1. Resolution Writing 101 A Guide to Resolution Writing for Model United Nations

2. What is a resolution? A resolution is a written suggestion for the solution of a problem. Delegates draft resolutions to present written ideas and actions to help overcome world issues. Resolutions are written after the discussion of an issue to present options for action.

3. Sponsors Sponsors of resolutions are the principle authors of the resolution. They are the writers of the resolution and are the only people who can approve immediate changes to it. There can be one sponsor, but there is usually more.

4. Signatories Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the resolution, but sign them so that the resolution can be discussed. They want to debate the resolution, so they sign their country onto the resolution as a signatory. Signatories do not have to agree entirely with the resolution to sign it.

5. Starting Your Resolution The first step in writing a resolution is to gather a group of delegates who have similar opinions on actions to be taken. The next step is to establish the sponsor(s). When beginning a resolution you should entitle it “Working Paper” because it is not officially a resolution until voted upon by the committee. Also, label the paper with the committee name and number, sponsor(s) name(s), topic, and date.

6. Preambulatory Clauses The preamble of a working paper states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights of past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a participle, called a preambulatory clause, and ends with a comma. There must be at least three preambulatory clauses in a resolution, but there can be more.

7. More About Preambulatory Clauses Preambulatory clauses can include: References to the UN Charter; Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties about the topic; Mentions of statements made by the Secretary- General or a relevant UN body agency; Recognition of the efforts of regional or non governmental organizations dealing with the issues, and; General statements on the topic, its significance or its impact.

8. Some Preambulatory Clauses Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Bearing in mind Believing Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Desiring Emphasizing Expecting Expressing its appreciation Expressing its satisfaction Fulfilling Fully alarmed Fully aware Fully believing Further deploring Further recalling Having adopted Having considered Having considered further Having devoted attention Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied Keeping in mind Noting with regret Noting with deep concern Noting with satisfaction Noting further Noting with approval Observing Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Seeking Taking into account Taking into consideration Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

9. Operative Clauses Operative clauses identify the actions or recommendations made in a resolution. They begin with an operative clause and end with a semicolon. There must be at least 5 operative clauses in a resolution, but there can be more. Make sure that each operative clause contains a clear solution for the topic at hand.

10. Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls Calls upon Condemns Confirms Congratulates Considers Declares accordingly Deplores Designates Draws the attention Emphasizes Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further reminds Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Has resolved Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns Supports Takes note of Transmits Trusts Some Operative Clauses

11. Proper Resolution Writing Technique When writing a resolution you should head the paper as earlier instructed. After all of that information, skip a line to start with your first preambulatory clause. All preambulatory and operative clauses are underlined. Skip a line after every phrase. There should be a comma after every preambulatory phrase. There should be a semicolon after every operative clause, and a period after the last one. Also, number each operative clause starting with 1.

12. Example Working Paper Committee: 2 nd Sponsor: Belgium Topic: The Effect of HIV/AIDS on Developing Countries The General Assembly, Alarmed at the number of HIV/AIDS cases worldwide, Deeply disturbed by the lack of prevention programs in countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, Acknowledging the need to implement prevention efforts that are not hindered by religious beliefs, 1. Invite religious leaders to endorse prevention programs that do not conflict with moral values; 2. Calls upon UNAIDS to give funding to public organizations to run prevention programs that acknowledge the need to inform listeners of consequences and forms of prevention for HIV/AIDS; 3.Recommends prevention programs that reach the world’s youth; 4.Emphasizes the need for sanitation order in hospitals and clinics dealing with HIV/AIDS victims; 5.Expresses its hope that these prevention programs will influence people to consider the consequences of free sexual relationships and the HIV/ AIDS infection. Signatories: Spain, Tanzania, China, Germany, Jordan, Lithuania, Brazil, Bolivia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Greece, Sudan, Austria, Norway

13. Resolution! When you have finished writing your working paper all of the signatories must sign it along with the chair. The committee will eventually vote on your working paper. If it passes, it become a resolution.

14. Now you know how to write a resolution. GOOD LUCK!

15. Works Cited unausa.org