Debate Style

SPIMUN will be adopting a clause-by-clause styled debate, in order to encourage contructive resolution making. Through this style of debate, delegates will present draft clauses which will be debated, amended, and voted on. If the clause is adopted by the committee it is added to the resolution which will be debated as a whole at the end of the session.

 

Conduct

There will be no direct dialogue between delegates during moderated caucus. During this time any communication between delegates should be through note passing paper.

If the Chairs deems it necessary, they may issue a warning to a delegation that repeatedly breaks parliamentary procedure. After three warnings, the delegation will be asked to leave the room.

 

Language

Delegates are expected to use formal and appropriate language, including the use of the 3rd person when referring to themselves and when addressing other delegates or the chair.

- e.g. Instead of “I” or “You”, delegates should say “This Delegate” or “The Delegate of France”.

 

The following are example of how to adress other participants:

• Honourable Chair…

• Is the the Delegate of ______ aware that ________

 

 

Yielding

When delegates finish speaking they need to yield the floor to the chair or to another delegate by saying, “This delegate yields the floor back to the chair”, or “This delegate yields the floor to the Delegate of Brazil”. However, the floor can only be yielded to another delegate once – i.e. Delegate A can yield the floor to Delegate B, but Delegate B must yield the floor to the Chair.

 

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are allowed with the exception of cell phones. However, devices must only be used for conference-related purposes. Warnings will be issued for the misuse of electronic devices.

 

Lobbying

During lobbying (often referred to as unmoderated caucus), delegates will have the chance to take their clauses to other delegates and gain support for their ideas. Delegates must try to get co-submitters for their clauses: a minimum of 3 co-submitters is needed for a clause to be submitted and approved by the chairs. If such requirement is not fulfilled, the clause will not be debated. Co-submitting a clause does not necessarily mean that you agree to the content of the resolution but that you agree to debate on it. Delegates have the option to modify their clauses at the suggestion of others, or merge clauses if they find another delegate with a very similar proposal. Caucus takes place in the individual committee rooms, which means that a student will be placed amongst a group of other delegates working on the same issues; but delegates are equally encouraged to caucus during coffee break or lunch time. Caucus also provides a chance for students to “break the ice” and meet the other delegates from other schools. They should aim to locate and get to know their potential allies, and identify those who share their goals.

 

Amendments

An amendment is a proposed change to the clause at hand. It shouldn’t be targeted at fixing the grammar and spelling (since that will be done by the chair), but rather at improving the content. A delegate can add or strike a sub-clause, or even amend one by adding or removing certain pieces of information. To propose an amendment, it is necessary to first write it clearly on amendment paper and send it to the Chair. When asking for a speaker to address the house, the delegate must raise the placard and wait until being recognised. Amendments can be friendly, supported by the original draft clause main-submitter, and is passed automatically, or unfriendly, not supported by the original main-submitter and must be voted on by the committee. The chair will firstly ask if there are objections from the part of the main submitters. If there are, then unfriendly amendment procedure is applied, if not, the amendment is passed, and the clause is updated. For the sake of the debate, SPIMUN will not entertain amendments to the second degree.

 

THE FLOW OF DEBATE

Debate time in SPIMUN should flow as follows:

1. Roll Call;

2. Opening Speeches;

3. Chairs ask if any delegates wish to present a clause;

4. Chair chooses a delegate (the main submitter) and they go to the Podium;

5. The main submitter reads out the clause and makes a short speech supporting it;

6. Chairs ask if the delegate is open to any points of information;

7. Delegate answers the points of information if there are any;

8. Delegate yields the floor back to the chair;

9. Chair asks if any delegates wish to speak in favor or against the clause or to present an amendment;

10. If there are any objections on the passing of the amendment, there is closed debate time on it;

11. When time elapses, there are voting procedures on the amendment / on the clause;

12. Delegates vote for, against or abstain;

13. Clause passes or not and the process repeats.

​

​

​POINTS AND MOTIONS

​

Point of Information to the Speaker

Question made to speaker, and can only be done if recognised by the chair. It must be made in the form of a question. Delegates must remain standing whilst their Point of Information is being answered. 

- (E.g.: Is the Delegate of South Africa aware that sub-clause b) violates the sovereignty of nations?)

 

Point of Information to the Chair

Question made to chair that is not related to the Rules of Procedure but is relevant to the debate. 

- (E.g.: Could the chair explain what is the Atlantic Treaty?)

​

Point of Personal Privilege

Used when a delegate experiences personal discomfort that hinders their ability to participate in the committee. It is the only point that can interrupt the speaker. 

- (E.g.: Could the delegate of Japan please speak up? Could the chair increase/decrease the air conditioning?)

 

Point of Order

Used when a delegate wishes to question the Chair about a action taken by another delegate such as inappropriate language. 

- (E.g.: Is it in order for the Delegate of Russia to insult the Delegate of France?)

 

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

Used when a delegate wishes to question the Chair about their action based on the Rules of Procedure or when a delegate wishes to clarify any specific term/language relating to the debate.

- (E.g.: Could the chair please explain what is meant by abstaining?)

 

Motion to Move to Voting Procedures

In open debate, it means that the debate will be moved into voting procedures. It requires a “second” from another delegate and it is up to the Chair to decide whether or not to entertain the motion.

​

Motion to Adopt Without a Vote

The clause being debated will automatically pass without a voting, and will be added to the resolution. It requires a “second”, and there must be no “objections”. This motion can only be considered when debating clauses. This motion can only be done by one of the main-submitters of the clause.

 

Motion to Table the Clause

Requests the Chair to entertain a vote on consideration of a clause. If the vote ends favourably the clause is tabled to the end of the “line up” and is only to be considered after all other submitted clauses have been discussed.

 

Motion to Divide the House

Motion to have the Chair call out every country in alphabetical order and record the votes individually, instead of using the method of raising placards. This motion can only be called if the previous vote ended in a tie. Delegates can only vote either for or against. The chair can decide to entertain it or not.

 

Order of the Day

Used when a delegate believes the debate has gone off topic and the discussion is no longer related to the agenda topics.

 

Right of Reply

Special rule that is invoked if a delegate feels that her/his national, or persona, integrity has been insulted in the speech of another delegate. Can be requested as a verbal request or as a written note to chairs. The request for a Right of Reply should clearly state the specific statement that provoked you to exercise a right to reply. It is up to the chairs whether they entertain the right of reply.