Resolutions
Resolution review
• Final written results of the debate and
negotiations
• Suggestions to address or resolve a specific
problem or issue involved in the topic
Resolution or Draft Resolution?
• Resolution: a suggestion that has been
presented to the committee, voted on and
passed
• Draft Resolution: a suggestion that has been
written up by a sponsor and signed by
signatories but has not yet been voted on
and agreed on
Resolution Vocab Review
• Sponsor
• Main authors of the document
who agree with everything in
the draft resolution
• Signatory
• Countries who may or may not
agree with the whole draft
resolution but who want to see
it voted on so they can talk
about it and add ammendments
Vocabulary Continued
• Ammendment
• A proposed change to a draft
resoltion during debate over
the draft resolutions
• Clauses
• 2 necessary sections of a draft
resolution
Structure of a Resolution
• Heading
• Committee Name
• Sponsors
• Signatories
• Topic
• Preambulatory Clauses (3-4)
• Operative Clauses (3-4)
Writing a Preambulatory
Clause
• Preambulatory Clause: This clause should tell the
reasons the committee is addressing the topic. It
should also highlight any past international action on
the issue.
•
Must begin with an underlined present participle
(preambulatory phrase) followed by a comma.
Preambulatory Phrases
Affirming
Expecting
Alarmed by
Fully aware
Approving
considered
Having
Aware of
Having examined
Believing
Having heard
Considering
Having studied
Desiring
Observing
Emphasizing
Seeking
Example of Preambulatory
Clause
The General Assembly,
Reminding all nations of the celebration of the
50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent
dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all
global citizens,
Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July
1996, which encourages Governments to work
with UN bodies aimed at approving the
coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian
assistance,
Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various
relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental
organizations,
Stressing the fact that the UN faces significant
financial obstacles and is in need of reform,
Preambulatory Clauses
• What is the purpose of a preambulatory
clause???
• In order to make a new recommendation,
you have to prove that you have thought
about the issue, researched what the issue
was like in the past so show that you
understand the context.
Writing an Operative Clause
• Operative Clause: This clause must identify the
actions or recommendations made in a
resolution. They should be put into a logical
order with one idea or proposal per clause.
These clauses should be numbered.
• Each operative clause needs to begin with a verb in the
present active tense and should end with a semicolon
• If you need to explain a clause more, you need to use
bulleted lists with letters
• After the last operative clause you can FINALLY add a
period
Operative Phrases
Accepts
Encourages
Affirms
Endorses
Approves
Expresses its hope
Authorizes
Notes
Calls upon
Proclaims
Condemns
Recommends
Considers
Regrets
Deplores
Requests
Designates
Supports
Emphasizes
Trusts
Example of Operative Clauses
1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the
UN to collaborate more closely with
countries at the grassroots level to
enhance the carrying out of relief efforts;
2. Urges member states to comply with
the goals of the UN Department of
Humanitarian Affairs to streamline
efforts of humanitarian aid; and
3. Calls upon states to respond quickly and
generously to consolidated appeals for
humanitarian assistance.
Sample Resolution
• http://bestdelegate.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot2011-10-26-at-2.16.47-AM.png
Now it is your turn!!
• Work with your delegation to write a sample
resolution that you might sponsor at the
conference.
• First, think back to what some of your
resolutions were that you wrote about in your
paper.
• Then, use the same format that we just
discussed to write a formal resolution presenting
your ideas.
• REMEMBER, this is JUST practice to get the
hang of writing resolutions. When writing them
at the conference, you will work with other
delegations and Amnesty International will NOT