The Lowdown Resolution Writing

Resolutions Resolutions are one long sentence consisting of several parts. Resolutions are one long sentence consisting of several parts. Heading Heading Preamble Preamble Operative Operative Like with writing papers for teachers grammar and formatting are very important Like with writing papers for teachers grammar and formatting are very important

Headings Resolutions are written by the body for the body. As such they are addressed to the body. Resolutions are written by the body for the body. As such they are addressed to the body. ECOSOC resolutions are addressed to ECOSOC ECOSOC resolutions are addressed to ECOSOC Security Council resolutions are addressed to the SC Security Council resolutions are addressed to the SC The exception is the General Assemblys Main Committees (1 st – 6 th Committees). In this case, resolutions are addressed to the General Assembly The exception is the General Assemblys Main Committees (1 st – 6 th Committees). In this case, resolutions are addressed to the General Assembly

Preamble – What is it? Background Information for Issue Background Information for Issue Considerations that led to topic Considerations that led to topic Cite previous decisions Cite previous decisions Other resolutions on issue or related issues Other resolutions on issue or related issues Cite relevant documents Cite relevant documents Reports from UN bodies Reports from UN bodies Reports from Secretary-General Reports from Secretary-General Reflect actions/decisions/reports by other relevant international/regional organizations Reflect actions/decisions/reports by other relevant international/regional organizations Preambular Clauses are ended with commas Preambular Clauses are ended with commas

Common Preambular Phrases Recalling Recalling Taking into account Taking into account Stressing Stressing Considering/Having considered Considering/Having considered Emphasizing Emphasizing Acknowledging Acknowledging Aware of Welcomes Welcoming Noting/Taking note Noting with appreciation Bearing in mind Affirming/Reaffirming

Operative – What is it? Positions/Decisions the body takes/makes Positions/Decisions the body takes/makes If a report was considered, the GA takes note of the report If a report was considered, the GA takes note of the report Inviting actions by Member States, subsidiary organs, specialized agencies, and other parts of the UN system Inviting actions by Member States, subsidiary organs, specialized agencies, and other parts of the UN system Request reports by the Secretary-General Request reports by the Secretary-General Operative Clauses are ended with semi-colons Operative Clauses are ended with semi-colons

Common Operative Phrases Welcomes Welcomes Recalls Recalls Takes note/Notes Takes note/Notes Appreciation Appreciation Concern Concern Encourages Encourages Calls upon Calls upon Invites Invites Requests Decides Recommends Commends Affirms Urges Stresses Emphasizes

Formatting – British English Resolutions follow British English in many cases Resolutions follow British English in many cases Periods follow quotation marks Periods follow quotation marks program is spelled programme. Even when used in American English, WFP is World Food Programme. Likewise for United Nations Envrionment Programme and United Nations Development Programme program is spelled programme. Even when used in American English, WFP is World Food Programme. Likewise for United Nations Envrionment Programme and United Nations Development Programme When listing, there is no comma between the last two items in a list When listing, there is no comma between the last two items in a list Ex: …apples, oranges, mangos and dragonfruits as opposed to …apples, oranges, mangos, and dragonfruits Ex: …apples, oranges, mangos and dragonfruits as opposed to …apples, oranges, mangos, and dragonfruits

Formatting – Capitalization Certain words are always capitalized in resolutions Certain words are always capitalized in resolutions United Nations United Nations Charter and Articles when referring to the United Nations Charter and/or the Charters Articles Charter and Articles when referring to the United Nations Charter and/or the Charters Articles Member States/Governments Member States/Governments Nations is rarely used Nations is rarely used Countries only with a qualifying adjective or prepositional phrase Countries only with a qualifying adjective or prepositional phrase affected countries, donor countries, developing countries, etc. affected countries, donor countries, developing countries, etc.

Formatting – Acronyms Dont use them Dont use them Only exception is if an acronym was used in a title of a project Only exception is if an acronym was used in a title of a project The Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent (IFRC) are traditionally referred to together as The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement unless when referring to a specific action or mandate of the ICRC or IFRC The Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent (IFRC) are traditionally referred to together as The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement unless when referring to a specific action or mandate of the ICRC or IFRC

Grammar – Plural The plural of Secretary-General is Secretaries- General The plural of Secretary-General is Secretaries- General

Understanding UN Document Codes General Assembly resolutions are documented as A/Res/Session Number/Resolution Number General Assembly resolutions are documented as A/Res/Session Number/Resolution Number Ex: A/Res/63/302 is General Assembly resolution 302 from the 63 rd Session (2008) Ex: A/Res/63/302 is General Assembly resolution 302 from the 63 rd Session (2008) The date that may or may not follow this document code is the date that the resolution was adopted The date that may or may not follow this document code is the date that the resolution was adopted Security Council resolutions are documented as Resolution Number (Adoption Year) Security Council resolutions are documented as Resolution Number (Adoption Year) Ex: 1234 (2006) is Security Council resolution 1234, adopted in 2006 Ex: 1234 (2006) is Security Council resolution 1234, adopted in 2006 ECOSOC resolutions are documented Session Year/Resolution Number ECOSOC resolutions are documented Session Year/Resolution Number Ex: 2010/8 is ECOSOC resolution 8 from the 2010 session Ex: 2010/8 is ECOSOC resolution 8 from the 2010 session

Writing – Citing Resolutions When citing resolutions state the name of the body followed by their resolution documentation style When citing resolutions state the name of the body followed by their resolution documentation style Ex: General Assembly resolution 63/302 Ex: General Assembly resolution 63/302 Ex: Security Council resolution 1234 (2006) Ex: Security Council resolution 1234 (2006) Ex: Economic and Social Council resolution 2010/8 Ex: Economic and Social Council resolution 2010/8 Reports are document coded without resolution or Res. Thus, reports are cited: Session Number or Year/Report Number Reports are document coded without resolution or Res. Thus, reports are cited: Session Number or Year/Report Number Ex: A/63/2 for the GAs 2 nd report for the 63 rd Session Ex: A/63/2 for the GAs 2 nd report for the 63 rd Session Ex: S/2006/8 for the SCs 8 th report for the 2006 Session Ex: S/2006/8 for the SCs 8 th report for the 2006 Session Ex: E/2010/1 for the ECOSOCs 1 st report for the 2010 Session Ex: E/2010/1 for the ECOSOCs 1 st report for the 2010 Session

Writing – Alternate Word Choices inter alia (without italics) is used to indicate that the list following is some, but not all inclusive, allowing the paragraph to be inclusive without listing everything/everyone inter alia (without italics) is used to indicate that the list following is some, but not all inclusive, allowing the paragraph to be inclusive without listing everything/everyone Some countries do not want to be bound to the ratifying a resolution domestically and will not support a resolution. As such, phrases such as Consider ratifying… can be used to bolster support for resolutions as it does not require countries to go through with the action yet allows them to show their support for the document Some countries do not want to be bound to the ratifying a resolution domestically and will not support a resolution. As such, phrases such as Consider ratifying… can be used to bolster support for resolutions as it does not require countries to go through with the action yet allows them to show their support for the document

Other Considerations – Funding Funding at the United Nations is not infinite. There is a budget. In fact, no resolution can be recommended for approval without an estimation of expenditures as well as the affect on the budget. Funding at the United Nations is not infinite. There is a budget. In fact, no resolution can be recommended for approval without an estimation of expenditures as well as the affect on the budget. Rather than establishing a new body, try to use what is already present. There are dozens and dozens of UN agencies and committees already in existence. Rather than establishing a new body, try to use what is already present. There are dozens and dozens of UN agencies and committees already in existence.

Other Considerations – Creating Bodies If there are no choices, when creating a body, the who, what, where, why, when, and how of the body must be established. If there are no choices, when creating a body, the who, what, where, why, when, and how of the body must be established. Who is a member of this body? How will these members be selected? Who will head this body? How will this leader be selected? Who is a member of this body? How will these members be selected? Who will head this body? How will this leader be selected? What will this body discuss? What should this body discuss? What will this body discuss? What should this body discuss? Where will this body meet? Where will this body meet? Why is this body meeting? Why is this body meeting? When will this body meet? How often will this body meet? When will this body meet? How often will this body meet? How will this body be funded? How will this body be funded?

Consensus While not mandatory, consensus should be the goal of countries as it creates a platform for future action as well as carrying the weight of the entire UN, in addition to providing clear indication for UN agencies, national governments, and society as to the desires of the body While not mandatory, consensus should be the goal of countries as it creates a platform for future action as well as carrying the weight of the entire UN, in addition to providing clear indication for UN agencies, national governments, and society as to the desires of the body This also creates what is known as Agreed Language or language that countries agreed to in the past. It creates a starting place for future documents as it is more likely for a country to accept something they previously agreed to. The more recent, the more weight. This also creates what is known as Agreed Language or language that countries agreed to in the past. It creates a starting place for future documents as it is more likely for a country to accept something they previously agreed to. The more recent, the more weight.