Resolutions
The objective of each committee will be the passage of a resolution that addresses the interests and objectives of the majority of members present while providing an adequate solution to the topic area under discussion. UN resolutions are drafted according to very specific guidelines.
The resolution is a formal document which describes the plan of action to be undertaken in order to solve the particular problems presented in the topic area. Each resolution should deal specifically with the agenda item under discussion by the committee, and the format should follow that described by the sample resolution provided. The following criteria must be met before a resolution can be introduced to the committee.
It should be succinct, well-written and typed – arrangements for the use of computer facilities will provided at the start of the conference.
It must have the support of a minimum of one-quarter of the committee before discussion can commence, as provided in the Rules of Procedure.
It must have the approval of the Director. In the absence of sufficient support for any given resolution, a resolution may be placed on the floor at the Director’s discretion. While remaining impartial, a Director will only approve a resolution for discussion which adequately addresses the key elements of the topic area.
It must include a plan of action and workable solution to the problem. It must have the support of a sufficient number of members, including those parties to which the topic area is particularly referable. This does not mean that all the parties must agree on a solution to the problem (indeed the very nature of a Model UN Conference means that such debates would get rather boring) but at a very minimum some of the key players should be interested.
Again, although NGOs are unable to directly sponsor a resolution, they are encouraged to actively participate in the formation of the resolutions and to lobby delegates to include clauses that support their aims in the resolutions. During the discussion of resolutions, NGO’s can speak with the same rights as other delegates.
One resolution per agenda item will pass through to the General Assembly. In the event that no resolutions pass in Committee then a re-vote on each resolution put previously before the Committee will be actioned by the Director. There will be no debate, and the resolution with the greatest number of votes ‘for’ will pass through to General Assembly.
Notes on Formatting a Resolution
Heading
The name of the committee and the agenda item under discussion should appear in the top left of the draft resolution. It is also advisable to include the name of the country submitting the resolution, the names of sponsoring countries and the names of the countries that contributed to writing the resolution.
Body
The body of the resolution begins with the name of the committee, in italics. The next section consists of the Preambulatory Clauses for the resolution. This section, describes the problem being addressed, recalls the past actions taken, explains the purpose of the resolution and offers support for the operative clauses that follow. Each phrase begins with a descriptive verb, in italics, and ends with a comma. A list of verbs suitable for use at the beginning of preambulatory clauses appears below.
Actions to be taken as a result of the resolution are called the Operative Clauses. They appear in the resolution after the preambulatory clauses as a list of numbered statements beginning with a present tense active verb (again listed below), in italics again, and finishing with a semicolon. The final operative clause ends with a full stop, signalling the end of the resolution.
It is best not to use phrases more than once in a resolution.
Below is a list of suitable verbs for use in the resolution. It is not an exhaustive list, but covers the main words used in resolutions.
Preambulatory Clauses
affirming, alarmed by, approving, aware of, believing, bearing in mind, concerned, confident, contemplating, convinced, deploring, desiring, disturbed, emphasising, expecting, fulfilling, guided by, having adopted, having considered, having devoted attention, having examined, having received, having studied, noting further, keeping in mind, noting with regret, noting with concern, observing, noting with approval, realising, reaffirming, recalling, recognising, referring, regretting, seeking, taking into account, taking note, viewing with appreciation, welcoming.
Operative Clauses
accepts, further accepts, affirms, approves, authorises, calls for, condemns, congratulates, confirms, trusts, supports, urges, considers, declares, accordingly, deplores, draws attention, designates, emphasises, encourages, resolves, takes note of, endorses, has resolved, notes, proclaims, reaffirms, recommends, reminds, requests.
Further information
Go the UN's resolution centre located here and have a look at a real UN resolution. You will see that a resolution is formed of one complete sentence beginning with the name of the body that has passed it and ending in a full stop. Resolutions are divided into individual clauses, each containing a specific statement or course of action.
As with many ‘legislative’ processes, the final resolution may bear only mild resemblance to the original as a resolution will undergo considerable redrafting and amendment both in informal lobbying sessions as well as in formal debate before it is successfully passed.