RULES OF PROCEDURE

Global Youth Leaders' Summit 2023

 Global Youth Leaders’ Summit 2023
Rules of Procedure

1. Introduction 3
1.1. Scope of Document 3
1.2. Definition of Key Terms 3
1.3. Council Decorum 4
1.4. Notepassing 5
2. Initial Debate Proceedings 6
2.1. Roll Call 6
2.2. Opening Speeches 6
3. Open Debate 7
3.3. General Speakers’ List (GSL) 7
3.6. Open Debate on the Draft Resolution 8
4. Points 9
5. Further Debate Proceedings 10
5.1. Order of Disruptiveness 10
5.2. Motions 11
5.3. Voting 13
6. Working Papers 15
7. Draft Resolutions 16
7.3. Clauses 16
7.4. Sponsors and Signatories 17
7.5. Introduction of a Draft Resolution 17
7.6. Conclusion of a Draft Resolution 17
8. Amendments 19
8.5. Friendly Amendments 19
8.6. Unfriendly Amendments 19
Annex A: Sample Draft Resolution 21

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1. Introduction

1.1. Scope of Document

1.1.1. This document shall be referred to as the Rules of Procedure (RoP) and shall
apply to all councils at the Global Youth Leaders Summit (GYLS) 2023 that are
designated as GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) councils. Every rule is self-reliant unless
modified by the Dais or the Secretariat.
1.1.2. The Dais shall be the final point of reference for all matters pertaining to the RoP.
1.1.3. This RoP should be read in tandem with the council’s SRoP (if any). The RoP
defers to the SRoP on matters that both have provisions for.
1.1.4. Severe violation of the rules stipulated in the RoP by delegates, repeated or
otherwise, shall be referred to the Secretariat by the Dais, with the necessary
consequences.

1.2. Definition of Key Terms

1.2.1. Chairs: The individuals moderating council sessions, presiding over the council
during debate. They are the first point of contact for all delegates, and collectively,
may be referred to as the Dais. The chair responsible for the calling of speakers and
maintenance of decorum shall be known as the Presiding Chair.
1.2.2. Delegates: The members of the council, representing either a state, an
organisation or an individual.
1.2.3. Observers: States, organisations or individuals who are not permitted to vote on
substantive matters, but otherwise have the same privileges as other delegates.
Delegates representing observers will be duly notified prior to the beginning of the
first council session.
1.2.4. Floor: The space where a Delegate is permitted to speak.
1.2.5. House: The space where all delegates are present. Also refers to all delegates as a
collective.

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 1.2.6. Quorum: The minimum number of delegates that need to be present for the
council to commence debate. For GYLS 2023, this is set at one-third (⅓) of the
council.
1.2.7. Procedural Vote: A vote pertaining to committee matters on how the council
wishes to further conduct business with immediate effect, which requires only a
simple majority, or half (½) of the delegates present, rounded up to the nearest
whole number, to pass if the number of delegates present is odd. If an even number
of delegates is present, a simple majority will stand at half (½) of the delegates
present plus one. All delegates, regardless of membership status, may vote on a
procedural matter.
1.2.8. Substantive Vote: A vote pertaining to committee matters on resolutions and
amendments, which requires a substantive majority, or two-thirds (⅔) of the
delegates present and voting, rounded up to the nearest whole number, to pass.
Observers may not vote on substantive matters.
1.2.9. Abstention: The act of declining to vote on a substantive matter. Abstentions are
not in order for procedural matters.
1.2.10. Sponsors: Delegates who have actively contributed to the writing of the
Draft Resolution and are major proponents of it. Sponsors are committed to voting
for the Draft Resolution should it reach substantive voting.
1.2.11. Signatories: Delegates who wish to see the Draft Resolution debated in
council, and are not committed to supporting the Draft Resolution.

1.3. Council Decorum

1.3.1. English shall be the sole working language. Speaking, notepassing and
conversation of any other medium shall not take place in any other language.
1.3.2. Delegates are to treat peers with respect, and shall dress appropriately for the
duration of the Summit.

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 1.3.3. Delegates will maintain academic integrity throughout the Summit. Academic
offences will not be tolerated and a range of consequences may be applied by the
Secretariat on an individual basis.
1.3.4. Unless in an UNMODERATED CAUCUS, delegates shall refrain from talking before
being recognised by the Dais. This is known as cross-talking, and will be considered
a violation of the RoP.
1.3.5. Delegates are to speak in third-person, and not use personal pronouns.
1.3.6. Delegates are permitted to use electronic aids for appropriate purposes only.

1.4. Notepassing

1.4.1. Notepassing is a method for delegates to communicate with specified delegates

or the dais informally for activities such as lobbying through notepaper.
1.4.2. The Dais will announce once notepassing is in order. Notepassing is not in order
during OPENING SPEECHES and DIRECT VOTING PROCEDURE.

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2. Initial Debate Proceedings

2.1. Roll Call

2.1.1. At the beginning of every council session, the Dais shall conduct ROLL CALL, in
which every state will be called in alphabetical order.
2.1.2. States may respond with either ‘PRESENT’ or ‘PRESENT AND VOTING’ when called
upon. Should they respond with the former, they shall forfeit their right to vote on
substantive matters.
2.1.3. Observer states may only respond with “PRESENT”.
2.1.4. Upon conclusion of ROLL CALL, the Dais shall announce if the QUORUM has been
met. Should it be met, the Dais shall announce the votes required for a simple and
substantive majority.

2.2. Opening Speeches

2.2.1. When beginning debate on a new Topic, all delegates will be required to deliver
OPENING SPEECHES in alphabetical order. OPENING SPEECHES shall last for sixty (60)
seconds.
2.2.2. Once the time for OPENING SPEECHES have elapsed, the council will move into
OPEN DEBATE and commence the GENERAL SPEAKERS’ LIST.

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3. Open Debate
3.1. OPEN DEBATE refers to the default mode of council debate.
3.2. There are two forms of Open Debate, the GENERAL SPEAKERS’ LIST (GSL), and OPEN
DEBATE ON THE RESOLUTION.

3.3. General Speakers’ List (GSL)

3.3.1. The default mode of OPEN DEBATE in the absence of a DRAFT RESOLUTION on the
floor is the GSL, in which delegates may speak on any matter they see fit.
3.3.2. The Dais will call, at intervals it sees fit, for speakers on the GSL. It will then
recognise speakers in an order it so desires.
3.3.3. The default time for a GSL speech stands at ninety (90) seconds, subject to the
Dais’ discretion where necessary.
3.3.4. At the conclusion of a GSL speech, the delegate is required to yield their time.
They may yield:
3.3.4.1. To another Delegate – wherein the delegate invites a fellow delegate to
speak for the remaining time. The invited delegate has the right to either accept
or decline the yield.
3.3.4.2. To Points of Information – wherein the delegate invites questions from
the House, known as Points of Information (POIs). The Dais shall moderate
the posing of POIs from other delegates in the House.
3.3.4.3. To the Chairs – wherein the delegates cease to hold the floor and allow
the Dais to adjudge the next course of debate.
3.4. Yielding to another delegate (Clause 3.3.4.1) and to POIs (Clause 3.3.4.2) is not in order
if a delegate has less than twenty (20) seconds left for their speech. A delegate may only
yield back to the chairs (Clause 3.3.4.3) if they have less than twenty (20) seconds
remaining.

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 3.5. All GSL speeches shall end with yielding to the chairs. No second-degree yielding after
yielding to another delegate or to POIs, regardless of success, is permitted beyond
yielding back to the chairs.

3.6. Open Debate on the Draft Resolution

3.6.1. When a DRAFT RESOLUTION has been introduced, council will enter OPEN DEBATE
ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION, with all other rules contained in this section in force.
3.7. During Open Debate, council may enter CAUCUSES. There are two caucuses available at
the Summit: a Moderated Caucus and an Unmoderated Caucus.
3.8. Should the council see fit, the duration of a caucus may be extended. The council may
also seek to elapse the caucus prior to the exhaustion of its intended duration. This is
outlined under Articles 5.2.7 and 5.2.8 respectively.

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4. Points
4.1. All POINTS are raised by delegates on an individual basis to raise attention to an
urgent issue that should be handled immediately. Delegates are allowed to raise their
points to the Dais only when no speaker is holding the floor, and may only explain their
points after being recognised by the Dais, unless otherwise stated.
4.2. A Point of Personal Privilege is used by a delegate who deems the environment for
debate to be unconducive. If the point pertains to audibility issues of another delegate,
the delegate raising the point is entitled to interrupt a speaker. Other points or motions
are not allowed to interrupt a speaker. For the usage of the washroom, delegates are to
inform the Dais through notepassing.
4.3. A Point of Order is used by a delegate who wishes to correct the Dais should they
believe that the Dais has committed an error with regards to the RoP.
4.4. A Point of Parliamentary Inquiry is used by a delegate who has a query on the
conduct of debate or on matters of the council in general. This point should not be used
by delegates to make a speech or comment.
4.5. A Right to Reply is used by a delegate who believes that another delegate has made
any statement or action that is insulting or offensive to the delegate personally, or to the
country that the delegate is representing.
4.5.1. The Dais reserves determination rights on the validity of the Right to Reply.
4.5.2. Should the Dais deem the Right to Reply to be valid, the delegate recognised to
have been offensive shall deliver an apology to the delegate raising the Right to
Reply.
4.6. A Point of Information is only in order when a delegate has yielded themselves to one
during Open Debate. Its uses are elaborated upon in Clause 3.3.4.2.

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5. Further Debate Proceedings

5.1. Order of Disruptiveness

5.1.1. The POINTS and MOTIONS of the Summit, if raised simultaneously, shall be
entertained following the ORDER OF DISRUPTIVENESS. The list of points and motions
in the said order are as follows:
1. Point of Personal Privilege
2. Point of Order
3. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
4. Right to Reply
5. Motion to Adjourn Debate
6. Motion to Suspend Debate
7. Motion to Amend Speaking Time
8. Motion to Enter an Unmoderated Caucus
9. Motion to Enter a Moderated Caucus
10. Motion to Table Draft Resolution
11. Motion to Table Unfriendly Amendment
12. Motion to Introduce Draft Resolution
13. Motion to Introduce Unfriendly Amendment
14. Motion to Table the Topic
15. Motion to Move Into Direct Voting Procedure on Unfriendly Amendments
16. Motion to Move Into Direct Voting Procedure on Draft Resolutions
5.1.2. During caucuses, the following motions may also be raised:
1. Motion to Extend the Caucus
2. Motion to Elapse the Caucus
3. In the event of a failed SUBSTANTIVE VOTE, the following motions may be
raised:
1. Motion to Divide the House
2. Motion to Divide the Question
3. Motion to enter a Roll Call Vote

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 5.2. Motions

5.2.1. At intervals it sees fit, the Dais will call for motions from the House. Delegates
may not raise motions at any other point in time unless otherwise stated, and will
wait until they are recognised by the Dais before raising their motions.
5.2.2. A Motion to Adjourn Debate is raised at the conclusion of the final council
session to end debate for the council at the Summit as a whole.
5.2.3. A Motion to Suspend Debate is raised when council debate is to be stopped
temporarily, usually at the end of a council session for breaks.
5.2.4. A Motion to Amend Speaking Time is raised to change the speaking time during
Open Debate. This motion may be raised at the start of the Open Debate or between
speakers, but may not interrupt a speech.
5.2.4.1. Once Speaking Time is amended, it will remain as the amended timing
only for the rest of the ongoing council session. When the next council session
begins, the speaking time will revert back to the default ninety (90) seconds
and another Motion to Amend Speaking Time has to be raised to amend the
Speaking Time again.
5.2.5. A Motion to Enter an Unmoderated Caucus, if passed, is where the council, for a
fixed duration, engages in informal dialogue among one another.
5.2.5.1. This motion must be accompanied with the total duration and should
not include a topic.
5.2.5.2. The Dais will refrain from partaking in an Unmoderated Caucus if
decorum is not maintained.
5.2.5.3. Once the time for an Unmoderated Caucus elapses, the delegate who
raised the motion will have to present a summary of the Caucus in a sixty (60)
second speech.
5.2.6. A Motion to Enter a Moderated Caucus, if passed, is a formal segment of debate
in which council addresses a particular area of concern through speeches.
5.2.6.1. This motion must be accompanied with the total duration, individual
speaking time or the number of speakers to be entertained, and a topic.

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 5.2.6.2. The Dais will ask the delegate who raised the motion whether they
would like to speak first or last, and recognise the remaining speakers in a
fashion they see fit.
5.2.7. A Motion to Extend the Caucus must be raised prior to the Caucus elapsing, and
must include the time that the Caucus should be extended by.
5.2.7.1. For MODERATED CAUCUSES, the number of speakers should also be
specified.
5.2.7.2. A Motion to Extend the Caucus will only be entertained if the total
duration of the Caucus (initial duration of Caucus + proposed extension) does
not exceed twenty (20) minutes. The initial duration of the Caucus should not
exceed twenty (20) minutes too.
5.2.8. A Motion to Elapse the Caucus must be raised at least ninety (90) seconds prior to
the Caucus elapsing.
5.2.9. Motions to Introduce Draft Resolution and to Introduce Unfriendly Amendment
may only be raised after the Dais has expressly approved the relevant Draft
Resolutions or Amendments.
5.2.10. A Motion to Move Into Direct Voting Procedure ends Open Debate and
begins substantive voting on all the Draft Resolution(s) on the floor as a whole, or
all the Unfriendly Amendment(s) on the floor, whichever the Motion was directed
at, in the order of their introduction.
5.2.10.1. In the event the motion is passed, the Dais will recognise two speakers
for and two speakers against the Draft Resolution(s) or the Unfriendly
Amendment(s) in an alternating fashion, for a duration of ninety (90) seconds
each.
5.2.10.1.1. Sponsors of the Draft Resolution(s) may not speak against it.
5.2.10.1.2. Delegates who are not sponsors may also speak for the Draft
Resolution(s).
5.2.10.2. Thereafter, the council will move into SUBSTANTIVE VOTING as outlined
in Clause 5.3.2.

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 5.3. Voting

5.3.1. Procedural Votes are required to enter or pass all procedural motions specified.
5.3.1.1. When council enters a procedural vote on a procedural motion, the
Dais will call for ‘SECONDS’ and ‘OBJECTIONS’. In the absence of any seconds
the motion will automatically fail; in the presence of seconds and absence of
objections, the motion will automatically pass.
5.3.1.2. In the presence of both seconds and objections, the Dais will call for
votes ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’ the motion. No abstentions are allowed for
procedural votes.
5.3.2. Substantive Votes are universally preceded by a procedural motion to enter such a
vote and it occurs when voting on a DRAFT RESOLUTION as a whole, or on an
UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENT as a whole.
5.3.2.1. Votes can be cast ‘FOR’, ‘AGAINST’ or ‘ABSTAIN’ in every substantive
vote.
5.3.2.2. During substantive voting, the room will be sealed and no delegate is
permitted to enter or leave the council room, whether or not all delegates are
present in the room. Notepassing will cease.
5.3.2.3. In the event a substantive vote results in the successful adoption of a
Draft Resolution or the Tabling of the Question, debate on the topic as a whole
is considered elapsed. Otherwise, the council will return to the GSL at the
conclusion of substantive voting.
5.3.2.4. In the event of a failed substantive vote, delegates may motion to
DIVIDE THE HOUSE, DIVIDE THE QUESTION or enter a ROLL CALL VOTE. These
votes are also considered substantive votes although it takes a procedural vote
and motion to enter them.
5.3.2.4.1. Dividing the House effectively forces the council to vote
substantively, by mandating that all delegates who had previously
abstained to either vote ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’.

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 5.3.2.4.2. Dividing the Question refers to voting on a Draft Resolution by
article. Voting on the Draft Resolution by clause is at the discretion of the
Dais. In the event that over half of the articles are passed, the Draft
Resolution is substantively voted upon in its modified form; otherwise,
the Draft Resolution is automatically tabled.
5.3.2.4.3. A Roll Call Vote is where the Dais, in two rounds, calls on each
delegation individually to cast their votes.
5.3.2.4.3.1. In the first round, delegates may vote ‘FOR’, ‘AGAINST’,
‘ABSTAIN’ or ‘PASS’, where ‘PASS’ defers their vote to the second
round.
5.3.2.4.3.2. In the second round, only delegates who had voted ‘PASS’ in
the first round may vote either ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’, but not
‘ABSTAIN’.

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6. Working Papers
6.1. Working Papers are documents which serve as visual aids to provide the council with
information on a certain issue as well as to consolidate council’s discussions. Working
Papers may be submitted by multiple delegates though the submitters have to be clearly
stated at the top of the Working Paper.
6.2. Working Papers may take any format and be on any topic should it be deemed relevant
and appropriate to the main issue by the Dais. Working Papers that use information from
other sources must give due credit in the form of citations and/or a bibliography.
6.3. Working Papers must be expressly approved by the Dais prior to introduction in council.
The Dais shall reject Working Papers deemed offensive or unconstructive to debate.
6.4. Once a Working Paper is approved, the Dais will introduce it to Council on the cue from
delegates either during their GSL or Moderated Caucus speeches. The Dais will also
provide the means for all delegates to be able to access this Working Paper after it is
screened.
6.4.1. Working Papers will not be screened during Unmoderated Caucuses.

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7. Draft Resolutions
7.1. Draft Resolutions are comprehensive documents outlining the council’s proposals to
solve the topic being debated.
7.2. Draft Resolutions can only contain content which has been mentioned during council
debate. Content included which was not mentioned during debate could be deemed as
PRE-WRITING which constitutes an academic offence that the Dais can take actions
against.

7.3. Clauses

7.3.1. Draft Resolutions shall comprise PREAMBULATORY and OPERATIVE CLAUSES.

7.3.2. The structure of Draft Resolutions is strictly defined and must be adhered to.
7.3.2.1. Preambulatory Clauses outline the spirit and intention of the Draft
Resolution, and must conclude with a comma (,). The first word of every such
clause must be italicised.
7.3.2.2. Operative Clauses outline the course of action recommended by the
council, and must conclude with a semicolon (;). The first word of every such
clause must be underlined.
7.3.2.3. Sub-clauses within OPERATIVE CLAUSES must conclude with a comma
(,).
7.3.2.4. The Draft Resolution should be written as a full, continuous sentence.
Hence, the final OPERATIVE CLAUSE will conclude with a full stop (.).
7.3.2.5. All OPERATIVE CLAUSES will be numerically labelled. There is no
requirement on sub-clause numbering.
7.3.2.6. ARTICLES in Draft Resolutions are permitted but not required.

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 7.4. Sponsors and Signatories

7.4.1. A Draft Resolution will require Sponsors and Signatories, all of whom must be
clearly stated at the start of a Draft Resolution document appropriately and
accordingly.
7.4.2. There will be no more than three (3) Sponsors for every Draft Resolution
(subjected to Dais discretion and council size), and the total number of Sponsors
and Signatories must be at least twenty percent (20%) of the total delegations
present in the council.
7.4.3. Observer delegations can only be a Signatory to a Draft Resolution.

7.5. Introduction of a Draft Resolution

7.5.1. Draft Resolutions must be expressly approved by the Dais prior to introduction in
council, which would be done with submission via email.
7.5.2. Prior to formal introduction by means of a procedural vote on a MOTION TO

INTRODUCE DRAFT RESOLUTION, Draft Resolutions should not be mentioned during

council debate nor circulated.
7.5.3. Upon a successful motion as worded above, the Sponsors will be asked to
read-out the OPERATIVE CLAUSES of the Draft Resolution.
7.5.4. The council will then enter a five-minute Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session
where delegates pose questions on the Draft Resolution as POINTS OF INFORMATION,
to be answered by the Sponsors.
7.5.4.1. Sponsors may not pose questions to each other.

7.5.4.2. Only one answer by one sponsor per question is permitted.

7.5.5. Thereafter, council will return to OPEN DEBATE ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.

7.6. Conclusion of a Draft Resolution

7.6.1. In order for the council to vote on the Draft Resolution as a whole, a MOTION TO
CLOSE DEBATE AND ENTER DIRECT VOTING PROCEDURE must be passed. Thereafter,

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 the Draft Resolution will be voted upon according to the procedure outlined in
Clause 5.3.2.
7.6.2. Should a Draft Resolution fail during substantive voting, or a MOTION TO TABLE
DRAFT RESOLUTION be passed, the Draft Resolution is considered TABLED and may
not be directly brought up for debate again. After failing a substantive vote, the
motions to Divide the House, Divide the Question and Roll Call Vote become in
order.
7.6.3. There may be multiple Draft Resolutions on the floor at the same time.
7.6.4. When one Draft Resolution is passed, debate on the topic is considered elapsed.
Only one Draft Resolution can be passed per topic (subjected to Dais discretion).

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8. Amendments
8.1. Amendments are modifications to a Draft Resolution that can involve the creation of
new clauses, striking or changes to clauses.
8.2. Amendments must be expressly approved by the Dais prior to introduction in council.
8.2.1. The Dais reserves the right to reject amendments on the basis of constructiveness.
8.3. All amendments require Sponsors, with not more than three (3) Sponsors per
amendment. They must be clearly indicated as well.
8.4. In the event that more than half of the clauses in a Draft Resolution are amended, the
Draft Resolution is considered TABLED.

8.5. Friendly Amendments

8.5.1. Friendly Amendments have received approval from all sponsors of the Draft
Resolution. In the event Friendly Amendments are approved by the Dais, they will
be automatically adopted without the need for a vote. Friendly Amendments do not
require Signatories.
8.5.2. Friendly Amendments can only be raised by Sponsors in an email thread with all
other Sponsors to receive their approval of the amendment for it to be reflected in
the Draft Resolution.

8.6. Unfriendly Amendments

8.6.1. Unfriendly Amendments are submitted by delegates without the initial support of
the Sponsors of the Draft Resolution.
8.6.2. Unfriendly Amendments require SIGNATORIES; the total number of Sponsors and
Signatories for the amendment must be at least ten percent (10%) of the council
(subjected to Dais discretion and council size).

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 8.6.3. In order for the council to vote on Unfriendly Amendments as a whole, a MOTION
TO ENTER DIRECT VOTING PROCEDURE ON UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENT must be passed.
Thereafter, the Unfriendly Amendments will be voted on as a Substantive Vote.
8.6.4. Should an Unfriendly Amendment fail during substantive voting, or a MOTION TO
TABLE UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENT be passed, the Unfriendly Amendment is
considered TABLED and may not be directly brought up for debate again.

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Annex A: Sample Draft Resolution

Council: United Nations General Assembly

Sponsors: United States, United Kingdom, Germany
Signatories: France, Australia, Brazil, Japan
Question: Promoting Democracy Worldwide

The United Nations General Assembly,

Noting with concern the rise of authoritarianism worldwide,

Cognizant of the need to promote democracy,
Affirms the General Assembly’s right to promote democracy,
Reiterates the General Assembly’s responsibility to the worldwide people,

Hereby,
Article I: Democracy Monitoring
1. Recommends the establishment of election monitoring offices worldwide that works with
governments to implement effective democracy;
2. Suggests the creation of United Nations-led election worker training schemes to train
election workers worldwide to:
i. Conduct elections,
ii. Detect electoral fraud;

Article II: UN Arrangements

3. Designates the UN General Assembly to be responsible for affairs outlined within this
resolution;
4. Endorses the creation of a new UN council on democracy that:
a. Collaborates with the UN Political Committee,
b. Oversees all election-related matters.

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