Writing a Resolution Paper

A resolution paper is written in three parts

Heading Includes: Committee’s name ¾     Sponsors:  country, country, country (are the authors of the resolution) Sponsors of a draft resolution are the principal authors of the document and agree with its substance. Although it is possible to have only one sponsor, this rarely occurs at the UN, since countries must work together to create widely agreeable language in order for the draft resolution to pass. Sponsors control a draft resolution and only the sponsors can approve immediate changes. ¾     Signatories: country, country, country (as many as you wish, they are other member in     the committee that do not necessarily agree with the resolution but would like to see it debate) Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the substance of the draft resolution but still wish to see it debated so that they can propose amendments. A certain percentage of the committee must be either sponsors or signatories to a draft resolution in order for it to be accepted. ¾     Topic: “This should be self-explanatory” Addressed to the committee

Second part Pre-ambulatory clauses states all the issues that the committee wants to resolve on this issue, it may state issues that the committee wants to resolve on this issue. It may state why the committee is working on this issue and highlight previous international actions on the issue Use commas to separate perambulatory clauses. The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma (,) Preambulatory clauses can include: ·         Always write fewer pre-ambulatory clauses than operative clauses (three could be just fine) References to the UN Charter; Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion; Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body or agency; Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental organizations in dealing with the issue; and General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.

Sample Preambulatory Phrases Affirming Alarmed by Approving Bearing in mind Believing Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply Disturbed Deeply Regretting Desiring Emphasizing Expecting Emphasizing Expecting Expressing it’s appreciation Fulfilling Fully aware Emphasizing Expecting Expressing it’s appreciation Fulfilling Fully aware Further deploring Further recalling Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having examined Having received Keeping in mind Noting with deep concern Nothing with satisfaction Noting further Observing Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Seeking Taking into consideration Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

Third part Operative clauses state the solutions that the sponsors of the resolution proposes to resolve the issues. The operative clauses should address the issues specifically mentioned in the pre-ambulatory clauses above it. 1.       Use semicolons (;) to separate operative clauses; 2.       End the resolution with a period (.) 3.       Clause should be numbered; 4.       Each clause should support one another and continue to build your solution; 5.       Add details to your clauses in order to have a complete solution; 6.       Operative clauses are punctuated by a semicolon, with the exception of your last operative clause which should end with a period.

 

 

Operative Clauses offer solutions to issues addressed earlier in a resolution through the perambulatory section.  These clauses are action oriented and should include both an underlined verb at the beginning of your sentence followed by the proposed solution.  Each clause should follow the following principals:

Sample Operative Phrases Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls Calls upon Condemns Confirms Congratulates Considers Declares accordingly Deplores Designates Draws the attention Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Deplores Designates Draws the attention Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further reminds Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Has resolved Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns Supports Takes note of Transmits Trusts

 

Sample Resolution

 

Resolution GA/3/1.1 General Assembly Third Committee Sponsors: United States, Austria and Italy Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands and Gabon Topic: "Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies" 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, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses] Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with UN bodies aimed at improving 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 United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm, Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses] Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid; Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies; Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment forces; Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries; Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian assistance; and  Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict assistance through reconstruction and development. [end resolutions with a period]