How to Write a Resolution
A resolution is a single long sentence that states what the committee has agreed. The writing of a resolution is the culmination of the whole Model UN conference. You have researched, debated and lobbied, and it is time to put words into... well, more words; but on paper. It is composed of preambulatory (introduction) clauses and operative (active) clauses, which use different types of wording.
Step 1: Working Paper
During an unmoderated caucus, a bloc of delegates can agree upon a certain set of operative clauses that they would like incorporated in a resolution. If they have enough sponsors, they may request a moderated caucus to discuss their working paper, to get feedback from other delegates and blocs. A working paper may contain preambulatory clauses, but it is not necessary.
Step 2: Draft Resolution
Once the bloc has received feedback on their working paper, they may, if they want to, make some changes and additions accordingly to make the resolution more in line with what the “mood” of the debate was. They may then submit the draft resolution to the Secretariat, and then request the draft resolution introduced to the debate. The draft resolution must have both preambulatory and operative clauses.
Step 3: Amendments
Once the draft resolution has been introduced and presented to the Committee, other delegates may suggest amendments to wording, the striking of clauses or the addition of clauses that they have written. Each amendment is voted upon separately. Note that a conference usually requires a resolution to have a minimum amount of clauses, so that if too many are struck out, the resolution will automatically fail.
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Content of a Resolution
Preambulatory Clauses
Preambulatory Clauses refer to background information, arguments, justifications and aims of the action. They refer to past resolutions and treaties in force. They begin with a present or past participle and are separated by commas. Make sure the preambulatory clauses are arranged in a logical order so it is easy to understand what the basis for action is.
• Acknowledging / Expecting / Noting with appreciation • Affirming / Expressing its appreciation / Noting with approval • Alarmed by / Expressing its satisfaction / Noting with deep concern • Approving / Fulfilling / Noting with regret • Aware of / Fully alarmed / Noting with satisfaction • Believing / Fully aware / Observing • Bearing in mind / Fully believing / Pointing out • Confident / Further deploring / Reaffirming • Congratulating / Further recalling / Realizing • Contemplating / Guided by / Recalling • Convinced / Having adopted / Recognising • Declaring / Having considered / Referring • Deeply concerned / Having considered further / Reminding • Deeply conscious / Having devoted attention / Seeking • Deeply convinced / Having examined / Taking into account • Deeply disturbed / Having heard / Taking into consideration • Deeply regretting / Having received / Taking note • Deploring / Having studied / Viewing with appreciation • Desiring / Keeping in mind / Welcoming • Emphasising / Noting further |
Operative Clauses
Operative Clauses are numbered and each contain one clear statement on the action that is wished to be taken. The clauses must be arranged in a logical order, and begin with a verb in the third person singular, present tense (Proposes/Urges). Each clause is ended with a semicolon. Try to arrange them so they follow the structure of the preambulatory clauses.
• Accepts / Encourages / Recommends • Affirms / Endorses / Regrets • Approves / Expresses its appreciation / Requests • Asks / Expresses its hope / Resolves • Authorises / Further invites / Resolves • Calls for / Further proclaims / Strongly affirms • Calls upon / Further recommends / Strongly condemns • Condemns / Further requests / Strongly urges • Congratulates / Further resolves / Suggests • Confirms / Hopes / Supports • Declares accordingly / Invites / Trusts • Deplores / Proclaims / Transmits • Designates / Proposes /Urges |
Format of a Resolution
Each page of the resolution must be headed by:
o FORUM: name of the forum (e.g. General Assembly ) o QUESTION OF: the issue which the resolution deals with (e.g. "The situation in Myanmar") o SPONSORS: The main drafters of the resolution o SIGNATORIES: the countries that wish to see the draft resolution debated, whether they agree, disagree, or just want to discuss. Conferences will require a minimum number of sponsors/signatories for a draft resolution to be introduced. The pages must be numbered. The introductory word or phrase of each preambulatory clause must be italicised. The introductory word or phrase of each operative clause must be underlined. Each operative clause must be numbered: 1., 2., 3. Sub-clauses are lettered: a), b), c). Sub-sub-clauses are numbered: i), ii), iii). Acronyms and abbreviations must be written out in full the first time they are used. |
Sample Resolution
FORUM: General Assembly 3rd Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural – SOCHUM)
QUESTION OF: the issue which the resolution deals with (e.g. "The situation in Myanmar")
SPONSORS: United States of America, Norway, New Zealand
CO-SUBMITTERS: United Kingdom, France, Australia,
The General Assembly,
Guided by the International Declaration of the Human Rights and the UN Charter,
Reaffirming that all Members of the United Nations have an obligation to promote and protect the fundamental freedoms and the human rights,
Recognising that good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are essential to achieving sustainable development and economic growth,
Keeping in mind its previous resolutions on the matter of democracy and human rights in Burma
Emphasising the fact that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government,
Recalling the results of the free elections in Burma of 1990, where the will of the people was clearly expressed in favour of the National League for Democracy;
1. Expresses grave concern at:
a) The numerous systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including civil, political, social and cultural rights of the Burmese people
b) The continuing restrictions on the activities of other political parties and in particular the National League for Democracy, and the ongoing harassment of their members
c) The repeated violations of international humanitarian law, as denounced by the International Committee of the Red Cross in June 2007
d) The deterioration of the living standards and the increase in poverty, affecting a significant part of the population ever since 1962,
2. Welcomes:
a) The appointment by the Burmese Government of a minster for relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.
b) The release by the Burmese Government of 249 prisoners on July 6th, 2005, yet noting that more than 1100 political prisoners are still in prison
c) The efforts of the international organisations to deliver humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people of Burma
d) The personal involvement of the Secretary-General with regard to the situation in Burma,
3. Urges the Burmese government:
a) To end the systematic violations of international humanitarian law
b) To fully implement the recommendations made by the Commission of Human Rights, the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur, the ILO and other UN bodies,
4. Strongly calls upon the Burmese government to immediately end the military operations targeting civilians in the ethnic areas and to take urgent measures to stop the violations of humanitarian law, including widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence carried out by members of the armed forces,
5. Further strongly calls upon the Burmese government to put an end to the continuing recruitment of child soldiers,
6. Strongly urges the government of Burma to fulfil its obligations to the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 as a State party,
7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
QUESTION OF: the issue which the resolution deals with (e.g. "The situation in Myanmar")
SPONSORS: United States of America, Norway, New Zealand
CO-SUBMITTERS: United Kingdom, France, Australia,
The General Assembly,
Guided by the International Declaration of the Human Rights and the UN Charter,
Reaffirming that all Members of the United Nations have an obligation to promote and protect the fundamental freedoms and the human rights,
Recognising that good governance, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are essential to achieving sustainable development and economic growth,
Keeping in mind its previous resolutions on the matter of democracy and human rights in Burma
Emphasising the fact that the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government,
Recalling the results of the free elections in Burma of 1990, where the will of the people was clearly expressed in favour of the National League for Democracy;
1. Expresses grave concern at:
a) The numerous systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including civil, political, social and cultural rights of the Burmese people
b) The continuing restrictions on the activities of other political parties and in particular the National League for Democracy, and the ongoing harassment of their members
c) The repeated violations of international humanitarian law, as denounced by the International Committee of the Red Cross in June 2007
d) The deterioration of the living standards and the increase in poverty, affecting a significant part of the population ever since 1962,
2. Welcomes:
a) The appointment by the Burmese Government of a minster for relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.
b) The release by the Burmese Government of 249 prisoners on July 6th, 2005, yet noting that more than 1100 political prisoners are still in prison
c) The efforts of the international organisations to deliver humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people of Burma
d) The personal involvement of the Secretary-General with regard to the situation in Burma,
3. Urges the Burmese government:
a) To end the systematic violations of international humanitarian law
b) To fully implement the recommendations made by the Commission of Human Rights, the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur, the ILO and other UN bodies,
4. Strongly calls upon the Burmese government to immediately end the military operations targeting civilians in the ethnic areas and to take urgent measures to stop the violations of humanitarian law, including widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence carried out by members of the armed forces,
5. Further strongly calls upon the Burmese government to put an end to the continuing recruitment of child soldiers,
6. Strongly urges the government of Burma to fulfil its obligations to the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 as a State party,
7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.