ODU Model UN Society - Resolution Writing

RESOLUTION

WRITING

Contents

Resolution Writing Overview ............................................................................................. 3

Drafting Resolutions ....................................................................................................... 3

Draft Resolution Elements .................................................................................................. 3

Heading: .......................................................................................................................... 3

Body of the Resolution: .................................................................................................. 4

Preamble: ........................................................................................................................ 4

Introductory Perambulatory Clauses: ............................................................................. 5

Operative Clauses: .......................................................................................................... 5

Introductory Operative Clauses: ..................................................................................... 5

Process for Submitting a Resolution ................................................................................... 6

Resolution Changes ............................................................................................................ 6

Amendments ................................................................................................................... 6

Amendment by Addition............................................................................................. 7

Amendment by Striking Out ....................................................................................... 7

Amendment by Striking Out and Substitution ............................................................ 7

Examples of Unacceptable Amendments: ...................................................................... 8

ODUMUNC Amendment Form ......................................................................................... 8

Example General Assembly Draft Resolution .................................................................... 9

Example Security Council Draft Resolution……………………………………………..10

Resolution Writing Overview

Actions of the United Nations are most frequently expressed in resolutions submitted in

draft form under the sponsorship of one or more delegations. Resolutions may simply

register an opinion, or may recommend action to be taken by a UN organ or related

agency. Only the Security Council may make decisions which bind member states to a

certain course of action.

While it may be helpful for delegates to come to the Model UN conference knowing what

their draft resolution should look like and contain, pre-written resolutions are not

recommended. Any papers need to be circulated among other delegates to incorporate

different perspectives and to build a base of support. Most draft resolutions are sponsored

by several states or by an entire regional or common interest group.

The conference Secretariat will provide for duplication and distribution of resolutions and

amendments at the conference.

When drafting and sponsoring a resolution, keep in mind that the wording will greatly

influence its appeal (or lack thereof). The resolution should be clear, concise, and

specific. The substance should be well-researched, and reflect the character and interests

of the sponsoring nations.

Drafting Resolutions

United Nations resolutions follow a common format. Each resolution has three

parts: the heading, the preamble, and the operative clauses. It is one long sentence with

commas and semicolons throughout the resolution, and with a period only at the very

end. Draft resolutions should be single-spaced with each line following the heading

numbered in the left-hand margin. The first word in each clause should be underlined,

and each clause in the preamble should end with a comma. All operative clauses end with

a semicolon except the final clause, which ends with a period.

What follows is a more detailed examination of each section of a draft resolution.

Draft Resolution Elements

Heading:

Format: ODUMUNC/Year/Committee / Topic.draft letter

Committee: the committee or organ in which the working paper is introduced

Topic: the topic of debate

Draft Resolution letterr: the letter is in alphabetical order based on the order in which the

draft resolution is introduced to the committee. It will become a number based after being

passed.

Sponsored by: list of sponsoring countries

Signatories: Signatories and sponsors combined must equal 1/5 of the body present.

Body of the Resolution:

Each attitude, opinion, command, or recommendation made by the United

Nations is formally expressed using key introductory words and phrases. Each of these

introductions has a specific use and meaning.

Preamble:

The purpose of a preamble is to show that there is a problem that needs to be

solved by the world community. This also may mean demonstrating that the problem is

within the jurisdiction of the UN. These two purposes are fulfilled by reference to

appropriate sections of the UN Charter, by citing the precedent of UN action, or by citing

previous resolutions or declarations. It is customary to include the numbers of previous

resolutions passed on the same topic. The preamble should also point out the key

elements of the current problem by specifically referring to situations or incidents.

Finally, the preamble may include altruistic appeals to the common sense or humanitarian

instincts of members with references to the Charter, etc.

The importance of the preamble depends on the question under consideration. In

some cases, the problem is generally accepted and the preamble is merely a formality. In

such situations, it is usually the mechanism of solution that presents the stumbling block.

A good example of this is the question of disarmament. Virtually everyone agrees that

nuclear weapons are basically bad, but few agree on how to get rid of them. In another

case, however, such as the problem of supporting a national liberation movement, the

solution might be quite simple, but not everyone would agree that is the correct

perception of the problem. In this case, a strong, comprehensive preamble would be

necessary.

The preamble begins with the name of the committee in the upper left margin

followed by a comma. Each phrase starts with a particular word or phrase and ends with a

comma. The opening word or phrase of each phrase should be underlined. The list of our

perambulatory words and phrases can be found on the next page. There are additional

words available in the UNA-USA delegate Preparation Guide, however, our list

highlights the ones that are most commonly used.

Introductory Perambulatory Clauses:

Operative Clauses:

The proposed solution in a draft resolution is presented in sequentially numbered

operative clauses. These clauses may recommend, urge, condemn, encourage, or request

certain actions, or state a favorable or unfavorable opinion regarding the existing

situation. Each operative clause calls for a specific action. The action may be as vague as

denunciation of a certain situation or a call for negotiations, or as specific as a cease-fire

or a monetary commitment for a particular project.

Remember that the General Assembly can only recommend actions, only the

Security Council may make binding decisions. Draft Resolutions may request action by

the member states, by a particular state, by the UN Secretariat, or by any of the other UN

bodies or agencies.

Introductory Operative Clauses:

Trusts

Transmits

Affirms

Authorizes

Calls upon

Congratulates

Accepts

Approves

Calls

Condemns

Confirms

Declares accordingly

Draws the attention of

Emphasizes

Endorses

Expresses its hopes

Further proclaims

Further recommends

Further requests

Notes

Reaffirms

Requests

Strongly condemns

Considers

Deplores

Designates

Encourages

Expresses its

appreciation

Further invites

Further reminds

Further resolves

Has resolved

Proclaims

Recommends

Solemnly affirms

Supports

Takes note of

Urges

Alarmed by

Affirming

Appreciation

Attention to

Aware of

Approving

Believing

Bearing in mind

Confident

Convinced

Contemplating

Deeply concerned

Deeply convinced

Deeply regretting

Declaring

Deeply conscious

Deeply disturbed

Desiring

Emphasizing

Expressing its

Expecting

Expressing

Fulfilling

Fully alarmed

Further deploring

Guided by

Having considered

Having devoted

Having studied

Having received

Having adopted

Having considered further

Having examined Having

Heard

Noting with regret

Noting with deep Concern

Noting with approval

Fully aware

Fully believing

Further recalling

Keeping in mind

Noting with satisfaction

Noting further

Observing

Realizing

Recalling

Reaffirming

Referring

Recognizing

Seeking

Taking into consideration

Taking into account

Welcoming

Viewing with

Process for Submitting a Resolution

Pre-written resolutions will not be accepted by the Secretariat before the conference. At

the conference, all resolutions are expected to be in good form according to the attached

guidelines. Resolutions must be typed and ready to reproduce. Computers will be

provided for the delegates’ convenience. Extensive editing will not be done by members

of the Secretariat, and resolutions which contain a substantial number of errors will be

returned to the authors. Please refer to the sample resolution for proper format.

The process for submitting resolutions will be as follows: 1) Each resolution must be

written/typed as a working paper, in the proper format. 2) The sponsor(s) of the

resolution must submit the working paper to the Director of the committee to be stamped.

3) The Director may then authorize the reproduction of a limited number of unofficial

working copies of the working paper made by the office to be circulated through the

committee. 4) In order to submit a resolution officially, the sponsor must obtain the

signatures of 1/5 of the committee. The Dias will announce the number needed based on

the roll call. 5) The draft resolution with the required signatures must then be submitted

to the Director of the committee for final approval. Upon receiving approval, the Director

will stamp the paper and make copies. When it is introduced the Chair will assign it an

official number. The Director is responsible for the distribution of the official resolution

when it is formally proposed on the floor. 6) For a working paper to be formally

introduced to the floor as a draft resolution, the sponsor must be on the speakers’ list or

yielded time to introduce.

Delegates should not feel that the purpose of a MUN conference is to pass as many

resolutions as possible. The success of a committee does not rest on the number of

resolutions passed. Rather, delegates should strive toward a valid simulation of the

diplomatic interactions of the UN, which may mean that no resolutions are passed.

Resolution Changes

Original Resolution Text Excerpt

“1. Realizing that technology has created new forms of weapons that pose serious

and long-term threats to all forms of life on this planet…”

Amendments

Regardless of how brilliant or perfectly crafted the sponsors of an amendment

may feel their draft resolution is there should always be at least one country that wants to

change it. Sometimes this is done to help the draft resolution, sometimes it is done to hurt

the draft resolution. There are two types of amendments:

Friendly Amendments: Amendments that are agreed to by all the sponsors of the

draft resolution. Once friendly status is verified, the proposed changes get automatically

incorporated into the resolution. Unfriendly amendments are those that are not agreed to

by the sponsors of the resolution and are voted upon before the resolution during voting

procedures..

Unfriendly Amendments: Amendments that are presented by a delegation that is

not a sponsor or that all the sponsors do not agree on is considered unfriendly. Before the

proposed changes can be added to the draft resolution they must be voted on during

voting procedures. The amendment furthest removed in content from the original

resolution will be voted upon first. Unfriendly Amendments must have the same number

of signatories/sponsors as a draft resolution.

All amendments work in one of three ways; Adding words, Striking Out words, and

Word Substitution. Amendments must refer to specific lines of draft resolutions.

ODUMUNC uses Amendment forms to change draft resolutions. Examples are below.

Amendment by Addition

“amend the resolution by adding the word ‘military’ before the word

‘technology’.”

If passed the resolution would read:

“Realizing that military technology has created new forms of weapons that pose

serious and long-term threats to all forms of life on this planet…”

Amendment by Striking Out

“amend the resolution by striking out the words ‘and long-term’ before the word

‘threats’.”

If passed the resolution would read:

“Realizing that military technology has created new forms of weapons that pose

serious threats to all forms of life on this planet…”

Amendment by Striking Out and Substitution

“amend the resolution by striking out the word ‘military’ which appears before

the word ‘technology’ and substituting in its place the word ‘nuclear’.”

If passed the resolution would read:

“Realizing that nuclear technology has created new forms of weapons that pose

serious threats to all forms of life on this planet…”

Examples of Unacceptable Amendments:

1. Any amendment which would make the resolution the direct negative of the

sponsor’s intent: “amend the resolution by adding the word ‘not’.”

2. Any amendment which has no relationship to the resolution: “amend the

resolution by adding the words ‘affect world food production and’ before the

word ‘pose’.”

Friendly amendments are those that are agreed to by the sponsors of the resolution, and

are automatically incorporated into the resolution. Unfriendly amendments are those that

are not agreed to by the sponsors of the resolution and are voted upon before the

resolution during voting procedures. The amendment furthest removed in content from

the original resolution will be voted upon first.

ODUMUNC Amendment Form

Amendment Form

Sponsor(s):______________________________________________________________

Resolution#:_____________________________________________________________

Change (Circle One) ADD REMOVE EDIT/MOVE

Operative Clause Change:

_______________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Signatories:

____________________________________________________________________

Example General Assembly Draft Resolution

Resolution: ODUMUNC/37/GA4/3.a

Body and committee: General Assembly, Third Committee

Topic: Strengthening UN Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance in Complex Emergencies

Sponsors: Lesotho, Malawi, Tuvalu

Signatories: Angola, Bangladesh, Yemen, Zambia

The General Assembly,

1

2

Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal

3

Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and

4

inalienable rights of all Global citizens,

5

6

Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages governments to

7

work with UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of

8

humanitarian assistance,

9

10

Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and organizations,

11

12

Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in

13

need of reform,

14

15

1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more

16

closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief

17

efforts;

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19

2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of

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Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;

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3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the

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coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies,

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such as:

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26

a. Appointing an official to be the head of international coordination

27

efforts,

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b. Provide funding and planning for short-notice emergency missions for

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quick deployment;

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31

6. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict

32

assistance through reconstruction and development.

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34

Example Security Council Resolution

Resolution ODUMUNC/37/SC/1.a

Committee: Security Council

Strengthening UN Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance in Complex Emergencies

Sponsors: Canada, India, United Kingdom, United States of America

Signatories: France, China, Russian Federation,

The Security Council,

1

2

Reaffirming the United Nations role to set the standard in the area of human rights,

3

4

Guided by Chapter 7 of United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human

5

Rights which calls for the basic rights of people regardless of origin, nationality and

6

gender, and General Assembly Resolution 46/37 B,

7

8

Deeply concerned by the number and consistency of human rights violations in Sierra

9

Leone,

10

11

Reaffirming the United Nations commitment to exploring and exhausting peaceful means

12

of dispute settlement,

13

14

Recognizing that conflict resolution through regional organizations such as ECOWAS

15

and the OAU has been successful in the past,

16

17

Bearing in mind that the UN currently has 37, 400 UN military and personnel provided

18

by 89 countries engaged in 15 operations around the world,

19

20

Taking into consideration that the UN was unable to meet its initial deployment goal of

21

13, 000 for the UNAMSIL mission,

22

23

1. Condemns human rights violations;

24

25

2. Reaffirms the necessity for peacekeeping forces to remain neutral and objective

26

in the involvement of interstate and intrastate conflicts;

27

28

3. Emphasizes the need for the United Nations to sustain its efforts as a

29

peacekeeper and humanitarian observer in the UNAMSIL mission;

30

31

4. Calls upon member nations to enforce an arms embargo against the country of

32

Sierra Leone;

33

34

5. Authorizes UNAMSIL to execute its mission of peacekeeping once the cease-

35

fire is under observance;

36

37

6. Requests increased assistance to organizations such as ECOWAS and the OAU

38

which are committed to providing meaningful solutions to regional problems in

39

order to promote durable peace;

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41

7. Further recommends that the United Nations employ the objectives of

42

preventive diplomacy as defined by former Secretary General Boutros Boutros

43

Ghali in his Agenda for Peace pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 46/37 B;

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8. Further resolves to stay committed to the peaceful resolution of conflict in the

46

country of Sierra Leone.

47