The basic job of a resolution is to propose a solution to a world problem that has the potential of actually working in the real world. It is important to learn how to prepare a resolution for MUN because the ultimate goal of each MUN committee is to solve problems by passing resolutions. 

Each delegate writes one resolution. You submit this resolution to your committee chair by a deadline date before the conference (you will receive lots of notice about this deadline date). The chair will consider all the resolutions which have been submitted and decide which ones will be presented to the committee and in what order. 

Step 1: If your resolution is selected, you'll be informed before the day of the conference and on the day of the conference, you should try to find other countries who support your draft resolution and are prepared to co-submit it with you - the way to do this is to join the conference as early as possible - you will have time to lobby at the before the conference starts (just know who your allies are from the country grid and look for them). 

Step 2: Once you have co-submitters, you can present your resolution to the committee knowing that there are countries in the forum which will be supporting you. 

At Wicklow MUN, the limit for preambulatary clauses will be 4 - the limit for operative clauses will be between 4 and 5 (sub-clauses are allowed). 

HOW TO WRITE A RESOLUTION

A resolution has THREE main parts: (a) heading; (b) preambulatory clauses; (c) operative clauses - each of these parts is looked at in the notes below: 

(a) Heading 

The heading contains four pieces of information: (1) your full committee name (not abbreviated); (2) the topic being discussed; (3) your country name; (4) the names of your co-submitters/co-signatories. Then write you committee name in full again and start listing your preambulatory phrases. 

FORUM: General Assembly First Committee

QUESTION OF: Sustainable development

SUBMITTER: Brazil

CO-SUBMITTERS: Portugal, Italy, UK, Spain, China

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE,

(b) Preambulatory clauses (for the purposes of Wicklow MUN, the limit for preambulatory clauses is 4)

The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic. Each clause generally begins with a present participle (-ing) and always ends with a comma.

They may include content such as:

• 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;
  
• References to the UN Charter or other applicable legal frameworks;
  
• General statements on the topic in terms of its significance and its impact,
  
• Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion;
  

There are many stock phrases which are helpful in constructing preambulatory clauses - the following phrases can be used in both Genral Assembly and Security Council resolutions: 

Example of Preambulatory Clause:

Noting with deep concern the 17% increase in HIV/AIDS contraction in sub-Saharan African countries in the past five years,

Phrases which can only be used by the Security Council:

(c) Operative clauses (for the purposes of Wicklow MUN, the limit for operative clauses is set between 4 and 5 (sub-clauses are allowed)

Operative clauses state the solutions which the resolution is proposing to resolve the issue - they should address the issues raised in the preambulatory clauses. 

Tip: Usually more details in an operative clause will make it stronger or at least make the idea clearer to other delegates. A simple way to strengthen each operative clause is to answer the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of each clause with sub-clauses underneath each main operative clause. Again, there are many stock phrases which are helpful in constructing operative clauses for both the General Assembly and the Security Council: