Model United Nations How to Write a Resolution

The United Nations Established countries All adhere to the UN charter: Cooperation Respect of human rights Peace Established countries All adhere to the UN charter: Cooperation Respect of human rights Peace

Structure The main bodies include: 1. General Assembly 2. Security Council 3. Economic and Social Council 4. Secretariat These bodies do not make laws but suggests ways to solve problems. The main bodies include: 1. General Assembly 2. Security Council 3. Economic and Social Council 4. Secretariat These bodies do not make laws but suggests ways to solve problems.

What is a resolution? A written statement expressing an opinion about an issue A way to outline a solution Solution first, resolution second! A written statement expressing an opinion about an issue A way to outline a solution Solution first, resolution second!

Why would you write a Resolution? To state a position and give recommendations A resolution is a way to: Express an opinion Criticize or put pressure on member states Recommend that action be taken To state a position and give recommendations A resolution is a way to: Express an opinion Criticize or put pressure on member states Recommend that action be taken

Who writes a resolution? A single country OR A group of countries that share the same ideas on an issue A single country OR A group of countries that share the same ideas on an issue

Resolutions At a Glance The best way to think about a resolution is as a sentence with three main parts: The header indicates the committee, the topic and the sponsor country; The preambulatory clauses provide context, describing why the issue is important and what previous actions have been taken; and The operative clauses describe what actions the committee should take to solve the problem. The best way to think about a resolution is as a sentence with three main parts: The header indicates the committee, the topic and the sponsor country; The preambulatory clauses provide context, describing why the issue is important and what previous actions have been taken; and The operative clauses describe what actions the committee should take to solve the problem.

Format One long sentence separated by commas (,) colons (:) semi-colons (;) A period only appears at the very end! 3 main parts: Heading Preamble Operative clauses One long sentence separated by commas (,) colons (:) semi-colons (;) A period only appears at the very end! 3 main parts: Heading Preamble Operative clauses

The Heading A way to identify the resolution Identifies 3 things: Committee Topic Sponsor Country Format: On separate lines at top left hand corner A way to identify the resolution Identifies 3 things: Committee Topic Sponsor Country Format: On separate lines at top left hand corner

Example Heading Committee: General Assembly Topic: Raising health standards throughout the world Sponsor: Brazil Committee: General Assembly Topic: Raising health standards throughout the world Sponsor: Brazil

The Preamble Describes why this Resolution is important Can include: U.N. Charter Other resolutions What the UN has said about issue Other groups working on problem Do your research! Format: Each phrase followed by a comma (,) Last clause followed by a colon (:) Describes why this Resolution is important Can include: U.N. Charter Other resolutions What the UN has said about issue Other groups working on problem Do your research! Format: Each phrase followed by a comma (,) Last clause followed by a colon (:)

Example of a Preamble Taking into account that many people are living in poverty, Noting with approval the steps taken by the General Assembly in dealing with this problem, Alarmed by the standard of living in many countries, Seeking to increase health standards throughout the world: Taking into account that many people are living in poverty, Noting with approval the steps taken by the General Assembly in dealing with this problem, Alarmed by the standard of living in many countries, Seeking to increase health standards throughout the world: Colon Comma

Example of words for the preamble Acknowledging Alarmed by Appreciating Aware Concerned Keeping in mind Recognizing Taking into consideration Acknowledging Alarmed by Appreciating Aware Concerned Keeping in mind Recognizing Taking into consideration

Operative Clauses Describe what action should be taken Reasonable solutions that the committee can enforce. Format: Begin each phrase with an operative word or phrase. End each clause with a semi-colon (;) and the last with a period Number each phrase Underline the Operative word or phrase Describe what action should be taken Reasonable solutions that the committee can enforce. Format: Begin each phrase with an operative word or phrase. End each clause with a semi-colon (;) and the last with a period Number each phrase Underline the Operative word or phrase

Examples of Operative Clauses 1.Calls upon member states to increase economic aid to countries with poor health standards; 2.Trusts that the Economic and Social Council will address this issue accordingly; 3.Invites the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to work on this problem; 4.5. Encourages the use of non-governmental organizations in solving this problem. 1.Calls upon member states to increase economic aid to countries with poor health standards; 2.Trusts that the Economic and Social Council will address this issue accordingly; 3.Invites the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to work on this problem; 4.5. Encourages the use of non-governmental organizations in solving this problem. Period Semi-colon

Examples of words in Operative Clauses Decides Declares Directs Encourages Recommends Reminds Requests Suggests Supports Decides Declares Directs Encourages Recommends Reminds Requests Suggests Supports

Sample Resolution The General Assembly, Recognizing that China is a permanent member of the Security Council, Taking into account that China has threatened war with Taiwan : 1. Urges the nations of the world to consider sanctions against China; 2. Condemns China using live ammunition in its military exercises. The General Assembly, Recognizing that China is a permanent member of the Security Council, Taking into account that China has threatened war with Taiwan : 1. Urges the nations of the world to consider sanctions against China; 2. Condemns China using live ammunition in its military exercises.

Resolution Writing: Do’s Do write the correct names of the country and committee that you are in Do use many different sources to support your point Do look at the problem from different points of view Do present realistic solutions in your resolution Do represent your country and its actual foreign policy Do write the correct names of the country and committee that you are in Do use many different sources to support your point Do look at the problem from different points of view Do present realistic solutions in your resolution Do represent your country and its actual foreign policy

Resolution Writing: Don'ts Don’t abbreviate the names of the countries (e.g. Great Britain is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Don’t use “I” when referring to yourself; say “we” or “the delegate from ____” Don’t make a resolution very long, but be specific when giving solutions Don’t abbreviate the names of the countries (e.g. Great Britain is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Don’t use “I” when referring to yourself; say “we” or “the delegate from ____” Don’t make a resolution very long, but be specific when giving solutions

Art of Diplomacy  Diplomacy The conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations between nations. The art or science of conducting such negotiations Skill in managing negotiations, handling people, etc., so that there is little or no ill will;  Diplomacy The conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations between nations. The art or science of conducting such negotiations Skill in managing negotiations, handling people, etc., so that there is little or no ill will;

Art of Diplomacy in Resolution Writing “Diplomacy is thinking twice before saying nothing.” - Unknown It is important to be diplomatic because: Demonstrating courtesy is essential Resolutions often address sensitive topics Diplomacy can help you achieve what you want “Diplomacy is thinking twice before saying nothing.” - Unknown It is important to be diplomatic because: Demonstrating courtesy is essential Resolutions often address sensitive topics Diplomacy can help you achieve what you want

Diplomacy Activity Split into small groups. Within your group, think about how diplomacy could solve the challenges of your committee or challenges posed by your teacher. Be prepared to share your solution. Split into small groups. Within your group, think about how diplomacy could solve the challenges of your committee or challenges posed by your teacher. Be prepared to share your solution.

Let’s Review! What is included in the heading of a resolution? In the preambulatory clause? In the operative clause? Who is responsible for writing a resolution? Why is a resolution normally written? What is included in the heading of a resolution? In the preambulatory clause? In the operative clause? Who is responsible for writing a resolution? Why is a resolution normally written?

More Review Name a few Do’s and Don’t’s of resolution writing. What is the art of diplomacy? How does the art of diplomacy relate to writing a resolution? Name a few Do’s and Don’t’s of resolution writing. What is the art of diplomacy? How does the art of diplomacy relate to writing a resolution?

Conclusion Now you are prepared to write your OWN resolution to present in your Committee during the Model UN Conference!