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The Purpose of Working Papers (Draft Resolutions)
Resolutions are the primary tools of discussion in the United Nations. They form the basis for all U.N. debate, bringing one or several issues to the floor in a form that Representatives can discuss, amend and reject or ratify as circumstances dictate.
Resolutions usually state a policy that the U.N. will undertake but they also may be in the form of treaties, conventions, and declarations in some bodies. They range from very general to very specific in content. Depending on the body involved, they may call for or suggest a course of action, condemn an action, and require action or sanctions on the part of the member states. It should be noted that only the Security Council may require action or sanctions from member states. In some cases, final conventions and treaties may also require action, but this would only be on the part of the signatory nations.
Amendments to resolutions are the means by which resolutions may be altered by the body involved. Amendments would create additions, deletions, or changes to a resolution in order to increase its acceptability to all nations involved. Amendments are usually needed for a body to move toward a consensus on a resolution.
There is a key difference between a ‘Working Paper’ and a ‘Resolution.’ Working Papers are proposed resolutions and are not a Resolution until the body as a whole votes them upon.
Points to Consider in Writing Working Papers (Draft Resolutions)
The following list includes important points to consider when writing resolutions for submission at the Conference. This is by no means an exclusive list, but should provide a good starting point to make your resolutions as realistic as possible. Points to consider include:
• In preambulatory clauses, describe the recent history of the situation and the issues as it currently exists;
• Reference past United Nations actions and resolutions on the topic, when available;
• In the operative clauses, include actions which will solve the problem, not just make a statement;
• Don’t be blatantly political in the content of the resolution – this may damage efforts to reach a consensus on the issue;
• Take into account the points of views of other nations whenever possible;
• Write the resolution from your country’s side of the “international” or “United Nations” perspective, not just from your country’s individual point of view;
• Refer issues which need further discussion to appropriate existing bodies - don’t create new committees/commissions/working groups/etc. if one already exists (it probably does) and without considering funding for these groups;
• Always consider previous U.N. resolutions on the topics - don’t duplicate what other resolutions have done without referencing the appropriate sources.
Remember that the goal of the committee is to reach consensus on the resolution. The preparation and steps that are taken to creating a well written and encompassing resolution, keeping in mind various views of other nations, is the one that will be liked by all member states.
Sponsors
Sponsors of a draft resolution are the principal authors of the document and agree with its substance. Although it is possible to have only one sponsor, this rarely occurs at the UN, since countries must work together to create widely agreeable language in order for the draft resolution to pass. Sponsors control a draft resolution and only the sponsors can approve immediate changes.
Signatories
Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the substance of the draft resolution but still wish to see it debated so that they can propose amendments.
Amendments
Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a written statement that adds, deletes or revises an operative clause in a draft resolution. The amendment process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change certain sections. There are two types of amendments:
• Friendly Amendments
A friendly amendment is a change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree with. After the amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and approved by the committee director or president, it will be automatically incorporated into the resolution.
• Unfriendly Amendments
An unfriendly amendment is a change that some or all of the draft resolution’s sponsors do not support and must be voted upon by the committee. The author(s) of the amendment will need to obtain a required number of signatories in order to introduce it (usually 20 percent of the committee). Prior to voting on the draft resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly amendments.
Submission of Working Papers (Draft Resolution)
Working Papers may be submitted at any time during the conference. The proper procedure for submission is as follows:
• Submissions must by typed, and must be typed in size 12 font and must be single spaced and double spaced in between clauses, please see the example Working Paper on the last page;
• Only 1 copy of any one working paper may be printed by a Representative to circulate to his/her committee to gain signatories;
• Submissions must have the requisite number of signatures:
o Submissions must have the signatures of five delegations in Security Council (two signatories and three sponsors);
o Submissions must have the signatures of one-sixth the delegations in all other committees, which will be determined by the President/Committee Chair before the beginning of every committee session (one-third of which need to be signatories and the other two-thirds must be sponsors);
• Submissions should be given to the President/Committee Chair for approval;
• Approved working papers will be assigned an identification number and processed by Delegate Services;
• The president shall distribute the resolutions when they are officially available for consideration.
Resolution Guidelines
Each draft resolution should be written as a single sentence, with commas, colons and semicolons separating the various parts. In a resolution all of the lines need to be numbered for easy reference in committee session. A heading must be written on top of the document in which the committee, topic, and who it was proposed by are acknowledged. Draft Resolutions should be split into two distinct sections: the preambulatory and operative (also called activating) clauses. Preambulatory clauses are listed first, and they are used to justify action, denote past authorizations and precedents for action, and/or denote the purpose for an action. In other words preambulatory clauses introduce the problem and gives the back history of the situation. Preambulatory clauses should be followed by commas (,), except the last preambulatory clause, which should be followed by a semicolon (;). Operative clauses are the statement of policy in a resolution. They are numbered, begin with a verb to denote an action (or suggested action), and each clause usually addresses no more than one specific aspect of the action to be taken. Operative clauses often consist of sub-operatives these are used to clarify any action that is being taken and to set any further guidelines to the initial action outlined in the operative clause. Sub-operatives also need to be either numbered or lettered in a uniform manner throughout the entire working paper/resolution. Semicolons (;) should follow each operative clause, with the exception of two cases. First if the operative clause has sub-operatives the initial operative clause should be followed by a colon (:), and each of the sub-operatives should be followed by a comma (,), except for the final sub-operative, which should be followed by a semicolon (;). The other exception is the final operative clause, which should be followed by a period (.) instead of a semicolon (;).
Both preambulatory and operative phrases need to be under-lined.
Resolution Introductory Phrases
The phrases/words on the following page are a partial list of the appropriate introductions for preambulatory and operative clauses in working papers/resolutions:
Preambulatory Phrases:
• Affirming
• Alarmed by
• Approving
• Aware of
• Bearing in mind
• Believing
• Cognizant
• Confident
• Contemplating
• Convinced
• Declaring
• Deeply concerned
• Deeply conscious
• Deeply convinced
• Deeply disturbed
• Deeply regretting
• Desiring
• Emphasizing • Expecting
• Expressing its appreciation
• Expressing its satisfaction
• Fulfilling
• Fully alarmed
• Fully aware
• Fully believing
• Further deploring
• Further recalling
• Guided by
• Having adopted
• Having considered
• Having considered further
• Having devoted attention
• Having examined
• Having heard
• Having received
• Having studied • Keeping in mind
• Noting further
• Noting with approval
• Noting with deep concern
• Noting with regret
• Noting with satisfaction
• Observing
• Reaffirming
• Realizing
• Recalling
• Recognizing
• Referring
• Seeking
• Taking into account
• Taking into consideration
• Taking note
• Viewing with appreciation
• Welcoming
Operative Phrases:
• Accepts
• Affirms
• Approves
• Asks
• Authorizes
• Calls
• Calls for
• Calls upon
• Condemns
• Confirms
• Congratulates
• Considers
• Declares accordingly
• Demands*
• Deplores
• Designates
• Draws the attention • Emphasizes
• Encourages
• Endorses
• Expresses its appreciation
• Expresses its hope
• Further invites
• Further proclaims
• Further recommends
• Further reminds
• Further requests
• Further resolves
• Hopes
• Has resolved
• Invites
• Notes
• Proclaims
• Proposes • Reaffirms
• Recommends
• Regrets
• Reminds
• Requests
• Requires*
• Resolves
• Solemnly affirms
• Strongly condemns
• Strongly urges
• Suggests
• Supports
• Takes note of
• Transmits
• Trusts
• Urges
• Welcomes
* The operative phrases ‘Demands’ or ‘Requires’ may only be used in the Security Council

Resolution GA/3/1.1
General Assembly Third Committee
Sponsors: United States, Austria and Italy
Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands and Gabon
Topic: “Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies”
The General Assembly,
Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global citizens, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses]
Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,
Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental organizations,
Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm; [use a semicolon to separate the final preambulatory clause from the first operative clause]
1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses]
2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;
3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;
4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment forces;
5. Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries;
6. Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian assistance; and
7. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict assistance through reconstruction and development. [end resolutions with a period]
Sample Resolution from United Nations Association of the United States of America