MUNA
Event
FLAG CEREMONY
The Flag Procession is an important part of MUNA. This is symbolic of the presentation of credentials by real United Nations representatives to the Secretary-General.
Participants are to be at the venue on time, in appropriate attire, ready for the procession. Flags will be allocated by MUNA officials. Please take care and follow instructions given as to how to carry and care for your flag. Flags will be received by the Secretary-General and an assistant will place the flag in a holder (the flags will be on display throughout MUNA). Delegates then proceed to sit at their allocated position in the Model Assembly.
A small flag will be placed on each delegation’s table. This assists the Secretary-General and Diplomatic Couriers to easily located countries in the Assembly.
RULES & PROCEDURES
Download the General Assembly Procedures as a PDF document.
The ‘Spirit’ of MUNA
The Model United Nations Assembly is a learning simulation designed to approximate the UN General Assembly. It is like a production in which delegates, and officers are actors following a script and directions. The MUNA script suggests that delegates are not themselves, but ambassadors of the country they represent.
Like real life ambassadors, they are sworn to represent their country, its government, and its policies. They are required to act with dignity, decorum, and within the UN protocols.
Below are some helpful tips to follow the MUNA script more closely and engage in the ‘Spirit’ of MUNA:
Delegates, MUNA officers and Rotarians should observe the dress code.
Permission to address the Assembly is granted by the Secretary-General
Delegates should open with “Mr or Madam Secretary-General, we the delegates from……”
When addressing the Assembly, a delegate should address only the Secretary-General and nobody else; not fellow delegates, and most certainly not the audience.
If a delegate wants to speak to another country’s delegation, they should use phrases such as:
- “Mr Secretary-General, the country of …(your country)...calls on the country of …(other country)...to agree to this resolution”; or
- “Mr Secretary-General, our government agrees with the statements just made by the delegates from …(other country)...”
When speaking to the Assembly, delegates speak on behalf of their country’s government. It is customary, therefore, to make statements with reference to the country’s government such as “my government believes”, “my government thinks”, or “my government will do this and such” rather than reference to oneself such as I, me, or we.
To give both team members an opportunity to participate in the debates, delegates may take turns, or alternate speeches. Both should stand whilst the other delegate speaks.
When casting a vote in the Assembly, only one member of the delegation stands and raises the voting card, or as instructed by the Secretary-General.
The supervising teacher is expected to ensure that members of the delegation observe the rules and protocols of the Assembly and provide advice where appropriate.