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How To Write A Resolution

This document provides instructions on how to write a resolution. It explains that resolutions are drafted by delegates to propose solutions to issues under discussion. A resolution has three parts: a heading with sponsors and signatories, pre-ambulatory clauses that describe relevant background and reasons for action, and operative clauses that propose specific actions and solutions. It provides examples of language and phrasing for each part of a resolution, and tips on building an effective resolution through consensus and detail.

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Lai Garcia-Tamayo
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112 views5 pages

How To Write A Resolution

This document provides instructions on how to write a resolution. It explains that resolutions are drafted by delegates to propose solutions to issues under discussion. A resolution has three parts: a heading with sponsors and signatories, pre-ambulatory clauses that describe relevant background and reasons for action, and operative clauses that propose specific actions and solutions. It provides examples of language and phrasing for each part of a resolution, and tips on building an effective resolution through consensus and detail.

Uploaded by

Lai Garcia-Tamayo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Write a Resolution

Basics of a Resolution

Who: Who writes a resolution? Any delegate in the committee can


write a resolution (although in rare instances an observer state is
not allowed to directly write a resolution). The author of a
resolution is called a sponsor. Most resolutions have multiple
sponsors because it takes a group of countries to share good ideas
and to come to a consensus. Some conferences allow delegates to
sponsor multiple resolutions for each topic while others only allow
delegates to sponsor one per topic.

What: What is a resolution? A resolution is a document that


contains all the issues that the committee wants to solve and the
proposed solutions to that issue. Technically, the resolution
should be called a draft resolution before it is voted upon and
then called a resolution after it is successfully passed during
voting bloc.

When/Where: When and where are resolutions written? Most


conferences require students to write resolutions during the
conference. Specifically, resolutions are usually written during
unmoderated caucus (sometimes called informal caucus) where
delegates are free to roam around the committee to collaborate on
ideas with each other, and sometimes students work outside in
hallways or computer labs as well. Resolution-writing becomes more
focused during the latter sessions of committee when different
country policies are clear and different ideas have been mentioned
already. These conferences will not allow any pre-written
resolutions. A few conferences have “docket-style” debate. This is
when students are required to submit resolutions to the conference
in advance and the chairs pick the best ones and put them into a
docket. The delegates focus only on the resolutions in the docket
when they get to the conference and work on amending them.

Why: The ultimate purpose of a committee session is to pass a


resolution. All the speeches, debate, negotiation, and teamwork is
supposed to lead up to a resolution which contains all the proposed
solutions to the issue. The resolution(s) that the majority of the
committee agrees upon will be passed during voting bloc and the
sponsors will be informally commended for building consensus on
good ideas. Most conferences allow multiple resolutions to pass as
long as they do not contradict each other, but a few conferences
allow only one resolution to pass.

A resolution is actually really simple to write. It has three main


parts: the heading, the pre-ambulatory clauses, and the operative
clauses. We’ll break down the example above into these three parts
below.

1. Heading

The heading contains four pieces of information: the committee


name, the sponsors, the signatories, and the topic (not necessarily
in that order depending on each individual conference’s rules).

Resolution heading

The committee name and topic should be self-explanatory. The


sponsors are the authors of the resolution. The signatories are
other delegates in the committee who do not necessarily agree with
the resolution but would like to see it debated. Most conferences
require a minimum number or percentage of sponsors and signatories
(or a combination of both) before a resolution can be presented
— this encourages consensus-building. You will also notice some
numbering (on the top right corner in the example). This is usually
provided by the committee chair and is just a way to number the
different resolutions — usually by the order they are received or
approved — so that delegates can easily differentiate or reference
them.

2. Pre-ambulatory clauses

The pre-ambulatory clauses state all the issues that the committee
wants to resolve on this issue. It may state reasons why the
committee is working on this issue and highlight previous
international actions on the issue. Pre-ambulatory clauses can
include:

 Past UN resolutions, treaties, or conventions related to the


topic
 Past regional, non-governmental, or national efforts in
resolving this topic
 References to the UN Charter or other international frameworks
and laws
 Statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body
or agency
 General background info formation or facts about the topic,
its significance, and its impact.

Resolution pre-ambulatory clauses

It’s very simple to write a pre-ambulatory clause. First, take a


statement that you want to write about (perhaps an issue you want
to solve or a specific fact from one of the five bullet points
above). You then take that statement, combine it with an underlined
pre-ambulatory phrase, and end it with a comma.

Strategy Tip: In general, you want fewer pre-ambulatory clauses


than operative clauses. More operative clauses convey that you have
more solutions than you have problems.

3. Operative clauses

Operative clauses state the solutions that the sponsors of the


resolution propose to resolve the issues. The operative clauses
should address the issues specifically mentioned in the pre-
ambulatory clauses above it.

Resolution operative clauses

It’s very simple to write an operative clause. First, take a


solution that you want to include in the draft resolution. You then
take that solution, combine it with an underlined operative phrase,
and end it with a semicolon (the last operative clause ends with a
period). Operative clauses are also numbered. This differentiates
them from pre-ambulatory clauses, helps show logical progression in
the resolution, and makes the operative clauses easy to refer to in
speeches and comments.

Operative clauses

For example, my first solution is to distribute low-cost medicines


for HIV/AIDS to sub-Saharan African countries. I pick an operative
phrase from above — I’ll use “Calls upon” — and then I combine it
and number it to say:
1. Calls upon the developed countries and major pharmaceutical
countries to provide low-cost, generic medicines for HIV/AIDS to
sub-Saharan African countries;

Strategy Tip: Usually more details in an operative clause will make


it stronger or at least make the idea more clear to other
delegates. A simple way to strengthen each operative clause is to
answer the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of each
resolution. These details can actually be broken down into sub-
operative clauses underneath the main operative clause.

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