NMAL Schedule

Friday

8-9 Registration/Coffee

9-10.30 Opening Ceremonies

10.30-12 Plenary/Council Session I

12-1 pm Lunch

1-4 Council session II

4-4.15 Break

4.15-7.15 Council session III

7.15-7.30 Head delegate meeting

7.15-7.30 Chair meeting

Saturday

7:15-8 Coffee

8-12 Council session IV

10 Secretariat apps due

12-1 Lunch

1-4.30 Council session V

4.30-5 p.m. Break

5-7.30 Council VI

5.30 Fac meeting

Sunday

8.30-9 – coffee/tea

9-10.15 -summit

10:30-12 - awards and speaker

12 mal adjourns

Regional Briefing – North Africa & Arab States

            Morocco is located in a unique global position, as part of the Middle East and North Africa region, located on the Mediterranean Sea and just miles from Spain and the European Union.  It is a member of the Arab League and yet relations with Europe remain pertinent.  The Kingdom of Morocco joined the Arab League in 1958 and since has worked to coordinate its policies with that of other Arab League member states.  The Arab states face many challenges, the greatest of which is the fact that these states are relatively new creations, forged out of the boundaries drawn by 20th century colonists in the area.  The legitimacy of their governments is challenged by their own people as well as by their neighbors (The Gulf Crisis: Why the Arab Regional Order Failed). 

            The Iraq War has divided the Arab League along the same partisan lines that were drawn during the Gulf War of 1990-91.  Most notably, Syria and the Palestinian Authority were very much opposed to the United States’ invasion of Iraq.  However, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates while not directly supporting the war, did refuse to voice an opposition to it (Council on Foreign Relations).  As with a majority of issues the organization faces, the internal divisions make coordinating policy very difficult.  Division within the league has been a major problem in a successful implementation of the Arab League’s boycott of Israeli companies and goods that it has had in place since 1948.  Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have altogether refused to act on the boycott and Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have signed treaties with Israel that prevent the boycott from being fully implemented (CRS Report for Congress: Arab League Boycott of Israel). 

            In terms of the environment, the Middle East and North Africa region share many of the same problems.  This region is one of the driest in the world and the scarcity of water has increased its impact on the economic and social development of countries located within this region.  Water has become scarcer in the region as a result of population growth, the increasing urbanization and industrialization and the agricultural demand for water (Ecologic – Institute for International and European Environmental Policy). 

            The Middle East and North Africa region has been described to have the most disproportional allocation of natural resources.  The region maintains the richest oil and gas reserves in the world, but is the poorest in terms of renewable water resources.  This is problematic because the countries within this region rely on natural resources for sustainable development.  The goal of sustainable development combined with the allocation of natural resources results in the following environmental issues for the Middle East and North Africa region: water scarcity and quality, degradation of land and coast and desertification, pollution caused by urban and industrial areas and a weak institutional and legal framework within which to resolve these issues (Ecologic). 

            The issue of water remains one of the largest in the region because so much depends on it.  It is needed to sustain the growing population within the region as well as to support the agriculture.  The economies of the countries within the region often rely too heavily on rainfall to support their crops and subsequent harvest.  The lack of sufficient rainfall is also contributing to the desertification of the region, preventing the land from sustaining its population.    

            This region would benefit greatly from the implementation of solar and wind energy to provide electricity.  The Middle East and North Africa are ideal to capture solar and wind energy, but in order for this to occur, a framework needs to be created both regionally and in individual states to develop a political interest in using such power.  Additionally, methods of financing such endeavors needs to be developed as well as the appropriate research and development to create the ideal technologies to be most efficient in capturing this energy.  Implementing such renewable energy measures would not only benefit the region in terms of environmental and climate protection, but would encourage economic development because access to energy sources would be cheaper (Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety). 

            The relationship between this region and Europe is important, especially for those countries located on the Mediterranean Sea.  Electrical grids that stretch from Europe to the Middle East and North Africa are already in place through which countries such as Morocco import much of their electricity.  This European Union-Mediterranean Cooperation could remain important if renewable energy sources are developed in the region because electricity from these sources could then be exported, rather than imported.  Thus both the environmental and developmental needs of this region may be met. 

Sample Rules Dialogues

[PLEASE NOTE: This Sample Dialogue for the AMUN General Assembly/ECOSOC Rules of Procedure was distributed to all registered schools in the Model UN in a Box Simulation guides. We hope the on-line version will benefit both students attending AMUN and other schools. Schools not attending AMUN this year can purchase the Model UN "in a box" from this site.]

The following are several samples of dialogue that might occur at an AMUN meeting.  This is intended to give representatives (especially new representatives) an idea of what to expect when they first attend an AMUN session.

Please note that these are simply examples of dialogue.  The intention is to illustrate the rules of procedure, not to restrict representative and/or chair interactions in any way.  These samples are not intended as a substitute for a review of the rules as they are stated in the . This handbook should be consulted for the full text of these rules.

These examples use the General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules of Procedure. Security Council rules are similar, but should be read carefully for differences.

In the following dialogues, “C:” = Chairperson and “R:” = Representative.

Rule 2.3 - Speeches; Rule 7.8 - Changing the Order of Consideration of Agenda Items; and Rule 7.14 - Consideration of Draft Resolutions
[Setting: the beginning of Committee discussion. This dialogue assumes that one or more draft resolutions have received the required 25% signatures. Note that the Chair will specify the number of signatures needed to reach 25% at the opening of the session.]
C: This session is now in order. The Chair is looking for speakers on the topic, or for a motion to change the order of consideration. [Belgium raises placard] Belgium, you have the floor.
R: Point of Information.
C: On information, Belgium. Representatives, I would like to remind all of you that, if you have a Point of Order, Information, or Inquiry, you should raise your placard and call out your point. That way, I will know to recognize you before someone who would like to speak on the topic. I’m sorry Belgium, please continue.
R: Mr. Chair, how do I go about changing to a different agenda topic?
C: That would be Rule 7.8 Representative, Consideration of Agenda Items.
R: Thank you, Chair.
C: Still looking for speakers; [Israel raises placard] Israel, you have the floor.
R: Thank you, Chair; at this time Israel moves to Consider Topic II.
C: Israel moves Consideration of Agenda Items from Topic I to Topic II; is there a second? [Sweden raises placard] Thank you, Sweden. Looking at our Short Form, this motion is not debatable. We will now move to a placard vote on Consideration of Topic II. All in favor [placards raised and counted], all opposed [placards raised and counted], abstentions [placards raised and counted]. By a vote of 40 in favor, 10 opposed and 5 abstentions, the motion clearly passes. The Chair is now looking for speakers on Topic II. [Spain raises placard] Spain, you have the floor.
R: I move Consideration of Resolution II/3.
R: [Norway raises placard and calls out:] Second!
C: There has been a motion made and seconded to Consider Resolution 3 under Topic II. This resolution has received the required 25% of signatures and is available for discussion on the floor. I’ll give everyone a moment to look over that resolution. [Pause 15-20 seconds] We’ll now move into an immediate placard vote ... [Votes taken, counted, and debate begins on resolution.]

Rule 4.4 - Amendments; and Rule 7.11 - Consideration of Amendments
[An amendment has been sponsored by the required 15% or more of the body, and brought to the dais. It is given the letter “F.” Note that the Chair will specify the number of signatures needed to reach 15% at the opening of the session.]
C: Now looking for speakers [Saudi Arabia raises placard] Saudi Arabia.
R: [Saudi Arabia] I move Amendment F to the floor.
C: Thank you, Representative. Amendment F is now on the floor. Amendment F is sponsored by [Chair reads sponsors]. It reads [Chair reads amendment slowly, clarifying any questions]. Saudi Arabia, as the mover of this amendment, would you like to speak first?
R: [Saudi Arabia] Thank you, Chair, we feel ...

Rule 6.1 - Point of Order
R: [Kenya] I move Closure of Debate on the resolution.
C: Thank you Kenya, I’m now looking for 2 speakers opposed to Closure.
R: [China raises placard] Point of Order!
C: On order, China.
R: Was the motion seconded Mr. Chair?
C: I apologize, and thank you, Representative. Do I hear a second....

Rule 2.4 - Recognition of Speakers; and Rule 6.2 - Point of Information
R: [Representative is recognized at his/her seat by raising placard and calling out:] Point of Order.
C: On order, Representative from Bahamas.
R: Which resolution are we considering?
C: I’m sorry, Representative, that would be a Point of Information, not a Point of Order. However, in response to your question, we are discussing Topic II, Resolution 1.

A different scenario for the same Point...
R: [Representative interrupts the speaker and calls out:] Point of Order.
C: On order, Representative from Bahamas.
R: What resolution are we considering?
C: I’m sorry, Representative, that would be a Point of Information, not a Point of Order. Please note that only Points of Order can interrupt a speaker. The Chair asks that you wait until the speaker has concluded or approach the dais with your question.
[To the current speaker] I apologize for the interruption, Representative; please continue.

Rule 6.3 - Point of Inquiry
R: [Bolivia] ... and in conclusion, I am opposed to this amendment.
R: [Brazil raises placard] Point of Inquiry!
C: On inquiry from Brazil, will the speaker accept questions?
R: [Bolivia] Yes, I will.
C: Brazil, please state your question.
R: [Brazil] Why are you opposed?
R: [Bolivia] Because I am.
R: [Indonesia raises placard] Point of Inquiry!
C: Will the speaker accept the question?
R: [Bolivia] No, Mr. Chair.
C: Thank you, Bolivia; I’m sorry Indonesia, the speaker will not accept any more questions. Noting that Bolivia has returned to their seat, the Chair is now looking for a new speaker on the resolution.

Rule 7.1 - Suspension of the Meeting
C: [Congo raises placard] Congo, you have the floor.
R: I move for a suspension of the meeting.
C: Congo, will you please suggest a length of time for that suspension.
R: That would be a 5 minute suspension, Madame Chair.
C: A 5 minute suspension of the meeting has been moved, do I see a second? [Norway raises placard] Thank you, Norway. We will now move to an immediate placard vote, all those in favor of a 5 minute suspension please raise your placards. Opposed? Abstentions?
C: [If motion passes] We are now in a 5 minute suspension. Please return to your seats at [time].
C: [If motion fails] The motion has failed, and I am now looking for speakers.

Rule 7.3 - Adjournment of Debate
C: Russian Federation, you have the floor.
R: At this time I’d like to move Adjournment of Debate on the resolution.
C: Is there a second? [Poland raises placard] Thank you, Poland. Now looking for two speakers in favor and two opposed to Adjournment of Debate, which would have the effect of tabling the resolution. Please remember that a successful adjournment means that, if you wish to reconsider the resolution at a later time, you would need a 2/3 majority vote to reconsider. [Chair recognizes two pro and two con speakers, and vote is taken.]

Rule 7.4 - Closure of Debate; 5.4 - Method of Voting; and 5.7 - Rights of Explanation
R: [Israel] ... and in conclusion, I would like to move Closure of Debate on Amendment G.
C: Thank you representative, is there a second? [Algeria raises placard] Thank you Algeria. Now looking for two speakers opposed to Closure of Debate. [Syria and Jordan raise placards] Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan. Syrian Arab Republic, you have the floor.
R: Thank you, Madame Chair, I oppose closure because ...
C: Thank you, Syrian Arab Republic. Jordan, you have the floor.
R: Thank you, Chair. We oppose closure because ...
C: Thank you, Representatives. We will now move to a placard vote on Closure of Debate. A “yes” vote would have the effect of bringing Amendment G to an immediate vote. All in favor of Closure of Debate on Amendment G. Opposed? Abstentions? [Vote is 40 - 25 - 15] Motion clearly passes, we will now move into a vote on Amendment G. [Chair pauses for possible motions]
C: We are now in voting procedure on Amendment G. Please take your seats and cease all caucusing. Since this is an amendment, we will take a placard vote. Does everyone understand Amendment G? [Pause] Seeing no questions, we will now vote on Amendment G. All in favor of Amendment G, please raise your placards. All opposed. Abstentions. [Vote is 50 - 12 - 20] Are there any nations that wish to have a brief right of explanation on their vote? Please keep in mind that rights of explanation are typically used only to explain a vote by your delegation which was contrary to your country’s stated position. [Chair recognizes all delegations which raise placards] Representatives, if you could please line up at the microphone, you will each have 30 seconds for your rights of explanation. Poland [first country to request rights] you have the floor. [Chair calls all delegations in order recognized] Thank you for your comments, Representatives. By a vote of 50 in favor, 12 opposed and 20 abstentions, the Amendment passes and becomes part of Resolution 2. We are now back in debate on Resolution 2, as amended.

Rule 7.10 - Division of the Question
C: France, you have the floor.
R: Madame Chair, I move to divide the question into 3 parts.
C: Representative, please specify how you wish to divide the amendment.
R: The first part is the proposal to change Operative Clauses 1 and 2; the second part is the proposal to add new Operative Clause 3; the third part is to add new Clause 4.
C: Does any Representative not understand the motion, or the way in which France wishes to divide the amendment? [After seeing no hands, or answering appropriate Points of Information:] Is there a second? [Romania raises placard] Thank you, Romania.
R: [Jordan raises placard and calls out:] Point of Order!
C: Jordan, what is your Point of Order?
R: I don’t think its proper for this motion now. Don’t we have to wait until the end, when we’re ready to vote on this amendment, before we can consider dividing the question?
C: Representatives, if you will refer to Rule 7.10, a motion to divide the question is in order at any time, prior to when voting procedure has begun on the matter regarding the proposed division.
R: Thank you, Chair.
C: Now Representatives, I want to explain the effect of this motion, if passed. If the motion to divide passes, it will have no effect on debate for this amendment. However, when a motion for Closure of Debate on the amendment passes, we would vote on each of the three parts of the amendment separately. Any of the three parts which pass will then be voted on as a whole. If all three parts fail, the amendment fails. Is there anyone who doesn’t understand what happens if the motion for division passes? [Seeing no raised placards] I’m now looking for two speakers in favor, and two against the motion for division. [Chair recognizes two pro and two con speakers; vote is taken, debate resumes.]