Writing a resolution

The finished product of a Model UN event is a UN resolution. Actions of the United Nations are 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 take "decisions" which bind Member States to a certain course of action. For actual resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, click here. Sample resolutions can also be found at the end of each subject briefing guide.

When drafting and sponsoring a draft resolution, delegates should keep in mind that the wording will influence its appeal (or lack thereof). The draft resolution should be clear, concise and specific. The substance should be well researched, and reflect the character and interests of the sponsoring nations.

UN General Assembly 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 full stop at the very end. 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 full stop. Draft resolutions are subject to amendments, of which there are two types.

It is a good idea to practise resolution writing skills before the conference, and to get used to the kind of phrases you can and cannot use in the preamble and operative clauses.

The Heading

A resolution starts with details of the responsible organ of the United Nations, e.g. ‘Resolution adopted by the General Assembly’. It then contains details of the topic of the resolution. The heading is completed by a list of sponsors and signatories.

Sponsors of a resolution are those countries that have been the principal authors of the document and agree with its substance. Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the substance of the resolution, but would like to see it debated on the floor.

A draft resolution is sponsored by several countries working together. The sponsors write the first draft of the resolution and circulate it to the other delegations. As such, the first draft is written from the point of view of the sponsors – the operative paragraphs of the first draft will ask for what the sponsoring countries want. This means that they are not necessarily balanced, neutral or even very constructive! The facts in the preambular paragraphs will be correct, but may be heavily interpreted.

The aim of the Model UN is to turn the draft into a balanced, realistic and constructive resolution which can reasonably be acted upon. This is done by a process of compromise through open discussion and private negotiation.

The Preamble

The purpose of the preamble is to show that there is a problem that needs to be solved. The preamble begins with the name of one of the major organs of the UN and the preambulatory clauses (separated by commas). These clauses:

• provide background information on the problem to be addressed (including its significance and effects) and discuss actions, reports and resolutions that have already been taken, made and passed
• recognise the work or efforts of regional organisations in addressing the issue
• set out the international legal authority under which the matter is raised (e.g. the UN Charter, previous UN resolutions or treaties or statements by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body) – by referring back to previous decisions made by the UN, authority is supplied for the subject to be considered further
• acknowledge what has already been done, explain what the situation is and set out the particular aspects of the situation which are to be addressed

Essentially, the preamble sets out the background to the issue but does not propose any action or make any substantive statement on the topic.

Operative Clauses

Operative clauses set out what is to be done about a situation described in the preambular clauses, and by whom (for example, governments, UN bodies or NGOs). Each operative clause begins with a number, ends with a semicolon and the final clause ends with a full stop. Operative clauses should be organised in a logical progression, and each clause should contain a single idea or policy proposal. Keep in mind that only Security Council resolutions are binding so this affects the language you can use (no committee apart from the Security Council can ‘Demand’, ‘Instruct’ or ‘Authorise’).

You must also be aware of what powers the General Assembly does and does not possess. If an operative clause calls for action (such as the establishment of a new body) which will have financial implications, the states calling for this action must be prepared to say how the money could be organised (such as through contributions from member states or from commercial companies) and the likely reaction to that.

Sample Resolution

Committee: GA Third Committee
Subject: Strengthening UN Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
Sponsors: United States, Austria, Italy
Signatories: Greece, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Belgium, United Kingdom, India and Gabon

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 resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages governments to work with established UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,

Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations,

1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carryout 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;
3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;
4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donation from the private transnational sector to aid in the funding of rapid deployment forces.

Amendments

During the course of negotiation and cooperation, draft resolutions will alter through changes known as amendments. The guidelines for these amendments are less strict than those for the writing of resolutions, as many amendments arise during the course of negotiations. However, the style, wording and intent of the amendment should complement the original draft resolution. Amendments follow the pattern already stated in the document and present new viewpoints or suggestions for action on the same topic. Most conferences have two forms of amendments:

· Friendly amendment: a friendly amendment is a change to the resolution that all the sponsors feel is appropriate.
· Unfriendly amendment: an unfriendly amendment is an amendment that the sponsors of the resolution do not support.

Sample of an amendment

In this example a new clause will be inserted between 11 and 12, and will become clause 12, with all the subsequent clauses being renumbered accordingly. This is very different from an amendment to replace Clause 12.

Committee: GA Third Committee
Subject: Strengthening UN Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
Sponsors: France, Romania, and Poland
Signatories: Togo, Australia, Fiji, Brazil, St. Lucia, Viet Nam, New Zealand, Pakistan, Kuwait and Argentina

Add the following clause between clause 11 and 12
Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post conflict assistance though reconstruction and development;