1. MODEL UNITED
NATIONS
BASE DELEGATE COURSE
LIFE OF A RESOLUTION

2. POSITION PAPER
 Each topic should be addressed briefly in a policy statement
representing the relevant views of your assigned country, NGO, or
expert role.
 You should also include recommendations for action to be taken by
your committee. All papers must be typed and formatted according
to the example in the background guide.
 If printed, length must not exceed one double-sided page (two
single-sided pages is not acceptable)
 Font must be Times New Roman sized between 10 pt. and 12 pt.
 Country/NGO name, School name and committee name clearly
labeled on the first page
 Agenda topics clearly labeled in separate sections

3. Position Paper
Delegation from Represented by
Islamic Republic of Mauritania I.D.A.
Position Paper for General Assembly First Committee
The topics before the General Assembly First Committee are: conventional ammunitions surplus stockpiles; the role of
science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament; disarmament, demobilization, and
demining as prerequisites for peace in Africa. Mauritania is dedicated to multilateral- regional and international-
approaches to assure the regulation of arms and weapons in West-African territories as the beginning of a long-range
plan of cooperation in the name of the search of peace and security in Africa.
I. Conventional ammunitions surplus stockpiles
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania endorses the United Nations commitment towards ammunitions surplus stockpiles
regulation. We believe that this issue must be encouraged and developed in promoting transparency, solidarity,
cooperation and compliance, prerogatives that represent, inter alia, the solid and concrete United Nations founding
principles. For years, we have been showing our pledge to ban the ownership of hunting weapons and their ammunition.
We understand that there is not one comprehensive definition of conventional weapons and the topic is very abstract,
but the Islamic Republic of Mauritania requires efforts by all Member States to highlight their willingness to achieve,
peacefully and effectively, the common objective of ammunition surplus stockpiles regulation. We have demonstrated
our point of view and our interest regarding this matter, by participating at several Projects and Conventions.

4. Working Paper
 The Working Paper is the first stage of a resolution, usually written
during the caucuses.
 Working papers are merged discussed and re written many time,
during caucuses; the more delegates come in the more difficult will
be to merge all the instance in one paper.
 Always remember that to be accepted a Working Paper has to
respect this rules: it should be single-spaced, with each line
numbered in the left-hand margin; you have to show who is
sponsoring and who is supporting the working paper, what topic
are you writing about, and the first word must be in Italic.
 Always remember not to write the working paper by yourself and
then to show it to other delegates, it will go un-noticed.

5. Who are the sponsors?
 The sponsors of a working paper are often the ones who created
the content of it and who will be most responsible for seeing it
through until it is voted on as a resolution.
 Sponsors of a working paper have the right to allow friendly
amendments or to force a committee vote on an amendment.
 Member States acting as sponsors of a working paper should be
prepared to be available to defend the paper and answer questions
regarding it during session hours.
 Always try to be a sponsor, you’ll considerably increase you
visibility and the chance of be awarded in the final session

6. Who are the signatories?
 Signatories are Member States, observers or NGOs who are
interested in bringing the working paper forward for
consideration by the committee. They often support the
content of the paper, but were not necessarily instrumental
in creating it, and may ultimately disagree with its content.
 The required number of signatures usually for a paper to be
submitted totals 20% of the membership, depending on
committee size. The Director will provide the required
number during the second committee meeting.
 Don’t rely to much on be a signatories, you may find out to
be cut of from the paper when you don’t even expect it.

7. Submitting the Working Paper
 When the sponsors feel that the working paper is complete, in the
correct format, and ready to be distributed to the entire body, they
must submit it to the committee director.
 The Director will examine the working paper and may require
changes before it can be distributed to the committee at large.
 The Director may require revisions to a working paper, including
changes in format and/or content. The Director may also, at his or
her discretion, require two or more groups to combine or merge
similar working papers before approval.
 After approval, the working paper is assigned a number, upgraded
to a draft resolution, and sent to Conference Services for printing.

8. DRAFT RESOLUTION
 A Draft resolution is nothing but the working paper approved
by the Director and proposed to the commission.
 The main difference is this: The name of sponsors and
signatories have been previously removed from the working
paper.
 A draft resolution is composed by three parts: the heading,
the preambular clauses, and the operative clauses. The
entire resolution consists of one long sentence, with commas
and semi-colons throughout, and only one period at the very
end.

9. Into the Draft
 Heading: It’s just the title of the topic the resolution deal with.
 Preambular Clauses: they supply historical background for the
issue as well as justify the action; Preambular clauses usually begin
with a participle and cite appropriate sections of the UN Charter,
past UN resolutions and precedents of international law relevant to
the topic. Remember that preambular clauses begin with
participles, are in italics, and are always followed by a comma.
 Operative Clauses: The solution in a resolution is presented through
a logical progression of sequentially numbered operative clauses.
These clauses may recommend, urge, condemn, encourage,
request certain actions, or state an opinion regarding an existing
situation. They call for specific actions.

10. Sample Preambular Clauses
 Affirming  Expecting  Keeping in mind
 Alarmed by  Fulfilling  Noting further
 Aware of  Fully alarmed  Noting with deep concern
 Bearing in mind  Fully aware  Noting with regret
 Believing  Fully believing  Noting with satisfaction
 Confident  Further deploring  Observing
 Contemplating  Further recalling  Realizing
 Convinced  Guided by  Recalling
 Declaring  Having adopted  Recognizing
 Deeply concerned  Having considered  Referring
 Deeply conscious  Having considered further  Seeking
 Deeply convinced  Having devoted attention  Taking note
 Deeply disturbed  Having examined  Welcoming
 Deeply regretting  Having heard
 Desiring  Having received
 Emphasizing  Having studied

11. Sample Operative Clauses
 Accepts  Declares accordingly  Further invites
 Affirms  Deplores  Further proclaims
 Approves  Designates  Further recommends
 Authorizes  Draws attention  Further reminds
 Calls  Emphasizes  Further requests
 Condemns  Encourages  Further resolves
 Confirms  Endorses  Have resolved
 Considers  Expresses its hope

12. Delegates skills

13. Who’s the Delegate ?
 The delegate represents the state’s interest in the commision he’s
assigned in.
 The delegate’s aim is to achieve his topic goal reaching the best
possible agreement with other States.
 Delegate’s best qualities are: Good and fluent oral skills, capacity of
listening, keen observer of other nation interest, and very patient!!
 Delegates have to be always present and ready to participate to
committee sessions; you’ll may find out to be totally out of the
negotiation just after the first day if you are not present enough.

14. The Head Delegate
 The Head Delegate is the coordinator for all the delegates in the
Delegation. There are two Head Delegates for each delegation.
 He decides the basic lines of the delegation, and the main
strategy for all the commissions, however he can’t join the
formal sessions.
 His task is to lead and support the delegate team giving them
the technical and motivational tools to pursue their goal.
 The Head Delegate acts as a spokesperson between the
Delegation and the coordinators giving them feedback about
the working progress and possible critical points.