GUIDANCE FOR DELEGATES

1. WRITING THE RESOLUTION

What Is A Resolution?
A resolution is initially a formal statement of a proposal to a UN Council, Committee
or Commission. It consists of one long, but coherent, sentence divided into clauses and sub-
clauses. A resolution should not represent the position of one country but rather of a majority
of the UN member states. The language of a UN resolution is very formal, diplomatic and
somewhat legalistic. In order to help you, please read the 4 following questions:

What is the preamble?

The preamble is the introduction of the resolution. It contains the background and the
argumentation to the issue you have chosen.

How to write the preambulatory clauses?

Statements in the first section of the draft resolution that describe the problems that
the committee wants to solve as well as previous measures taken to combat the problem.
You will write your references to former UN resolutions, ratified conventions, and/or
declarations.
You will provide official figures, the most recent ones possible, to illustrate the issue.
You will congratulate countries and/or organisations (i.e. UN organisations,
NGOs) which have worked on the issue.
You will emphasise the difficulties that have been encountered in the past.
You will need to begin the preambulatory clauses with a present or a past participle or an
adjective.
 PREAMBULATORY PHRASES

Acknowledging Expecting Noting with appreciation

Affirming Expresses appreciation to Noting with approval

Alarmed by Expressing its satisfaction Noting with deep concern

Approving Fulfilling Noting with regret

Aware of Fully alarmed Noting with satisfaction

Believing Fully aware Observing

Bearing in mind Fully believing Pointing out

Confident Further deploring Reaffirming

Congratulating Further recalling Realizing

Convinced Guided by Recalling

Declaring Having adopted Recognizing

Deeply concerned Having considered Referring

Deeply conscious Having devoted attention Reminding

Deeply disturbed Having examined Seeking

Deeply regretting Having received Taking into account

Deploring Having studied Taking into consideration

Desiring Keeping in mind Viewing with appreciation

 Emphasizing Noting further Welcoming

The operative clauses contain the policy statements of the body making the resolution.
The clauses should be clear and unambiguous. They are presented by order of
importance what the UN should do or what attitude it should adopt.
How to write the operative clauses?
Statements in the second section of the draft resolution that outline the specific solutions
the sponsors wish to implement.
You must ensure that your proposals are actually workable and that they fully reflect the
existing policies of the country or agency that you represent.
You encourage, and/or invite countries to sign/ratify a convention/declaration.
You may propose, welcome or deplore all new situations.
You may support, congratulate or refuse new proposals.
You may confirm, regret what it is already existing.
You have to begin the operative clauses with verbs in the third person singular
of the Present Tense.

OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Accepts Designates Regrets

Affirms Encourages Requests

Approves Endorses Resolves

Asks Expresses its satisfaction Seeks

Authorizes Expresses its hope Strongly affirms

Calls for Further recommends Strongly urges

Calls upon Hopes Suggests

 Congratulates Invites Supports

Confirms Proclaims Trusts

Declares accordingly Proposes Transmits

Deplores Recommends Urges

A SAMPLE RESOLUTION
FORUM: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION OF: Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula

SUBMITTED BY: People’s Republic of China

Co submitters: Norway, DPRK,

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 55/11 of 31 October 2000, in which it welcomed and

supported the inter-Korean summit and the joint declaration adopted on 15 June
2000 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the
Republic of Korea,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations regarding the
maintenance of international peace and security,

Convinced that inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation are essential for consolidating
peace and security on the Korean peninsula and also contribute to peace and
stability in the region and beyond, inconformity with the purposes and principles of
the Charter,
 Recognizing that the summit held in Pyongyang from 2 to 4 October 2007 between
the two leaders and their Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean
Relations, Peace and Prosperity represent a major milestone in improving inter-
Korean relations,

Recalling the statements welcoming the inter-Korean summit made on 1 October

2007 by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, and
recalling also the statement welcoming the adoption of the Declaration made on 4
October 2007 by the Secretary-General,

1. Welcomes and supports the inter-Korean summit held from 2 to 4 October 2007
and the Declaration on the Advancement of North-South Korean Relations, Peace and
Prosperity adopted on 4 October 2007 by the two leaders of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea;

2. Encourages the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of

Korea to implement the Declaration fully and in good faith, thereby consolidating peace
on the Korean peninsula and laying a solid foundation for peaceful reunification;

3. Invites Member States to continue to support and assist, as appropriate, the

process of inter-Korean dialogue, reconciliation and reunification so that it may
contribute to peace and security not only on the Korean peninsula but also in north-east
Asia and the world as a whole.

2. PREPARING OFFICIAL NOTEPAPER

What Is The Use Of Official Notepaper?

During debating time, conversation between delegates is not allowed. You should
focus your attention on the different interventions within the House. You should also
be well ready to intervene in the debate at any times.
However, it is instrumental that you should remain, during this period, in contact
with your fellow delegates in order to establish a common strategy. The notepaper is
the perfect way to communicate.
 On your notepaper, write the delegation name of your addressee. Write in English
only what you want to say to the other delegate. Then raise your hand with the
notepaper. A member of the Admin Staff will take your note and bring it to your
addressee. Swear words, bullying or sexual content are not allowed.

A SAMPLE NOTEPAPER

From: __________
To: _________________

3. LOBBYING
Lobbying is the designated time provided by the chair for delegates to get
together with other delegations to discuss potential solutions to the issues discussed
in the committee. This is a time where resolutions are drafted and submitted to the
chair. When most resolutions have been submitted, lobbying time will elapse and
debate will begin on the submitted resolutions.
The key to successful lobbying is to be pro-active, which means taking active steps to
present and discuss your proposals. Keep an eye on the fact that the aim is to
negotiate in order to reach consensus.
Before the start of the formal conference, you informally try to gain the interest
and support of other delegates for their draft resolution. As a basis for a draft
resolution, a well- researched and well-written policy statement can be used. You
 may find other delegates with a similar resolution and decide to merge the two,
making the resolution stronger and more likely to succeed in debate. This is the time
for delegates to air their views. Allies need to be found to support the draft resolution.
Sometimes a delegate might abandon his/her own resolution in favor of another,
better one.

Your draft resolution should not be longer than two A4 pages, and be clearly
expressed in the official format. It forms the basis for discussion and you should
expect your resolutions to be merged with others as long as national interests and
security are not undermined. You should create resolutions that are representative of
the policies of specific interest groups and that make realistic recommendations for
actions to be taken in dealing with the issues.

The Chairs should coordinate the work of the delegates in the lobbying process
to prevent unrealistic or illogical resolutions being produced. This is the time when
you will try to obtain sufficient co-submitters to register your resolution. Generally,
time spent on lobbying usually results in a stronger resolution.

Parliamentary behaviour by delegates

1. Speakers need to address each other in the Third Person at all times.
Always “honourable speaker” or “fellow delegates”, never “You” or “I”.
2. Delegates should stand when speaking and should not sit down until after
the speaker has finished answering the delegate’s question.
3. Delegates must avoid the use of insulting or abusive language.
4. Delegates must have the floor before presenting their speech and
yield the floor to the chair after.
5. Delegates should address the chair and the House before presenting
their speech Example: “ Honourable Chair, fellow delegates…”

Phrases to be used by delegates of the House

- “Mr./Madam Chairman…”.
- “The delegate of … requests the floor” or “wishes the floor”.
- “The delegate of … would like to rise a point of information/ point of order”.
 - “The delegate of … wishes to speak in favor of/against this
motion/resolution/amendment because…”.
- “Is the chair /the speaker (not) aware that…”.
- “Does the speaker (not) agree with me that…”.
- “The speaker stated in his/her speech… Doe he/she (not) realize that…”.
- “The delegate of … moves to amend the resolution by striking/inserting/adding
the words…”.
“The delegate of … urges the House to give its support by voting for/against this
motion/resolution/amendment”.

Points
Delegates are able to raise points at any moment during debate by raising their placards in
the air – the chair will recognize a delegate whose placard is raised to hear their point.

● POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

- Refers to the comfort and well-being of the delegate
- May only interrupt the speaker if it refers to audibility of the speaker
- “Point of Personal Privilege! Could the delegate please speak louder?”
- “Point of Personal Privilege! Could the admin please turn off the AC as the room is very
cold?
● POINT OF ORDER
- Refers to procedural matter only (e.g. if the Chair makes an error in the order of the
debate or in the setting of debate time)
- May not interrupt the speaker
- Is not debatable
- Should only refer to something that just happened
- “Point of Order! The chair just asked if there are any delegates in the house wishing
to speak on the amendment? The delegate believes that we have already finished debating
the amendment and are now back to discussing the resolution. As such shouldn’t the chair
be asking if there are any delegates in the house wishing to speak on the resolution?”

● POINT OF INFORMATION TO THE SPEAKER

- A question directed to the delegate who is on the floor and who has indicated that he/she
is willing to open themselves up to Points of Information
- The delegate asking a Point of Information can only ask his/her point if recognized by the
chair
- Must be formulated in the form of a question but a short introductory statement is
permitted preceding the question
- Only one questions may be asked at a time
- “Point of Information to the Delegate! In the delegate’s speech, the delegate mentioned
the creation of a rehabilitation program in Sierra Leone. Could the delegate please elaborate
where the funds to support this program would come from?”

● POINT OF INFORMATION TO THE CHAIR

- A question directed to the Chair
- May not interrupt a speaker
- Can refer to almost anything, from issues to personal priorities, or pretty much
anything/everything else that does not qualify under the other points
- “Point of Information to the Chair! Can this delegate be excused early as her school is
leaving?”

● POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY

- Deals specifically with Rules of Procedure
- May not interrupt a speaker
- “Point of Parliamentary Enquiry! What is the default speaking time for a speech?”

Motions
Motions are actions taken by delegates in order to do something as the whole committee. A
motion that is made by a delegate requires a “second” from another delegate to be put up for
consideration in the committee.
For example, when a delegate raises his/her placard and says, “Motion to move directly
into voting procedures,” another delegate must raise his/her placard and state “second” upon
which the chair will either rule that motion in order, out of order, or dilatory.
Motions however are immediately voided if a delegate yells, “objection” to the said
motion.
The President/Chair proposes the limitation of debate time for each motion. When debate time
has been exhausted, the President/Chair proposes either the extension of debate time or the
closure of debate and subsequent vote on the question being considered.
 ● MOTION TO MOVE DIRECTLY INTO VOTING PROCEDURES
- Calls for the closure of debate and a vote to be taken on the resolution or
amendment pending
- If this motion is moved during time for an amendment, you move directly into voting
procedures on the said amendment

● MOTION FOR AN UNMODERATED CAUCUS

- Calls for a breakout of committee for delegates to freely walk around and engage in
conversation with other delegations without a formal process for debate
- Often conducted in order for discussion to occur outside of the regular debate
setting
- When motioning for an unmoderated caucus, the delegate that motions for the
caucus needs to specify a time duration for the said unmoderated caucus along with its
purpose.
- “The Delegate Motions for a 10 minute unmoderated caucus to discuss the potential
removal of clause 5.”

● MOTION TO TABLE A RESOLUTION

- Calls for the temporary disposal of a resolution
- Means the “death” of a resolution, due to lack of time it can only be re-discussed
after all other resolutions have been finished being debated
- Occurs if debate is deadlocked
- Submitter of the motion must give a short speech on why the said resolution must
be tabled
- Chair must then recognize two speakers in favour and two against the motion
- Must be put to a vote and pass with majority
- If the motion fails, debate resumes
- If the motion passes, debate on the resolution will end immediately

● MOTION TO RECONSIDER A RESOLUTION

- Calls for a re-debate and a re-vote of a resolution that has already been discussed
(adopted or rejected)
- Should only be entertained if there are no other resolutions pending for debate
- Only necessary if no other draft resolutions on the issue are present
 ● MOTION TO WITHDRAW RESOLUTION
- Can be done at any time (during debate) before voting has commenced if all
submitters and co-submitters agree on withdrawal of the resolution
- Can be reconsidered by any member of the forum

● MOTION TO EXTEND DEBATE TIME

- Adds more time to the debate to allow for more speakers, amendments, etc.
- Must be put to a vote and pass with majority
- At to the chair’s discretion whether or not the motion is entertained

● MOTION TO DIVIDE THE HOUSE

- Made after a vote where there were a large number of abstentions
- Calls for a roll call vote
- Delegates may vote to abstain, vote for, or vote against a resolution/amendment
- Objections are not recognized for this motion / the decision is at the chair’s
discretion

● MOTION TO APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR

- Overrules decision of the chair
- Must be made directly after the chair has made a decision
- Must be put to a vote and pass with majority
- If it passes, the chairs last immediate decision is overturned

Key Words
THE CHAIR: The chairman or chairperson is the one conducting the debate and
maintaining order while remaining totally impartial.
THE HOUSE: All the members of the forum except the chairman.
TO HAVE THE FLOOR: To have been given the right to speak in debate before the House.
TO YIELD THE FLOOR: To give up one’s right to the floor either finally or temporally for a
point of information to be asked.
ROLL CALL: Roll call must be taken every time delegates collectively return to committee in
order to keep track of delegates present in the committee for security purposes. Delegates
must raise their placard high and say “present” when their name is being called upon.
ABSTAIN: During a vote, delegates may abstain instead of voting yes or no.

SECOND: To agree with the motion being proposed.

AMENDMENT: A change made to an operative clause of a draft resolution. Amendments can

add, delete, or change an operative clause in a draft resolution.

CAUCUS: A break from a formal debate in which delegates can informally discuss a topic.

MODERATED CAUCUS: A caucus where delegates remain seated and the chair calls them
one by one to speak for a short period of time.

UNMODERATED CAUCUS: A caucus where delegates leave their seats to debate with other
delegates freely.

SPONSORS: Delegates who support the draft resolution and want to see it get passed, so
they should vote for it. All resolutions will require a minimum number of sponsors.