PRE-WHO SIMULATION WORKSHOP 102 WHO SIMULATION BANGLADESH (WHOSB) #BeBangladeshWHO
Info@BangladeshWHO.org
www.BangladeshWHO.org
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Forewords With an increasingly globalizing world, it has become even more important to come together globally to discuss and debate the future of our planet, health, and international relations in one frame. If global health, public policy, international relations or climate change interest you, consider joining WHO Simulation Bangladesh. Absolutely NO previous experience is necessary to apply, but participants will gain invaluable knowledge through simulation while debating with other undergraduate and graduate students. Our expert speakers with international exposures will also entertain the participants with new paradigms of diplomacy in science, healthcare, climate change, environmental crisis globally.
Mission To form university, college & school chapters and model-WHO conferences, or simulations of the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly, across the Nation & South Asia.
Goals • Initiate student engagement in health policy advocacy, • Create an atmosphere allowing students to form life-long networking & connections with similarly passionate individuals, • Enrich the educational curriculum through interactive experiences with global institutions such as the World Health Organization, • And convene students interested in various departments like global studies, global health, healthcare policy, and public policy to discuss and exchange ideas.
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER Dear WHO Simulation enthusiasts’
Welcome to the World Health Organization Simulation Bangladesh! I am deeply humbled by the response of students nationwide to the country’s first ever WHO simulation-based organization, founded at the Dhaka Medical College premises. The College’s great prestige and long-standing achievements in National health provided an excellent atmosphere for such an innovative and educational organization, and I look forward to witnessing the spread of WHOSB throughout the country. I had the opportunity to represent Bangladesh at Asia Pacific Regional Meeting 2017 at Tokyo Japan where I was exposed to medical student’s all over the Asia Pacific & beyond. I came to know about Taiwan WHO, Thailand WHO & Malaysian WHO Simulation from my Friends there. Whereas I had been working on constituting the WHO Simulation ROPs for Bangladesh since I came to know about the Edmonton & Calgary WHO Simulation from Dr Shahriar Rozen, Policy Analyst, Government of Alberta. I would humbly recall Dr Bulbul Ahmed, Technical Specialist at WHO & Public Health Wing, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Bangladesh & Dr Taufique Joardar, Adjunct Associate Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, USA for all their sincere guidance. All these together really broadened my understanding of global health affairs, diplomatic relations and the World Health Assembly, and I understood how necessary such knowledge was for me and my fellow global health workforce delegates. The realization I had of the lack of model-WHO conference within Bangladesh directed me to the path of creating this organization. I aim for WHOSB to create two things: chapters within all universities, colleges & schools to improve global health education, and a yearly conference with an environment similar to that of the World Health Assembly, all to educate future global health leaders in the proceedings of international health entities. I intend for this organization to nurture an interest in global health and global health policy often neglected in a standard health education curriculum. Students will receive the opportunity to sharpen their diplomacy skills, as well as increase their ability to engage in problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills through a WHO Simulation Conference. The ultimate goal is educational, where delegates will have the chance to learn about pertinent global health issues through the lens of their respective roles. With prior research, they will understand health policy, develop their leadership, public speaking and organizational skills, and grasp the tools needed for global health diplomacy. I hope WHO Simulation Bangladesh provides an opportunity that goes far beyond any classroom teaching and furthers national global health education. The WHOSB Board of Directors, Secretariat, and I look forward to helping you establish a chapter in your university, college & school and expanding your evergrowing knowledge of global health affairs. Sincerely,
ALLAMA ISTESAN IKARUS President & Founder, World Health Organization Simulation Bangladesh (WHOSB) Isteshan.ikar@hotmail.com | +8801830743356
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WHAT IS A WHO SIMULATION? The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on April 7, 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group. Its predecessor, the Health Organization, was an agency of the League of Nations. The World Health Assembly is the legislative and supreme body of WHO. Based in Geneva, it typically meets yearly in May. It appoints the Director-General every five years, and votes on matters of policy and finance of WHO, including the proposed budget. It also reviews reports of the Executive Board and decides whether there are areas of work requiring further examination. A WHO Simulation is just what it sounds like: a simulation of a meeting of the WHO World Health Assembly (which will be referred to as the General Assembly or GA in this guide). This means that delegates come prepared to take on the role of a representative from a certain country, company, NGO, the press or an important individual, and, while staying true to that role, debate, discuss, and write up motions known as resolutions, that are to be voted on by the committee. The topics to be discussed are global health topics — past, present, or future — and delegates have the opportunity to think of solutions to enduring global health issues. What’s more, WHO simulations are political simulations, which means that delegates, in pursuing their roles, will come into conflict, make allies and enemies, engage in public and back-room dealing, cajole and coerce, compromise and stand their ground, and use all the other tricks of the diplomatic trade to attain the goals inherent in their individual roles. The style of debate itself is also simulated: at the front of the room, a dais - those who chair the committee - conduct the debate according to correct UN procedure. This provides not only an extra level of immersion, but a way to keep a meeting of more than a hundred delegates running smoothly. To sum it all up, a WHO Simulation is a Model United Nations (Model UN) focused on the work of the WHO; it is a global health conference meant to simulate the political, social, cultural and economic realities that define the world of global health policy and diplomacy. Finally, the simulation is targeted towards future health professionals, but should be open to students from many programs, to encourage inter-professional education and collaboration.
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WHO at a glance
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What is a WHO Simulation trying to achieve? The ultimate goal of a WHO Simulation is educational. Delegates will have the chance to learn about global health issues, and to see those issues through the lens of each country they deal with at the simulation. Beyond the facts, which delegates will not only conduct research but will have a chance to really get a feel for the economic, social, cultural, and political context surrounding global health issues. Delegates will learn to both read and write global health policy, develop their leadership, public speaking and organizational skills, and begin to grasp the skills needed for global health diplomacy (such as knowing the facts, knowing one’s allies and ‘enemies’, learning to read people and having good interpersonal skills, etc.). These skills are cultivated not by learning about them, but by practicing them, and as such the simulation provides an opportunity that goes far beyond any classroom teaching or literature based research project. In addition, the speakers and workshops that are often offered by WHO Simulations are a great opportunity for delegates to hear from people on the frontlines of global health policy. Furthermore, this event is, in an important way, a social event that allows students from different walks of life, different programs (future health professionals, political scientists, economists, etc.) and holding different convictions to come together, meet each other, and perhaps found friendships and partnerships that could one day change the world of global health. Finally, delegates are expected to produce resolutions by the end of the simulation, which aim to be real answers to real problems.
Why is it important? Many future health & professionals get very little exposure to the politics that, in the end, shape the way they will practice. This makes it difficult for health professionals to fulfill their roles as advocates, because many do not have a firm grasp on the political process and the skills needed to succeed in it. The WHO Simulation fills this gap in our education, and serves as a call to health professionals and students from other domains to stand up and become active in the domain of health policy. In addition, the simulation helps to provide perspective: delegates are asked to represent a country or organization whose views, ideas, and methods may stray far from their own. And yet, delegates must take on these roles; in so doing they will be able to learn more about other countries or cultures, about the interests and goals that drive them, and about the specific challenges they face. This will breed understanding, though not necessarily acceptance, and will give delegates who have never really thought about other countries or cultures a chance to learn about them. In this way, the simulation serves as a portal to the world of health diplomacy and is an opportunity, we believe, that should be provided to as many students & professionals as possible.
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Structure & Objective of a WHO Simulation The organizing committee can decide who they would like to participate in the WHO Simulation- that is, if they are going to restrict it to one city, to a province, or open up registration for national or even international participants. This in turn depends on the size of the simulation. A small WHO Simulation with only 60 persons might only invite delegates from one city or province; a medium one with 100+ persons and several committees may invite national or international participation. In addition, it is highly recommended to not just invite medical student or public health members - all future health professionals, and students of other subjects, should ideally be invited in order to enrich the experience and provide an opportunity for interprofessional education.
The organizers would aim to have high level speakers and experts on the theme invited, to give talks but also be available to debate the topics with participants. In addition, WHO Simulations should also serve as a sort of training ground for delegates, so they can get ready to participate in real WHO Meetings, such as the World Health Assembly or Regional Committees. As such, care should be taken by organizers to ensure that effort is put into offering training for delegates on diplomatic skills, health advocacy, and WHO debate procedure.
The objective of each committee within a WHO Simulation is to produce either written documents (Resolutions, Guidelines or Reports) or solutions to a Crisis, or both, depending on the type of committee
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Structure of a WHO Simulation Committees are the heart of the WHO Simulation experience, and any simulation can have these committee types:
A. The General Assembly (GA)
This is the main committee, modeled after the World Health Assembly. Absolutely every simulation must have at least a GA. The GA debates general WHO topics, usually one theme per WHO Simulation with several subtopics contained within the theme (see the section on Themes and Theme Guides). The theme of the GA is also generally (but not always) the theme of the simulation as a whole, and the speakers and any other committees should relate to this theme in some way. Again, the goal is for delegates to debate the topic in question and then write up resolutions aimed at addressing these topics. Delegates usually first meet in regional blocks (often for 3 sessions) and then gather together in a Plenary to produce and debate resolutions. The regional blocks gather countries from the same geographical area to discuss the theme and come up with draft regional resolutions that will usually be incomplete, because most nations’ allies and trade partners include countries from other regions. During Plenary delegates will seek out their allies from other regions, flesh out their resolutions or even create new ones, and merge similar resolutions. A note on merging resolutions: the dais (the chairs of the committee) may decide that two resolutions are similar enough and ask the delegates who have written them to merge them. There are usually 3 Plenary sessions, and in the last one the committee usually enters voting procedure, where all the resolutions are voted on. The voting procedure is explained below. In GAs, delegates represent countries, reporters from the press, NGOs, philanthropists, etc. but not individual people (i.e., not ministers or health officials).
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The general flow of the general assembly is as follows: the chairs will either open a speaker’s list (a list of people wishing to make prepared speeches that will be pursued in order) or a moderated caucus (delegates wishing to speak more freely and enter direct debate are recognized by the chair and are then allowed to speak). Chairs must be careful to make sure that all delegates have a chance to speak. In the GA, a debate will begin that will highlight some of the points that are most important to the delegates present. Some delegates may wish for a moderated caucus about specific issues, to focus debate. Eventually, there will have been enough debate that delegates will want to start working on their ideas for resolutions. At this point the committee will likely move into an unmoderated caucus, a mini-recess where delegates can stand up, talk to their allies, and start writing their resolutions. The committee is then called to order, the speaker’s list or moderated caucus is started up again, and the cycle repeats itself until the resolutions are ready to be voted on. It is important to note is that, if there is only one theme, delegates should be allowed to discuss any part of that theme at any time; chairs do not need to try and steer the conversation - except when the committee is making no progress on a particular point. At those times the chair may suggest that delegates move to another point. If there are multiple themes (which is rare) or if the single theme is particularly broad, it is very possible that delegates will not have time to discuss everything. This must simply be accepted - the same thing happens in the real world. Not all issues can be addressed, debated, and solved in a few days. It is up to delegates to guide their own discussions and to decide what is important to them. Indeed, some countries may, as part of their worldview, attempt to actively avoid speaking about or addressing certain issues; as such, seeing which issues get left behind is part of the “fun” of watching the dynamic of the delegates. Many international meetings are defined not by what they say, but by what they do not. Thus, chairs must maintain a careful balance: they must keep debate on track, and keep it from going off-topic, but at the same time they cannot guide the overall progression of the discussion. That is for the delegates to decide, collectively and whether they realize it or not. It is important to note that, during the regional block sessions, delegates should be free to roam between the regional blocks in order to get a head start on Plenary negotiations. This is especially true for reporters, industry and NGO representatives.
As a rule, country delegates are the only delegates with voting rights at the GA. NGO representatives and company representatives are observers - they have speaking rights, and are allowed to place a limited number (determined by the organizers) of seals of approval on resolutions, but they may not vote on substantive or procedural matters. Reporters may not speak or vote; instead, they interview delegates and put together news stories that are presented to the delegates. To keep things interesting, the GA may have crisis elements; for example, the reporters might leak a story about a secret deal between two delegates, or the organizing committee can create a scandal implicating several delegates. Press conferences on specific issues of contention involving the on-the-spot questioning by reporters of high-profile delegates are always a good idea, especially if the organizing committee is able to film the press conference and play it back to the committee.
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B. Crisis Committee These are smaller committees aimed at solving a particular crisis situation which evolves over time and which reacts to the actions of delegates. The crisis may be current, historical or imagined, and the committee does not need to be a real committee of the WHO (often, we just call made-up committees “ad-hoc” committees, and say that they have been convened for the express purpose of solving the current crisis). Delegates may be countries, individuals, NGO or company representatives, etc. The crisis may be single (one room of delegates), double-joint (two rooms of delegates, often working against each other), triplejoint (three rooms), etc. The crisis committee is very special, as it involves humanitarian, health, political, military and social aspects. Delegates may be asked to stop the spread of a virus, to help refugees in a warzone, etc. and in dealing with these complex problems they will be given freedom to suggest to their home government to take action on the ground. For example, in stopping the spread of a virus they may quarantine a whole nation via naval blockade and a no-fly zone; to help refugees, they may create a coalition of nations that will enter the region as peacekeepers, escorting aid workers. As stated above, their actions will have consequences - the quarantine might fail, or lead to the death of innocents.
The trick, for crises, is that the crisis must be something that evolves quickly. Something like a pandemic, or a conflict producing many refugees - not something slow, like the widening gap between rich and poor. That being said, the time that passes in each committee session can be manipulated by the organizing committee, so that a few weeks, months, and in rare cases, years, may pass during and between sessions. The crisis itself is controlled by a small team within the organizing committee known as the Crisis team, led by the Crisis team leader. They will be responsible for planning the crisis before the WHO Simulation, deciding on the general twists and turns the crisis will take, and changing the story to respond to the actions of delegates. They decide the consequences of the delegates’ actions, and also act as “home government”, the entity that must approve all requests for action by delegates. The team may brief delegates on new developments at any time, putting out press releases, videos, or acting as experts, humanitarian or military personnel and running briefing sessions. These committees are all about creativity, and the more creative the crisis team, the better! Crisis committees are always either in moderated or unmoderated caucus. However, crisis committees do not have to produce resolutions: they must instead write directives, simple notes to the chair delineating specific actions the committee wants to take. Delegates may also attempt to undertake unilateral action through personal directives sent to the Crisis team. Now, crisis committees may produce resolutions, but generally the crisis moves too quickly and there is no time to put properly worded resolutions together. As long as two other delegates agree to debate the directive it will be presented before the committee for debate and to be voted on.
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Notes and note passing: While in session delegates will usually communicate with each other by written notes. These notes are passed around by returning officers, volunteers who bravely accept the role of messenger for a day. Delegates will write their note, fold the page, and write who the note was from and who it is meant for. Delegates will then hold the note up until the returning officer comes and takes it. Importantly, chairs may wish to see all notes if they fear that someone is being inappropriate or if they are in a crisis committee and would like to know what all the delegates are doing. The chair may simply request returning officers to show them all notes before passing them to their intended recipients. Delegates may also pass another form of note: the note to home government. This note will be marked “to the home government of country X� and will be given by the returning officer to the chair, crisis team, theme team, or whatever other organizing committee member has been given the responsibility of acting as the home government. The purpose of these notes is explained in the section on delegates. Laptops and other electronic devices: Each WHO Simulation can make its own rules regarding electronic devices. This being the Information Age, delegates should be allowed and encouraged to use laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc. to write resolutions and perform research. Delegates should only communicate via electronic devices on approved forums, such as twitter feeds, facebook pages. That way, the conversations add to the simulation. Of course, there is no way to stop delegates from emailing each other clandestinely - but then again, back-room deals are part of real life and add their own flair to the simulation. That being said, if no one is speaking because they are all hiding behind laptops checking facebook for other non-related purposes, then the Chair may ban all electronics for a period of their choosing.
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DEBATE The COMMITTEE is composed of Delegates as well as the Dais. The Dais is composed of a Chairperson (referred to as Chair) and one or more Vice-Chairpersons (referred to as Vice-Chair).
Role of the dais members The Chair declares the opening and closing of each committee session. The Chair has control of committee proceedings during the simulation and will moderate the discussion, announce decisions, rule on any points or motions, and enforce the rules. The Chair can temporarily transfer his or her duties to any other member of the Dais. Procedural matters are subject to the discretion of the Chair. The Chair may take any action that is not covered in the Rules of Procedure in order to facilitate the flow of debate. The Vice-Chair assists the Chair with procedural matters during the course of the committee sessions. The Vice Chair also helps delegates write working papers, edits them for format and approves their content; the Vice-Chair may suggest to delegates that they alter or combine their working papers in order to make them more appropriate to the topic at hand. The Vice-Chair must approve all working papers before they can become Draft Resolutions.
THE GOVERNMENTAL ACTORS are constituted by the country delegates. The country delegates seek to pursue the interests of their country. They are the only delegates who can vote in favor of or against the proposed resolution papers; they can thus use such authority to negotiate and compromise with the other countries and the non-governmental actors.
THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ACTORS
include a representative a non-governmental organization or an industry representative. A non-governmental actor has the same rights as a full member except that he or she may not vote on substantive matters or be a sponsor to resolutions. Delegates representing nongovernmental organizations will have access to certain unique procedural actions, as follows:
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(1) Oral Statements to Committee: non-governmental actors may submit a written appeal to his or her chair explaining the topic and intention of the proposed statement (maximum 3 minutes). The chair will then, at his or her discretion, interrupt the normal flow of debate to introduce the delegate. (2) Circulation of written pronouncements: non-governmental actors may submit to the chair a written pronouncement of no more than 500 words, addressing the position and work of his or her organization. This pronouncement will then, at the discretion of the chair, be distributed throughout the committee. (3) Seals of Approval: NGOs and industry delegates get to place certain seals of approval on draft resolutions. Every draft resolution will have a “Public-Private Feasibility Scale” (for industry) and a “Transparency and Accountability Index” (for NGOs). Seals of approval will be given out by delegates based on whether or not they think the draft resolutions meet their interests. a. Each Industry Representative is able to give 1 seal of approval per regional block, for a total of 4. b. Each NGO Representative is able to give 2 seals of approval per regional block, for a total of 8. c. The % of NGOs or Industry Representatives that approve a certain draft resolution is converted into a scale and published on the resolution. For example, if 3 NGOs give their seal of approval to Resolution 1.1, out of the 6 NGOs total, then Resolution 1.1 would receive a Transparency and Accountability Index score of 3/6 or 0.5 or 50%. d. Any draft resolution may still move on into the plenary, regardless of whether it has a score or not. However, seals of approval by either NGOs or Industry Representatives can only be assigned in the regional blocks, and can only be moved in the plenary. For example, if MSF only approved 6 resolutions, and it is now time to debate in the plenary, MSF cannot add their remaining 2 seals of approval to any other resolutions. They can however, easily move one of their 6 seals of approval onto a different resolution in the plenary.
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CONDUCT OF PROCEDINGS REGIONAL BLOCKS are committees with only delegates of a specific region. There are six regional blocks: Africa, Americas, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean Region, South- East Asia and Western Pacific. However, delegates are free to move around between regional blocks as they wish. Non-governmental actors may speak in any regional block, but governmental actors may only speak in their regional block. The Committee proceedings during the Regional Blocks will be conducted in Moderated Caucus format. During a moderated caucus, the Chair asks those delegates wishing to speak to raise their placards. The Chair will then recognize a delegate for remarks not exceeding the amount of time allotted. Once the delegate has completed their remarks, the Chair will ask whether Delegates have any points of motions. The points and motions that can be made will be described below. If no points of motions are made, the next speaker will be chosen. Delegates also have the option of entering an unmoderated caucus, as described below.
PLENARY SESSION is the committee that includes all delegates of the GA. Hence, it is a larger committee than the regional blocks. During the Plenary Session, committee proceedings will involve the use of a Speaker’s List.
SPEAKER'S LIST is the list that the Chair will open at the beginning of each committee session. Those delegates who wish to speak will be recognized and added to the list. Those who wish to be added later during the session may send a note to the Dais. During the Plenary Session, delegates may motion to enter a moderated or unmoderated caucus, as described below. The Chair may specify the allotted speaking time to each speaker, alternatively, delegates may motion to set the speaking time or to increase/decrease the existing time. If the time allotted is exceeded the Chair will call the delegate to order
POINTS POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Personal Privilege and the Chair shall immediately address the point. A Point of Personal Privilege must refer to a matter of personal comfort or safety and/or the well-being of the members of the committee. For example, if a delegate is unable to hear the speaker. A Point of Personal Privilege may interrupt a speaker. POINT OF ORDER: During the discussion of any matter, a delegate may raise a Point of Order and the Chair shall immediately consider the request. A Point of Order must relate to the rules of the committee or to the way the Chair is exercising his or her power. A delegate raising a Point of Order may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion. A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker. POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY: If there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may raise a Point of Inquiry to request clarification on procedure. A Point of Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker. RIGHT TO REPLY: A delegate may ask for a right of reply if that delegate feels that the delegate whose speech immediately preceded their demanding of a right of reply directly attacked them or the dignity of their nation. If the chair grants the right of reply, the delegate who feels that they or their nation have been attacked may speak for 30 seconds in response to the perceived attack. PRE-WHO SIMULATION WORKSHOP 102
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MOTIONS A MOTION is a proposal to change the flow of debate by changing the format of the debate, moving onto voting, or closing the debate. 1.MOTION TO ENDER A MODERATED CAUCUS
The purpose of a MODERATED CAUCUS is to allow delegates who are actively involved in the current committee proceedings to make their comments to the body without having to wait for their turn on the speaker’s list. The moderated caucus allows more delegates to speak within a shorter time frame than the speaker’s list, thus stimulating discussion and clarifying the positions of delegates involved. The motion for a moderated caucus must include a time limit for delegate remarks and a time limit for the entire caucus (e.g. The Country of France moves for a five-minute moderated caucus with a 30-second speaking time, for the purpose of specific topic). Such a moderated caucus would have enough time for ten speakers. During moderated caucuses, the chair shall recognize delegates for remarks without the use of a speakers list. To motion for a moderated caucus is only in order during the plenary session; in the regional blocs the default is to be in a moderated caucus. In the plenary, once the time for the moderated caucus has expired, the committee session will return to either moderated caucus format or the speaker’s list.
2.MOTION TO ENDER AN UNMODERATED CAUCUS An UNMODERATED CAUCUS allows delegates to leave their seats and meet as groups in a unstructured format to discuss the progress of the committee session as well as continue editing working papers. The recommendation for an unmoderated caucus requires a time limit to be made (e.g. The country of France moves for a 10-minute unmoderated caucus, for the purpose of specific topic). Unmoderated caucuses allow delegates to have informal discussions. Once the time for the unmoderated caucus has expired, the committee session will return to either moderated caucus format or the speaker’s list. 3.CLOSURE OF DEBATE A delegate may at any time during the final committee session move for the closure of debate on the item under discussion, after which the debate will end and all draft resolutions and amendments will be put to an immediate vote. Permission to speak on the closure of debate shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the closure, after which the motion shall be immediately put to a vote. This motion requires two thirds majority decision. Upon passage of this motion, the Chair shall declare the closure of debate and immediately move into voting procedure on the substantive proposals introduced and pending before the committee. The Committee shall also close debate and move into voting procedure when the speaker’s list has been exhausted.
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ORDER OF PRECEDURAL MOTIONS The motions below shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions before the committee and may interrupt the speaker: 1. Point of Personal Privilege 2. Point of Order All other points shall be considered in the order they are made or at the chair’s discretion.
ARTICLES 1.REGIONAL BLOCKS A.CHARTER: A Charter is a set of two to four adopted Resolutions that serve as sub-themes on a single theme. The Charter should seek to provide an overarching vision for how the issues in the theme can be addressed. B.WORKING PAPER/DRAFT RESOLUTIONS: During the Regional Blocks, delegates will be working with other members of their Block to write WORKING PAPERS, which are essentially lists of ideas for solutions to the problems being discussed that are not structured in Draft Resolution format. Working papers shall be submitted to the Vice-Chair for approval. All submissions must have the proper number of authors (called sponsors). Industry representatives or NGOs may allocate their seals of approval onto working papers in a regional block. Industry representatives are limited to approving 1 working paper per regional block, while NGOs are limited to approving 2 working papers per regional block. Seals of approval may be allocated by informing the dais through a note, during unmoderated caucus, or by speaking during a moderated caucus. 2.PLENARY SESSION Delegates may bring the working papers to the Plenary Session, where they will put them into formal DRAFT RESOLUTION format with the help of the committee Vice- Chairs. Draft Resolutions and amendments shall be submitted to the Vice-Chair on the draft resolution forms given to delegates in committee. All submissions must have the proper number of sponsors (at least 3) and signatories (20 percent of countries present in committee). A Sponsor is a delegate who has contributed to the writing of a draft resolution and fully agrees with all the clauses. A signatory however, does not have to fully agree with the contents of the draft resolution. The delegate that signs a draft resolution as a SIGNATORY simply agrees that the resolution should be discussed in the committee session. After a draft resolution is introduced, additional sponsors can be added only if all existing sponsors of a resolution agree; signatories may not be removed once a resolution has been introduced. During the course of the Plenary Session, delegates may also propose amendments to Draft Resolutions that have been presented. Once the dais approves the formatting, and the document has been distributed, the Chair will recognize a motion to introduce the Draft Resolution, described below. PRE-WHO SIMULATION WORKSHOP 102
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INTRODUCING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS Once the Vice-Chair has approved a draft resolution, a delegate may raise a motion to introduce the draft resolution. The motion is automatically approved and does not require a vote. The content of the introduction shall be limited to summarize the operative clauses of the draft resolution. After the draft resolution is introduced, the Chair will move into a five-minute question and answer session, during which delegates may question the sponsors about the draft resolution’s content. Questions asked must specifically pertain to the substantive matters raised in the draft resolution. Time used to ask questions will not be deducted from the 5 minutes. Additional questions and comments regarding the resolution are encouraged to be raised through the speakers list or through moderated caucus. Seals of approval previously allocated by industry and NGOs representatives in the regional blocks may be moved around introduced draft resolutions in the plenary until they are voted upon. Seals of approval may be moved by informing the dais either through a note, at unmoderated caucus, or by speaking when called upon during moderated caucus.
AMENDMENTS An AMENDMENT is a clarification or a change to a draft resolution that incorporates additional interests or concerns into a formally submitted resolution. Acceptable amendments include: addition of a word or phrase, deletion of a word or phrase, and/or a combination of addition and deletion. Unacceptable amendments include: amendment of perambulatory clauses, and/or amendments that change the entire intent of the resolution. Both friendly and unfriendly amendments require the approval of the Chair. An amendment is considered friendly if all sponsors of the initial draft resolution agree to its inclusion. Such an amendment is adopted automatically. The committee votes unfriendly amendments on once debate has closed. An unfriendly amendment must have the approval of the Vice- Chair and the signatures of 20 percent of the committee. Amendments to amendments are out of order.
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VOTING A.METHODS OF DECISION: All procedural decisions, except for the closure of debate, shall be made by a simple majority of the delegations present. Delegations physically present in the committee may not abstain on procedural motions. Decisions on draft resolutions and amendments shall require a simple majority in favor. B.VOTING RIGHTS: On procedural motions, members may not abstain. Each present delegation shall have one vote. Observing nations, industry representatives, journalists and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) cannot vote on substantive matters. Each vote may be a Yes, No or Abstain.
C.CONDUCT WHILE IN VOTING PROCEDURE: After the Chair has announced the beginning of voting on the draft resolutions, no representatives may enter or leave the room, nor shall any representative interrupt the voting except on a Point of Personal Privilege, Parliamentary Inquiry or Order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting. Communication between delegates is strictly forbidden. D.METHOD OF VOTING: Delegations may vote in favor of or against a proposal or may abstain from voting. The committee shall normally vote by show of placards, but any delegate may request a roll-call vote on substantive matters. During a roll-call vote, delegations may answer with an affirmative vote, a negative vote or an abstention (when appropriate). Delegations that appear to be voting out of policy, while casting an affirmative or negative vote, may reserve the right to explain their vote by Voting with Rights. Delegations must announce that they are Voting with Rights at the time they cast their vote. The Chair may permit delegations Voting with Rights to explain their votes after voting has concluded but before the decision has been announced. A roll call vote on procedural matter is never in order. E.ORDER OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS:If two or more draft resolutions are introduced to the committee then they shall be voted on in the order in which they have been submitted. F.VOTING ON UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENTS: During the voting procedure on a substantive proposal, unfriendly amendments to a resolution shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments are proposed to a resolution concurrently, the committee shall vote on the amendments in the order in which they are presented. Where, however, the adoption of the amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment (as decided by the Chair), the latter amendment shall not be put to a vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. G.PASSAGE OF RESOLUTIONS: If a vote does not result in a simple majority in favor, the resolution shall be regarded as rejected. A simple majority is defined as more votes in favor than opposed. Therefore, a motion fails on a tie vote. Any number of abstentions may not cause a motion to fail.
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RESOLUTION WRITING
Resolutions are the basic decisions or declarations of the different organisms of the United Nations. These, and any amendments made to them, are the result of debates between countries and, if passed, essentially become part of international law. They must be presented by several sponsors-or authors. Approving certain resolutions shows the world the stance of the committee. In general, resolutions are consequences of the politics of the countries involved and can take the form of treaties, declarations or conventions. They can be vary from general statements to legislation directed to organizations or specific countries. They can condemn the actions of a country, make a collective call to action or, in the case of the Security Council, call for military or economic sanctions. Amendments can add to, change, or subtract from the original resolution. Resolutions are prepared by groups at the simulation and should be thoroughly debated. Presenting resolutions and amendments that take in account various views about a topic helps the delegates to develop a better approach to the topics dealt with by the committee and they make the approval of the resolution more likely. A broad consensus helps to ensure that an amendment or a resolution will be easily approved. Resolutions should be as realistic as possible- though that does not mean they cannot be ambitious and far-reaching! Resolutions have a very particular formatting which must be respected for a resolution to be accepted by the chairs. As it is written, the resolution must be divided in two parts: the preambulatory clauses and the operative clauses. The preamble attempts to provide context for and justify the actions that the committee is going to take. Preambulatory clauses cannot be amended. Generally, the preamble may refer to the UN charter or to the previous resolutions. It also makes declarations about the purposes (or objectives) of the resolution. The preamble may also cite data, reaffirm global values, and provide general or specific context for the resolution. PRE-WHO SIMULATION WORKSHOP 102
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Each sentence of the preamble should begin with passive words, such as:
Q
The operative part is the part that outlines the intended actions or stances to be taken. Each sentence should commence with an active verb and should be an idea presented in a logical progression. Sentences may start with words such as:
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Note: words like “demands” or “requires” are very strong and should not be used by the World Health Assembly (GA). Rather, they are more suited to crisis committees or specialized agencies, when these are more powerful bodies, and when they actually need to produce resolutions. Under any case they should be declarations or thoughts that are not related. They should treat uniquely with a specific aspect of the problem. Each line should be numerated. A Well Written resolution demonstrates: 1. Familiarity with the problem: measures previously taken and the background of the problem. 2. Clarity: The arguments must be specific and clear. 3. Good use of space: Each point and phrase must have a purpose. 4. Good Presentation: Without grammar faults and well formatted
Format: A well-written resolution — which is in essence one long sentence — should follow the following format: The heading should be on the left side with capital, bold letters, in Times New Roman Font, size 14 in the superior part of the page, with the topic and resolution number (1.1, 1.2, etc… depending on when the resolution was submitted. If there is more than one theme or topic, the second topic’s resolution will be numbered 2.1, 2.2, and so on). Below this, the name of the committee should appear. Two lines below the heading the content of the resolution will start, in Times New Roman font, size 12. The preambulatory and operative phrases (the words that start the sentence) will be underlined. A line will be put between paragraphs and/or points. Each line will be numbered, starting from the first line of the preamble.
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Sample Resolution Resolution 1.1 Topic: Climate Change and Health Committee: General Assembly
Preambulatory Clauses The 2014 NorWHO World Health Assembly, Recalling resolution WHA61.19 on Climate change and health, WHA51.29 on the protection of human health from risks related to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion, Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC, and the Copenhagen summit on climate change; Recognising the importance of sustainability for future health outcomes implemented by ensuring water security; managing air quality; conserving and managing natural resources and biodiversity; ensuring human and environmental bio safety; Acknowledging that freedom from hunger is a fundamental human right and that food insecurity is one of the gravest affronts to human dignity, and that with climate change, food security is becoming increasingly compromised;
Operative Clauses 1. With regards to the health effects of climate change: 1.1. Calls upon all WHO member states to strengthen health systems to prevent and treat communicable diseases directly linked to climate change such as vector-, water- and foodborne diseases, along with diseases, which are worsened by climate change (e.g. HIV/AIDS). This should be done through partnerships with local civil societies, government institutions and medical professionals; 2. With regards to policies on education: 2.3. Urges education through structured teaching sessions on the health hazards of climate change to be incorporated into medical and general curricula in member states; 3. Regarding the supply of water and sanitation: 3.3. Affirms the importance of desalination of seawater: 3.3.1. As a highly promising solution for droughts, given the vast volumes of salt water in proximity to some of the most drought-affected regions representing an untapped resource for drinking and irrigation water; 3.3.2. As a solution to saline intrusion into rivers and groundwater caused by rising sea levels; Source: Extracts from “Resolution on Climate Change and Health - NorWHO 2014�
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