Mock Committee Session

A Full Committee Session: Start to Finish

Let's walk through a complete MUN committee session. We'll simulate the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) discussing 'Protecting the Rights of Climate Refugees.' There are 47 delegates. You represent Kenya.

Phase 1: Opening (10-15 minutes)

The session begins with roll call. The chair calls each country alphabetically. You respond either 'Present' (you can abstain in votes) or 'Present and Voting' (you cannot abstain — you must vote yes or no on substantive matters). Most experienced delegates say 'Present' to maintain maximum flexibility.

After roll call, the chair announces quorum (usually a simple majority of members must be present). Then comes the motion to set the agenda. If there are two topics, delegates make motions for which to discuss first. In our simulation, there's only one topic, so the agenda is set automatically.

The chair opens the General Speakers List (GSL). This is the master list of delegates who want to give speeches. Raise your placard to be added. The GSL runs throughout the session — when no moderated or unmoderated caucus is in progress, the committee returns to the GSL. Each speaker gets a set time (usually 60-90 seconds).

Phase 2: Formal Debate (60-90 minutes)

The first few GSL speeches set the tone. The delegate of the Maldives gives an impassioned speech about existential climate threats. The delegate of the United States emphasizes 'existing legal frameworks' — code for not creating new obligations. You, as Kenya, speak about the 400,000 internally displaced persons from drought in the Horn of Africa and call for a new UN framework recognizing climate displacement as a distinct category under international law.

After 4-5 GSL speeches, someone makes a motion for a moderated caucus. 'The delegate of Germany moves for a 10-minute moderated caucus on the definition of climate refugees, with a 60-second speaking time.' The chair asks for seconds and any objections, then puts it to a procedural vote. It passes.

The moderated caucus is focused and faster. Delegates raise placards, the chair recognizes them in turn, and each speaks for exactly 60 seconds on the narrow sub-topic. This is where substantive debate happens — arguments are sharper because the topic is constrained.

Your move as Kenya: During the mod on definitions, you cite the African Union's Kampala Convention (2009) — the world's first treaty to protect internally displaced persons, including those displaced by natural disasters. This is a power move: you've introduced a specific legal framework that most delegates haven't heard of, positioning Kenya as a subject-matter expert.

After the mod, someone moves for an unmoderated caucus. '15 minutes, for the purpose of forming working groups.' The chair approves.

Phase 3: Unmoderated Caucus and Working Papers (30-60 minutes)

The room erupts into movement. Delegates stand, form clusters, and start negotiating. This is where coalitions form and working papers begin.

Your strategy as Kenya: You approach the delegates of Bangladesh (major climate vulnerability), the Philippines (frequent typhoon displacement), and Brazil (Amazon deforestation displacement). You pitch: 'Let's build a working paper around extending the Kampala Convention's principles globally. We have the precedent, we have the moral authority as affected nations, and we have diverse regional representation.'

They agree. You also approach Nigeria (large African bloc influence) and Mexico (GRULAC bridge). Within 15 minutes, you have a six-country coalition drafting a working paper.

Meanwhile, the EU bloc is forming their own working paper, focused on integrating climate displacement into existing refugee conventions rather than creating new legal categories. The US is floating a minimal approach — voluntary guidelines only.

After two more rounds of unmods interspersed with moderated caucuses, three working papers emerge. Your paper (Draft Resolution 1.1) has 12 sponsors and 8 operative clauses. The EU paper (1.2) has 15 sponsors. The US paper (1.3) has 7.

The chair announces that all draft resolutions are in order and moves to voting procedure.

Phase 4: Voting Procedure (20-30 minutes)

Voting procedure is the endgame. The doors are sealed — no one enters or leaves. Notes stop. All caucusing ends.

Before voting on the resolutions, unfriendly amendments are introduced. The US introduces an amendment to your Draft Resolution 1.1, striking the operative clause that calls for a 'binding international framework.' They want to replace 'binding' with 'voluntary.' As lead sponsor, you oppose — making it an unfriendly amendment that goes to a vote.

You've been whipping votes all session. You send one final round of notes before voting procedure was announced: 'Vote NO on the US amendment. Our binding framework is the core of 1.1. Without it, the resolution has no teeth.' The amendment fails 19-28. Your binding framework survives.

Now the resolutions themselves are voted on, in order of introduction. Draft Resolution 1.1 (yours): passes 31-12-4. Draft Resolution 1.2 (EU): passes 29-10-8. Draft Resolution 1.3 (US): fails 15-25-7.

Two resolutions passed — the committee has successfully produced outcomes on the topic. As lead sponsor of 1.1, you played a central role in the committee's most substantive output.

The chair adjourns the session. You pack up, debrief with your delegation, and write your performance notes within 24 hours.