SANKARA VIDYASHRAMAM MODEL UNITED NATIONS
[SANVIMUN 2014]
Delegate Handbook
Message from the Organizing Committee:
We are pleased to invite you to our first Inter-school session of SANVIMUN 2014 to be held on the 27th& 28th of august, 2014 at our school premises.
The Model United Nations is an effort to educate and give students a broader perspective of the role of the UN in today’s turbulent world. Students will hold in-depth debates and discus on issues that are of global and universal concern in a formal manner. The two day conference will test the skills of the delegates and their understanding of the countries they represent in the international forum of UN. It will also give them the chance to sharpen their skills in research and public speaking. The Organizing Committee has worked really hard to put together SANVIMUN 2014. We hope this provides everyone a good MUNing experience.
Organizing Committee
SANVIMUN 2014
Message from the Secretary General
It is with pleasure and pride that I welcome you to the annual Sankara Model United Nations Conference. This event will provide an opportunity for all student delegates to not only learn, but also to strengthen and demonstrate their diplomatic skills which include their research, debating, and interpersonal communicating skills through the actual experience of representing the scientific positions of the country to which they have been assigned. We sincerely believe that such activities are important for students who will become world citizens of tomorrow. I once again extend a warm welcome to all the students and teachers from participating schools. I thank our Management for giving us this opportunity to host this year’s Model United Nations as an Interschool activity in our Silver Jubilee year. I eagerly look forward to discuss, debate and find solutions to the present real world problems. I would like to sign off with a hope that among our participants, some in future may become diplomats who will use these skills to serve humanity. Thank you Delegates..... And I wish you all the best of luck. May the best delegate/delegation win.
Manu Satyan
SECRETARY GENERAL
SANVIMUN 2014
ABOUT THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:
UNSC:
· Aditya Raj – Chair:
The easy-going type of person who loves to throw himself into challenges (literally).He loves to be with his friends & be the centre of attention. He aspires to be a film director. Is called 'Adi...' by his friends.
· Subiksha.S – Co-chair:
A fun-loving girl who loves singing. She performs in a band & has staged performances in Express Avenue & Phoenix & loves debating. Has a very, very short temper. Has a good sense of humour. She is called 'Subi...' by her friends
DISEC:
· Manu Satyan – Chair:
He’s of serious, hardworking type, but everyone has their fall side. He over thinks every little tid-bit of information and drives us crazy (even though it benefits us in the end). He loves his cat and brother and considers them as his world. Has great potential to be a good leader one day. He is called ‘Manu………’ by everyone he knows. He has a passion for photography; he even has a page on Facebook named Manu Satyan Photography!
· Akash Prame – Co-chair:
The laid back and ‘kick off your shoes’ kind of person. He loves gaming and wrestling (only watching on the last one). Is a complete and total gadget-freak! He is called ‘Praaamae….’ by his friends.
ECOSOC:
· Umayal.C – Chair:
She is a foodie who will eat anything (literally! If it’s edible, of course……) she is a headstrong girl who easily takes the role of a leader. (She was the president of Interact club 2013-2014). She aspires to be a nutritionist. She is called 'Uma' for short.
(Most people don't pronounce her name right)
· Diviya.N – Co-chair:
She is a die-hard sports fan (tennis & cricket) her favourite being Novak Djokovic (tennis) and Rahul Dravid (cricket). She is sarcastically called ‘genius’ by her friends. She loves movies, books & music. She loves her pet dog more than anything. Hates it when people call her 'Divi...'
· Anjana.A – Co-chair:
She is a hard-core debater. She loves to have a good argument but she also has a softer side. She listens to classical music & is a pet lover. She loves to cook & listen to songs. She is an avid reader & good student. She is mostly found hanging out with her friend. She is mostly called 'Anju...'
WORLD PRESS:
· Stutya.M – Head of World Press:
She is an adventurous, fun-loving girl, who loves spending time with friends and family. Art and music are her stress busters. She aspires to be a forensic scientist. She loves to read books. She loves her dogs (She has 3!). She is called 'Stuts...' by her pals.
· Nikitha.S –Deputy Head of World Press:
She is a fun and bubbly girl who loves adventure. Her dream is to be a doctor. She loves studying & listening to songs. She adores her cat (Named Nibbles).Is called 'Niki...' by her friends.
ADMINISTRATION HEADS:
· Sreenidhee. V
She is one of those people who get
categorized as “quiet& shy “, but that is so very wrong. She works with zeal when she needs to get something done. She has a thirst for knowledge that is unquenchable. She is a good student and even a better friend. She has a phobia for snakes or anything that is remotely reptilian. She loves watching movies and listening to songs. She is lovingly called ‘Sree……’ by her friends.
· Jayawanth Rao. K
He is a fun loving and adventurous boy who aspires to be a naval officer someday. He is a typical guy who loves bikes & cars. Hates studying and loves to roam with his friends. He is called ‘Java…..’ by his friends.
Rules of Procedure
Administrative Rules:
Scope: These rules apply to all sessions of SANVIMUN 2014, unless otherwise stated by the Secretary General
Language: The proceedings of the house will take place in English only.
Attire: It is compulsory for all delegates to wear formal attire. (No casual wear, sports shoes, jeans and t-shirt etc.)
Electronic Devices: Delegates are allowed to bring laptops, PDAs and other electronic devices. However, the delegates will not be allowed to use the internet during the conference. The delegates must keep their mobile phones on silent at all times and cannot attend any calls during the proceedings. Any delegate found doing so will face charges of showing contempt to the rules of the house, and maybe expelled.
Quorum: The quorum is compulsory for the houses to function. A quorum will be half the member delegates in attendance.
Majority: Majority will mean simple majority, (i.e. not more than half the members present and voting). If during vote, the house is evenly divided, then re-voting will take place. However, when procedural questions are put to vote, the chair may choose to cast a deciding vote.
Diplomatic Courtesy: All delegates are required to accord diplomatic courtesy to other members of the house and members of the secretarial staff at all points during the conference. Delegates are required to address the chair at all times, and always speak in third person.
Speeches: A General Speakers List will be opened at the time of start of debate on the agenda, and will remain open until closure of debates on the said agenda. Once recognized, a delegate on the list may address the House for the set time, following which; she/he may yield the floor to points of information from other delegates, or to the chair.
Voting: Each delegate is given one vote on a particular matter. The delegates may vote:
□ Yes
□ No
□ Yes with rights
□ No with rights
□ Abstain
For procedural matters, all delegates must either vote either “Yes” or “No” only. Delegates, who choose to vote with rights, will be given a chance to state their rights after voting is complete.
Points
A delegate may raise a point during the conference by raising her/his placard and stating it once they are recognized. A point is raised, as the name suggests, when the delegate has a point to make to the house. All members of the house are entitled to raise the following points:
Point of Order: During the discussion of any matter, a Representative may raise a Point of Order if she/he believes that the recognized member is misstating facts or diverging from her/his foreign policy. A point of order may be raised at any time and may even interrupt a speech.
Point of parliamentary Inquiry: A point of parliamentary enquiry is raised to the Chair if a Representative wishes to obtain a clarification of procedure or a statement of the matters before the Committee/Council. A point of parliamentary inquiry may also be submitted in writing, to the executive board. At no point of time, should a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry interrupt a speaker.
Point of Information: During substantive debate, a Representative may question a speaker by rising to Point of Information only after the speaker has concluded his/her remarks, and he/she has yielded the floor. A point of Information cannot be raised when another member has been recognized and is speaking.
Point of Personal Privileges: If a representative’s ability to participate in the committee/council’s deliberations is impaired for any reason, the Representative may be immediately recognized. The organizing committee will take all measures possible to correct the problem.
Preparation
Preparation for the session covers several areas:
The study of the United Nations:
The assigned country, the issues of the agenda, the position of the assigned country on those issues, and the relationship of the assigned country to other countries in this bloc or geographic region. It includes using the rules of procedure, properly negotiating and caucusing. In addition, delegates are required to collectively produce a country profile and individually, one statement of foreign policy for the issues in their committee. Delegates should come adequately prepared in all the substantive and procedural areas prior to the conference. Working collusively as a delegation is helpful during preparation and is essential at the SANVIMUN conference.
A study of the country's foreign policy and the activities at the UN are a must. Early in the student's research, they should receive the salient features of country's topography, agriculture, industry economy, language, customs, culture, religions, political system and history depending upon the topic each has received.
It is crucial to have a clear and complete knowledge of the country. This includes an understanding of the Government structure, geography, economy, history, culture and foreign policy and relations. While acquiring knowledge of a country, delegates should develop a feel for how the selected nations view its neighbours, allies, enemies and the world in general. It is recommended that time be set aside periodically so that delegates can share new information about their country and discuss various background aspects that will affect their representation of the country. The research efforts of the delegates should result in a comprehensive profile of the selected country.
Each delegation must have a country profile for reference. Delegates should become adequately skilled in the substantive and procedural areas prior to the conference by developing a preparation program that combines research with practice. The following suggestions may be helpful in constructing an outline for your program. To familiarize delegates with what is to be expected of them, the three major areas that require preparation are presented separately. The first area concerns the basics in which every SANVIMUN participant should be well versed:
Ø The Structure,
Ø The Purpose, and
Ø The History of the United Nations.
The other two areas correspond to responsibilities delegates have towards their delegation and the specific committee to which they are assigned.
Preparing as a Delegation
Working cohesively as a delegation is helpful during preparation and is essential at the SANVIMUN conference. Regular weekly/biweekly meetings should be arranged. The focus of each meeting should be determined beforehand to both save time and maintain interest. In developing the preparation program, faculty advisors and delegation chairs should take into consideration the particular needs of their delegation. The value of meeting during the preliminary stages of research is in the constant exchange of information and research tips. Each delegate might be assigned the responsibility of keeping up-to-date on a particular news source and reporting to this capacity at each subsequent meeting.
Studying the Assigned Country
Study of a country may begin with the summary treatment offered by any encyclopaedia. THE DELEGATES CANNOT REFER TO/ USE WIKIPEDIA AS SUBSTANTIVE PROOF. Good references are almanacs, Facts on File, Political Handbook of the worlds and statesman's yearbook. Keepings and Deadline Date on World Affairs among others. Foreign embassies and newspapers are also important source on current national and international problems that affect a nation's stand on specific issues in the United Nations and its relationships with other nations. The more a delegate knows about a nation’s policies, whether political, economic, or cultural in nature, the easier it will be for him/her to represent that nation.
FOREIGN POLICY
In an effort to expand upon the high quality of debate at the SANVIMUN conference, delegates are required to submit their foreign policies prior to the conference for each of the agenda items to their respective chairs. Position papers allow delegates to organize their ideas and aid in formatting and representing a country’s policy. The position papers will also aid delegates in creating their speeches. Each position paper should relate to the topic on the agenda of the particular committee and define the relationship of the topic to the country’s national interests. It should also answer the “Questions to Consider” that are provided in the background guides in the website.
LENGTH:-
Position Papers should be typed (Font: Times New Roman, Size-14pts), and must not exceed an A4 sheet. The delegates may insert their nation’s flag if he/she wants to. The foreign policy should contain the following as given in the conference guide:-
· Name of the delegate and school