Noting And Drafting Book Pdf Free Download
Linda Berens
The document provides guidance on effective noting and drafting in government work. It includes definitions of key terms, guidelines on the types and structure of notes, and hints for preparing summaries for ministers. Noting should be concise and focus on the key issues in a logical, businesslike manner. More detailed analysis is needed for policy cases compared to routine matters. When receiving files from other departments, noting may be done directly if factual or on shadow files if requiring detailed examination.Read less
There are six principal organs of the UN. However, since the Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, only three adopt resolutions: the GA, the SC, and ECOSOC. This section will explore the nature of drafting resolutions that apply equally to all three organs.
The main goal of a conference is to adopt an outcome document that Member States as a whole can agree on. Draft resolutions can be tabled as soon as the GA agenda is adopted and it has been decided whether a particular agenda item will be allocated to the GA Plenary or one of its Main Committees.
The main sponsor tables a draft resolution or decision without prior consultations. After the introduction of the L-document, informal negotiations take place, led by either the main sponsor or by a facilitator appointed by the Chair of a Main Committee. If consensus is reached, the negotiated text will replace the original draft. This is done in two ways: either the sponsor withdraws the original L-document, and a new L-document is issued after a bureau member has tabled the negotiated text; or the sponsor submits the negotiated text as a revision of the original L-document (issued as L.xx/Rev.1). In both cases, the resolution/decision is adopted by consensus.
If the negotiations do not result in consensus, the sponsor can either request action on the original L-document or on the negotiated text (issued as L.xx/Rev.1). In both cases, the draft resolution/decision is submitted to a vote, often accompanied by proposals for amendments and requests for votes on specific paragraphs.
Each resolution consists of one long single sentence. It begins with the name of the main organ that is adopting the resolution (e.g., the GA or the SC) and is followed by several preambular paragraphs. Preambular paragraphs are not really paragraphs, but clauses in the sentence. Each one starts with verb in the present participle (e.g., Recalling, Considering, Noting), which is capitalized, and ends with a comma. Sometimes the clause begins with more than one keyword, such as, Noting with satisfaction, Noting with regret, etc. These words are always italicized.
After the preambular paragraphs come the operative paragraphs, each of which begins with a verb in the present tense, also capitalized, and finishes with a semi-colon, except for the last, which has a period at the end of it.
Next, it is proper to include general observations about the content or purpose of the resolution that serves as the basis for the rest of the text. This helps set the stage for the call to action in the operative section of the resolution.
Finally, if a reference to a report on this item is to be included, it would go last (e.g., Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General). If this is done, it is not considered proper to include the symbol of document in the text. This would go in a footnote.
Preambular paragraphs serve to explain the basis for the action called for in the operative paragraphs. They can be used to build an argument, to build support, or to express general principles. Some lack of precision in the wording of preambular paragraphs is tolerable.
Operative paragraphs express what the conference has decided to do. Precise and clear language enhances political impact and facilitates implementation. Likewise, brevity is preferable, as it is politically much more powerful.
First, refer to the past. While references to the Charter and previous resolutions should be put in the preamble, if you want to give a report more emphasis you can put it in the first operative section.
In the early days of the UN, all draft resolutions were put to a vote. Now every draft resolution is discussed beforehand in informal consultations where some of the language is sacrificed in a spirit of compromise.
If, on the other hand, the committee is unable to reach agreement on the proposed amendment within a reasonable time, the disputed words will be enclosed in square brackets and the committee will proceed to the next passage.
At the conclusion of the first reading, the text will consist of provisionally agreed upon passages and words or passages in square brackets. Each set of square brackets may enclose a single word or several words, or alternative words or phrases, separated by a slash (/). This means that some in the committee prefer one option, while others prefer the alternative.
Soon after completing the first reading (but sometimes after allowing time for informal consultations), the Chair will invite the committee to proceed to a second reading of the text. This time, the committee will not re-examine the provisionally agreed text. It will instead proceed to the first set of square brackets and the Chair will seek new ideas on their content. This is often the case because the delegates who had objections have in the meantime:
OP3 Calls upon the Secretary-General to mainstream the use of chocolate by providing chocolate in all meetings as a tool to increase happiness throughout the United Nations system and its operational activities;
The review of draft resolutions and the consideration of amendments is the most time-consuming element of a conference. In addition, it is typically a time during Model UN conferences when Rules of Procedure are frequently invoked which further slows down the process of taking action on a draft resolution.
A regulation of continuing effect speaks as of the time you apply it, not as of the time you draft it or when it becomes effective. For this reason, you should draft regulations in the present tense. By drafting in the present tense, you avoid complicated and awkward verb forms.
To the extent your meaning allows, use a singular noun instead of a plural noun. You will avoid the problem of whether the rule applies separately to each member of a class or jointly to the class as a whole.
Government writing should be dignified, but doesn't have to be pompous. Writing can be dignified when the language is simple, direct, and strong. To make your writing clearer and easier to read -- and thus more effective -- prefer the simple word.
Words can attract or repel readers. It is possible to choose words in our writing that do not make the wrong impression or antagonize our readers. Use words to which people react favorably rather than words that they resent.
A writer may improve the clarity of a regulation by using short, compact paragraphs. Each paragraph should deal with a single, unified topic. Lengthy, complex, or technical discussions should be presented in a series of related paragraphs.
CSD-7 delegates completed a first reading of their decisions on energy and oceans and second readings on decisions on tourism and consumption and production patterns. Informal consultations on outstanding issues in the SIDS decision also took place.
TOURISM: Drafting Group I, chaired by Navid Hanif (Pakistan), further considered tabled amendments and a letter from CSD-7 Chair Upton inviting delegations to consider points from the outcome of the Tourism Segment. On the programme of work on sustainable tourism, the EU opposed a G-77/CHINA proposal to replace a reference to cooperation with interested parties with "consultation." The EU inserted a preamble note of appreciation regarding the multi-stakeholder dialogue and major groups' progress in promoting sustainable tourism. The Chair invited participants to consider welcoming industry initiatives, as noted in the outcome of the Tourism Segment. The EU introduced a number of operative subparagraphs calling for government action. The G-77/CHINA preferred to "encourage" rather than call for government action. On the EU-proposed subparagraph on an appropriate legal, economic, social and environmental framework, the US, supported by RUSSIA, noted difficulties with the promotion of eco-audits and labeling. The G-77/CHINA deleted specific references to elements of a mix of instruments.
The G-77/CHINA expressed serious difficulty with an EU-proposed subparagraph on the exploitation of women and children, especially through sex tourism, and the application of ILO standards in tourism. BRAZIL said these issues were being taken up in other UN fora. The G-77/CHINA proposed new text encouraging governments to consult with major groups at all levels of the tourism development process. CANADA introduced text inviting governments to undertake capacity building work with indigenous people and local communities to ensure transparency in decision making.
On the tourism industry, the G-77/CHINA, opposed by the US, proposed deleting "monitoring" of voluntary tourism initiatives. The G-77/CHINA proposed new text encouraging the industry to develop, within national strategies, environmentally, socially and culturally compatible forms of tourism and to continue voluntary initiatives, though not as substitutes for regulation. On building on existing UN work, the G-77/CHINA, opposed by the EU, proposed deletion of a reference to "the Barbados Plan of Action." The G-77/CHINA proposed new text calling for further clarification of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism. The US and the EU supported clarifying the concept of sustainable tourism. On capacity building, the G-77/CHINA proposed the addition of "multilateral and bilateral" financial and technical assistance and "appropriate technologies" for all aspects of tourism.
The EU, supported by the US, opposed a G-77/CHINA proposal to reference natural disasters in a paragraph on exchange of information. The EU, supported by the US and RUSSIA, proposed merging text on developing indicators for sustainable tourism, taking into account work by the WTO. The G-77/CHINA objected. The US proposed multi-stakeholder participation in the development of indicators. On a comprehensive assessment of voluntary tourism initiatives, the US proposed deleting references to the CSD-6 process on voluntary initiatives. CANADA added text noting that the assessment is being undertaken to raise awareness. The EU supported both amendments. The US proposed eliminating a subparagraph on elaborating a set of guidelines for sustainable tourism development. The G-77/CHINA reserved on AUSTRALIAN and EU-proposed text on reducing environmental impacts associated with travel and tourism. CANADA added text inviting agencies, especially the IMO, to investigate the sufficiency of existing marine pollution regulations and compliance.
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