resolution paper

1. A heading, written in capital letters, centered at the top of the page, including the topic and the number of resolution. Example:

RESOLUTION A-1

Elimination of the Embargo against Cuba

2. On the left margin and four lines below the heading you must write:

a) Topic: deal by the resolution,

b) Committee: which will consider it, and

c) Signatories, which refer to the countries that made the resolution.

3. Preambulary and operative phases should be underlined.

The preamble explains the purpose of the resolution, and offers support to the operative clauses that follow. The preamble is begun with the organ (General Assembly) at the left margin and contains phrases describing the basis of the resolution. Preambulatory clauses must be in italics. On the other hand, operative clauses state the action to be taken by the body. These clauses all begin with a verb, and are generally stronger words than those used in the preamble.

This section is the most important part of the resolution and it should outline the process leading to the solution of the problem stated. Operative clauses should be numbered and in italics.

Finally, a well-written resolution demonstrates:

1. Familiarity with the problem: relevant background information and previous United Nations actions.

2. Recognition of issues: arguments on the topic are specified early on.

3. Conciseness: every clause and phrase should have a purpose.

4. Good form: a bad resolution suffers from clumsy grammar and sloppy format.

5. Good analysis: after reading a resolution paper, the reader must notice a high-quality analysis of the problem, with the proper recognition of the issues and the actors implied in them, as well as accurate and realistic solutions. In a resolution, the author must notice relevant cause-effect relationships in the problem and the impact the International Community may have on the issue.

Sample Resolution

RESOLUTION A-1

TOPIC: Future needs in the field of population, including the development of resource requirements for international population assistance.

COMMITTEE: General Assembly

SIGNATORIES: Sweden, India, Singapore, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uruguay and Australia.

1. Reaffirming the principles and objectives of the World Population Plan of Action, which

2. were affirmed and expanded at the International Conference of Population,

3. Recalling decision 87/30 of 18 June 1987 of the Governing Council of the United Nations

4. Development Program, in which the Governing Council welcomed the intention of the

5. United Nations Population Fund to conduct a wide-ranging review and assessment of

6. accumulated population experience in key areas within its mandate,

7. Recalling also its resolution 43/199 of 20 December 1988, in which it welcomed the

8. review assessment being conducted by the United Nations Population Fund of its

9. experience in the field of population and requested that appropriate summary of the

10. main findings, conclusions and recommendations be submitted to the General Assembly

11. at its forty-fourth session,

12. Mindful of the diversity in culture and traditions and in social, economical and political

13. conditions among countries, and respectful of the national sovereignty of all countries

14. with regard to the formulation, promotion implementation of their own population

15. policies,

16.

17. The General Assembly:

18. 1. Takes note of the report prepared by the United Nations Population Fund

19. containing the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from its review

20. and assessment of population program experience;

21. 2. Takes note with appreciation of the Amsterdam declaration on A Better Life for

22. Future Generations, adopted by the International Forum on Population in the Twenty-

23. first Century, held at Amsterdam from 6 to 9 November 1989;

24. 3. Stresses the importance of taking duly into account the outcome of the

25. International Forum in the preparations for and deliberations on relevant forthcoming

26. United Nations conferences, and in the preparation of the international development

27. strategy for the fourth United Nations development strategy for fourth United Nations

28. development decade;

29. Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund to bring the

30. results of the International Forum to the attention of Governments, United Nations

31. organizations and non-government organizations.