MODEL UN MEETING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 AGENDA: Business a. in-house conference update Plainview Conference 12/11-12 Training – Resolution Writing

What is a Resolution? The culmination of your discussions, writings and negotiations at the conference It is a statement that states your positions and ways to deal with the problem discussed in your session They are non-binding; they are recommendations and suggestions for future actions

KEY TERMS The Working Paper - The working paper is the first part of the resolution process. Once a draft has been copied and given out it is then turned into a work paper, discussed upon the floor and is open for signatories. The Draft Resolution - When the working paper has enough signatories (usually 20% of the delegates in the council) it becomes a draft resolution to be officially debated on and eventually voted upon. The Resolution - When a draft resolution has been passed it is then a resolution.

SAMPLE RESOLUTION Topic: The Sudanese Conflict Submitted to: The Security Council Sponsors: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Co-signatories: Security Council, Recalling all relevant resolutions upon the topic, specifically Security Council Resolutions, 1564 (2004) 1556 (2004), 1547 (2004) and 1502 (2003) and taking into account the Plan of Action agreed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Sudan and the Government of Sudan, Commending the leadership role and engagement the African Union has taken in addressing the situation in Darfur and expressing its readiness to continue supporting it fully, Condemning all acts of violence and violations of human rights and the international humanitarian law by all parties to the crisis, in particular by the Janjaweed, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, rapes, forced displacements, and acts of violence those with and ethnic dimension, and expressing the utmost concern at the consequences of the conflict in Darfur on the civilian population, including women, children, internally displaced persons, and refugees,

SAMPLE RESOLUTION Expressing the determination of the Security Council to halt a humanitarian crisis in this area by taking further action if required, Noting the need for the Sudanese government to take stronger stances in preventing the genocide committed within their borders to ensure the safety and security of the lives of civilians within Sudan especially within Darfur and southern regions of the country, Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter 1. Calls on the Government of Sudan to fulfill all unfulfilled commitments made in the July 3, 2004 Communiqué; 2. Affirms that greater cooperation with various human rights NGO’s is pertinent to improving the already inhumane living conditions in the Sudan; 3. Establishes an ad hoc Committee on the Sudanese Refugee Crisis to determine, discuss, and situate refugees of the Sudanese Conflict; 4. Welcomes the work done by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send human rights observers to Sudan and calls upon the government to continue cooperating with the High Commissioner in the deployment of those observers;

SAMPLE RESOLUTION 5. Decides that all states shall take necessary measures to prevent the sale or supply, to all non-governmental entities and individuals, including the Janjaweed, operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur; 6. Decides that all states shall take necessary measures to prevent any provision, to the non-governmental entities and individuals state in paragraph 3, operating in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur; 7. Encourages the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan and the independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights to work closely with the Sudanese Government in supporting independent investigations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Darfur region; 8. Expresses full support for the African Union-led ceasefire commission and monitoring mission in Darfur; 9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

BREAKING A RESOLUTION DOWN TO ITS PARTS: THE INTRODUCTION Topic: The Sudanese Conflict Submitted to: The Security Council Sponsors: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Co-signatories: Security Council, This is like a salutation, the way you would write “Dear _____” in a letter. Sponsors are the people who submit the resolution or who have written it. Just because you add an amendment it does not mean you are a sponsor. Co-signatories are those who sign your resolution so that it may be brought up for discussion during the debate.

Perambulatory Clauses Recalling all relevant resolutions upon the topic, specifically Security Council Resolutions, 1564 (2004) 1556 (2004), 1547 (2004) and 1502 (2003) and taking into account the Plan of Action agreed by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Sudan and the Government of Sudan, Commending the leadership role and engagement the African Union has taken in addressing the situation in Darfur and expressing its readiness to continue supporting it fully, etc… This is the part of the Resolution which generally addresses the situation but does not state things that could be taken as action such as creating agencies or, establishing funds etc. It is the part of the resolution where past resolutions are recalled the situation is stated and reactions to past actions are stated.

Operative Clauses 1. Calls on the Government of Sudan to fulfill all unfulfilled commitments made in the July 3, 2004 Communiqué; 2. Affirms that greater cooperation with various human rights NGO’s is pertinent to improving the already inhumane living conditions in the Sudan; 3. Establishes an Ad Hoc Committee on the Sudanese Refugee Crisis to determine, discuss, and situate refugees of the Sudanese Conflict; 4. Welcomes the work done by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send human rights observers to Sudan and calls upon the government to continue cooperating with the High Commissioner in the deployment of those observers; etc… The Operative clauses are the actions that will be taken by that specific council. Calling on governments and stating changes that should be made, or improvements etc…

AMENDMENTS The only way to change an approved draft resolution It is a written statement that adds, deletes or revises an operative clause in a draft resolution. It is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change certain sections. A RESOLUTION PASSES WHEN IT IS ACCEPTED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY WITHIN THE COMMITTEE

TIPS: Create a detailed resolution. For example, if your resolution calls for a new program, think about how it will be funded and what body will manage it. Try to cite facts whenever possible. Be realistic. Do not create objectives for your resolution that cannot be met. Make sure your body can take the action suggested. For example, the General Assembly can’t sanction another country – only the Security Council can do so. Try to find multiple sponsors. Your committee will be more likely to approve the resolutions if many delegates contribute ideas. Perambulatory clauses are historic justifications for action. Use them to cite past resolutions, precedents and statements about the purpose of action. Operative clauses are policies that the resolution is designed to create. Use them to explain what the committee will do to address the issue.