THE DELEGATE 101

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Letter from the Secretary – GeneralHi everyone! It’s that time of year again. Welcome to INMUN 2015, Inventure’s 5th Model United Nations. I, Anusha Ramji am Secretary General for this year’s INMUN.

As we do every year, the Secretariat hopes of to garner fresh talent and give equal opportunities to everyone to participate. Since it’s a school level MUN, it’s the best place to start. Depending on how well you do, you might even get chosen for Harvard MUN India and so on : )

Personally, I feel that Model UN is very important because it pushes you to understand global issues at a young age. Besides, when you take part, you are treated just like an adult and your opinion is heard. This is your chance to tell the world, “Hey, I have something important to say too.”

But why else should you participate? MUN gives one better confidence and a key understanding of diplomacy. MUNs are good places to make friends and meet people from all over the world with a variety of purposes. MUNs teach you leadership skills and how to think out of the box. All of the above will help you become stronger and better rounded people, also aiding you in terms of your future prospects.

Furthermore, there is a committee for everyone – so that all interests are catered to. There are 7 committees this year, each chaired by a person who is very well acquainted with its mandate. We have carefully selected- the Cuban Missile Crisis Cabinet, the United Nation’s High Council for Refugees, the Human Right’s Commission, the Disarmament and International Security Committee, the Commission for the Status of Women, and last but not least, the International Press.

Lastly, here are a few important pieces of information for later:-

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In June and July, we will try and hold mock MUN sessions so that you can get an understanding of how it all works.

Background guides will be released in mid-June and the Conference itself will be in July. Prior to your allocation to a country, try and keep up with world affairs.

The easiest way to do so is to read the newspaper daily.

Although I don’t recommend it at all, some of the best MUNners I know just read the paper prior to a MUN and are all set - proving how useful a general knowledge of the here and now is.

Hope you all are as excited as I am. So take the leap and give it a shot? Best Regards, Anusha Ramji; Secretary General INMUN 2015

Letter from the Undersecretary – GeneralsDear Delegates,

It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the 5th edition of the Inventure Model United Nations. The world has experienced numerous changes both positive and negative and I believe that we will have a lot to discuss in this conference.

This year’s INMUN consists of a wide array of specialised committees that are bound to generate some intense debates and innovative solutions. INMUN will be have the crisis committee, the UNHCR, Cuban missile crisis and the UNHRC in addition to the general assemblies and press corps. Remember that MUN is not about how well you speak or how many times you speak, it’s about how well you can co-operate with fellow delegates to come up with genuine solutions to the issues at hand. That being said, delegates must also be thoroughly researched on their topic and specific foreign policies.

I wish you the very best,

Arincheyan.G,

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Under-Secretary-General

Letter from the Undersecretary – Generals continued

Greetings delegates!

It is both an honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 5th session of Inventure Model United Nations. My name is Neeti Ganjur and I will be serving as one of your Under Secretary Generals for INMUN 2015.

As an avid MUNner, I have always been interested in the way that MUN marries fact and social interaction (although I never managed to master the latter), and I truly believe that INMUN 2015 brings this aspect of Model United Nations to the forefront. We have a range of committees for just about every delegate – from the newcomer to the hard-core MUN buff!

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Having been involved with INMUN since it’s conception (first, as part of the tiny logistics team that catered to only a couple dozen delegates and now, as part of the secretariat), It amazes me to see just how much it has grown! And I hope that you, as delegates, help us continue to grow, expand and learn!

The wonderful thing about Model UN is the exposure it gives to young students. From learning the importance of self-confidence and public speaking at a young age, to being exposed to the eye-opening realities of the world, MUN really does provide delegates with something of a tool kit to face the sometimes-harsh truths of real life.

So, delegates: seize this opportunity to learn, to make friends, to speak and be heard, and most importantly, to have fun! (And to those of you in UNHRC, I will see you in committee!)

Good luck delegates,

Neeti Ganjur

Under Secretary General, INMUN 2015

Introduction to the United Nations and MUNThe first question that piqued me when I heard those fateful words “Model United Nations” was what is the UN itself? After the failure of the League of Nations, the world’s first International Peace body, the Yalta Conference, prior to the end of the war was held in which it was decided that an

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everlasting and effective peace keeping body was needed, but one with more structure and mandate. Thus, the United Nations was born post the war and the UN Charter was created.

The objectives of the United Nations, according to its Charter, are:1. To maintain international peace and security.2. To develop friendly relations among nations on the basis

of equality and the principle of self-determination.3. To foster worldwide cooperation in solving economic,

social, cultural and humanitarian problems.4. To promote human rights and fundamental freedom for

the people of the world.5. To serve as a centre where various nations can coordinate

their activities towards the attainment of the objectives of the United Nations.

6. To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.

The UN has six principal organs to carry out its functions:

1. The General Assembly,

2. The Security Council,

3. The Economic and Social Council,

4. The Trusteeship Council,

5. The International Court of Justice and

6. The Secretariat.

Model UN began as a series of student-led Model League of Nations simulations. It is believed that the first Model League of Nations conferences were held in the 1920s, before transitioning to Model UN after the formation of the League's successor organization, the United Nations, in 1945.

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MUNs are run by a group of administrators known as the dais. A dais is headed by a Secretary-General. Each committee usually has a chair (also known as moderator), a member of the dais that enforces the rules of procedure.

Participants in Model UN conferences, referred to as delegates, are placed in committees and assigned countries, or occasionally other organizations or political figures, to represent.

They are presented with their assignments in advance, along with a topic or topics that their committee will discuss. Delegates conduct research before conferences and formulate positions that they will then debate with their fellow delegates in committee.

There are a number of committee sessions during the conference and the aim of a conference is to come to a resolution and at its end. Chit runners are present in committee for delegates to communicate during session between each other or with the dais (the executive board in that committee).

The best-performing delegates in each committee are recognized with awards.

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Introduction to the Secretariat and Executive BoardAnusha is currently a student under the A Level Curriculum and a keen MUNner since grade 9, being part an integral of her INMUN’s executive board/ secretariat since grade 10. A keen enthusiast for deep conversation, she also adores

travelling, yoga, restaurant hopping, writing haikus, and fashion designing- working on her sketch books, DIY clothing, and her piano. She will be Secretary General as well as head of the Crisis Room in this year’s INMUN.

A student of Business, Economics and Psychology, Anish only discovered the MUN scene recently in 11th grade. He hasn't looked back since. His passion is driven by his love of languages and international relations, hoping to someday enter the field of international business. Aside for MUN, he is crazy about Game Of Thrones, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, music and swimming. Anishwar will be chairing this year’s UNHCR.

Arin, director of the Crisis committee, is currently studying in the 12th grade at Inventure Academy. He started to MUN 2 years ago and has won awards at BMUN, TISBMUN and INMUN and has participated mainly in crisis committees and the SC. His interests

include International politics, debating, gaming (often excessively), and reading detective stories and is a huge LOTR fan.

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Neeti Ganjur is currently a 12th grader at Inventure Academy. An avid reader, Neeti has a keen interest in international politics and global affairs. She is a student of the sciences as well as mathematics and she is currently pursuing her A levels. Neeti has participated in numerous debates and Model UNs. Her tryst with Model UN began in eighth grade where she chose MUN as an elective, and she has been taking part in MUNs ever since. She also lists art, music, football and baking among her hobbies and interests.

It is entirely possible that Mahima Srikanth has exactly two great loves; Quality television and insightful journalism. A fan of anything written, Mahima is an avid blogger and hopes to work in a major news corporation after university. The press corps committee at INMUN 2015 is guaranteed to be riveting, thought-provoking and overall, fun. Mahima is pursuing her A levels in Sociology, Psychology and Economics, and hopes that heading the Press Corps can be her entry into the world of journalism.

Aahika Harlalka has been a part of the Inventure MUN team for the last three years. She is greatly concerned with issues regarding women’s rights and has taken part in several conferences as part of the Commission on the Status of Women. Other than her zest for MUN, she is a passionate

athlete, basket ball player and animal-lover. Post high school, she wishes to pursue a psychology degree. 

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A student of Grade 12 ISC, at Inventure Academy, Sid's passion for MUN first developed in the 8th Grade when he attended his first conference, which coincidentally was also an INMUN. His passion for Model United Nations is fueled by the belief that it serves as a great platform for the youth to discuss pressing world issues and build their negotiation, public speaking skills and their ability to think on their feet. Apart from being an avid MUNer, Sid also takes part in debates, football, athletics, theatre and he especially loves his music. 

Most of Vir’s time is spent pursuing his passion, sailing. Having a great love for nearly every sport, you can always find him on the field participating in something or the other. He plays and has been playing the tabla for exactly 10 years now and has an immense interest for

history, especially that of the 20th century. His dream and goal is to represent India at the Olympics of 2020.

Model UN Parliamentary ProcedureModel UN is a very solemn and formal event in which there is a certain procedure to which the conference is conducted. Parliamentary Procedure is the set of rules and basically the way in which you will “debate” with other delegates and finally end up coming to a resolution. Here below are listed the types of “motions” or actions you can take to proceed formally through debate and which will affect the entire committee.

The conference generally begins with a Roll Call of all the delegates present. Delegates will mention if they are “present” or “present and voting”. The former means you

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can abstain on voting while the latter means you will vote on every single motion. Then the Chair will ask if there are any motions on the floor. Delegates raise motions only after the chair asks for them by lifting their placard. The chair asks for a few different motions and they are voted on upon order of disruptiveness (importance) with a majority. The chair also has the power to use his “discretion” to pass specific motions which he thinks are important. It is also important to use formal language. The delegate cannot use personal pronouns as he/she is representing a country.

More details will be put up on the INMUN Facebook and blogExpectations of Delegates

1. Research well from reputed and credited sites which are known for providing accurate information – BBC, Reuters, the UN website for example.

2. Learn your foreign policy and country profile as questions might be asked about your country out of topic.

3. Be prepared with your research in hand as laptops are not allowed unless for resolutions – there will be no wi-fi. Laptops are only allowed to press members who will also have internet connectivity.

4. Read up on previous UN resolutions- do not repeat old ones and try to understand why those resolutions failed- this committee has been called for a reason!

5. Remember to use formal language and only address the chair when speaking in formal debate. Again, no personal pronouns.

6. Respect your chair and fellow delegates. You can be gagged, not just for going against foreign policy, but for disorderly conduct.

7. Research well ahead of time and try to read the paper daily in order to keep aware of foreign affairs.

8. Dress Code: Formals.

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a. Men: Formal shirt, trousers and formal shoes. Blazers and ties are optional.

b. Women: Formal shirt and pants are preferable. Blazers are optional. Otherwise KNEE length dresses or skirts are permitted which are for formal work occasions- no bodycons, mini skirts, deep necked tops, or anything too tight and revealing. MUN is not an occasion to dress up but to debate and the attire helps to ensure the simulation – to make it more formal, realistic and we take the dress code very seriously : you will be asked to leave if you wear your Chuck Taylors, t-shirts and jeans…

9. No drugs, smoking, alcohol or other illegal substances. Cell phones will not be permitted.

Bibliography

Old INMUN guide 2014 (Thank you Tejas!!!)

http://bestdelegate.com/model-un-made-easy-top-20-important-terms-to-know-in-committee/

http://bestdelegate.com/model-un-made-easy-how-to-write-a-resolution/

http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/resolutions/preambulatory-and-operative-clauses#sthash.qqHBPx5i.dpuf

Compiled by Anusha Ramji

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