Resolutions

How do you write a resolution?

#1) Titles, sponsors, signatories

The title, obviously, states the name of the resolution. Don’t waste too much time on it, but try to come up with a memorable acronym that captures the aim of the resolution.

Sponsors are the main authors of a resolution and have a vested interest in its passage. It is highly desirable to become a sponsor of a resolution in committee, especially one who gets to present the resolution to the committee.

Signatories are delegations that may not necessarily support a resolution, but nevertheless want to see it debated. Most committees require resolutions to have a certain amount of signatories.

#2) Preambulatory Clauses

Preambulatory clauses state the goals of the resolution. (Ex: Recognizing the importance of water access to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals). These clauses begin with verbs ending in -ing.

#3) Operative Clauses

These are the most important clauses in the resolution, and specify what actions your committee will take to achieve the goals mentioned in the preambulatory clauses.

It is highly encouraged that you write a significant amount of operative clauses in order to establish yourself as an important figure in your caucus bloc.

Be thorough in your operative clauses. How do you plan to fund your resolution? How do you plan to implement it? Who will implement it? Etc. It is not uncommon for operative clauses, especially ones regarding complex programs, to run up to a half a page or more.

Operative clauses begin with words ending in -s or -es. In General Assembly committees with little enforcement authority, these could take the form of Urges, Calls for, and Creates. In committees with enforcement authority, such as the Security Council and the US Senate, they could take the form of Demands, Authorizes, and Imposes.