft resolution. The

title can be as simple as “DRAFT RESOLUTION.” On the left margin and two lines below the title

should be the committee and topic name. NOTE: There are no sponsors of a draft resolution. The

signatures are only there to show that the committee wants to discuss the draft resolution. The

names of “authors” should not be included.

BODY

The draft resolution is written in the format of a long sentence, with the following rules:

• The draft resolution begins with The Participants at the Oslo Peace Conference

• The next section, consisting of Preambulatory Clauses, describes the problem being addressed,

recalls past actions taken, explains the purpose of the draft resolution, and offers support for the

operative clauses that follow. Each clause in the preamble begins with an underlined word and

ends with a comma.

• Operative Clauses are numbered and state the action to be taken by the body. These clauses

are all with the present tense active verbs and are generally stronger words than those used in

the Preamble. Each operative clause is followed by a semi-colon except the last, which ends with

a period.

SAMPLE PREAMBULATORY/OPENING CLAUSES

Affirming

Alarmed by

Approving

Aware of

Bearing in mind

Believing

Cognizant of

Confident

Contemplating

Convinced

Declaring

Deeply concerned

Deeply conscious

Deeply convinced

Deeply disturbed

Deeply regretting

Desiring

Emphasizing Expecting

Expressing its

appreciation

Expressing its satisfaction

Fulfilling

Fully alarmed

Fully aware

Fully believing

Further developing

Further recalling

Guided by

Having adopted Having

considered Having

considered

further

Having devoted attention

Having examined

Having heard

Having received

Having studied

Keeping in mind

Noting further

Noting further

Noting with approval

Noting with deep

concern

Noting with regret

Noting with satisfaction

How to Write a Resolution

Appendix B: How to write a resolution

Observing

Reaffirming

Realizing

Recalling

Recognizing

Referring

Seeking

Taking into account

Taking note

Viewing with

appreciation

Welcoming

SAMPLE OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Accepts

Affirms

Approves

Authorizes

Calls for

Calls upon

Condemns

Confirms

Congratulates

Considers

Declares accordingly

Deplores

Designates

Draws attention

Emphasizes

Encourages

Endorses

Expresses its

appreciation

Expresses its hope

Further invites

Further proclaims

Further recommends

Further reminds

Further requests

Further resolves

Has resolved

Notes

Proclaims

Reaffirms

Recommends

Regrets

Reminds

Requests

Resolves

Solemnly affirms

Strongly condemns

Supports

Takes note of

Trusts

Urges

Appendix C: Sample Resolution one

From LIMUN 2002

QUESTION OF: Writing a Resolution

SUBMITTED BY: A country

CO-SUBMITTED BY: The Organising Committee

FORUM: The Delegate Pack

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Recognising in that the first word of the following clauses is a present participle,

Wishing to use standard formats for resolutions to make them easier to work with,

Knowing that these are Preambulatory clauses,

Convinced that preambulatory clauses are very useful to explain the basis of the following operative clauses,

Noting that each of these clauses end in a comma,

Acknowledging that MUN tries to simulate the real UN in every way, including in the format of documents

like this,

1. Reminds delegates that these clauses are called Operative Clauses;2. Recommends that each operative clause is indented as exemplified here;3. Calls for the use of a semicolon at the end of each operative;4. Further reminds delegates to number operative clauses for easy reference during debate on the

resolution;5. Appeals to all delegates to underline the first word or phrase of each clause so as to make very clear

the intention of each clause;6. Requests that delegates use this format of writing a resolution, but do not get obsessed by it and try

to table untidy resolutions;7. Deplores the use of disrespectful language within a resolution, be it in the form of words or

substance;8. Empresses its hope that delegates will enjoy debating resolutions, and find this sample helpful, but

above all, refrain from using a full stop until after the very last word of the document.

Sample Resolution - one

Appendix D: Sample Resolution two

Committee Name: Commission on Information Regulation

Topic Area: International Newsflow Imbalance

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its Resolution A/36/89 of 16 December 1981, “The Declaration on Fundamental Principles

Concerning the Contribution of the Mass Media to Peace and International Understanding,”

Recalling also Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to...receive

and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,”

Recognizing that the problem of news flow imbalance is that two-way information among countries of a

region is either nonexistent or insufficient and information exchanged between regions of the world is

inadequate,

Realizing the need for all Sovereign Nations to maintain their integrity and still play an active role in the

international system,

1. Recommends that a three-level information interchange system be established on the National,Regional, and International levels to ameliorate the current problems of news flow imbalance, withthe three-level system operating as follows:

a) Each region’s member nations will report their national information and receive theinformation of other nations in their region from the regional level of this interchangesystem;

b) Nations will decide the character of the news flow media best suited to the need of theirsovereign territory, be this printed, audio, or audio-visual;

c) Regional News Gathering Agencies will serve to gather information from the nations in theirregion, and these boards will have no editorial discretion and will serve to forward allinformation to the International Board;

d) Each regional agency will be composed of representatives from every member nation of theregion;

e) The primary function of the International Board will be to translate informationaccumulated from the regional news gathering agencies;

f) The secondary purpose will be to transmit all information gathered back to the membernations via the regional news gathering agencies;

2. Urges the establishment of the University of International Communications, with main branch inGeneva, Switzerland, and additional branches located in each of the aforementioned regions, topursue the following aims:

a) The University and branches will be established with the express purpose of bringingtogether world views and facilitating the transfer of technology;

b) All member nations of the United Nations will be equally represented at the University;

Sample Resolution – two

Appendix D: Sample Resolution two

c) Incentives will be offered to students of journalism and communications at the University toreturn to their countries to teach upon completion of instruction;

d) The instructors of the regional education centers will be comprised of a multi-partisancoalition of educators from throughout the world;

3. Calls for the continued use of funds from the International Program for the Development ofCommunications, Special Account, UNESCO, the UN Development Program, and other sources offunding including national governments and private donors;

4. Recommends that the distribution of funds be decided by the IPDC.

Appendix E: Edited list of Havard Rules of Procedure

HARVARD WORLD MODEL UNITED NATIONS

RULES OF PROCEDURE – edited version

NOTE: THESE RULES ARE ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE DIRECTOR IN THE EVENT OF A DISAGREEMENT OR

UNCERTAINTY.

RULE 8: QUORUM

The Director may declare a Committee open and permit debate to proceed when at least one-quarter of the

members of the Committee (as declared at the beginning of the first session) are present.

A member of the Committee is a representative who is officially registered with the Conference. The

presence of a majority of the members will be required for the vote on any substantive motion. A quorum

will be assumed to be present unless specifically challenged and shown to be absent. A roll call is never

required to determine the presence of a quorum.

RULE 9: COURTESY

Delegates will show courtesy and respect to the Committee staff and to other delegates. The Director will

immediately call to order any delegate who fails to comply with this rule.

RULES GOVERNING DEBATE

RULE 10: AGENDA

The first order of business for the Committee will be consideration of the Agenda.

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

• The only topic areas that may be proposed for the agenda are those listed in the preparation materials.

The Director may modify these topic areas at his or her discretion

• A committee in which only one topic area may be proposed for the agenda will be considered to have

automatically adopted that topic area without debate.

• A Speakers List will be established ‘for’ and ‘against’ the motion; speakers ‘for’ will speak in support of the

topic area suggested, speakers ‘against’ will speak in favor of the other topic area.

• A motion to close debate will be in order after the Committee has heard from two speakers for the motion

and from two against, or all the speakers on one side and at least two on the opposite side. In accordance

with the normal procedure described in Rule 14, the Director will recognize two speakers against the motion

to close debate, and a vote of two-thirds is required for closure of debate on the agenda. If the Speakers List

on setting the agenda is exhausted, debate will automatically be closed even if a motion to close debate

would not normally be in order.

• When debate is closed, the Committee will move to an immediate vote on the motion. A simple majority is

required for passage. If the motion fails, the other topic area will automatically be placed first on the

agenda.

• In the event of an international crisis or emergency, the Secretary General or his/her representative may

call upon a committee to table debate on the current topic area so that the more urgent matter may be

attended to immediately. After a draft resolution has been passed on the crisis topic, the committee will

Edited list of Harvard rules of procedure


return to debate on the tabled topic. If a draft resolution on the crisis topic fails, the committee may return

to debate on the tabled topic area only at the discretion of the Secretary General or his/her representative.

• All motions for caucus shall be ruled dilatory during the Consideration of the Agenda. Also, delegates will

not be allowed to yield their time (Rule 21).

RULE 11: DEBATE

After the Agenda has been determined, one continuously open Speakers List will be established for the

purpose of general debate. This Speakers List will be followed for all debate on the Topic Area, except when

superseded by procedural motions, amendments, or the introduction of a draft resolution. Speakers may

speak generally on the Topic Area being considered and may address any draft resolution currently on the

floor.

RULE 12: UNMODERATED CAUCUS

A motion for an unmoderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open, prior to closure of

debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose and specify a time limit for the

caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes. The motion will immediately be put to a vote. A majority of

members is required for passage. The Director may rule the motion out of order.

RULE 13: MODERATED CAUCUS

The purpose of the moderated caucus is to facilitate substantive debate at critical junctures in the

discussion. In a moderated caucus, the Director will temporarily depart from the Speakers List and call on

delegates to speak at his/her discretion. A motion for a moderated caucus is in order at any time when the

floor is open, prior to closure of debate. The delegate making the motion must briefly explain its purpose

and specify a time limit for the caucus, not to exceed twenty minutes, and a time limit for the individual

speeches. Once raised, the motion will be voted on immediately, with a majority of members required for

passage. The Director may rule the motion out of order. O motions are in order during a moderated caucus.

If no delegate wishes to speak during a moderated caucus, the caucus shall immediately end.

RULE 14: CLOSURE OF DEBATE

When the floor is open, a delegate may move to close debate on the substantive or

procedural matter under discussion. Delegates ay move to close debate on the general topic, debate on the

agenda, or debate on an amendment. The Director may rule such a motion dilatory. When closure of debate

is moved, the Director may recognize up to two speakers against the motion. No speaker in favor of the

motion will be recognized. Closure of debate requires the support of two-thirds of the members present. If

the Committee is in favor of closure, the Director will declare the closure of the debate, and move the

committee to immediate voting procedure.

RULE 15: SUSPENSION OR ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING

Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the suspension of the meeting, to suspend all

Committee functions until the next meeting, or for the adjournment of the meeting, to suspend all

Committee functions for the duration of the Conference. The Director may rule such motions out of order.

When in order, such motions will not be debatable but will be immediately put to the vote, barring any

motions taking precedence, and will require a majority to pass. A motion to adjourn will be out of order

prior to the lapse of three-quarters of the time allotted for the last meeting of the Committee.


RULE 16: POSTPONEMENT AND RESUMPTION OF DEBATE

Whenever the floor is open, a delegate may move for the postponement of debate on a draft resolution,

amendment, or topic currently on the floor. The motion, otherwise known as "tabling," will require a two-

thirds vote to pass and will be debatable to the extent of one speaker in favor and one opposed. No debate

or action will be allowed on any draft resolution, amendment, or topic on which debate has been

postponed. A motion to resume debate on an amendment, draft resolution, or topic on which debate has

been postponed will require a majority to pass and will be debatable to the extent of one speaker in favor

and one opposed. Resumption of debate will cancel the effects of postponement of debate. The Director has

discretion over postponement of debate.

RULE 17: RECONSIDERATION

A motion to reconsider is in order when a draft resolution or amendment has been adopted or rejected, and

must be made by a member who voted with the majority on the proposal. The Director will recognize two

speakers opposing the motion after which the motion will be immediately put to a vote. A two-thirds

majority of the members present is required for reconsideration. If the motion passes, the committee will

immediately vote again on the draft resolution or amendment being reconsidered.

RULES GOVERNING SPEECHES

RULE 18: SPEAKERS LIST

The Committee will have an open Speakers List for the Topic Area being discussed. The director will either

set a speaker’s time or entertain motions to set a speaking time. Separate Speakers Lists will be established

as needed for procedural motions and debate on amendments. A delegation may add its name to the

Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the Director, provided that delegation is not already on

the Speakers List, and may remove its name from the Speakers List by submitting a request in writing to the

Director. At any time the Director may call for members that wish to be added to the Speakers List.

The names of the next several countries to speak will always be posted for the convenience of the

Committee. The Speakers List for the second topic area will not be open until the Committee has proceeded

to that topic. A motion to close any Speakers List is never in order.

RULE 19: SPEECHES

No delegate may address a session without having previously obtained the permission of the Director. The

Director may call a speaker to order if his/her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion, or

are offensive to committee members or staff.

RULE 20: TIME LIMIT ON SPEECHES

The Director may limit the time allotted to each speaker. The minimum time limit will be ten seconds. When

a delegate exceeds his/her allotted time, the Director may call the speaker to order without delay.

RULE 21: YIELDS

A delegate granted the right to speak on a substantive issue may yield in one of three ways at the conclusion

of his/her speech: to another delegate, to questions, or to the Director.

Please note that only one yield is allowed. A delegate must declare any yield at the conclusion of his or her

speech.


• Yield to another delegate. His or her remaining time will be offered to that delegate. If the delegate

accepts the yield, the Director shall recognize the delegate for the remaining time. To turn the floor over to

a co-delegate of the same member state is not considered a yield.

• Yield to questions. Questioners will be selected by the Director and limited to one question each. Follow-

up questions will be allowed only at the discretion of the Director. The Director will have the right to call to

order any delegate whose question is, in the opinion of the Director, rhetorical and leading and not designed

to elicit information. Only the speaker’s answers to questions will be deducted from the speaker’s remaining

time.

• Yield to the director. Such a yield should be made if the delegate does not wish his/her speech to be

subject to questions. The moderator will then move to the next speaker.

Only one yield is allowed per speech (i.e. no yields on yielded time). There are no yields allowed if the

delegate is speaking on a procedural matter or his/her time has expired. A Delegate must declare any yield

by the conclusion of his/her speech. If no yield is made, a yield to the director will be automatically

assumed.

RULE 22: RIGHT OF REPLY

A delegate whose personal or national integrity has been impugned by another delegate may submit a Right

of Reply only in writing to the committee staff. The Director will grant the Right of Reply and his or her

discretion and a delegate granted a Right of Reply will not address the committee except at the request of

the Director.

RULES GOVERNING POINTS

RULE 23: POINTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE:

Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort which impairs his or her ability to participate in the

proceedings, he or she may rise to a Point of Personal Privilege to request that the discomfort be corrected.

While a Point of Personal Privilege in extreme case may interrupt a speaker, delegates should use this power

with the utmost discretion.

RULE 24: POINTS OF ORDER:

During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may rise to a Point of Order to indicate an instance of

improper parliamentary procedure. The Point of Order will be immediately decided by the Director in

accordance with these rules of procedure. The Director may rule out of order those points that are

improper. A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under

discussion. A Point of Order may only interrupt a speaker if the speech is not following proper

parliamentary procedure.

RULE 25: POINTS OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

When the floor is open, a delegate may rise to a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry to ask the Director a

question regarding the rules of procedure. A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.

Delegates with substantive questions should not rise to this Point, but should rather approach the

committee staff during caucus or send a note to the dais.

RULES GOVERNING THE PATH TO A DRAFT RESOLUTION

RULE 26: WORKING PAPERS


Delegates may propose working papers for committee consideration. Working papers are intended to aid

the Committee in its discussion and formulation of draft resolutions and need not be written in draft

resolution format. Working papers are not official documents, but do require the signature of the Director

to be copied and distributed. Once distributed, delegates may begin to refer to that working paper by its

designated number, but otherwise debated proceeds normally on the topic.

RULE 27: DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

A draft resolution may be introduced when it receives the approval of the Director and is

signed 20 members in the General Assembly, 10 members in the Economic and Social

Council and Regional Bodies, or 5 members in Security Council Simulations. Signing a draft resolution need

not indicate support of the draft resolution, and the signatory has no further obligations. Signing a draft

resolution only indicates a desire for the draft resolution to be discussed in committee. There are no official

sponsors of draft resolutions. A Draft resolution requires a simple majority to members voting pass. Only

one draft resolution will be passed per topic area. After a draft resolution is passed, voting procedure will

end and the committee will move directly into the second topic area.

RULE 28: INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

Once a draft resolution has been approved as stipulated above and has been copied and distributed, a

delegate(s) may motion to introduce the draft resolution. The Director, time permitting, shall read the

operative clauses of the draft resolution. A procedural vote is then taken to determine whether the

resolution shall be introduced. Should the motion received the simple majority required to pass, the draft

resolution will be considered introduced and on the floor. The Director, at his or her discretion, may answer

any clarificatory points on the draft resolution. Any substantive points will be ruled out of order during this

period, and the Director may end this ‘clarificatory question-answer period’ for any reason, including tie

constraints. More than one draft resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but at most one draft

resolution may be passed per Topic Area. A draft resolution will remain on the floor until debate on that

specific draft resolution is postponed or closed or a draft resolution on that Topic Area has been passed.

Debate on draft resolutions proceeds according to the general Speakers List for that topic area and

delegates may then refer to the draft resolution by its designated number. No delegate may refer to a draft

resolution until it is formally introduced.

RULE 29: AMENDMENTS

Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced. Only one amendment may be

introduced at any given time. An amendment must have the approval of the Director and the signatures of

12 members in the General Assembly, 5 members in the Economic Social Council and the Regional Bodies, or

3 members in Security Council simulations. Amendments to amendments are out order; however, an

amended part of a draft resolution may be further amended. There are no official sponsors of amendments

or friendly amendments. Preambulatory phrases may not be amended. The final vote on the amendment is

procedural; however NGOs and Observer Nations will not be able to vote on amendments.

• A motion to introduce an approved amendment may be introduced when the floor is open. If the motion

receives the simple majority required to pass, the Director will read the amendment aloud, time permitting.

General Debate will be suspended and a Speakers List will be established for and against the amendment.

• A motion to close debate will be in order after the Committee has heard from two speakers for the

amendment and from two speakers against or from all the speakers on one side and at least two on the

other side.


• Following the normal procedure of Rule 14, the Director will recognize two speakers against the motion to

close debate, and a vote of two-thirds is required for closure.

• When debate is closed on the amendment, the Committee will move to an immediate Amendments need

a simple majority to pass.

After the vote, debate will resume according to the general Speakers List.

RULES GOVERNING VOTING

RULE 30: PROCEDURAL VOTING

All voting is considered procedural with the exception of voting on draft resolutions.

Delegates must vote on all procedural motions, and no abstentions are allowed. A motion that requires a

simple majority needs more than half of the committee members to vote affirmatively. A motion that

requires two-thirds to pass requires exactly two-thirds of the committee members to vote affirmatively. If

there is not the required number of speakers for/against a motion, the motion will automatically fail/pass.

RULE 31: SUBSTANTIVE VOTING

The only substantive voting will be voting on draft resolutions. All other votes will be procedural votes.

After debate has been closed on the general topic area, the committee will move into substantive voting

procedures and the chambers are then sealed. At that point, only the following points and motions will be

entertained: Division of the Question, Reordering Draft Resolutions, Motion for a Roll Call Vote, Point of

Personal Privilege, Point of Parliamentary Inquiry and Point of Order. If there are no such motions, the

committee will vote on all draft resolutions. For substantive voting, each delegation will have one vote.

Each vote may be a ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Abstain.’ Members who abstain from voting are considered as not voting.

All matters will be voted upon using placards by default, except if a motion for a roll call vote is accepted. A

simple majority requires ‘Yes’ voted from more than half of the members voting (i.e. more affirmative votes

than negative votes). Once any resolution has been passed, the voting procedure is closed, as only one

resolution may be passed in a topic area. In Security Council Simulations, the five permanent members have

the power to veto any substantive vote.

RULE 32: REORDERING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

A Motion to Reorder Draft resolutions will only be in order immediately after entering voting procedure, and

before voting has started on any draft resolutions. If the motion receives the simple majority required to

pass the Director will take all motions to reorder draft resolutions and then vote on them in the order in

which they came. Voting will continue until either a motion passes, receiving a simple majority, or all of the

motions fail, in which case the committee will move into voting procedure, voting on the draft resolutions in

their original order. Only one motion to reorder draft resolutions is in order in each round of voting

procedures.

RULE 33: DIVISION OF THE QUESTION

After debate on any topic has been closed, a delegate may move that operative parts of a draft resolution be

voted on separately. Preambulatory clauses and sub-operative clauses may not be removed by division of

the question.

• The motion can be debated to the extent of at most two speakers for and two against, to

be followed by an immediate procedural vote on that motion.


• If the motion receives the simple majority required to pass, the Director will take motions on how to divide

the question and prioritize them from most severe to least severe.

• The committee will then vote on the motions in the order set by the Director. If no division passes, the

resolution remains intact. Once a division, requiring a simple majority, has been passed, the resolution will

be divided accordingly, and a separate procedural vote (implying no abstentions) will be taken on each

divided part to determine whether or not it is included in the final draft. If all of the operative parts of the

substantive proposal are rejected, the draft resolution will be considered to have been rejected as a whole.

• Parts of the draft resolution that are subsequently passed will be recombined into a final document. The

final document will be put to a substantive vote as a whole, requiring a simple majority of those voting ‘yes’

or ‘no’ to pass.

RULE 34: ROLL CALL VOTING

After debate is closed on any draft resolution, any delegate may request a roll call vote. Such a motion may

be made from the floor, seconded by 20 members of the General Assembly, 10 members of the Economic

and Social Council and 5 members of Specialized Agencies. A motion for a roll call vote is in order only for

substantive votes.

• In a roll call vote, the Director will call countries in alphabetical order starting with a selected member.

• In the first sequence, delegates may vote “Yes,” “No,” “Abstain,” or “Pass.” A delegate may request the

right to explain his or her vote only when the delegate is voting against the policy of his or her delegation;

such a vote is termed ‘with Rights.’ The delegate may only explain an affirmative or negative vote, not an

abstention from voting.

• A delegate who passes during the first sequence of the roll call must vote (i.e. may not abstain or pass)

during the second sequence. The same delegate may not request the right to explain his/her vote.

• All delegates who had requested the right of explanation will be granted time to explain their votes. The

speaking time will be set at the discretion of the Director, not to exceed thirty seconds.

• The Director will then announce the outcome of the vote.

PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS

Motions will be considered in the following order of preference:

1. Point of Personal Privilege (Rule 23)

2. Point of Order (Rule 24)

3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule 25)

4. Adjournment of the Meeting (Rule 15)

5. Suspension of the Meeting (Rule 15)

6. Unmoderated Caucusing (Rule 12)

7. Moderated Caucusing (Rule 13)

8. Introduction of Draft Resolution (Rule 28)

9. Introduction of an Amendment (Rule 29)

10. Postponement of Debate (Rule 16)

11. Resumption of Debate (Rule 16)

12. Closure of Debate (Rule 14)


At the start of voting procedure, the following points and motions are in order, in the

following order of precedence:

1. Point of Personal Privilege (Rule 23)

2. Point of Order (Rule 24)

3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry (Rule 25)

4. Reordering Draft Resolutions (Rule 32)

5. Division of the Question (Rule 33)

6. Motion for a Roll Call Vote (Rule 34)

Appendix F: Glossary

The way people talk during peace conference simulation can at times be confusing to a person who is not

familiar with rules of procedure for Modul UN due to the language used under such simulations. Thus PCS

Group decided it would be good to provide everyone with a list of terminology.

NOTE: Rules of procedure vary greatly from Model UN conference to Model UN conference. Though theseare the most common definitions of the terms below, do not be surprised if you see them used in a slightlydifferent 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. Thisgenerally signals that a state does not support the resolution being voted on, but does not oppose it enoughto vote no.

Adjourn - All UN or Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means that the debate is suspendeduntil 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 committeefollowing 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" issupported by the original draft resolution's sponsors, and is passed automatically, while an "unfriendlyamendment" 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 byconference organizers and distributed to delegates before the conference. The starting point for anyresearch before a Model UN conference.

Binding - Having legal force in UN member states. Security Council resolutions are binding, as are decisionsof theInternational Court of Justice; resolutions of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council are not.

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. Thereare two types: moderated caucus and unmoderated caucus.

Chair - A member of the dais that moderates debate, keeps time, rules on points and motions, and enforcesthe 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. Itgenerally 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 fora weekend.

Glossary


Delegation - The entire group of people representing a member state or observer in all committees at aparticular Model UN conference.

Director - A member of the dais that oversees the creation of working papers and draft resolutions, acts asan expert on the topic, makes sure delegates accurately reflect the policy of their countries, and ensuresthat decorum is maintained during caucuses.

Division of the Question - During voting bloc, delegates may motion to vote on certain clauses of aresolution separately, so that only the clauses that are passed become part of the final resolution. This isknown as division of the question.

Draft resolution - A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN committee. If passedby 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 Debatechart.

Gavel - The tool, shaped like a small wooden hammer, that the Chair uses to keep order within a Model UNcommittee. Many conferences give the gavel used in a committee to the delegate recognized by the dais asthe best in that committee; therefore, the term is frequently used to refer to the award given to thebest 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 acertain time in an order based on a speakers' list.

Head Delegate - The student leader of a Model UN club or team.

Member State - A delegation that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and whose application tojoin has been accepted by the General Assembly and Security Council. Currently, there are 191 memberstates. 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 atime to speak for a short period of time, enabling a freer exchange of opinions than would be possiblein formal debate.

Moderator - See Chair.

Motion - A request made by a delegate that the committee as a whole do something. Some motions mightbe to go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a draft resolution, or to move into voting bloc. See ourCharts of Rules and Motions.

Observer - A state, national organization, regional organization, or non-governmental organization that isnot a member of the UN but participates in its debates. Observers can vote on procedural matters butnot 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 maynot 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 beginswith an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.).

Page - A delegate in a Model UN committee that has volunteered to pass notes from one delegate toanother, or from a delegate to the dais, for a short period of time.

Placard - A piece of cardstock with a delegation's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to signal tothe 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. Examplesinclude a point of order, a point of inquiry, and a point of personal privilege. See our Charts of Rules andMotions.

Position paper - A summary of a delegation's position on a topic, written by a delegate before a Model UNconference.

Preambulatory Clause - The part of a resolution that describes previous actions taken on the topic andreasons 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. Alldelegates 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 GeneralAssembly, a quorum consists of one third of the members to begin debate, and a majority of members topass a resolution. In the Security Council, no quorum exists for the body to debate, but nine members mustbe 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 particularproblem 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 feelspersonally 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 thenames of each member state in the committee. When a delegate's name is called, he or she may respond"present" or "present and voting." A delegate responding "present and voting" may not abstain ona 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 bebrought to a vote.

Secretariat - The most senior staff of a Model UN conference.

Secretary General - The leader of a Model UN conference.


Signatory - A delegation that wishes a draft resolution to be put on the floor and signs the draft resolution toaccomplish this. A signatory need not support a resolution; it only wants it to be discussed. Usually, ModelUN conferences require some minimum number of sponsors and signatories for a draft resolution to beapproved.

Simple majority - 50% plus one of the number of delegates in a committee. The amount needed to passmost votes.

Speakers' List - A list that determines the order in which delegates will speak. Whenever a new topic isopened for discussion, the Chair will create a speakers' list by asking all delegates wishing to speak to raisetheir placards and calling on them one at a time. During debate, a delegate may indicate that he or shewishes 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 sponsorsagree.

Substantive - Having to do with the topic being discussed. A substantive vote is a vote on a draftresolution or amendment already on the floor during voting bloc. Only member states (not observer statesor 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 Statesto 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 thecommittee. There are two types: procedural and substantive.

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

Appendix H: More Tips on Public Speaking

The following position papers have been handed in: Norway, GoSL, JHU, TNA and JVP.

The following position papers have not been handed in: LTTE, UNP, Muslim Congress, India, UNHCR, ICRC

The PCS group cannot be held responsible for the views expressed here.

Norway

Norway has throughout its involvement in the peace process been committed to assist Sri Lanka in finding a

political solution to the ethnic conflict, while respecting the country’s territorial integrity and addressing the

grievance of the Tamil speaking community.

Norway’s role concerning this issue has been many-faceted and complex, acting as facilitator, mediator, as a

monitor in SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission), and as a development donor. Despite this complexity,

Norway has through the peace process been recognized as a disinterested and neutral actor on the scene.

Other inherent qualities such as resources, consensus building and flexibility make Norway a unique

mediator in this process.

Norway has also mobilized political and financial resources for peace & reconciliation internationally in

organizing the donor’s conference in Oslo. One of Norway’s contributions in the development of the peace

process over the last nine years has been its role as mediator in the resumption of direct negotiations

between the government and LTTW in 2006.

Despite these efforts, 2006-2007 saw the ceasefire break down and violence increase. Norway condemns

the violations of the ceasefire agreement by both parties and regrets the GOSL's decision to terminate the

ceasefire. Violence has so far killed more than 70000 people and displaced more than 50000 in Sri Lanka,

including seriously damaging the economy and the tourism industry. One of the central questions that this

conference will have to focus on must be the cessation of violence and the return to diplomacy. Perhaps the

question of a unitary state ought to be addressed as well as, of course, the issue of development.

Norway believes that no outside or external power can solve the Sri Lankan problem. Only Sri Lankan canfind a political solution to the present conflict. Norway also believes that the lasting peace must be buildrenunciation of violence and respect of human rights, democracy, and rule of law and recognition of therights of minorities. It must also address the needs of all communities all over the country in order to fosterethnic harmony. It is also necessary with a focus on normalization of the civilian lives, the return of therefugees & displaced people, reconstruction and reintegration of the community and most importantlygiving all Sri Lankan people the right to influence the running of their own community and their owncountry.

The success of the conference and the key to a lasting peace in Sri Lanka hinges on the participants’

willingness to negotiate.

Position Papers


Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL)

The GoSL believes in powersharing within a federal framework. Tamils and Sinhalese have lived side by side

for centuries and the GoSL needs to protect the unity, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a diverse country with many religions and ethnic groups, Sinhalese being the majority population

and Buddhism the majority religion. LTTE claims to be the sole representatives for the Tamil community, but

this has been proven wrong on several occasions, especially after the split of LTTE in 2004. The ‘shadow war’

for supremacy amongst the two main LTTE’s factions put the Ceasefire Agreement from 2002 under

constant stress. President Mahinda Rajapaksa put it like this : “I have been elected as the President of the

entire country; of all its people, irrespective of language or religion. I consider myself responsible for all

children of our country, whether they are in the South or in the North; Trincomalee, Jaffna, Kilinochchi,

Batticaloa, Badulla, Colombo or anywhere else. I see them all as my own children. It is because of this that

we need to proceed with liberating the Tamil people of the North and their children from the clutches of the

LTTE.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that his approach rests on the four D’s: demilitarisation, democratisation,

development and devolution. “I am absolutely clear that there is, and can be, no military solution to political

questions. I have always maintained this. A military solution is for the terrorists; a political solution is for the

people living in this country”, the President added. Mr. Rajapaksa further says “the military operations

directed against the LTTE are not intended to harass Tamil civilians or cause any harm or hardship to them.”

GoSL are not against the Tamil, but the terrorist LTTE.

GoSL wants peace as war brings about large economic and human cost. In 1983-1987 it has been calculated

that the primary (infrastructure) cost of the conflict was US $1,4 billion, the secondary (build up military,

police and security infrastructure) cost was US $2,5 billion and the tertiary cost was US $ 500 million. This

implies that the citizens of Sri Lanka is living in an unnecessary poverty.

The Provincial Council system, or the 13th amendement, was set up after the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987.

This was a try from GoSL to solve the Civil War. This was a result from an increasing demand for

decentralization, and GoSL agreed to devolution of power, as long as the LTTE put down their arms. The

LTTE continued their armed stuggle, and peace was not a fact. Tamil is also an official language in the

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

LTTE is a terrorist organization and the GoSL cannot accept it’s demand. FBI calls “the Tamil Tigers are

among the most dangerous and deadly extremists in the world” . LTTE recruits child combatants, and Sri

Lankas foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama says that over 60% of the LTTE cadres have been children.

GoSL denounces all forms of terrorist attacks and have recently met with international leaders in countries

as USA, India and Turkey to discuss the matter of how to deal with terrorism.

GoSL cannot tolerate a cease fire without LTTE putting down the arms, as it has been used in the past by

LTTE to strengthen themselves, both buying weapons and recruiting soldier. GoSL do not trust that the LTTE

will honour a ceasefire now.

Today the military is moving slowly to recapture LTTE governed cities, and the GoSL do not want any

casualties. Catching Prabhakaran. the LTTE leader, is a major goal. In November and December, the Sri

Lankan army captured the LTTE cities of Kokavil, Mankulam, Pooneryn, Olumadu, Muhamalai and Alampil.


There is currently heavy fighting in the rebel headquarters of Kilinochchi. GoSL finds it necessary to combat

terrorism through military means, but strongly believe in a political solution.


Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)

From the early days when Sri Lanka’s present conflict took the character of an armed conflict, there have

been attempts at resolving the conflict it through negotiations. But, all these efforts have failed to resolve

on-going conflict because of terrorist activities of the LTTE. Terrorism of the LTTE has brought negative

consequences to the Island of Sri Lanka. Especially, it caused increased cost of living, destructive of moral

values and humanity, and decline of the country’s economy. In this condition, The JHU delegate wants to

terminate the country’s problem to be solved in a peaceful mean for the sake of advancing human security

and promoting country’s economy. However we don’t agree that country should be divided by the name of

peace.

As argued by leading members of the JHU, The JHU delegate shares the conviction that what plagues Sri

Lanka is terrorism rather than ethno – political conflict. Hence, we are apt to reject proposals to devolve

powers more to the disputed regions. Therefore, we prefer a military solution. However we are not against

peace, and want to maintain Sri Lanka’s unitary constitution with meager devolution of powers as a solution

to the present conflict. And we consider the LTTE as a ‘fascist’ and terrorist movement with whom any

agreement or contact should be avoided. Nevertheless if we are supporter of the peace, but not enemy,

when LTTE disarm, the JHU will support the negotiation with the LTTE.

The JHU delegate believes that peace negotiation is an appropriate method to solve the country’s present

conflict. At the same time, if the peace negotiation brings stable peace, the JHU delegate will warmly

welcome that. Our participation is also on the above basis. In the past, we, the JHU opposed the Norwegian

facilitated peace process and the federal solution for the purpose of preserving the country’s unity.

However, we have expressed our commitment to bring peace in Sri Lanka. In this backdrop, we are

participating in the All Political Party Conference now, and published our proposal to terminate Sri Lanka’s

internal problem. But our proposal has not been so far. Nevertheless, we are committed to render our

fullest support to bring the resolution by means of the 13th amendment.

Finally, the JHU delegate considers that our role is very vital to solve the conflict because the Jathika Hela

Urumaya (JHU) is one of the significant political parties in Sri Lankan current politics. Therefore, the JHU

delegate likes to participate in the peace negotiation and bring the core issue of the on going conflict.

However, the delegate will oppose to divide the country.


Tamil National Alliance (TNA)

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is a political party representing the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The party

was established right before the parliamentary elections in 2001, and comprises of the Tamil United

Liberation Front (TULF), the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization

(TELO) and the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF). The TNA is an alliance of different

Tamil parties in Sri Lanka created in order for them to present a united front in the struggle for the Tamil

people. The parties have agreed to accept the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil people, and that

is what links them together. The TNA wishes to be a representative for the Tamils in the Sri Lankan

parliament and to the international community, as well as be a representative of the LTTE, since the latter is

per today excluded from the international community. The TNA participated in parliamentary elections in

2001 and 2004, and holds at the moment 22 out of 225 seats in parliament (the party won 6.9% of the vote

in 2004) . It did not, however, participate in the latest elections in May 2008 in the Eastern Province, which

had recently gotten under government control .

The TNA did not take part in the previous Norwegian-monitored negotiations in 2002, since they only

included the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE . However, the TNA does not feel a need to be

represented in future negotiations either. It works for a united Tamil community and therefore stands for

the LTTE of being the sole representative of the Tamils.

The TNA demands a political solution to the national conflict in Sri Lanka , which has since 1983 left 70 000

people dead . The TNA calls for recognition of the Tamils as a distinct nationality in Sri Lanka, recognition of

a Tamil Homeland in the North and East and guarantees for its territorial integrity, recognition of self-

determination of the Tamil nation and recognition of full citizenship democratic rights to all Tamils of Sri

Lanka .

The TNA does not believe in a military solution to the conflict , even though it sees that the LTTE has been

forced into a militant struggle in lack of other options left to them by the Sri Lankan government. “The Tamil

homeland concept goes hand-in-hand with self rule on the basis of a federal structure where power is

equally devolved to the regions. It has nothing to do with separatism. We never wanted Tamil Eelam. It is

the Sinhala politicians who forced the LTTE to fight for Tamil Eelam. We will settle for something less if the

Tamil people are assured of separate autonomy” (The Leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan, in Bulathsinghala,

2001) . The TNA wants to see peace negotiations been taken up again , but would like them to start as a

collective initiative from both the major Sinhalese parties, SLFP and UNP, rather than promoted by for

example Norway .

The TNA is opposed to Amendment 13 to the Constitution, which refers to the distribution of power in the

provincial councils and which has been promoted for long by Sri Lankan governments as a potential solution

to the conflict.

The TNA sees that the Muslims of Sri Lanka should be noticed as their own community and since they speak

the same language and inhabit the Tamil Homeland secured representation in the governing body of the

autonomous Tamil Homeland .

The TNA expresses its hope for India to get involved in the Peace Process in Sri Lanka. India is a both a

neighbour and a regional power, which makes its involvement natural. In addition, since the Tamils originally

are from southwest India the Indians have a duty to help the Tamils in their suffering.


To sum up, the TNA requests for peace negotiations to continue and the Sri Lankan government to give the

Tamil people of Sri Lanka at least autonomy within the Tamil Homeland, if not independence. The outcome

of the peace negotiations should be to reform the state of Sri Lanka into a federal state where equal rights

are given to the regions. The Tamils of Sri Lanka should also be recognized as their own people with the right

to self-determination, but on the same time as citizens of Sri Lanka with full citizenship rights.


Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)

The Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) is perhaps the most resilient, dynamic and deeply rooted political force

in contemporary Sri Lanka. It occupies a unique position in Sri Lankan political hagiography as an icon of

‘anti-systemic’ rage and youth radicalism. Formed in the 1966/67 period as a small Marxist splinter group

that emerged out of another such small Marxist splinter group, it had by 1971 recruited and trained

thousands of young militants to launch the island’s first anti-state insurrection for over a century. The April

1971 rebellion was quickly suppressed, with thousands of cadres killed or jailed, but the JVP survived to re-

create itself as a parliamentary electoral party that became by the early 1980s the third force in national

politics.

In the mid-1980s, the JVP was once again underground, and had by 1987 launched a second, and far more

violent and protracted armed insurgency that had by early-1989 almost brought the government to its

knees.

But within a matter of five years, the JVP had not just re-emerged, but had clearly re-established its position

as the third force in electoral politics. From just one parliamentary seat in 1994, the JVP won 10 seats in

2000, 16 in 2001, and 39 in 2004. The JVP gained enormous prominence in the 2001-2004 period as the

principal political force opposing the Norwegian-mediated peace process between the United National Front

(UNF) government of Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While

Kumaratunga’s own party lay dejected and exhausted after their resounding electoral defeat in December

2001, it was the JVP that rose to quickly gather and lead the opposition to the February 2002 cease-fire

agreement and the ensuing peace process.

In the following months, the JVP articulated a powerful and coherent ideopolitical programme of nationalist

opposition to the internationally sponsored peace process, that they propagated energetically and

relentlessly. They organized a series of massive street demonstrations in Colombo at the rate of almost one

a month over 2003 that brought the capital to a complete halt on several occasions.

In doing so, they played a decisive role in mobilising and coalescing public opinion against the peace process,

and provided a growing source of pressure on President Kumaratunga that legitimised her subsequent

actions in dismissing the UNF government and triggering mid-term elections. In the course of an energetic

and persistent campaign, the JVP became instrumental in the April 2004 election defeat of the UNF

government that destabilised and ultimately wrecked the peace process.

Even after April 2004, the JVP’s influence as a stubborn and uncompromising coalition partner within the

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government played a significant, if not decisive part in the failure of

all subsequent attempts over the following two years to re-ignite the peace process. They posed impossible

pre-conditions to be met before agreeing to support peace talks, refused to tolerate any agreement with the

LTTE over joint tsunami aid

distribution, backed the (successful) presidential camapign of Mahinda Rajapakse in November 2005 on an

anti-peace process platform, and from early 2006 onwards, openly promoted a military solution to the

conflict, goading the government to resume the war - which finally occurred in August 2006.


India

India and Sri Lanka share ethnic as well as historical ties. The Indian southern state of Tamil-Nadu is majority

ethnic Tamil. Sri Lankan Tamils number 3.5 million, or 18 % of the island’s population. In the early 1980’s the

Indian government, under pressure from their Tamil population, gave sanctuary to Tamil guerrillas (including

the LTTE) and supplied them with military training, cash and arms through its external intelligence agency in

an attempt to draw them under India’s influence and to use that influence as leverage against the Sri Lankan

state. In 1987, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi tried to mediate a settlement between the two parties, but when

no headway was made, the Sri Lankan government sought to create a solution by using military force. India,

fearing a hostile response from Tamil Nadu, air-dropped supplies to besieged Tamil separatists. Rajiv Gandhi

and Sri-Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene made an agreement through secret negotiations giving the Indian

Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) the right to enter into Sri Lanka and disarm the rebel groups. However, the IPKF

was soon made to fight against the guerrillas who were unsatisfied with its presence. Because of the

hostilities and unpopularity, the forces were ordered out of the country in 1989. Indian presence in Sri Lanka

cost a lot; over 1100 Indian soldiers were killed and 2800 wounded, and later to receive another wound

from its involvement in Sri Lanka; Rajiv Gandhi(at the time “former” Prime Minister) was assassinated by Sri

Lankan Tamil separatists in 1991. After this assassination, the LTTE lost sympathy in India, even among the

Tamil population in Tamil Nadu.

Currently India and Sri Lanka enjoy a close relationship with frequent contacts at the highest political level

between the two governments. Defence cooperation is taking place where a major part of the training of Sri

Lankan armed force is carried out in India. In addition, since the entry into the Free Trade Agreement in

March 2000, trade has grown rapidly; India is the biggest source of Sri Lankan imports, and it is also the 3rd

largest destination for Sri Lankan exports.

India’s official position on Sri Lanka is “in favour of a politically negotiated settlement acceptable to all

sections of Sri Lankan society within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka and consistrent with

democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights”.


10 Tips For Successful Public SpeakingFeeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well.

But, too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here’s how you can control your nervousness and make

effective, memorable presentations:

1. Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around thespeaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

2. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group offriends than to a group of strangers.

3. Know your material. If you’re not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, yournervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary. Keep notes with you to jogyour memory if you think you may forget something.

4. Relax. Ease tension by doing exercises.5. Visualise yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured.

When you visualize yourself as successful, you’ll be successful.6. Realise that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating,

informative, and entertaining. They don’t want you to fail.7. Don’t apologise. If you mention your nervousness or apologise for any problems you think you have

with your speech, you may be calling the audience’s attention to something they hadn’t noticed.Keep silent.

8. Concentrate on the message - not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties,and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.

9. Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitalityand enthusiasm.

10. Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is key to effective speaking.

Speech MakingWriting and delivering speeches is an important aspect of the PCS simulation.

Speeches help delegates convey the positions of their Member States, help build consensus and start

formulating resolutions. Usually, the committee sets the speaking time, as the delegates make a motion to

set the duration and if the motion has been seconded, the body then votes upon the suggestion.

Although speechmaking is very important to the PCS simulation, many delegates biggest fear is public

speaking. It is essential that delegates come to the conference well prepared: meaning that they have

completed prior research, know their delegation's position, and even have objectives for a resolution. A

good opening speech should:

Open with: "Thank you- Mr./ Madame/ Honourable-Chair/President etc. …"

More tips on Public Speaking


The speech could include:

Brief introduction of your member state’s history of the topic

The current situation of the topic

Your delegation's overall position on the topic and the reason for it (i.e. religious ideologies)

Your delegation's position in relation to the bloc, major powers etc.

Past actions taken by the U.N., member states etc. to combat the problem

Possible ideas or objectives for a resolution

Role of NGOs in combating the issue (if applicable)

Whether there is room for negotiation

As there are no set guidelines for how delegates should execute their speeches, delegates should decide

how they feel most comfortable delivering their speeches. Some delegates utilise their position papers as

their opening speeches, others just write out some key points, and many just speak without any aides. Since

public speaking is a skill it is important to practice, practice, practice.

Remember the audience should always be considered when making a speech. Be aware of the audience and

their diversity. The beginning of the speech must captivate the audience and motivate them to want to hear

more. It must pertain to audiences' interests.

Mr. Anthony Hogan, Model U.N. International, suggests the system of six "C's" to improve your ability;

Confident, Clear, Concise, Constructive, "Con Passion", and Critique.

• Confident: Confidence is portrayed by being as knowledgeable as possible on your subject and conveying

this knowledge through the power of your voice and eyes. As a Model U.N. delegate, you are the authority

and representative of your member state. Research well and speak as if you know you are undoubtedly

right. As the speaker, you must have confidence in yourself; otherwise the audience will have little

confidence in you.

• Clear: A speaker can do many things beforehand to assist them in speaking clearly. Write an outline of the

topics that you are going to mention, and follow it when speaking. Always speak slowly. This will allow the

audience to hear everything that is said. Know your terminology well beforehand to avoid fumbling with

words. Try to enunciate words properly, considering the diversity of the audience. English might not be their

first language.

• Concise: A good public speaker presents his/her points in a clean and clear-cut fashion. Unnecessary words

and information should not be used to fill in the speech. The speech should be brief and to the point- say

what you have to say and open the floor to questions. Do not ramble on about the topic in order to appear

knowledgeable.

• Constructive: An effective public speech needs to be constructed properly. Start with a solid foundation

that brings together all of your ideas, present your points, and then connect them by reviewing what was

said. There should be an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. It is a known fact that three is a magic


number. Say it once, say it and review it, then say it again. This method will help the audience to remember

what was said.

• "Con Passion": It is always important to speak from the heart- with passion- hence the Spanish term "con

passion". Always maintain eye contact with the audience. In doing so the audience will feel connected to

you and your speech. This is what you want. You want to grab and to hold the audience's attention.

• Critique: It is better to critique than to criticise. Critiquing is constructive and allows for people to grow

and improve. Criticising brings peoples' motivation and confidence down. A critique should be accepted

positively, since it is a tool that is used to strengthen one's public speaking.

These six "C's" are necessary and should be included in the research, writing, and delivery of the speech. It is

also important to consider engaging the audience when forming and delivering a speech.

For more information on PCS:

Visit our webpage: www.peacesimulation.com

For general enquiries contact

Pablo ValverdePCS PresidentE-mail: [email protected]

Peace Conference Simulation Group is organized underNorway Model UN, a student organization at theUniversity of Oslo – Norway. For more information onNorway Model UN visit our webpage:www.normun.wordpress.no.

Documents

PCS Handbook