How to Write a Resolution Paper

Cedarbrae CI Model United Nations

CCI MUN

Preparation Guide, Resolutions

INTRODUCTION

The final results of discussion, debate and negotiation are resolutions, written suggestions and strategies for addressing a specific problem or issue. Resolutions, which are drafted by delegates and voted on by the committee, require a simple majority to pass, unless they are deemed an important question. At CCIMUN 2016, delegates will draft resolutions during committee sessions.

Sponsors are delegates who contribute ideas to a working paper. Only sponsors may stand up in front of the committee to present a working paper to the committee and participate in a question and answer period about their working paper. It is the discretion of the Dias to determine how many sponsors may attach their names to a working paper. The general rule is 3 sponsors but when the committee is a General Assembly such as Human Rights or World Health Organization or Climate Change the number of sponsors may increase to 6 sponsors. 

Signatories are delegates that agree that a working paper should be discussed. Working papers must have 50% + 1 of the committee in order for a working paper may be presented. Signatories are under no obligation to vote in favour of a working paper. They merely agree to discuss the working paper's merits and/or shortcomings. A simple straw vote may be held in order to determine whether a working paper will be presented or not. 

Resolutions have two parts: the pre-ambulatory clauses and operative clauses.

GUIDELINES

PRE-AMBULATORY CLAUSES

The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights past action taken on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a pre-ambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Pre-ambulatory clauses can include:

• References to the UN Charter;

• Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion;

• Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body or agency;

• Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental organizations in dealing with the issue;

• General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.