- 6/25/2025
Model United Nations Flow of Debate Training Video
Hello from the Model United Nations Working Group in Ukraine. This video will explain the language and parliamentary procedures used in Model UN-type of debate. Below this description are additional resources you may use for help. Happy MUNing!
Hello from the Model United Nations Working Group in Ukraine. This video will explain the language and parliamentary procedures used in Model UN-type of debate. Below this description are additional resources you may use for help. Happy MUNing!
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00:01Hello, we are the Model United Nations Working Group in Ukraine, and today we are going to be demonstrating the flow of debate and Model United Nations procedures for a Model UN committee.
00:11Today we are using the United Nations Security Council as an example, but this can be used for any committee. We have a chair and four delegates.
00:19I am a delegate. I am representing People's Republic of China.
00:23I am the chair. I moderate debate and tell delegates when they may speak so that not everyone talks at the same time.
00:31I sometimes also have a secretary. They keep track of time for speaking and caucuses, keep track of the speakers list and other tasks the chair needs help with.
00:39They sometimes are called a co-chair. Additionally, at an event, there can also be a secretary general.
00:45They are in charge of all committees at a conference, camp, or other event.
00:49In real life, they are the head of the United Nations. In MUN, they don't really do much directly in committee unless there are problems between delegates and chairs.
01:00To open the committee session, the chair calls this session to order.
01:04Attention delegates, please take your seats. I hereby call this United Nations Security Council session to order.
01:10Is there a motion to open debate? Yes, Ukraine.
01:13Motion to open debate.
01:14Is there a second? Thank you, Canada.
01:16All those in favor? All those opposed?
01:19As motion passes, debate is now open.
01:22At the beginning of each committee session, the chair will take attendance in alphabetical order.
01:27When your country is called, you may answer present or present in voting.
01:31Present means you can vote yay, nay, or abstain.
01:34Present in voting means you can only vote yay or nay, but may not abstain.
01:38Delegates, we will now enter roll call.
01:40Please state your voting preference between present or present in voting.
01:43Brazil? Brazil is present.
01:47Canada? Canada is present and voting.
01:50If this is the first session of the committee, to start things off, you can use a speaker's list.
01:55A speaker's list is a way for each country to present their position on the committee and topics.
02:00You start by formally opening the speaker's list, setting a speaking time, and then asking to be added to the speaker's list.
02:06You can close the speaker's list at any time.
02:09A speaker's list can be used to debate agenda order or any other subject of debate.
02:13It is simply a more formal form of debate where the speaking order is set.
02:17Are there any points or motions on the floor?
02:20Yes, Brazil?
02:21Motion to open the speaker's list with a speaking time of two minutes per delegate.
02:25Is there a second?
02:26Thank you, Canada.
02:27All those in favour of opening the speaker's list with a speaking time of two minutes?
02:33All those opposed?
02:34This motion passes.
02:36Please raise your placard if you would like to be added to the speaker's list.
02:39Canada?
02:39Canada?
02:39Okay, Brazil, since you proposed the motion, you may go first.
02:46The delegation of Brazil would like to propose that the order of discussion for this session be environmental sustainability, followed by space exploration.
02:54The nation of Brazil has a rich and diverse biodiversity that is in danger of being wiped off the earth if nothing is done.
03:00Space exploration, while important to scientific discovery, does not have the same immediate effect on the world that environmental sustainability does.
03:08Thank you. Brazil would like to yield the rest of its time to the chair.
03:11Thank you, delegates.
03:14Motion to be added to the speaker's list.
03:15Noted.
03:17Are there any other points or motions on the floor?
03:20Seeing none, we will continue with the speaker's list.
03:22Canada, you have the floor.
03:24The delegation from Canada believes that the environmental sustainability issue we see in our world should be debated first, then followed by space exploration.
03:32Canada believes that the exploration of space is by far a less pressing issue than the impending disasters and exponentially irreversible issues we see in environmental sustainability.
03:43Thank you for listening, and Canada now yields its time to the Delegate of China.
03:47That is in order.
03:48China, you have Canada's remaining time of one minute.
03:50Thank you, Chair.
03:52The Delegate of China agrees with the Delegation of Canada that environmental sustainability is far more pressing as an issue than space exploration.
04:01The issue requires immediate actions and collaboration among other states.
04:06Thank you, Chair.
04:07I yield the time to the chair.
04:10Delegate from Ukraine.
04:12Thank you, Chair.
04:13The Delegate of Ukraine also agrees that space exploration is not a pressing issue and that the cover topic should simply be environmental protection and sustainability.
04:27I yield the rest of my time.
04:29Any questions?
04:31Any questions?
04:32Yes, Canada.
04:33The Canada Delegate would like to ask if you are opposed to eventually debating space exploration, or do you think we should not cover it at all?
04:39I believe we could benefit from using the extra time and devoting it to simply environmental sustainability.
04:47Okay, thank you.
04:48Are there any points or motions on the floor?
04:50Yes, Brazil.
04:51Motion to close the speakers list.
04:53Is there a second?
04:56Thank you, Canada.
04:58All those in favour?
05:00All those opposed?
05:02This motion passes.
05:03The speakers list is now closed.
05:04Are there any points or motions on the floor?
05:06If you notice, when you are finished speaking, if you have extra time, you must yield it or give it away.
05:12You can yield your time to the chair, who just continues with committee, to another delegate, maybe an ally of yours, or to questions.
05:20This happens not just with the speakers list, but in any formal debate where you have speaking time.
05:26In MUN, you can't just start talking about anything.
05:28You need an agenda.
05:30Setting an agenda can happen immediately after calling role or after a speakers list debate.
05:35Brazil.
05:36Motion to set the agenda to environmental sustainability, followed by space exploration.
05:41All those in favour?
05:43All those opposed?
05:45This motion is in order and passes.
05:47We will start debate on the topic of environmental sustainability.
05:50When you want to move on to the next agenda topic, you motion in debate on this agenda topic and proceed to the next one.
05:57More on ending debate later.
05:58Now that you have an agenda topic, you may begin debate on that topic.
06:05If you want, you can motion for another speakers list, this time specifically on the topic.
06:09The first one we will show is a moderated caucus.
06:14Delegates will raise their placards to be called on to speak, and the chair will call on speakers one by one until the moderated caucus has expired.
06:22Moderated caucuses must have a specified subtopic, a speaking time for each speech, and full length for the caucus time.
06:29The delegate who motioned for the caucus may go first, or they may yield their time to the chair if they don't want to speak.
06:35Now that the agenda is set, are there any points or motions on the floor?
06:40Yes, Canada.
06:41Canada moves for a moderated caucus of 10 minutes with a one-minute speaking time on the topic of changing sea levels.
06:48Thank you, Canada.
06:49Are there any other points or motions on the floor at this time?
06:53Yes, Ukraine.
06:54Motion for a 10-minute moderated caucus with a 45-second speaking time to discuss the rapid rise of global temperature.
07:00Unfortunately, that motion is not in order.
07:02The speaking time does not divide into the overall time for the moderated caucus.
07:06Would you like to amend your motion?
07:08During a moderated caucus, it is important that the length of the individual speeches divides into the overall time proposed for the whole moderated caucus.
07:17Yes, I will amend to a 10-minute moderated caucus with a one-minute speaking time on the same topic.
07:22That motion is in order.
07:23Are there any other points or motions on the floor?
07:26Yes, Brazil.
07:26Motion for a 9-minute moderated caucus with 45-second speaking time to discuss the Paris Climate Accords.
07:32That motion is in order.
07:35We will now vote on the motions in order from most disruptive to least disruptive.
07:40Motions must be voted on in order of most disruptive to the committee to least disruptive.
07:45You can find the full order in the resources that accompany this video.
07:49But when voting between moderated caucuses, the moderated caucus with most speakers should be voted on first.
07:54First is Brazil's motion for a 9-minute moderated caucus with 45-second speaking time to discuss the Paris Climate Accords.
08:02All those in favor, please raise your placards now.
08:05All those opposed?
08:07As we have four delegates and this is a procedural vote, we need three votes to pass the motion, which is 50% plus one.
08:13This motion does not pass.
08:14Next is Canada's motion for a moderated caucus for 10 minutes with a 1-minute speaking time on the topic of changing sea levels.
08:21All those in favor?
08:23All those opposed?
08:25This motion also doesn't pass.
08:27Finally, we will vote on Ukraine's motion for a 10-minute moderated caucus with a 1-minute speaking time to discuss the rapid rise of global temperature.
08:36All those in favor, please raise your placards now.
08:39All those opposed?
08:39This motion clearly passes.
08:42Delegates, we are now in a 10-minute moderated caucus with a speaking time of 1 minute.
08:46I will tap the gavel quietly when you have 10 seconds left.
08:50Ukraine, you now have the floor.
08:52Thank you, Chair.
08:53The rapid rise of global temperature we have seen over the past few years is an issue that we cannot ignore anymore.
09:00This is something that we must prepare for for our future generation.
09:03We must protect the world.
09:05Over the past few years, we have seen changes in the mainstream world.
09:13Delegate, I'm sorry your time has expired.
09:15All those who should speak, Ms. Maria Pockets, we still have time for four more speakers.
09:19Yes, China.
09:20Thank you, Chair.
09:22The delegation from China wants to say that our country has been greatly impacted by the rapid rise of global temperature.
09:28But everyone hold this issue.
09:31And I yield my time to the Chair.
09:32Thank you, Delegate.
09:33The time for this moderated caucus has elapsed.
09:36Are there any points or motions on the floor?
09:41In contrast, an unmoderated caucus is where there is no formal speaking order.
09:45Delegates may speak freely, move about and speak with other delegates privately, go to the restroom if needed, write draft resolutions, and so on.
09:53An unmoderated caucus is more disruptive to debate than a moderated caucus, so it should be voted on before moderated caucuses, regardless of when the Speaker proposed the motion.
10:03Yes, Brazil.
10:03The delegate from Brazil moves for a 15-minute unmoderated caucus to discuss draft 1.0.
10:09That motion is in order.
10:11Is there a second?
10:12Thank you, Canada.
10:13All those in favor, please raise your placards now.
10:16That motion clearly passes.
10:17Delegates, we are now in a 15-minute unmoderated caucus.
10:20You are now free to get up and discuss the draft with other delegates.
10:23Delegates, the time for this unmoderated caucus has elapsed.
10:39Please return to your seats.
10:41Are there any points or motions on the floor?
10:43Yes, Ukraine.
10:44The motion to extend the unmoderated caucus by five more minutes for the purposes of finishing writing the draft resolution.
10:49Is there a second?
10:51Thanks, Brazil.
10:51All those in favor, all those opposed, as motion passes, you have five more minutes.
10:59Aside from motions, there are a few other things you can say in committee.
11:02They are called points because they aren't asking for anything to happen to the debate or flow of committee.
11:07This point of inquiry is used for when you have a question about something.
11:11It can be procedural or about the committee procedures or about the topic.
11:15You can raise your placard and say this at any time, but do not interrupt a speaker.
11:19Excuse me, point of inquiry, how long is left remaining in this committee session?
11:26We have 45 minutes left.
11:28The point of personal privilege is for questions or permissions relating to your personal comfort, such as in its use to go to the bathroom, open a window, or for the speaker to speak louder.
11:39Yeah, China?
11:40Point of personal privilege. Could I step out to use the bathroom?
11:44Mm-hmm. Granted.
11:48A point of information is for when you need something clarified.
11:52Mm-hmm. Brazil?
11:53Point of information. Which draft resolution are we discussing?
11:56We are discussing the draft resolution called disaster relief.
12:00A point of order is used when the delegate believes there has been a mistake in committee procedure that needs to be corrected.
12:08Point of order?
12:09Mm-hmm.
12:09As we voted for two speeches, for and two against, before we vote on the resolution, we should have one more speaker speaking against the resolution.
12:16Oh, right. Thank you, delegate. All those wishing to speak against this resolution.
12:20A right of reply is the right to speak to another delegate directly talking about your country, usually when a delegate feels personally insulted by another delegate's speech.
12:29If another delegate directly calls out your country, you can use this to respond and defend your nation. It can be granted by the chair.
12:37We need to set strict limits on carbon emissions and actually monitor those emissions and hold countries accountable via impartial international monitors.
12:46We cannot let countries such as China act underhandedly and use our own monitors to falsify information about emission levels and continue to...
12:54Right of reply?
12:56Granted.
12:57We maintain our right as a sovereign nation to decide which international bodies have access to state information and which do not.
13:07Mm-hmm. Canada, please continue.
13:09Thank you, chair.
13:10Once you've debated and used time in unmoderated caucuses to write a draft resolution, have enough sponsors or authors, and some signatories or supporters, to your draft resolution, you must formally introduce it to the committee.
13:23After it is read aloud, typically the chair allows time for questions about the resolution.
13:28Are there any points or motions on the floor?
13:31Yes, Ukraine.
13:32Motion to introduce draft resolution drug trafficking prevention and have two minutes for questions afterwards.
13:37Is there a second?
13:38Thank you, Brazil.
13:39All those in favor, all those opposed, this motion passes.
13:43Ukraine, please let me read to make sure you have enough sponsors and signatories.
13:47Mm-hmm.
13:48And then please read your resolution aloud to the committee.
13:51Thank you, chair.
13:54So the sponsors of this resolution are the delegations of Ukraine and Canada, and the signatories are the delegations of Brazil and China on the topic of drug trafficking prevention.
14:04So recalling the United Nations Convention against illicit traffic and narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances of 1988, in particular, it's Article 12, which lays down the principles and psychotropic substances.
14:17Thank you, Ukraine.
14:19You now have two minutes for questions.
14:21After it has been introduced, the committee can use moderated or unmoderated caucuses to discuss the resolution.
14:28Edits to a draft resolution are called amendments.
14:30You can motion to add an amendment after it has been introduced.
14:34If the authors agree with the amendment, it is called a friendly amendment and is automatically added to the draft resolution.
14:42If the authors do not agree, it is an unfriendly amendment and must be voted on by the committee.
14:46Motion to add an amendment.
15:17All those opposed, this amendment still passes and is added to the draft resolution.
15:23Now, if Ukraine doesn't want their draft resolution to pass with this new unfriendly amendment, they could withdraw the resolution via a motion, argue why this point is important in a moderated or unmoderated caucus, negotiate with other states over its non-inclusion, and reintroduce the new draft resolution.
15:39When the committee is ready to vote on a resolution, they first must vote to start voting by moving its voting procedure.
15:47Remember that there can be more than one resolution being discussed, so be sure to specify if voting procedures are starting for all resolutions, just one, or in a particular order.
15:57You can also add a 2-4, 2-against debate before the final vote if you need a chance to persuade other delegates the reasons to vote for or against it.
16:07A 2-4, 2-against debate can also be used when debating agenda order.
16:11Are there any points or motions on the floor?
16:18Yes, China.
16:20Motion to move into voting procedures on all introduced resolutions.
16:24Is there a second?
16:26I'm sorry, without a second, this motion fails.
16:29Are there any points or motions on the floor?
16:31Yes, Canada.
16:32Motion to move into voting procedures for the draft resolution of rising sea levels with a 2-4, 2-against argument.
16:39Is there a second?
16:40Thank you, China.
16:41All those in favour?
16:42All those opposed?
16:43This motion passes.
16:45Canada, would you like to speak in this argument?
16:46Yes, I'll speak in favour.
16:48Okay, noted.
16:49Please raise your placard if you would also like to speak in this debate.
16:53Ukraine, I saw your placard first.
16:56Now raise your placard if you'd like to speak against.
16:59Okay, China and Brazil.
17:01We shall alternate for and against speakers.
17:04Canada, you may go first.
17:05You have two minutes.
17:07Canada, as a large country with multiple oceans along its borders, has been a huge issue in our country.
17:14Okay, now that the 2-4-2 against time has elapsed, we are now in voting procedures for the resolution rising sea levels.
17:21Finally, it's time to vote on the resolution.
17:24Typically, delegates vote in favour or against with their placard, like for other motions.
17:29But if instead a delegate motions to enter into roll call voting procedures, then each country is called from the roll call list and they state their voting preference as yea, in favour, nay, against, or abstain.
17:41Remember that those that were present in voting during roll call at the beginning of the committee may not abstain from a substantive vote.
17:50The motion for a roll call vote on draft resolution sanctions on Venezuela has passed.
17:55We are now in voting procedures.
17:57Please state your voting preference when I call your name.
18:00Brazil.
18:01Yea, yea.
18:02China.
18:03Nay.
18:04Ukraine.
18:05Yea, yea.
18:05Remember that those that were present in voting during roll call at the beginning of committee may not abstain from a substantive vote.
18:13Canada.
18:14Abstaining.
18:15You may not abstain as you were present in voting at the beginning of its committee.
18:19Oh.
18:19Then nay.
18:21Say it's time for lunch or a break.
18:23This is how you pause committee, knowing that you'll resume the same topic at the same conference soon.
18:28Yes, China.
18:29Motion to suspend debate until the next committee session.
18:32Is there a second?
18:32And all those in favor?
18:37All right.
18:37All those opposed?
18:39This motion passes.
18:43Say you're done talking about this topic and want to move on to the next agenda topic.
18:47This is how you signify that debate is ending on the current topic.
18:51Yes, Brazil.
18:52Motion to table and end the debate on the topic of environmental sustainability and move on to the topic of space exploration.
18:59Is there a second?
19:00Thank you, Ukraine.
19:01All those in favor?
19:03All those opposed?
19:04This motion passes.
19:05We are now debating the topic of space exploration.
19:08Are there any points or motions on the floor?
19:11When the conference is over, you need to motion to adjourn the committee.
19:14Sometimes you can specify until when or leave it open if you don't know.
19:19Are there any points or motions on the floor?
19:21Ukraine?
19:22Motion to adjourn the committee until the next model you want.
19:24Is there a second?
19:25Thank you, Canada.
19:28All those in favor?
19:30All those opposed?
19:31This motion passes.
19:48Great.
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