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Submitting IFUW Resolutions
This section outlines IFUW's procedure for submitting and adopting policy resolutions. Questions should be addressed to the Resolutions Committee Convener, Margaret Tait.
Who May Propose Resolutions
Resolutions may be proposed and seconded only by IFUW national federations and associations, the Board of Officers, standing committees and special committees of IFUW.
Deadline for Submissions
Resolutions must be received by IFUW Headquarters not later than six months before the Conference.
Content
Resolutions on public policy must be consistent with the strategic programme objectives of IFUW.
If IFUW has previously adopted a policy resolution on the subject, a new proposal may only be presented if reaffirmation or updating is needed to highlight existing IFUW policy for a specific purpose, such as presentation to a United Nations (UN) conference or reaction to a current world event.
In the case of reaffirmation or updating of a resolution, the correct policy number, year of adoption and the reason for reaffirmation must be stated in the body of the resolution.
Resolutions with financial implication for IFUW should clearly indicate ways of funding their implementation.
Format
- Proposed resolutions may be submitted in either English or French.
- Each resolution must have a title and mention the proposer(s).
- A resolution should state clearly and concisely the nature of action to be taken and who is to take it. (e.g. National Federations and Associations, IFUW Board of Officers). If government action is being sought, NFAs should be asked to contact their own governments.
- IFUW resolutions are not preceded by "introductory" or "whereas" clauses.
- The clause that forms the body of the resolutions should be one sentence in length and if a second clause is required, they would be joined by "; and".
- Each resolution must be accompanied by a supporting statement and an action plan suggesting how the resolution is to be implemented. (See Sample resolution, supporting statement and plan of action)
- The total length - resolution, supporting statement and action plan - must not exceed one A4 page type size 12. Additional materials may be sent separately for input to future Information Papers.
- The name of a contact person together with an e-mail address and/or fax number must be provided to facilitate contact before the Conference in case clarification is needed or there is a possibility of combining your resolution with another similar resolution.
Please click here to see a sample resolution
Emergency Resolutions
Only an issue which requires immediate action on the part of IFUW and which has arisen after the deadline for submission of resolutions may be dealt with as an emergency resolution. Emergency resolutions may be submitted only by members of the Conference entitled to vote, Conveners of IFUW standing committees, and Conveners of IFUW special committees. A two-thirds majority of the members of Conference entitled to vote and voting is required for a resolution to be accepted for debate.
Procedure at Conference
- The IFUW Resolutions Committee shall arrange a consensus meeting during the Conference for informal discussion among the proposers and delegates seeking clarification and further amendments.
- All resolutions must be seconded, except in the case of Board resolutions proposed from the Chair. Resolutions and amendments circulated widely as part of the pre-conference consultation shall be considered to be seconded.
- The delegates shall be informed before each meeting of the resolutions on which a vote will be taken.
- At the business session when the vote is to be taken the resolution is proposed in its consensus form, together with any proposed amendments.
- The Chair repeats the resolution and then opens it for discussion at a plenary session, where any member may speak for or against the proposal. Normally a maximum of ten minutes is allowed for discussion on each proposal and no one may speak longer than two minutes at a time.
- The Chair shall decide at what point the debate will cease. The Chair shall read the resolution in its final form; there shall be no further discussion and the vote shall be taken. A simple majority of the votes cast is required for adoption.
- When an amendment is moved to a resolution, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments are moved to a proposal, the Chair decides the order in which the amendments shall be voted on, but if an amendment is moved to a proposed amendment, the last mentioned amendment is dealt with first. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted upon. If no amendments are adopted, the consensus resolution shall be put to the vote.
- Procedure for emergency resolutions: Any resolution received by the Resolutions Committee after the prescribed date (six months before the Conference) and at least 24 hours before it is put before the Conference, must meet the criteria for Emergency Resolutions. It may only be accepted for debate after receiving the required two-thirds majority of the members of the Conference entitled to vote and voting. Once accepted for debate, the resolution requires only a simple majority of the votes cast to be adopted.
- No resolutions shall be announced by the Chair less than 48 hours before the termination of the Conference.
Please click here to see full Resolutions Regulations |
