MODEL UNITED NATIONS

ABOUT BCS
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla is one of the oldest boys boarding schools in Asia and was the first
‘Public School’ in India. It was founded on 28th July 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton.
George Cotton was a scholar at Westminster School and a graduate of Cambridge University. In
1836, Cotton began teaching at Rugby School under the tutelage of Doctor Thomas Arnold before
moving on to be Master of Marlborough College. It was the young Mr Cotton who is spoken of as the
‘the model young master’ in Thomas Hughes’ famous book ‘Tom Brown’s School Days’.

As Bishop of Calcutta, on the 28th July 1859, Cotton conducted a service for the foundation of a
public school at a hill station. Collections were made in most of the churches of the Diocese for this
purpose. These funds were used to found the Bishop’s School at Jutogh, Shimla. The land and the
buildings on it were a gift from the Viceroy. Three private houses were purchased by Bishop Cotton,
out of the India Public School Fund, and the school opened for students on the 15th March 1863.
Though mentioned in correspondence as the Shimla Public School, it never actually bore this name.

ABOUT MUN
This year's inter-house MUN will be the first Model United Nation Parliament that has ever
happened in BCS. We explore the world of MUN to give our students a chance at public speaking and
thus help them gain confidence for not only further inter-house as well as inter-school competitions
but also help them to face the world. We hope this year's inter-house MUN to be a success to
further allow us to take it to school level in coming years.
 THE SECRETARIAT
Teacher Coordinators:

Secretary-General:

Deputy Secretary-General:

Chairpersons:

Conference Mail:

OFFICIAL RULES OF PROCEDURE

Note: These set of rules apply to every committee simulated in the BCS’s Model United Nations.

1. Applicability: The below mentioned rules are applied to UNEP or any of its affiliated conferences
unless specific instructions have been provided for in the rules. Any deviation from the rules
mentioned requires permission from the Secretary General of the conference.

STANDARD RULES:
2. Representation: All councils shall have one delegate/’s representing one country having one
vote. Non-governmental Organizations & Special Observers shall have one representative only; they
will be allowed to vote on working papers, amendments and resolutions that pertain to them i.e., in
an agenda which is directly concerning them. On all other agendas they will be allowed to vote on all
issues except working papers, amendments and resolutions. In case of a dispute regarding the
pertinence of a particular agenda to a non -member of the United Nations, the decision of the
Executive board/ Chair shall be final and binding.

3. Language: The official language for the conference shall be English.

4. Attire: The delegates are expected to be in the decided dress code.

5. Use of Electronic Equipment: The use of mobile phones, laptops, notepads and such other
electronic devices is strictly prohibited when committee is in progress. However, a delegate may use
his/her electronic device outside the committee room or during the Unmoderated Caucus.

6. Sessions: Each session of the conference shall not be longer than 4 hours, which will be followed
by a mandatory break. The Conference shall have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 such
sessions.

POWERS OF THE ORGANIZING COUNCIL & EXECUTIVE BOARD.

7. Executive Board (EB): The decision of the chair on matters regarding debate is final and binding
on all delegates. Also, if a delegate is not behaving in a parliamentary fashion, he/she can be barred
from council after being given sufficient warnings. The Executive Board has the power to question
any delegate and ask for justification about his/her stand on a particular issue if they feel it is
contrary to their country policy or could help enlighten committee better. However, decisions of the
Executive Board can be appealed against (Rule 8) and so also the chair impeached (Rule 9).

8. Appeal: The delegates have an option to appeal to the chair, if dissatisfied with the verdict of the
chair or if they wish to question the chair about the way they are conducting the committee.
Example: After being recognized ‘Permission to appeal to the chair’, on being given permission, the
delegate can voice his/her grievance to the chair within a minute’s time frame, after which the chair
may or may not take into consideration the delegate’s recommendation.

9. Impeachment: If the delegates in the committee are extremely dissatisfied with the way the chair
is conducting proceedings, a written request signed by at least 2/3rds of the committee’s members
can be submitted to the Secretary-General for the ouster of the chair. The decision of the Secretary-
General in this matter shall be final and binding.

10. Organizing Council (OC): If any delegate or observer if found to be behaving in an inappropriate
manner he/she can be barred from the conference for an entire day or for the complete conference
by the President of the Organizing Council whose decision on matters apart from conference debate
shall be final and binding.

11. Secretary-General: The Secretary-General has sweeping powers bestowed upon him/her and
his/her decision is final and binding and cannot be challenged in relation to matters regarding
debate.

A) RULES REGARDING DEBATE

12. Quorum: The minimum number of members present and voting in council should be at least
1/5th of the committee strength.

13. Setting an Agenda: This is the essential backbone of discussion in the committee. This is what
the delegates are expected to discuss and deliberate upon over the course of the committee. A
solution to the given agenda is expected at the end of the committee. An agenda is usually vague
and multifaceted. Raising the agenda is thus the first step to starting a committee. The verbatim for
raising the agenda is as follows:

“The delegate of [your country] would like to raise the motion to set the agenda, the agenda
being[agenda].”

In case a committee has a choice between two topic areas, the committee shall decide upon any
one in the following manner: a. The Chair will call for any points or motions on the floor, to which a
delegate can rise to a motion to set the agenda to a particular topic area. b. The chair shall call for
those who are against the motion. If there is any opposition then there shall be 1 speech for and 1
against the topic area both to a maximum of one and a half minute each. c. This shall be followed by
an informal vote by a show of placards, a 51% or more majority is required for the motion to pass. If
the motion fails, then the second topic area automatically is set for discussion.

14. General Speakers’ List: A speakers’ list is automatically opened and remains open throughout
the discussion of the topic area unless committee chooses to move into a moderated caucus or
unmoderated caucus. A speakers’ list is a place where a delegate expresses his/her country’s stand
on the topic area. The time limit is pre-set to one and a half minute per delegate.

15. Roll Call: It is a form of attendance taken at the start of each day of the committee. A delegate
may respond with either present or present and voting. If a delegate responds with present and
voting, they cannot switch to present throughout any of the sessions. Present and voting entails that
the delegate will not be allowed to abstain from voting on the final paperwork of the committee.
Non-members are not entitled to respond with present and voting.

Opening Debate
To begin the committee and pass the agenda, the debate needs to be formally opened for the
agenda to then be passed. Only then can committee discussions proceed. The verbatim for the
opening debate in committee is as follows:

“The delegate of [your country] would like to raise the motion to open debate.”

16. Moderated Caucus: A detailed discussion on a sub-topic of the main agenda is possible in a
moderated caucus and the main reason on starting a moderated caucus is to know the committee’s
opinion on such an issue. A delegate can motion for a moderated caucus in the following manner,
example ‘the delegate ____ purposes Motion to open a moderated caucus to discuss ________ for
the time duration _________ (max 15 minutes) and time per speaker ________ (maximum 1
minute)’A motion for a moderated caucus requires a simple majority to pass and can be passed
through an informal vote. In case of multiple motions, the chair shall decide on which one to put to
vote first. A moderated caucus can be started in the middle of the Speakers’ list i.e., it is not
compulsory for the delegates to finish hearing all the speakers on the list.

17. Points: During the course of debate, the following points are in order:

a. Point of Personal Privilege: This is the only point that can interrupt a speaker and is used when a
delegate cannot hear the speaker or is experiencing discomfort and wishes to be excused from
committee.

b. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: This cannot interrupt a speaker and is exercised when a delegate
wants to know anything about procedure from procedure by a particular delegate. Again, this point
cannot interrupt a speaker and the verdict of the Chair on the same shall be final and binding.

c. Point of Order: This is to point out the procedural inconsistency or deviation.

d. Point of Information: This is a point that helps to clarify any factual inaccuracy in a delegate’s
speech. If one finds that another delegate has misstated a particular fact after the completion of the
delegate’s speech, one may raise his/her placard and on being recognized may ask for valid
documentation supporting the delegate’s facts. This point cannot however be used for questioning a
change in the country’s policy.

The accepted sources of documentation for all committees, organs and special simulations of the
United Nations are: Reuters, Amnesty International and any other such credible source approved by
the executive board in consensus with the Secretary-General of the conference.

18. Open Floor:

An Open Floor is yet another variation of informal debate which is somewhat similar to an
Unmoderated Caucus since it is used to facilitate the spontaneous flow of debate. There is no per-
speaker time on an Open Floor. The verbatim for introducing an Open Floor is as follows:

“The delegate of [your country] would like to raise the motion to suspend formal debate and move
into an Open Floor, total time being [time in minutes], discussing [topic].”

19. Unmoderated Caucus: This is when the committee feels the need to discuss or decide upon a
particular issue in an informal way. It is basically provided in procedure for delegates to help them
form working papers and draft resolutions (Rule 20). A delegate can call for an unmoderated caucus
in the following manner: Motion to open an unmoderated caucus for the time duration _________
(max 15 minutes)’A motion for an unmoderated caucus requires a simple majority to pass and can
be passed through an informal vote. This motion can be extended by another 5 minutes for
preparing Resolutions/ Declarations.

20. Resolution: The solution to the entire agenda is called a resolution. A resolution requires a
minimum of 3 authors and 1 co-author to be introduced to council. This minimum requirement holds
true for every council irrespective of the council size. An author is one who formulates the resolution
and cannot vote against the resolution, whereas a signatory is a person who simply consents to
having the resolution being discussed in council and can exercise his/her vote in the way he/she
pleases. In case of multiple resolutions being brought to the Chair at the same time, the one with a
greater number of signatories shall be put to the committee first for voting. A resolution before
being introduced requires the prior approval and signature of the chair. The voting on introduction
of the resolution for debate can be done in an informal manner however, the voting regarding the
passing of the resolution must be done through Indian International Model United Nations formal
voting procedure (Rule 33). The resolution this year will not have a format but a full stop will mean
the end of the resolution and unnecessary full stops will scrap the document. To be discussed in the
meeting Resolution should be accepted by 1/3 of committee.

21. Amendments:

a. Friendly Amendments: An amendment, which is agreed upon by the author/’s does not require
any kind of voting.

b. Normal Amendments: Amendments that are introduced by any other need not be voted upon by
the council and is directly incorporated in the resolution. You need a simple majority in order to
introduce a normal amendment.

22. E-mendments: Any correction of grammatical error or deviation from the prescribed format for
procedure writing is called an e-mendment and does not require any voting but a simple approval of
the chair.

B) OTHER RULES:
23. 1 For 1 Against: This is when committee usually cannot decide on a particular issue and
therefore before the final vote needs to hear both sides of the argument. This can be extended to a
2 for and 2 against. The time limit for each speaker is 1 minute each.

24. Formal Voting: This is required only for passing a resolution or a declaration and takes place in 3
rounds. No observer other than those who have been bestowed the right to vote since their country
is directly related to the topic area (Rule 2), member of press or administration staff is allowed to be
present during voting.

There are 3 rounds of voting:

a. Round 1: All delegates have an option between choosing:

i. Yes

ii. No

iii Abstain

b. Round 2: All delegates that have opted for rights get to justify their positions.
c. Round 3: Delegates have to cast their final vote which cannot change between a yes, no and
abstain. A resolution passes if it has a 2/3rd majority.

25. Clause-by-Clause Voting: This is applicable only to resolutions. A delegate may motion for this
and informal voting shall take place clause by clause. A simple majority is required for each clause to
pass. However, the entire resolution shall be put to vote through formal voting procedure.

26. Censure: The delegates can censure a fellow delegate by motioning for the same but in order for
it to be successful it has to have a 2/3rd majority through an informal vote. This motion can be
overruled at the discretion of the chair.

27. Yields: At the end of a speech in the speakers’ list (yields cannot be exercised during any other
part of debate), a delegate has the following ways in which he can yield:

a. Yield to another delegate: This is only applicable if the delegate has more than 15 seconds of
his/her time remaining. He/she can give his/her remaining time to another delegate.

b. Yield to questions: The delegate can yield to questions, a maximum of two Questions can be asked
and follow ups can be entertained with the permission of the chair. Executive Board Members have
the option to ask questions to the delegates.

c. Yield to comments: The chair recognizes two 30-second comments.

28. Suspension of Debate

Debate is suspended before breaks; the committee is again resumed after the break by resuming the
debate. The verbatim for suspending debate is as follows:

“The delegate of [your country] would like to raise the motion to suspend the committee.”

29. Adjournment of Debate

Adjourning debate is different from suspending debate and marks the permanent end of the
committee. The verbatim for suspending debate is as follows:

“The delegate of [your country] would like to raise the motion to adjourn the committee.”

PAPERWORK REQUIRED BEFORE:

Position Paper

1. Definition: Position papers are just a document in which a portfolio or delegation gives a general

overview of themselves. It is required in every committee of BCS and is vital for the

Executive Board since it gives the Executive Board an insight into the more technical intricacies of
the delegation/portfolio.

2. Type: Public only.

3. Usage: An ideal Position paper addresses the following :

a. An overview of the portfolio/delegation that includes Statement of the Problem and Policy.

b. A list of solutions that the entity wishes to implement once the committee begins.

c. Any major arc that the entity would like to apprise the Executive Board about prior

commencement of committee sessions.

4. Format: Ideally, no position paper should exceed two pages [cover page and bibliography
excluded]. For the purposes of this conference, every position paper must have a bibliography. THIS
HAS TO SUBMITTED A WEEK BEFORE THE EVENT.

PLAGIARISM POLICY
At BCS, it is our firm belief that delegates thrive when given new opportunities and a level playing
field. With this in mind, a strict plagiarism policy has been made by the Secretariat, taking into
consideration the different ways in which unfair means might be used while authoring a formal
document or, in general. With this being said, any reported account of plagiarism will be taken with
utmost seriousness by the

Secretariat. Delegates may report this to their Board members who then will establish if the report
counts as legitimate plagiarism based on the guidelines given below. If found as a valid plagiarism
report, the Secretariat will be informed and action will be taken accordingly. The decision of the
Secretariat in such matters will be final.

A delegate is said to indulge in plagiarism if they:

1. Mislead by stealing documents not authored by them [this includes documents written by third-
party sources such as Artificial Intelligence driven bots and third-party persons] and passes them as
their own document.

2. Reproduce existing paperwork as original and or, incorporates sections of a second paperwork
without permission and/or disclosure.

3. Modify the content of cited papers or reference documents, without proper disclosure.

4. Misdirect the Secretariat or Committee by wrongly citing, quoting, or using an article or reference
work. Wrongful citation includes quoting misleading, unverified and/or invalid sources.

[Note: The amount of plagiarism allowed is a mere 5%. This shall not be changed. Anything over this
limit shall be flagged as plagiarised.]