Model United Nations of Lübeck

General

Resolutions are the basis for debate. Therefore it is advisable for any delegate to write a working paper prior to the conference. After you have done enough research on the issue and on the policies of your country it is time to formulate the arguments. You should begin with the formulation of suggestions of your country or organisation for solving the problem. Once you have decided what action should be taken or what attitude should be adopted, you can then begin with the writing process.

Resolutions are composed of a specific pattern, and they need to be clearly structured. The resolution must be clearly divided into three sections, the resolution head, the preamble and the operative section. A resolution consists of only one long sentence, divided into separate sub-clauses. These sub-clauses are separated from each other by semicolons, commas and paragraphs. Every sub-clause begins with a proper formal expression that needs to be either italicised in the preamble or underlined in the operative section (see Resolution Introductory Phrases below). Every page and every line of the resolution must be numbered and every page must also have the resolution head stating the committee, the issue and the submitter (see Sample Resolution below).

Standard format is as follows:

• Single spaced throughout resolution, with double spacing between clauses,
• Preambulatory clauses end with commas and operative clauses end with semicolons,
• Each operative clause must be indented,
• The final operative clause ends with a period,
• Please do not number lines in the margin of the resolution.

Format

Resolution Head

The resolution head contains the forum, the question and the submitter (see Sample Resolution). The resolution must start mentioning the forum e.g. "The Third Committee of the GA,…".

Preamble

The preambulatory clauses contain the background to the problem. Therefore, describe the recent history of the situation and the issue as it currently exists. Give reference to past United Nations actions, when available and give reference previous United Nations resolutions passed on the topic, when available.

There is only a number of allowed expressions for the preabulatory clauses, namely the following:

Operative section

In the operative clauses, include actions which will solve the problem, do not just make a statement. Take into account the points of view of other nations whenever possible, as they otherwise may not have a chance to reach consensus. Refer issues which need further discussion to appropriate, existing bodies, but do not create new Committees/Commissions/Working Groups/etc. without considering funding for these groups, or if other, similar bodies already exist. Always consider previous UN resolutions on the topic – do not duplicate what other resolutions have done without referencing the appropriate sources.

The following examples of (the most used) preambulatory and operative clauses may help you to formulate a strong and powerful resolution. The words listed here are just suggestions. They shall not be taken as advice and thus the only correct forms to be used in resolutions.

Sample Resolution

This sample resolution will give you an idea of how a resolution might look like.

Approving Resolutions

As soon as you and your partners regard the resolution(s) as strong enough and agree on it (them), you need to retype your merged resolution in the required format (see Sample Resolution), register it at the computer room and print out two copies. It might be of great advantage if you bring your laptop, if available, as the computer room is at certain times very crowded.

As soon as you finished retyping your resolutions give it to your chair who will then bring it to the Formal Clearing Office. The staff working there screen it in order to avoid minor formal mistakes so that it may easier pass the Approval Panel. If there are any mistakes concerning the resolution format you need to correct them and again give it to the Formal Clearing Office. First then your resolution gets a Formal Clearing stamp which can be regarded as "admission ticket" to enter the Approval Panel.

Your chair brings one copy to the Approval Panel, where the resolution is corrected by the MUN-Directors. If any spelling mistakes are detected, you have to correct the resolution and have it checked in the Approval Panel again. When everything is correct, you get a stamp and a number. It will be copied by the MUNOL Staff to be debated in the different forums.

General Assembly

One resolution from each committee will be debated in the General Assembly. In contrast to other MUN’s, amendments during the General Assembly session are possible.

Delegates should make sure that they are present in the General Assembly, when the resolution of their committee is discussed.