Writing Resolutions Here‟s the general format for a resolution, as well as a few tips to keep in mind when writing a resolution: A resolution is basically a statement of what the UN has decided to do. It‟s kind of a weird legal-ese format, but if you look closely you can begin to make some sense of it. One important thing to remember is that a resolution, when read straight through, should be a single complete sentence, albeit one that would give any English teacher nightmares. There‟s also a sample resolution for you to examine. Part 1 – The Heading TOPIC – This is pretty self-explanatory – it‟s the topic your resolution addresses. SUBMITTED TO – The overarching organ of the UN that your committee reports to (or in some cases, is). This is either the General Assembly, ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) or the Security Council. SPONSORS – These are the countries that wrote the resolution. It could be only one, it could be a few, and sometimes people become sponsors of a resolution they didn‟t actually write, or maybe only contributed one key clause. Another group to keep in mind (though they‟re not necessarily listed on the reso itself) are SIGNATORIES. You have to get a certain proportion (usually ¼) of the delegates to sign your resolution for it to be debated on the floor. Signing doesn‟t mean that they support what it says (unlike sponsoring, where you‟re behind it wholeheartedly, even more than just voting „yes‟) – it just means that they think it‟s worth bringing to the floor and debating, either to improve it, to pass it, or to shoot it down – you never know. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, (or THE SECURITY COUNCIL, or whatever) – The subject of the resolution‟s „sentence.‟ This is the same body that you listed in SUBMITTED TO. This begins the real resolution, so pay attention to format and punctuation from now on. End this part with a comma. Part 2 – Preambulatory Clauses “Applauding the efforts of the Special Representative…” – There are five of these in the sample resolution, though it doesn‟t matter how many you have, as long as you can give the resolution some context. Give some background to how bad some situation is. Refer to previous resolutions or treaties on the topic. But remember - THESE CLAUSES ARE MEANINGLESS. They don‟t DO anything or say anything new. This is NOT the meat of your resolution, and you shouldn‟t put the meat of your resolution here. Underline the first word/phrase, and end each of these with a comma.
Part 3 – Operative Clauses “1. Implores the States…” – This is now the meat of your resolution. Here‟s what your reso is doing that‟s actually new and important. Words matter here as well – for example, only the Security Council can “Condemn” or “Demand” something. You also get to cheat a little on that complete-sentence rule if you have a big operative clause with a few main points – you can put in a colon and have a list of a), b), c), etc. Complete sentences are fine in those subpoints. Otherwise, underline the operative word and end with a semicolon. After the last operative clause (traditionally “Decides to remain actively seized of the matter”) end with a period. Part 4 – Sample Resolution Here‟s a resolution I wrote a number of years ago addressing the problem of children in warfare. I was France, the other sponsors came aboard later. I know Spain added the clause about psychological trauma, but I‟m pretty sure the rest is mine, and I know the wording is mine. I know because I tend to write long, somewhat wordy resolutions. Most of the ones you‟ll see are shorter and simpler, but I tried to be as comprehensive as possible. Don‟t worry about length anyway, unless it gets really out of hand. Anyway, enjoy.
TOPIC: Children in Warfare SUBMITTED TO: The General Assembly SPONSORS: France, Spain, Canada, Ireland, Austria THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Applauding the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG), Commending the United Nations Children‟s Fund for its continued success in ensuring the preservation of children‟s rights around the world, Further applauding the near-universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the monitoring activities of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Deeply disturbed by the abuse and trauma inflicted upon children by warfare in many areas of the world, Desiring an end to the horrific practice of forced conscription of children by military and paramilitary groups and their use as common soldiers, human shields, suicide bombers, etc.,
1. Implores the States that have yet to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United States and Somalia, to do so, and that States work quickly and effectively to draft and adopt the Optional Protocol to the Convention, raising the age for recruitment and participation in armed conflict from fifteen to eighteen years of age; 2. Endorses UNICEF‟s efforts to promote the right of all children to free education, especially in poor and/or developing nations, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and so as to promote literacy among the children of developing countries and to reduce susceptibility to deception by those who would seek to abduct them for service in armed conflict; 3. Requests that parties to an armed conflict, Government or otherwise, per the example of El Salvador in 1985 and Afghanistan in 1988-89, agree to maintain basic humanitarian necessities such as water supplies and basic health services, to refrain from the needless destruction of food crops and arable land, and to establish “corridors of peace” and/or “days of tranquility” so that international health workers may provide basic care and immunization for children and other noncombatants; 4. Calls for the classification of rape and sexual abuse of civilians by soldiers and other combatants as a war crime, rather than an “inevitable side effect of war,” in accordance with the Statute of the International Criminal Court; 5. Recommends, as advised by the Report of Graça Machel, Expert of the SecretaryGeneral, on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, that UNICEF, in its relief efforts in war-torn areas, take into account the psychological trauma inflicted upon children by warfare, that it take steps to prevent further traumatic experiences during the reconstruction and reintegration process, and that it avoid the institutionalization of children wherever possible; 6. Also requests that UNICEF and other relief organizations work with the media to expose the use of child soldiers and to take steps to ensure that those children serving as combatants are demobilized and effectively reintegrated into their communities, including but not limited to the stipulation that any peace agreements between warring parties provide for such demobilization and integration; 7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. Some Preambulatory Words (not a complete list)
Acknowledging ... Affirming ... Alarmed ... Anxious ... Approving ... Aware … Bearing in mind ... Being convinced... Believing ... Cognizant ... Concerned ... Confident ... Conscious ... Considering ... Contemplating ... Convinced ... Declaring ...
Deeply disturbed… Desiring … Determined … Emphasizing ... Encouraging… Encouraged by... Endorsing ... Expressing ... ...appreciation... ..deep appreciation Expecting ... Fulfilling ... Fully … ...aware ... ...believing... ..bearing in mind... Grieved…
Guided by... Having… ...adopted... ...approved... ...considered... ...examined further… ...received... ...reviewed... Keeping in mind... Mindful… Noting... ...further... ...with approval... ...with concern...
...with deep concern… ...with grave concern… ...with regret... ...with satisfaction... Observing... Reaffirming... Realizing... Recalling... Recognizing... Referring... Regretting... Reiterating... Seeking... Stressing... Welcoming...
Some Operative Words (not a complete list) Accepts... Adopts... Affirms... Appeals... Appreciates... Approves... Authorizes... Calls upon... Commends... Concurs... Condemns... Confirms... Congratulates... Considers... Decides... ...accordingly... Declares... Deplores... Designates... Demands… Directs... Emphasizes... Encourages... Endorses... Expresses… its appreciation ...its conviction ...its regret... ...its sympathy ...its thanks... ...the belief... ...the hope... Further... …concurs… …invites ...proclaims... ...reminds... ...recommends... ...requests... ...resolves... Implores… Instructs... Invites... Notes... …with appreciation ...with approval.. ...with interest... ...with satisfaction… Reaffirms... ...its belief... Recognizes... Recommends... Regrets... Reiterates… Renews its appeal Repeats... Suggests... Stresses… Strongly... Supports... Takes note of... Transmits... Urges... Welcomes...