NOTE ON WORKING METHODS
of the European Convention Simulation
Part A – Introduction into working methods
1. Each participant is given a role of a certain Convention member. It consists of opinion of this Conventioneer on certain topics discussed at the Simulation and included in the mandates of the working group. The aim of the participant is to achieve the inclusion of this opinion in the final resolution of the Convention Simulation. The participants are free to interpret these guidelines, and improvise when the topic appears, which is not being described in the role.
2. Meetings of the Convention shall be chaired by the Chairman of the Convention or in his absence by one of the two Vice-Chairmen.
3. Meetings of the working groups shall be chaired by the Chairman of the Working group.
Working group “External Action” – Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene
Working Group “Defence” – Mr Michel Barnier
Working group “External Economic Relations” – Mr Klaus Hänsch
4. Consultations with experts are going to take place at the first plenary (27th March), and first working group meeting.
5. The representatives of the candidate States shall participate fully in the work and deliberations of the Convention.
6. The aim of each group is to draft a resolution accordingly to its mandate, which will be presented and debated in final plenary ( Friday, 27th March). At the group meeting on Thursday, March 27th, after consultation with experts, the proposals for the document have to be made by the members of the group. (The key to success for the participant is a coalition with the colleagues who support his/her opinion on the certain matter.) Following this debate, the chair of the WG and the rapporteur are drafting a resolution (participants are getting this draft on Friday morning) which should be adopted by the group by consensus at the last group meeting on the next day (Friday, 28th March). Consensus is defined by the chair without a voting procedure. Consensus is based on analysis (by the Chairman) on the reactions on the proposals laid in the draft resolution. If no arguments were expressed against the document or they were laid down by stronger counterarguments, the consensus is found.
The final document of the Convention (composed by the final reports of the three working groups being adopted in the last working group meetings) shall be adopted by consensus (see above) by all members of the Convention, without the representatives of candidate States being able to prevent it.
Part B
Rules of procedure
I.) Plenary meetings
1. The chairman shall declare the opening and closing of each session and propose the adoption of any procedural motion to which there is no significant objection.
2. Taking account of views expressed by members of the Convention, the Chairman shall ensure the proper conduct of discussions, including by arranging as far as possible that the diversity of the Convention's views is reflected in the debates. In particular, he shall arrange the order in which items are to be taken, determine the length of discussion on each item, decide who is to speak, and apportion and limit the length of each intervention in the interest of the efficient conduct of debates. He shall be assisted in this task by the Vice-Chairmen and the Secretariat.
3. Separate Speakers’ Lists shall be established for each topic under discussion. When the topic area or amendment is introduced, the Chairman should open the speakers’ list. Delegates must submit oral requests to be placed on the Speakers’ List. For amendment or proposal, delegates must specify whether they want to speak for or against the proposal. The speakers’ list cannot be closed until at least two delegates have spoken and against the proposal.
4. The delegate making a proposal might be addressed by other delegates. Questions from other delegates should be selected by the chairman and be limited to one question each. The chairman shall call to order any delegate who is merely being rhetorical and not asking an appropriate question. Only the speakers’ answers shall be deducted from the remaining time. The delegate might transfer all the remaining amount of their speaking time to another delegate. Once the second delegate has finished or remaining time has elapsed, the floor is automatically returned to the Chair.
5. Whenever a delegate experiences personal discomfort which impairs their ability to participate in the debate, the delegate may rise on a point of personal privilege to request that the situation be remedied. If the chairman feels that point is being abused, they shall inform the delegate that this is only to be used in extreme circumstances and will only be recognised as such. This point may interrupt the speaker.
6. A delegate may rise at any time in the proceedings to complain of improper parliamentary procedure. The point of order shall be ruled upon by the chairman in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. It is the discretion of the Chairman to rule this point of order. The point may interrupt a speaker.
7. Only a delegate whose national integrity has been impugned by another delegate may rise on this point. It is entirely up to the Chairman to decide whether this is the case and therefore grant a right to reply. The length allowed for a right of reply is at the discretion of the Chairman. This decision is unappealable.
8. Any procedural questions relating to the conduct of meetings may be referred to the Praesidium.
II) Working groups
1. The three working groups have to work accordingly to their mandates. Every member of the Convention is automatically member of one working group.
2.The Chairs of Working group prepare Agenda for Group meetings accordingly to the mandate of the Group and announce it in the beginning of the meeting.
3. Points 4 - 8 of Article I “Plenary meeting” of Part B “Rules of procedure” also apply for the working groups.
