- English
- Español
Modus
Operandi and Rules
of Procedure:
Prior to the MOAS, students will meet virtually in their Working
Groups and draft one resolution with the support of faculty. Draft
resolutions must be submitted to [email protected] before the Model. Once
resolutions have been submitted students will receive their login
information.
During the MOAS, students will meet in their assigned committee on their
assigned day to debate and vote upon the draft resolutions, if necessary.
On Friday, November 19th, all MOAS authorities and delegates will join the
Plenary and Closing sessions. Refer to the
Modus Operandi for more details.
Knowing the
rules and procedures of the MOAS is important to the smooth and
effective functioning of each Committee. The MOAS Rules of Procedure provide
thorough, detailed information on the procedures and operation of the Model.
The rules explain how a Committee operates, the responsibilities of
participating students, how debates are conducted, etc. MOAS authorities and
faculty advisors must be familiar with these rules for a successful
participation.
- Take the quiz on the MOAS Rules of Procedure
Learn
about the OAS:
The OAS Website is the best
research tool to learn about the OAS
mission, its
main bodies,
basic documents,
such as the OAS
Charter and the
Inter-American Democratic Charter, and
key issues in
the Americas. It provides information about its
priority areas,
and specialized bodies of the Inter-American system. Press releases on
current
developments in the Hemisphere, and access to meetings of the Permanent
Council through live
Webcast can be helpful resources. Through the Member States’
Permanent
Missions Section you can access country’s official government websites.
The approved resolutions of past
OAS General
Assemblies and documents produced by the various committees and working
groups of the OAS Permanent Council
are also available.
Multilateral and bilateral Treaties and Agreements may contribute to a
better understanding of a country’s position.
Research
your assigned country:
Follow the
Quick Guide for Participation in the MOAS.
When researching your country’s position on a specific issue, you will first
need to learn about your country (location, political system, political
ideologies, domestic issues, economic trends, etc) so you can address the issues
raised at the Model as a real OAS delegate from that country would. After
reading the reference documents on the MOAS Website analyze all the data gathered
and produce your own ideas and proposals following your country’s stance.
PRIOR TO THE MOAS: Working Groups - Meet
will the delegates of your working group to formulate a draft resolution:
Delegates will be distributed by the MOAS Team (once the country is assigned)
into 3 working groups per Committee. Working Groups will meet
virtually at least one month prior to the MOAS and will draft a resolution (with the assistance of
MOAS Authority) on the
topic assigned by the MOAS Team to be debated at the MOAS. The head delegates
and alternate delegates will work on the same topic, however they need to
coordinate their General Statements to avoid addressing the same issues. Refer to the
Working Group Flowchart on page 8 of the
Modus Operandi for more details on working group procedure. Prior to
Working Group meetings, and with the assistance of a MOAS Authority, Head Delegates
may work on a proposal for an operative clause to present to the Working Group.
Alternate Delegates may work on a proposal for a preamble clause. The Working
Group Leader (page 3 of Modus Operandi)
will be charged with organizing the virtual meetings with the delegates assigned
to his/her Group and sending the draft resolution to the MOAS Team. The specific
date will be announced. The MOAS Team will help identify a Working
Group Leader for each Group. The Leader will have specific functions and
responsibilities. Read the Modus Operandi
for more details.
Write a Position paper and General Statement:
Write a position paper on the assigned country with regards to the
topic assigned to your committees. This must include your findings, country
position and highlights on your topic.
Guidelines.
Sample of a position
paper. This will serve as the basis
for your opening speech or General Statement.
Sample of Statement by Guatemala at the Permanent Council. During the Model, each head and alternate
delegates will present a General Statement (1 minute max.) to the other
delegates in the committees, each taking a different approach to the topic and
stating his country’s position and proposal. Position papers must be
uploaded here
before the dates of the Model.
Public speaking:
Public speaking is a skill you will use during the entire Model.
The first opportunity will be when you deliver your general statement. You will
convey your member state's positions in your Committee Sessions, help build
consensus and formulate resolutions in your working groups. The best way to cope
with your fear of speaking in front of a large group is to be well-prepared for
the Model. Watch delegates speak in previous Models through the
MOAS Youtube
account and practice public speaking before coming to the Model.