WAMUNC XVII- How to Write a Working Paper/Draft Resolution

The United Nations does not pass "laws," it passes resolutions. A resolution:
pressures Member States to take a particular course of action
expresses an opinion on a pressing matter
recommends the United Nations Security Council, another council or committee, or some
other institutional agency take action

In Model United Nations, we do not call a resolution a resolution until it is passed. Before
submitting the resolution to the dais, we refer to the resolution as a working paper. Once the
working paper is submitted and approved by the dais, delegates may refer to it as a draft
resolution. When drafting and sponsoring a working paper, keep in mind that the wording will
greatly influence its appeal. The working paper should be clear, concise, and specific. The
substance should be well-researched and reflect the interests of the sponsoring nations. Sponsors
should expect to introduce their working papers, and to make impromptu defenses of the
documents throughout the session, especially in an authors panel.

Writing a Working Paper:

United Nations resolutions follow a common format, each resolution has three parts:
1) Heading
2) Perambulatory Clauses (what the problem is and why the problem exists)
3) Operative Clauses (the action to be taken)

The resolution is one long sentence composed of "perambulatory clauses" and "operative
clauses" separated by commas and semi-colons. Each perambulatory clause must be italicized
initiating phrase and each operative clause must begin with an underlined "initiating phrase"
(see lists below).

The resolution includes one period, which appears at the end of the last operative clause.
Hierarchical indentation and outline-formatted lists (see example) are allowed for readability and
organization. Each line must be numbered and each clause must be separated by a blank line.

1) Heading
The heading for all draft resolutions should read as follows:

COMMITTEE: name of the organ where it was introduced

SUBJECT: the topic of the resolution
SPONSORS: list of sponsoring nation(s) in alphabetical order
SIGNATORIES: list of signatories in alphabetical order

Once the working paper has been accepted by the chair, it will be given a reference number,
which will be included in the heading when copies of the draft resolution are distributed to the
committee. Remember that the dais adds the number and not the delegates.

2) Preambulatory Clauses
The purpose of the preamble is to show that there is a problem that needs to be solved. This may
also mean demonstrating that the problem is within the jurisdiction of the UN. (These two
WAMUNC XVII- How to Write a Working Paper/Draft Resolution

purposes are fulfilled by referring to appropriate sections of the UN Charter, by citing precedents
of UN action, or by citing previous resolutions or precedents of international law.)

The first "initiating phrase" should set the "tone" for the statement which will follow. By
providing the frame through which the problem is viewed, the preamble often serves a very
important function in structuring the resolution and directing debate.

Each clause in the preamble should begin with an underlined "perambulatory initiating phrase"
and end with a comma (,). Even though this section is helpful, it is often overlooked by other
delegates due to the more substantive nature of the operative clauses that follow, so do not spend
too much time on this section.

3) Operative Clauses
The solution in a resolution is presented in sequentially numbered operative clauses. 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 call for a ceasefire or a monetary
commitment for a particular project. (Keep in mind that only Security Council resolutions may
be binding upon member states through pressures such as economic sanctions. The General
Assembly and its main committees can only make recommendations.) The operative clauses
must be numbered sequentially. Each operative clause must begin with an underlined "operative
initiating phrase," and end in a semicolon (;), with the exception of the last one which must end
in a period (.).These clauses can also have subsections outlined in a, b, c, d format, and then
underneath that i, ii, iii, iv, etc. These subsections can be introduced by ending the previous line
with a colon (:) and these sub clauses will end with commas (,). A sub-clause only ends in a
semicolon (;) if it is the last line of the operative clause. (See the example on the next page)

Procedure:

Submitting and introducing a draft resolution

To have a working paper introduced, working papers should be submitted to the dais, located at
the front of the room. After the draft resolutions have been distributed to all of the delegations,
the sponsors of the resolution will have a chance to formally introduce and explain their draft
resolution to the entire committee.

Amendments
There are two types of amendments: Friendly and Unfriendly. Friendly amendments happen
when the nations sponsoring the amendment add to or change their draft resolution. Other
delegates besides the sponsor can also write amendments that are considered Friendly if these
delegates have the signatures of all sponsors on the resolution. These amendments are not voted
on, and are used to strengthen the support of the draft resolution. Unfriendly amendments occur
when nations other than the sponsoring nations introduce an amendment to the draft resolution,
and these nations do not get the signatures of all sponsors. In order to introduce an unfriendly
amendment, you will need one sponsor and signatories, the number of which is determined by
the chair.
WAMUNC XVII- How to Write a Working Paper/Draft Resolution

In some specialized committees, delegates may not be writing resolutions. In crisis committees
for example, delegates write committee directives, press releases, or crisis notes. In some
specialized committees, students may be writing platforms or declarations. If you are in a non-
traditional committee, you can find what type of document you will be writing from your
background guide.

Resolutions: Examples
ECOSOC
Education
Sponsors: Iran, Jordan, Norway, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates
Signatories: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Economic and Social Council,

Keeping in mind the cost of developing a significant education program,

Reiterating the enormous benefits provided to exporting and importing nations of migrants from
remittances,

Believing brain drain to be useful in the long run development for all nations,

Emphasizing the role open borders and easy migration play in helping economic development,

Convinced that every nation has an interest in easy migration,

1. Deplores the creation of an education initiative to combat brain drain due to the fact that it would be
ineffective and expensive;

2. Encourages countries to establish their own micro credit schemes to work in conjunction with
remittance payments and give their citizens a chance in the global economy;

3. Calls upon all nations to create legislation conducive to international migration;

4. Requests that all nations only deport migrants provided they are vagrants, detrimental to the economy,
or directly connected to criminal activity;

5. Recommends that nations work with regional authorities to combat illegal immigration and see it has
eventually becoming eliminated due to the ease in legal migration;

6. Encourages the formation of a new body to work for the implementation of a set of guidelines for
international migration as follows:

a. That receiving nations have full control to deport those who enter their nation either legally or
illegally,
b. That Banks be given full rights to transport capital throughout the world to destroy the current
and informal system,
WAMUNC XVII- How to Write a Working Paper/Draft Resolution

c. That the current system whereby a national complains of abuse to their respective embassy be
strengthened and encouraged,
d. That receiving nations, upon passage of this recommendation, work to sign all outstanding
human rights legislation that does not conflict with their cultural leanings.

Initiating Phrases
Preambulatory Clauses: Keeping in mind... Declares...
Acknowledging ... Mindful Deplores...
Affirming ... Noting... Designates...
Alarmed ... ...further... Directs...
Anxious ... ...with approval... .Emphasizes...
Approving ... ..with concern... Encourages...
Aware ...with deep Endorses...
Bearing in mind ... concern Expressing...
Being convinced ... ...with grave ...its appreciation...
Believing ... concern ...its thanks...
Cognizant ... ...with regret... ...the belief...
Concerned ... ...with ...the hope...
Confident ... satisfaction... Further...
Conscious ... Observing... concurs
Considering ... Reaffirming... invites
Contemplating ... Realizing... ...proclaims...
Convinced ... Recalling... ...reminds...
Declaring ... Recognizing... ...recommends...
Deeply disturbed Referring... ...requests...
Desiring Regretting... ...resolves...
Determined Reiterating... Instructs...
Emphasizing ... Seeking... Invites...
Encouraged ... Stressing... Notes...
Endorsing ... Welcoming... ...with appreciation
Expressing ... Operative Clauses: ...with approval...
...appreciation... Accepts... ...with interest...
...deep Adopts... ...with satisfaction...
appreciation... Affirms Reaffirms...
Expecting ... Appeals... ...its belief...
Fulfilling ... Appreciates... Recognizes...
Fully Approves... Recommends...
...aware ... Authorizes... Regrets...
...believing... Calls upon... Reiterates
...bearing in mind... Commends... Repeats...
Grieved Concurs... Suggests...
Guided by... Condemns... Strongly...
Having Confirms... Supports...
...adopted... Congratulates... Takes note of...
...considered... Considers... Transmits...
...examined further Decides... Urges...
...received... ...accordingly... Welcomes...