MAGEC Conference Resources

RESOLUTION & AMENDMENTS 

Resolutions at MAGEC Conferences

Plagiarism

Do not submit anything that is not entirely your own writing.  This includes resolutions from previous conferences or parts or all of real United Nations resolutions or documents.  All of the work you submit must be your own. Failure to comply may result in disqualification in award eligibility.

General Approach to Resolutions

Resolutions are proposals submitted by delegates that attempt to address the issues before the United Nations. They can take a general approach to an entire issue or can propose specific actions that address parts of a problem. A resolution should present a particular solution to a problem and the rationale for why that solution is the correct one for the United Nations to adopt as its policy.

In order to write a resolution, delegates must decide what their particular country’s position on a topic item is, and what actions the United Nations should take to correct the problem in accordance with that position. Developing a resolution requires delegates to draw upon their knowledge of the issue and their country in order to formulate a policy that is both realistic and creative, which is then communicated through the resolution. Attempting to simply redo what has already been done on an issue is not productive, nor is attempting to put forward “solutions” without a base in reality or that are inconsistent with national policies.

Once the “solution” has been formulated, the rest is relatively easy. Use the guidelines listed below and the sample resolution linked to this article to put a resolution in the proper format.

Resolution Format for MAGEC Conferences

1. There are three parts to a resolution: a subject, preambulatory clauses, and operative clauses.

  1. The subject establishes which UN body is taking the action (e.g., “The Political Committee,”).

  2. The preambulatory clauses lay out the history of the issue and the reasons why certain actions should be taken. Use facts and cite pertinent documents to make sure that the actions later suggested will be plausible.

  3. The operative clauses describe what actions should be taken. Remember that the actions proposed must be constructive and in keeping with the role of the United Nations. Operative clauses should be substantive and attempt to correct the problem, not merely to acknowledge the problem’s existence.

2. A properly formatted resolution consists of only one sentence. The subject and preamble are separated by a comma (,), the preambulatory clauses are separated by (, and), and the operative clauses are separated by semicolons (;). A period follows the last operative clause.

3. Preambulatory clauses cannot define any action to be taken by the subject. All calls for action must take place in the operative clauses, which are numbered for easy reference.

4. When typing your resolution, please follow the format as defined by the sample resolution online and contained in the delegate handbook. Notice how the first word(s) of each preambulatory paragraph is capitalized and how all operative paragraphs are indented and numbered.

Amendments at MAMUN

During debate, delegates may propose changes to resolutions which are already on the floor. These changes are designated “amendments.” Amendments may add content, remove content, or change the existing content of a resolution. Also, amendments may modify preambulatory or operative clauses and one amendment may make any number of changes at once. All amendments are treated the same regardless of committee support (No “friendly” or “unfriendly” amendments).

Amendments should not be used to change incorrect spelling or grammar. Such changes may be made at the discretion of the chair. Additionally, amendments may not change another amendment that is already on the floor.

Amendment Format

  1. Write the name of the country(ies) submitting the amendment (writers of amendment)

  2. Write the co-sponsors of the amendment (supporters of the amendment) Note: There is no minimum number of co-sponsors.

  3. Specify which resolution the amendment intends to change (e.g., I-B-3). If the amendment is brought to the floor, the chairperson will assign the amendment a name (e.g., I-B-3-A).

  4. Specify what the amendment intends to do to the resolution’s language:

    1. STRIKE – Removes words or clauses

    2. ADD – Adds words or clauses

    3. CHANGE – Alters words within a clause

  5. After specifying the action, lay out the proposed change(s). For example:

    1. “STRIKES Operative Clause 4”

    2. “ADDS Operative Clause: ‘URGES Members States…'”

  6. When adding operative clauses, which are numbered, the assignment of numbers will be completed by conference staff. Operative clauses will be added to the end of the resolution unless otherwise specified in an amendment.

  7. Once written, amendments must be submitted to and reviewed by the chairperson prior to being brought to the floor. One-third of the body must be in favor of bringing the amendment to the floor

Writing Resolutions and Amendments

Resolutions

The final results of discussion, writing, and negotiation are resolutions—written proposals for addressing a specific problem or issue. Resolutions are submitted by delegates that attempt to address the issues before the body.  They can take a general approach to an entire issue or can propose specific actions that address parts of a problem.  A resolution should present a particular solution to a problem and the reasons why a delegate thinks that solution is the correct one for the body to adopt as its policy.

In order to write a resolution, delegates must decide what their particular country’s position on a topic item is, and what actions the United Nations should take to correct the problem in accordance with that position.  This is the most difficult step.  It will require delegates to draw upon their knowledge of the issue and of their country; in short, good research is crucial to formulating a policy that is both realistic and creative, and a good resolution must be that as well.  Attempting to re-do what has already been done may result in deadlock, but “solutions” without a base in reality will make a mockery of the simulation.

Once the “solution” has been formulated, the rest is relatively easy.  Use the following guidelines to put a resolution in the proper format.

1.  There are three parts to a resolution:  a subject, preamblatory clauses, and operative clauses.  The subject establishes which UN body is taking the action.  The preamble lays out the history of the issue and the reasons why certain actions should be taken.  Use facts and cite pertinent documents to make sure that the actions later suggested will be plausible.  Finally, the operative clauses describe what actions should be taken.  Remember that the actions proposed must be constructive and in keeping with the role of the United Nations.  Operative clauses should be substantive and attempt to correct the problem, not merely to acknowledge the problem’s existence.

2.  A properly formatted resolution consists of only one sentence.  The subject and preamble are separated by a comma, the preamblatory clauses are separated by a       “, and”, and the operative clauses are separated by semicolons.  A period follows the last operative clause.

3.  Preamblatory clauses cannot define any action to be taken by the subject.  All calls for action must take place in the operative paragraphs, which are numbered for easy reference.

 4.  When writing your resolution, please follow the format as defined by the sample resolution contained in this handbook. 

Preambulatory Clauses

The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory 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.

Operative Clauses

Operative clauses offer solutions to issues addressed earlier in a resolution through the perambulatory section.  These clauses are action-oriented and should include both an underlined verb at the beginning of your sentence followed by the proposed solution.  Each clause should follow the following principles:

  • Clauses should be numbered

  • Each clause should support one another and continue to build your solution

  • Add details to your clauses in order to have a complete solution

  • Operative clauses are punctuated by a semicolon, with the exception of your last operative clause which should end with a period

 

Operative Clause Phrases

  • Accepts

  • Affirms

  • Approves

  • Authorizes

  • Calls

  • Calls upon

  • Condemns

  • Confirms

  • Congratulates

  • Considers

  • Declares accordingly

  • Deplores

  • Designates

  • Emphasizes               

  • Encourages

  • Endorses

  • Expresses its appreciation

  • Expresses its hope

  • Further invites

  • 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

Preambulatory Clause Phrases

  • Affirming

  • Alarmed by

  • Approving

  • Bearing in mind

  • Believing

  • Confident

  • Contemplating

  • Convinced

  • Declaring

  • Deeply concerned

  • Deeply conscious

  • Deeply convinced

  • Deeply disturbed

  • Deeply regretting

  • Desiring

  • Emphasizing

  • Expecting

  • Emphasizing

  • Expecting

  • Expressing its appreciation

  • Fulfilling

  • Fully aware

  • Emphasizing

  • Expecting

  • Expressing its appreciation

  • Fulfilling

  • Fully aware

  • Further deploring

  • Further recalling

  • Guided by

  • Having adopted

  • Having considered

  • Having examined

  • Having received

  • Keeping in min

  • Noting with deep concern

  • Nothing with satisfaction

  • Noting further

  • Observing

  • Reaffirming

  • Realizing

  • Recalling

  • Recognizing

  • Referring

  • Seeking

  • Taking into consideration

  • Taking note

  • Viewing with appreciation

  • Welcoming

This page was taken from the UNA-USA website on how to write a resolution.  http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/resolutions/preambulatory-and-operative-clauses