Model United Nations Resolution Writing
Courtesy of Jeremiah Thompson, Clark College MUN Instructor
United Nations debate happens primarily over issues and resolved by submitting resolutions. These documents are merely statements of policy or position on a particular issue. In order to standardize resolutions in an easily-digested format, we offer the following guidelines for resolution-writing.
· Each resolution should have a clear and concise title;
· Each resolution should address only one issue;
· Each resolution of policy should specify the both the agent of action and the action to be carried out.
The goal of the resolution is to change the member states policies against a specific issue or maintain a status quo. To do this, a successful resolution must do two things: 1) identify and explain the problem that needs to be addressed (the Preambulatory clauses) and 2) propose a solution that will address the problem as identified (the Operative clauses).
A Resolution has two parts: its perambulatory clauses and its operative clauses. Preambular clauses establish the tone and direction of the Resolution. They supply a historical background and framework for the issue by (usually) citing appropriate sections of the U.N. Charter or other treaties, past events or incidents, past U.N. Resolutions, Nongovernmental Organizations actions, and other precedents under international law. They are begun with a participle or participial phrase.
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 Guided by
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
Operative clauses are the meat of the Resolution. It is here that the Resolution will recommend, urge, condemn, encourage or request certain actions. Each operative clause calls for a specific action, whether that action is a simple denunciation, a request for negotiations, a call for a cease-fire, or a request for financial support of a proposed/functioning program. Operative clauses should progress in a logical order (see example below) and begin with a present tense verb or verb phrase.
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