UNOOSA-Topic-Guide-2.Pdf
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1 2 Dear Delegates, My name is Justin Yap, and I am currently a third year at the University of California, Davis majoring in Biological Science, and double minoring in Human Physiology and Global Disease Biology. I am originally from Singapore, moved to Beijing, China at age 7, where I completed my High School at Tsinghua International School of Beijing, after which I moved to Davis. I love to do orchestration and conducting, screenplay writing, as well as architectural design and discussing politics and arts. Fun fact about me, I am currently a transit driver at UC Davis, working at our student-run transport company! I have been involved in MUN for about twelve years now, during which I focused on chairing for most of the conferences. I am currently experimenting with different methods of rules and parliamentary procedures to understand and learn to create a proper standardized guideline for consistency and clarity. Having said, my passion for the law since young has given me the opportunity to shine in Student Government and Model United Nations. The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs has remained behind the platform for many years, discussing significant issues with no widespread recognition. Recently, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) hosted the UNISPACE +50 convention to consider the platform for “interrelationship 1 between major space-faring nations and merging space nations.” The discussion sparked the idea of sustainability and exploration outside of planet Earth, which is why this committee will be focusing on developing fruitful resolutions to address innovative ideas among Member states. I hope that this committee will lead to multilateral diplomacy, persuasive and influential debates, as well as bonding and enriching experiences within this conference. I cannot wait to meet every Member States, and I wish you a great academic year! Justin Yap Head Chair 1 “Fifty Years since the First United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1968 - 2018): UNISPACE+50.” United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs , 2018, www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/unispaceplus50/index.html. 3 ADMINISTRATION Language All proceedings shall be conducted in English. Delegates wishing to address the committee in any other language must provide for translation. Devices Delegates are not permitted to use laptops, smartphones, or other electronic devices while the committee is in session. However, permission to do so briefly may be granted to individual delegates by the Chair upon request. Attire All delegates must wear western business attire. Administration The proceedings of the committee will be moderated by the dias staff consisting of chair and his/her various vice chairs. Decorum The Chairman fully expects all members of his/her high command to behave courteously during the proceedings of committee. If any committee members engage in ad hominem attacks, the chair may recognize a right of reply if submitted in writing by a delegate/ RULES OF DEBATE Flow of Debate Speaker’s List The default form of debate will be a speaker’s list with 1-minute speaking times. A motion is required to open the speakers’ list. Moderated Caucus Delegates are welcome to motion a moderated caucus with a specific time limit and on a particular topic. Unmoderated Caucus Unmoderated caucuses, during which the Chair does not moderate the proceedings, are to be used as a time for lobbying for support and drafting of committee documents. They can be started or extended by motions to do so. Points There are four points that may be raised by all delegates 4 Point of Order A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker and can be raised when the delegate believes the rules of procedures have been violated. The chair will stop the proceedings of the committee and ask the delegate to provide warranted arguments for which rules of procedures has been violated. Point of Personal A Point of Personal Privilege may be raised when a delegate’s ability to Privilege participate in debate is impaired for any physical or logistical reasons (for instance, if the speaker is not audible). This point may interrupt a speech, and the dias will immediately try to resolve the difficulty. Points of Parliamentary This Point may be raised by a delegate who wishes to clarify any Rule of Inquiry Procedure with the Chair. It may not interrupt a speaker, and a delegate rising to this point may not make any substantive statements or arguments. Point of Information As the name suggests, this Point may be raised by a delegate to bring substantive information to the notice of the Committee. If may not interrupt a speaker and must contain only a statement of some new fact that may have relevance to debate. Arguments and analyses may not be made by delegates rising to this point. A Point of Information may also be used to ask questions of a speaker on the General Speakers’ List Motions Motions control the flow of debate in the committee. A delegate may raise a motion when the Chair opens the flow for Points or Motions and require a vote to be passed. Procedural motions, unless mentioned otherwise below, requires a simple majority to pass. Motion for Moderated This Motion begins a moderated caucus and must specify the topic, the time per Caucus speaker, and the total time for the proposed caucus. The bulk of debating will likely be conducted through the moderated caucus. Motion to Introduce A delegate may move to introduce after the elapse of a passed moderated caucus or any time after a speech during the perpetual moderated caucus. A successful motion to introduce essentially puts the document on the floor to be debated by the committee. The sponsor of the document will be asked to read his document, and then, if deemed appropriate, the chair will entertain a moderated caucus on the topic. Motion to Suspend This Motion suspends debate for a stipulated amount of time. Debate Motion to Adjourn This Motion brings the committee’s deliberation to an end and is only admissible when suggested by the Chair. 5 Motion to Appeal the If a delegate feels that a Chair has made a judgment that has done a grave Chair’s Decisions injustice to one or more delegates of the committee, he or she may move to appeal the said decision. Once the motion is recognized, the delegate may address the Committee. The Chair may then make a statement defending his decision. The motion is then put to the vote, and requires a super majority 67% +1, to pass. If it passes, the Chair will reconsider the decision. Motion to Censure In instances of gross misconduct of a delegate, a delegate may submit a written Motion to Censure. A Motion to Censure is a vote of no confidence in the delegate and his office on the part of the body. A Motion to Censure may also include recommended punishments. The chair will use their discretion in determining the substantive nature of their punishment. A Motion to Censure requires a super majority, 75% +1, to pass. Motion relating to Resolutions Motions to divide the This Motion may be moved by a delegate to split the resolution into its question component clauses, for voting. This may be done when a delegate feels that there is significant support for some clauses of the resolution, but not for the complete resolution. Motion for a roll call vote A delegate may move to have the vote conducted in alphabetical order. Motions for speakers If it would help proceedings of the committee, a delegate may motion for for/against speakers for and against a resolution. Amendments After the first draft of a committee, document has been introduced and submitted, delegates may move to amend particular clauses of the draft. If the amendment is supported by all the sponsors of the resolution, it passes as a friendly amendment. Otherwise, it must be put to the vote and requires a two-third majority to pass. NOTE: The Chair reserves the right to change any of the procedures described herein at his/her discretion 6 The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Committee is under the United Nations Secretariat, located in the Office at Vienna. Their mission works towards promoting international cooperation relating to uses and exploration of space, in correlation with the utilization of space science and technology. The committee strives to establish a legal and regulatory framework for governance and aid to different countries, providing each nation the essential technology and application to integrate space capabilities into national programs. Established in December 13, 1958, UNOOSA served to assist the “ad hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of 2 Outer Space (COPUOS) established by the General Assembly in its resolution 1348” . The committee’s main task is to “promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. They are also responsible for implementing the Secretary-General’s responsibilities under International Space Law, and maintaining the United Nations 3 Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space” . The cornerstone of compliance and instrumentation is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. It embodies the freedom of exploration and use of outer space for the diplomacy and cooperation among Member States. Five treaties were created in support of the Outer Space Treaty, each targeting 2 “ARES 13 1348E.” United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs , 13 Dec. 1958, www.unoosa.org/pdf/gares/ARES_13_1348E.pdf. 3 “United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs.” Outer Space Treaty, www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/aboutus/history.html. 7 specific space science and regulation that help to deepen the limitations and resources 4 available for each Member States .