Conduct of the Debate

The start of the first session shall mandatorily get all member and non-member state actors vote in favor to set the agenda which represents the main theme that will be discussed in the WHO council all over the course of the simulation.

The DIAS Committee shall proceed to a Roll Call in the beginning of each session and after each break, to recognize which member and non-member states are being represented in the room

Every delegate not being punctual at the given schedule shall be required to write an apology letter directed to the DIAS, that may or may not accept it. If accepted, the delegate shall report to the DIAS if they are “present”, or “present & voting” before joining the committee session.

During each roll call, each delegate shall specify if they are “Present” or “Present & Voting”. Present is a state that’s given the chairs indication of its presence, and may take part in formal debates and has the choice whether to vote or not on the topic at hand. However, a state that’s Presenting & Voting cannot abstain on voting on all substantial matters until the next roll call

Each delegate shall be recognized by the DIAS before taking the floor to speak.

Plenary Sessions

At the beginning of the first plenary session, each Member State representative shall deliver a pre-made statement of 15 minutes duration on their priorities and expectations from the meeting. Representatives of NSAs are also expected to deliver a pre-made statement of 1 minute duration. Opening speeches should provide for positioning within the committee and should briefly outline a country’s or organization’s stance and objectives in relation to the topic

At the final plenary session, representatives of the Sponsors of the draft resolution present the document to the plenary within 2 minutes The Chair can then open a speaker's list to receive questions or amendments on the draft resolutions, before proceeding to the voting

Speaker's List

After the delegates have presented their opening speeches in the first plenary, a continuously open speaker’s list is to be established for the purpose of formal debate

A speaker’s list will be opened at the beginning of each committee session. Those delegates who wish to speak will be recognized and added to the list

During formal debate, delegates may speak generally on the topic area being considered, may address any draft resolution currently on the floor or may raise procedural or substantive motions and points

During the 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

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

During the course of committee sessions, delegates can raise motions to enter Moderated or Unmoderated Caucuses to proceed with discussing specific matters related to the given topic.

A Moderated Caucus, also called formal discussion, is a format that allows delegates to give speeches around specific sub issues in a determined general and individual speaking time 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 debate shall be chaired by the DIAS

Each delegate willing to take part of the debate shall be recognised to be added to the general speakers list

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 a specific topic). Such a moderated caucus would have enough time for ten speakers

If the general speaking time is exhausted but a delegate is still interested in keeping the discussion going, they shall raise a motion to extend the general speaking only by half of the time firstly dedicated to that specific motion.

An Unmoderated Caucus, also called informal discussion, allows delegates to leave their seats and form groups of discussions with their allies in an unstructured format, and freely exchange ideas without the control of the DIAS

The recommendation for an unmoderated caucus requires a time limit to be made (eg The country of France moves for a 10-minute unmoderated caucus, for the purpose of specific topic).

If the general time allocated for the unmoderated caucus wasn’t enough for delegates, they shall raise a motion to extend the time of the unmoderated caucus only by half of the time firstly dedicated to that informal discussion. Delegates are required to raise two motions to proceed with moderated caucuses before being able to have an unmoderated caucus in committee sessions

A motion to suspend the meeting shall be raised to proceed to a break, and guarantees returning to committee sessions shortly after

A motion to adjourn the meeting shall be raised to postpone debates and proceedings until a later stated time and place.

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 a two-thirds majority decision.

Upon passage of this motion, the Chair shall declare the closure of the 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

Points

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, i.e. a rule of procedure has not been respected by the DIAS. The latter would assess the validity of the point raised immediately. 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 Information: A delegate may raise this point if they have any inquiry to be directed to the actual delegate having the floor. This point may not interrupt a speaker

Right of Reply: A delegate may ask for a right of reply if that delegate feels that the delegate whose speech immediately preceded their demand 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.

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 shall interrupt a speaker in any case, but preferably is to be used in utmost discretion Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: If there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may raise a Point of Inquiry to request clarification on the Rules of Procedure A Point of Inquiry may never interrupt a speaker

Voting Arrangements and Quorum

Council activities and debate shall start when at least one third (1/3) of the delegates are present, which is called the Quorum. This will be verified through the roll call that will be carried out by the DIAS Voting on substantive matters required two third (2/3) majority.

Roll Call Vote

During a roll call vote delegates are called upon in alphabetical order Each delegate then shall answer with either “Present” or “Present & Voting”.

Voting on Procedural Matters

Apart from the final voting on a draft resolution and amendments, all voting done at the simulation will be considered procedural voting Procedural votes require a simple majority to pass implying that 50% plus one vote (+1) of the council should vote in favor for the matter to pass. If the vote is a tie, the matter on which the delegates are voting on won’t pass No abstentions are permitted.

Voting on Substantive Matters

The only substantive voting at the simulation will be the final voting on draft resolutions, amendments and division of the questions Passage requires affirmative votes from two-thirds of the total number of voting delegates Abstentions do not affect the consensus quorum required for passage. Abstentions are only allowed in the case of substantive matters