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position paper and draft resolutions guide

The document provides guidelines for writing a position paper and draft resolution for the Kenya Model United Nations, detailing the structure and essential elements required for each. It emphasizes the importance of articulating a country's stance on discussed topics, including background information, national and international actions, and recommendations. Additionally, it outlines the components of a draft resolution, including preambulatory and operative clauses, to address issues and propose solutions effectively.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
5 views15 pages

position paper and draft resolutions guide

The document provides guidelines for writing a position paper and draft resolution for the Kenya Model United Nations, detailing the structure and essential elements required for each. It emphasizes the importance of articulating a country's stance on discussed topics, including background information, national and international actions, and recommendations. Additionally, it outlines the components of a draft resolution, including preambulatory and operative clauses, to address issues and propose solutions effectively.

Uploaded by

kibunjafreshia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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KENYA MODEL UNITED

NATIONS
POSITION PAPER AND
DRAFT RESOLUTION GUIDE
POSITION PAPER
A position paper is a written essay that shows a country’s
stand on the topic being discussed in a committee. It helps
one organize ideas so that you share your country’s
position with the rest of the committee. One has to look at
the background guide first in order to get acquainted with
the topic that being discussed.
A position paper is not meant to be conclusive and it is
plausible to assume that a delegate will go on researching
after presenting it to the dais. It is crucial to describe your
nation's standing in the conference.

Contents of a Position Paper


Description of the committee- Basic heading that
includes Name of country, Name of Committee, Session,
Topic, Flag and Court of Arms
Introduction of the topic- Why is the topic important
for the committee to address and why does your country
care about the topic?
Background information about the topic- What is the
brief background/history of your country in dealing with
the topic?
National actions that have taken place- What is your
country’s national policy to solve the problem and the
measures your country has taken to address the issue on a
national level?
International Actions- What actions has your country
taken on the issues at an international level and what
conventions and treaties or resolutions has your country
signed or supported regarding the issue? Also which
organization is your country a part of and/or a member of?
Recommendations for establishing a resolution- What
recommendations would your country like to see the
international community take to address the problem?
Questions to consider. (if any)
SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

Country: Republic of South Africa


Committee World Health Organization
Session: 21st Session
Topic: Vaccine Nationalism; Addressing the Challenge
Vaccine Nationalism and the Impact it has on the
Achievement of Universal Health Coverage
Delegate: Oakmille Kiyondi Tirimba

With the onset of vaccine nationalism, otherwise known as


vaccine apartheid in the case of African countries, wealthy
countries have amassed Covid-19 vaccines for their
citizens, while other countries in low-and middle income
countries still experience challenges in acquiring and
subsequently, in immunizing their populations.[1] This has
significantly derailed the achievement of Universal Health
Coverage that promotes the accomplishment of Sustainable
Development Goal 3- Health and Wellbeing.[2]

[1] ‘Stop being selfish’: Africans decry ‘vaccine apartheid’ | Coronavirus pandemic
News | Al Jazeera accessed 8th March 2022
[2] THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development (un.org) accessed 8th March 2022
On 23rd September 2021, His Excellency Cyril
Ramaphosa-President of the Republic of S. Africa, during
the Plenary 76th General Assembly Session of the United
Nations, articulated that the world had failed to exercise
vaccine equity in the disbursement of Covid-19 vaccines.
He noted poignantly that while 82% of the manufactured
vaccines had been purchased by rich countries, in low
income countries less than 1% had been delivered. Apart
from that, he urged other countries to support the bid to
non-permanently abdicate Intellectual Property rights over
the vaccines in order to promote increased production that
would boost vaccination efforts in other countries.[3] This
was highlighted in its joint proposal with India to the
World Trade Organization.
Under the stewardship of S. Africa, the African Union
established the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT)
with the aim of amalgamating the acquistion of vaccines
for the continent.
Through this platform, Ethiopia received 108,000 doses of
Johnson & Johnson vaccine on 6th September 2021.[4]
In an attempt to remedy the situation, the WHO and the
government of S. Africa, in collaboration with Afrigen- a
biotech company in Cape Town commenced the

[3] Decrying Covid-19 Vaccine Inequity, Speakers in General Assembly Call for Rich
Nations to Share Surplus Doses, Patent Waivers Allowing Production in Low-Income
Countries | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases accessed 5th March 2022
[4]Ethiopia: African Vaccine Acquisition Trust Delivers 108,000 Doses of Covid-19
Vaccine to Ethiopia https://allafrica.com/ accessed 8th March 2022
establishment of Africa’s maiden mRNA vaccine
development center in August 2021. [5]
In an effort to advocate for vaccine equity, international
support is crucial. For instance: S. Africa and India’s
proposal to have Intellectual Property rights waived has
faced strong opposition in the form of blocking from the
European Union and the United Kingdom.
Authentication and registration of new mRNA vaccine
development centres under the auspices of WHO would be
necessary in order to facilitate rigorous, fair and timely
approval processes for future vaccines. This would enhance
safety and build trust among people in the use of the
vaccines.
After completion of vaccine development and validation
processes, aggressive albeit ethical and effective marketing
and advertising would be required-particularly for
relatively new vaccine creation centres to create awareness
about the new health products available in the medical field
as well as publicity for the new manufacturing institutions.
With a view to endorse Universal Health Coverage,
countries that lag behind in this regard-individually or
through their blocs, could benchmark in other countries
that have successfully adopted and harmonised their
healthcare systems for the same purpose. For example: S.
Africa could benchmark in China to further strengthen our
Universal Healthcare System.

[5]WHO supporting South African consortium to establish first COVID mRNA


vaccine technology transfer hub accessed 3rd March 2022
DRAFT RESOLUTION PAPER

A draft resolution paper is the final document of committee


or council discussions.
It contains all the issues the committee intends to solve and
tenable solutions to the issues in question.
It is a draft resolution but once voted upon in the
affirmative, it becomes a resolution paper.

Elements of a Draft Resolution Paper


A draft resolution paper contains the following:
1. Heading
2. Preambulatory Clauses
3. Operative Clauses

Heading: This is made up of the committee, agenda and


signatories i.e. sponsors, co-sponsors and other signatories.
Preambulatory clauses: They state all the issues the
committee wants to solve.
Operative clauses: Characteristically, these clauses provide
solutions to issues presented in the preambulatory clauses.
PREAMBULATORY AND OPERATIVE CLAUSES

PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES
The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for
which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights
past international action on the issue. Each clause begins
with a present participle (called a preambulatory phrase)
and ends with a comma.
Preambulatory clauses can include:
1. References to the UN Charter.
2. Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic
under discussion.
3. Mentions of statements made by the Secretary4.
4. General or a relevant UN body or agency.
Recognition of the efforts of regional or
nongovernmental organizations in dealing with the
issue.
5. General statements on the topic, its significance and its
impact.
SAMPLE PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES

Affirming
Expecting
Alarmed by
Further deploring
Approving
Further recalling
Bearing in mind
Guided by
Believing
Having adopted
Confident
Having considered
Contemplating
Having examined
Convinced
Having received
Declaring
Keeping in mind
Deeply concerned
Noting with deep concern
Deeply conscious
Nothing with satisfaction
Deeply convinced
Noting further
Deeply Disturbed
Observing
Deeply Regretting
Reaffirming
Desiring
Realizing
Emphasizing
Recalling
Expecting
Recognizing
Emphasizing
Referring
Expecting
Seeking
Expressing its appreciation
Taking into consideration
Fulfilling
Taking note
Fully aware
Viewing with appreciation
Emphasizing
Welcoming
OPERATIVE CLAUSES
Operative clauses offer solutions to issues addressed earlier
in a resolution through the perambulatory section. These
clauses are action oriented and should include both an
underlined verb at the beginning of your sentence
followed by the proposed solution.
Each clause should follow the following principals:
1. The clause should be numbered.
2. Each clause should support one another and continue
to build your solution.
3. Add details to your clauses in order to have a complete
solution.
4. Operative clauses are punctuated by a semicolon, with
the exception of your last operative clause which
should end with a period.
SAMPLE OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Encourages
Accepts Endorses
Affirms Expresses its appreciation
Approves Expresses its hope
Authorizes
Further invites
Calls
Calls upon
Further proclaims
Condemns Further reminds
Confirms Further recommends
Congratulates Further requests
Considers Further resolves
Declares accordingly Has resolved
Deplores
Notes
Designates
Proclaims
Draws the attention
Emphasizes Reaffirms
Encourages Recommends
Endorses Regrets
Expresses its appreciation Reminds
Expresses its hope Requests
Further invites
Solemnly affirms
Deplores
Strongly condemns
Designates
Draws the attention Supports
Emphasizes Takes note of
Transmits
Trust
SAMPLE DRAFT RESOLUTION
General Assembly Third Committee
Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua
and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of),
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi,
Cabo Verde, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros,
Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti,
Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji,
Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece,
Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary and Iceland.
Co-sponsors: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
China, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau,
Haiti, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Italy, Kiribati,
Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mongolia,
Mozambique.

02. Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019


(COVID-19)

The General Assembly,

Noting with great concern the threat to human health, safety and
well-being caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
19) pandemic, which continues to spread globally,
Recognizing the unprecedented effects of the pandemic,
including the severe disruption to societies and economies,
as well as to global travel and commerce, and the
devastating impact on the livelihood of people,

Recognizing also that the poorest and most vulnerable are


the hardest hit by the pandemic and that the impact of the
crisis will reverse hard-won development gains and hamper
progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development
Goals,

Recognizing further the central role of the United Nations


system in catalysing and coordinating the global response
to control and contain the spread of COVID-19, and
acknowledging in this regard the crucial role played by the
World Health Organization,

Welcoming the call by the Secretary-General to tackle the


health emergency and focus on the social impact and
economic response measures and his emphasis on the need
for a sustainable and inclusive recovery,

Recognizing the efforts made by Governments as well as


health-care workers and other essential workers around the
world to deal with the pandemic through measures to
protect the health, safety and well-being of their people,
Acknowledging the need for all relevant stakeholders to
work together at the national, regional and global levels to
ensure that no one is left behind, Recognizing that the
COVID-19 pandemic requires a global response based on
unity, solidarity and renewed multilateral cooperation,

1. Reaffirms its commitment to international cooperation


and multilateralism and its strong support for the central
role of the United Nations system in the global response to
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic;

2. Emphasizes the need for full respect for human rights,


and stresses that there is no place for any form of
discrimination, racism and xenophobia in the response to
the pandemic;

3. Expresses its profound condolences to and solidarity with the


families and societies whose people have lost their lives to
the disease, those who are battling for their survival and
those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the
crisis;

4. Expresses its gratitude and support to all frontline health-


care workers, medical professionals, scientists and
researchers, as well as other essential workers around the
world who are working under difficult and challenging
circumstances to deal with the pandemic;
5. Calls for intensified international cooperation to contain,
mitigate and defeat the pandemic, including by
exchanging information, scientific knowledge and best
practices and by applying the relevant guidelines
recommended by the World Health Organization;

6. Renews its commitment to help people and societies in


special situations, especially the weakest and most
vulnerable, and recognizes that many Governments have
offered their assistance and support to others in a spirit of
solidarity and mutual support;

7. Reaffirms its full commitment to the decade of action and


delivery for sustainable development, and in this regard
underlines the need for the United Nations system to work
as one to support all Governments;

8. Expresses optimism that the unprecedented crisis caused


by the COVID-19 pandemic can be mitigated and
successfully reversed through leadership and sustained
global cooperation and solidarity;

9. Calls upon the United Nations system, under the


leadership of the Secretary-General, to work with all
relevant actors in order to mobilize a coordinated global
response to the pandemic and its adverse social, economic
and financial impact on all societies.

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