MUN Glossary

 

By Andrew Thomson

 

 

Abstention- abstaining from a vote means to withdraw from voting on a resolution instead of giving a “yes” or “no” answer. 

 

Amendments- are made to resolutions.  Friendly amendments require the support of the sponsors in order for changes to be made.  Unfriendly amendments can be initiated by anyone in the committee but require supporters and a majority vote.

 

Arab League- a body independent of the UN comprised of Arab states in Africa and the Middle East.  Some of its procedural rules differ (eg. Resolutions are non-binding to those who vote against it).

 

BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)- what if your preferred solution cannot be accomplished or agreed upon by the committee?  Each delegate should have a BATNA on each issue that will be debated in order to promote compromise and co-operation.

 

Bloc- a group of countries that form a logical combination because of geographical, economic, or cultural considerations (eg. G8, African bloc, Arab League).

 

Caucus- a forum where the rules of debate are suspended and delegates are able to gather in groups and freely discuss and write with one another (for others a bathroom or socializing break).  Usually some of a committee’s most productive work is accomplished during caucuses.

 

Comments- if a delegate doesn’t yield his/her time during a speech in formal debate, the chair may recognize two delegates to make comments specifically on that speech.

 

Dividing the Question- once in voting procedure, a motion to divide the question means splitting up operative clauses to be voted on separately (eg. Vote on Clauses 1 and 3 together, but the rest individually).  This is useful if you agree with one part of a resolution but not the whole thing.

 

EU (European Union)- an economic and political union created under the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, it comprises most of Western Europe and Germany, and is poised for future expansion into Central and Eastern Europe.  Most customs regulations in Europe have now been abolished and a single currency is now in place, the Euro.  As a political unit it has formidable power vis-à-vis the United States.

 

Foreign Aid- money given by one country to another for humanitarian or developmental purposes.  It plays a key role in shaping foreign policy.

 

Foreign Policy- the attitudes and interests of a state towards external issues.  Foreign policy can be influenced by a variety of factors, i.e. Military strength, trading partners, history, domestic government.

 

Formal Debate- the committee follows a speaker’s list, and each speaker is given a strict time limit within which to make their point.  They must also formally yield the floor to questions, the chair, or another delegate.  Rules regarding motions, voting and “right of reply” are enforceable only in formal consideration, although at COWAC conferences informal debate is preferred for the most part.

 

G8 (Group of Eight)- a body comprised of eight of the world’s most powerful nations: Canada, the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Russia.

 

Informal Debate- can be entered into by a simple motion and majority vote.  The chair recognizes delegates wishing to speak, but there are no yields, time limits or opportunities to directly question one another.  However, it offers the chance to proceed quicker through various issues that arise during debate.

 

ICJ (International Court of Justice)- the ICJ is a body designed to resolve legal and territorial disputes between states.

 

Lobbying- refers to informal caucusing between a small group of delegates, usually outside the committee room while debate is still in progress.  One may wish to lobby another delegate for support on a resolution or policy option, but use with caution.  A delegation of two or more can afford to spare someone outside the room much more easily then a solo debater.

 

Motions- most motions can only be made in formal debate.  In fact, the only motion permitted in informal debate is to move to formal debate.  Motions must be made to open, close, postpone, or adjourn debate, to set the agenda, table the topic, enact right of reply, an caucus.

 

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)- security organization created in 1949 by Western powers to provide a collective force against the Soviet Union.  In the post-Cold War era it has taken on new responsibilities in peacekeeping and enforcement of international law (Bosnia, Kosovo).

 

NGO’s (Non-governmental Corporations)- are organizations or associations that are not associated with a specific country or international political organization.  Their aims can be broad (World Vision International, Amnesty International, Greenpeace) or quite specific (Doctors Without Borders) in their activities and goals.  The United Nations has a history of working closely with NGO’s on issues, especially relating to humanitarian projects.

 

Non-Members- delegates who sit in a committee and are allowed to speak but don’t have voting privileges.

 

OAS (Organization of American States)- an international political organization comprised of North and South American states.

 

Operative Clauses- are written in resolutions following the preamble.  These numbered clauses set out actual solutions and initiatives for the committee to undertake.

 

Placard- is your key prop at all times.  Just be sure not to replace it with your own creation, or to wave it hysterically while someone else is speaking.

 

Points- can be raised in formal or informal debate.  There are two points that can interrupt a speech:

            Personal Privilege: if there’s too much noise, heat/cold, etc…

            Order: this point can be raised if a rule has been violated.

Two other points also exist:

            Parliamentary Inquiry: a question on the rules and procedure of debate.

            Information: general questions to the chair.   

 

Position Paper- a written statement by a delegate on a particular agenda topic, outlining one’s foreign policy, proposed solutions and alternatives.

 

Preambulatory Clauses- these clauses go at the beginning of a resolution, and act to introduce the issue (concerns, previous UN actions, etc..).  They are not numbered.

 

Rhetoric- using language designed to persuade that is often extravagant and laboured.  In MUN debating chairs often penalize delegates who rely on rhetoric instead of making substantive speeches.

 

Right of Reply- This can only be asked for in formal debate, if a delegate feels another debater has insulted and/or slandered their country or them personally. It is easily the most over-attempted and misused motion in MUN debating.

 

Roll Call- a motion made in voting procedure to individually call out each country’s name for their vote.  A delegate can vote for, vote against, abstain, or pass.  A country that passes will be asked again at the end of the list, but cannot abstain.

 

Security Council- the most powerful body within the UN, it is comprised of fifteen members, five of whom are permanent (see Veto Powers).  It is responsible for the UN’s peace and security policy, dealing with conflict through peacekeeping, sanctions and other measures.

 

Speaker’s List- In formal debate the chair follows the speaker’s list to recognize delegates.  Your country’s name can’t be on it more than once at a time.

 

Sponsor/Co-sponsor- Working papers and resolutions require sponsors (the main authors) and in some cases co-sponsors.  Being a co-sponsor does not necessarily mean being in support of the ideas presented, you may just want to see them debated in front of the rest of the committee.

 

UN (United Nations)- a good idea to learn this one.  The international organization that was created in 1945 from the legacy of World War Two to promote and protect international peace and security, co-operation, and human rights worldwide.  It’s legitimacy comes from the UN Charter, with its major bodies including the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the various committees that comprise the Economic and Social Council. 

 

Veto Powers- the five permanent members of the Security Council (U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China) have the right to single-handedly veto a resolution by voting no.

 

Working Paper- sometimes referred to as an “idea paper” also, although working paper is the preferred formal term.  It is drawn up in the form of a resolution, but its status as a “working paper” allows for easily made amendments that do not require the support of the entire committee, only the sponsors themselves.  Working papers are one step below being a resolution, and many are often combined into one.  Their overall purpose is to set out specific solutions or policy stances on an issue that can be debated within the committee.

 

Yield- In formal debate the delegate must yield his/her time a the beginning of their speech in one of three ways:

-to the chair: once the speech is over the chair takes the floor and moves on with the speaker’s list.

-to questions: delegates can ask questions to the speaker for his/her remaining time.  (A recommended practice)

-to another delegate: another speaker uses up the remaining time to give a speech, but cannot yield themselves.