Understanding General Assemblies
General Assemblies (GAs) are the core of Model United Nations and represent a typical UN body such as the World Health Organization. Within a GA, you can expect to represent a country and solve global issues, from climate change to sustainable development.
Structure
Within a GA, you are representing a nation. Your job is to effectively solve the crisis at hand by utilizing your nation's policies and past actions. This is through speeches, working with other nations, and writing and presenting a resolution paper that addresses the topic given. Usually, two topics are given for each committee, and the committee will vote on which topic to discuss that day. Most conferences only cover one topic, so make sure to prepare and research both well. The committee then spends the next few hours giving speeches on the topic and discussing ideas, and over time, a resolution paper starts to form that covers the issue. This is usually done through blocs, which are groups of countries that work together to form a resolution. These blocs are formed through informal discussion and negotiation, by passing notes and meeting in unmoderated caucuses.The chairs will usually expect a significant portion of the first draft of the resolution paper to be done by the end of session 2. The chairs will also expect blocs to merge their working papers. You should focus on leading this transition process, ensuring that your bloc's ideas are well-represented in the final draft. This involves negotiating with other blocs, merging similar ideas, and resolving conflicts to create a cohesive resolution. Be prepared to compromise while maintaining the core principles of your bloc's stance. Ultimately, being confident and leading discussion is the heart of GAs.
Parlimentary Procedure
Model UN utilizes a format for conducting efficient debate and maintaining order, especially with larger committee sizes. Here is a quick overview of the kind of procedures you can expect to see. Each of these motions can be given by delegates when the chairs asks "are there any motions on the floor?" Chairs notice delegates that give consistently good motions, so make sure this is a priority.
| Motion | Purpose | Vote Required |
|---|---|---|
| Point of Order | Correct an error in procedure by the chair. | None |
| Point of Inquiry | Ask a question regarding the committee proceedings. | None |
| Motion to Adjourn | End the session. | Majority |
| Motion to Set the Topic | Sets the committee topic. | Majority |
| Motion to Suspend Debate | Recess the session. | Majority |
| Motion to Introduce Draft Resolutions | Present and do Q/A for working papers. You should specify the order of resolutions presented, since that determines the voting order. | Majority |
| Motion to Enter Voting Procedure | End debate and move to voting on the resolutions. | Two-thirds |
| Motion for a moderated caucus | Facilitate focused discussion on a specific sub-topic by giving speeches. Within this, you should specify the length of the moderate caucus, the length of each speech, and the topic you wish to discuss. If your motion passes, you are guaranteed a speech. | Majority |
| Motion for an unmoderated caucus | Facilitate informal discussion and negotiation, through open debate and conversations. Usually where delegates freely discuss solutions and write resolutions. Specify the length of the unmoderated caucus. | Majority |
Getting Started
To get started, review the background guide provided by the committee. This document will contain information regarding the topics, chair guidelines, and potential solutions to the problem. It will also include references to good research papers that you can reference in your preparation. Make sure to not only research your nation's policy, but understand other nation's past solutions and their possible actions. The following sections will go over what typically happens in a 5-session committee.
Day-by-day
Session 1
The first session will begin by calling roll call. Within this, you specify if you wish to be present or present and voting. Present and voting means that on major decisions, such as passing/failing a resolution, you cannot abstain. After that, the chair will usually enter a speaker's list. The speaker's list allows any delegate to freely talk about any topic, but usually this will focus on which topic to debate for the rest of committee. After these speeches are concluded, the committee sets a topic. Throughout this process, you should be taking notes on what other delegates are saying, and what they are proposing. This will help you in the future when you are writing your resolution paper and forming blocs.
Session 2
The second session is a mix of speeches and forming blocs. These blocs are the heart of committee writing, as they are the countries you will work with to form resolutions. You should establish yourself as a leader in this regard, being the person that forms these initial blocs. The chair will expect a significant portion of the first draft of the resolution paper, called the "working paper", to be done by the end of session 2.
Session 3
The third session focuses on finishing working papers and beginning the first round of presentations and Q/A, called the author's panel. Chairs focus on delegates that are able to secure a spot on the author's panel, as these positions are limited and represent leaders in the group. Be sure to fight for your position and get this spot.
Session 4
The fourth session focuses on finishing presentations and beginning the process of mergers. Depending on your committee size, chairs expect blocs to merge their working papers together and form 1-2 draft resolutions. You should focus on leading this transition process and successfully integrating your final solutions together.
Session 5
The fifth session focuses on final draft resolution presentations, where you are once again expected to present your ideas and get a spot on the author's panel. After presentations have been concluded, the committee may do amendments to the resolutions, and then moves into voting procedure and finishing the committee.